Durango Colorado Information:
From News to Views

Coming to town and need some Durango Colorado information? Or maybe you're moving and wanting to check into schools. Look no further. We've got the skinny on news, schools, libraries (and even the jail) to help you enjoy your trip, or your new town.


The Scoop In Brief on Durango Colorado Information

The city of Durango Colorado was founded in 1880 by the Denver and Rio Grande Railroad. I won't go into history details here - that's for another page. Suffice it to say, as opposed to some towns tied to mining, it hung on and continued to grow.

Today's population ranges near 15,000, but with tourists popping in at all times of the year, it also fluctuates tremendously.

Durango is the seat (and only "large" town) in La Plata County. Wonder what the "Durango" river might be? Actually, there are two: The Animas River and the Florida River, which both run through town. That had to be a good thing when there were droughts in the past.

To the north and west lie the La Plata Mountains, a section of the San Juan Mountains. La Plata is Spanish for silver. Not too surprising, since silver is one of the minerals found in abundance there. One of the peaks is even called "Silver Mountain".





Our map of the area is packed, as I write this page, or I'd give you the elevations of some of the La Plata peaks. Suffice it to say, they're tall, mostly over 12,000 feet.


Durango Colorado Information In The News

When you need the latest in Durango Colorado information, check out the Durango news. I haven't seen the local news on TV in eons - both because we haven't been living in Durango and because when we visited at my mom's, her satellite TV didn't include the local Durango TV station (I think it's KREZ TV).

For local public TV, there's Durango Community Access Television (also known as DCAT). You can rent equipment to tape your own show to play on their station to get public exposure for your business or organization. They'll even help you if you're a novice, teaching you how to use the equipment and edit your film.

For news in print (and online), you can choose from the Durango Herald, the Durango Telegraph and the Four Corners Business Journal. All offer different views on what's going on in Durango.

They can tell you what activities to find around town, great places to stay and give a few ideas for restaurants to check out. They'll also be able to tell you what Durango events are happening during your stay.


Durango Colorado Information on Schools, Recreation and Education

Moving to Durango and need to know about Durango schools? The town has seven elementary schools, two middle schools, and of course, Durango High School (where I graduated many years ago...). Nearby Bayfield has two elementary schools, too, as well as their own middle school and high school.

Looking for a college in Colorado? Want to be near skiing while you go? (Many students come here because of that.) Look into Fort Lewis College in Durango. A state college, it has lots to offer in nearly every area of post-secondary education you can imagine. All amidst a breath-taking backdrop of the La Plata Mountains.

Want to further your education through book-learning mostly? They've just completed and opened the new Durango Public Library, and wow, is it great! It opened in the fall of 2008, to grand opening ceremonies. I think it has nearly four times the room it used to, and a wonderful view out onto the Animas River.

My daughter an I had to check it out, the first chance we had. My only complaint is the parking, which may be inadequate for the number of happy patrons.

Getting to Durango, if you don't have time to drive, is easy. We have our own Durango airport. Not right in Durango, mind you, but nearby. Hopefully, if you're flying in, you don't mind a small plane. That's all that flies into town anymore.

When I was in college, they used to fly 737s into the little airport. Which was sometimes a bit nerve-racking since the runway's on a plateau ending in a cliff... Ooooh! I hope we stop in time!

No worries. The littler planes that fly in these days have plenty of room.

Once you get here, you can check out any of the great places to stay (or maybe you should before you come, so you have reservations?). Go to my Durango lodging page (and those attached to it) for plenty of ideas.

Or if you need to stay longer...?

It's odd, some of what people search for when checking out Durango Colorado as a place to visit or relocate to. So don't laugh, but one of the things quite a few people are interested in (because we like bad news?) is the Durango jail. Yeah. I think it's kind of morbid, but who am I to judge?

The jail is actually under the jurisdiction of the County Sheriff's office, so calling it the Durango jail might not be exactly correct. (Funniest thing is, when you "google" Durango jail, it brings up one in Arizona by that name. Hmmm.) At any rate, we have one, it's well-used enough there's talk of expansion. Don't join the club, okay?


If You Need More Durango Colorado Information, Just Let Me Know

One day, when you're wandering around downtown Durango sightseeing, don't be surprised if you run into me. I promise I'll smile and wave, especially if you mention how much you like my website!

I hope this page helps you find out more about this great little adventure town in southwest Colorado. If you want to know more, you can always contact me and ask specific questions. I'll try to answer quickly and completely.

Thanks, as always, for your interest.