Colorado Adventure

Durango, Colorado

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by Michele Kadison

As southwest Colorado’s largest town, boasting a population of 15,000, Durango is one of the most authentic, friendly, and energetic towns in the Colorado Rockies. With its breathtaking scenery, Durango shares the Four Corners junction with Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah. At an altitude of 6,512 feet and surrounded by red sandstone bluffs, the city tucks itself into the wide and splendid Animas River Valley. Look to the north and see Needles Mountain and the peaks of the San Juan, to the west take in the arid desert terrain, and to the south find the border of the 2 million acre San Juan National Forest as well as the west’s famed canyon country.

Durango, Colorado is a vacationer’s dream. With its archeological sites, its vast array of summer and winter activities, and a downtown filled with museums, galleries, restaurants, bars, shops; a casino, Durango leaves nothing to be desired. As you move about the town and meet the locals, a sense of ease coupled with exuberance is what is most notable about staying in this vacation hot spot. Surrounded by some of the most exhilarating sights in the Colorado Rockies, Durango offers something for everyone.

History of Durango, Colorado
Durango, Colorado was founded in 1880 when the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad created a track to Silverton, Colorado. Durango was designated the hub of this rail system that was designed to transport ore from high up in the mountains to the smelters residing in the town below. The train, now named the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, is a historical wonder, having been in operation for 126 years! Why is it called a “narrow gauge” railroad? Because in this unique railway system, the rails measure 36 inches apart as opposed to the standard 56.

Go to downtown Durango to see many of the original mining buildings that still stand in the historic areas of Main and Third Avenues. If your stay coincides with several of Durango’s historical celebrations, you are in for a treat. Enjoy the annual Hozhoni Days, Fiesta Days, or the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railfest and you will understand why Durango makes such a perfect travel destination.

Transportation to and from Durango, Colorado
Flying in and out of the Durango-La Plata County Airport (DRO) is easy with Delta Airlines from Salt Lake City, American West/US Air from Phoenix, and United Express from Denver. If you’re driving, take Highway 550 from the north and south and Highway 160 from the east and west. Bus service is available and provided by the private carrier and “interline” to Greyhound Bus, TNM&O. Visit www.greyhound.com for fares and scheduling.

Climate in Durango, Colorado
With an elevation of 6,512 feet above sea level, Durango is in a transition zone between the semi-arid desert plains and the mountains. The average summer temperature is in the mid-70’s by day and the 50’s at night. Winter temperatures average in the 20’s by day, with lower temperatures at night.

Activities in Durango, Colorado
Summer or winter, Durango is a town full of exciting activities for the entire family. Visit the famed archeological sites in the Mesa Verde Park, go to one of the several historical museums to learn more about Durango’s origins, and stroll around town to take in the galleries, shops, restaurants, and bars. With its majestic surroundings, Durango provides some of the best camping, hiking, mountain biking, kayaking, white water rafting, glider rides, horseback riding, rock climbing, skiing, and golf in the Colorado Rockies. Evenings promise year-round entertainment, including concerts, theatrical performances, rodeo exhibits, as well as homey or upscale bars and restaurants that suit every taste. Accommodations are plentiful and range from the luxurious to the comfortably rustic.

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