Durango, Colorado

by ebizdir · Published June 1, 2023 · Updated June 2, 2023

Durango, Colorado is a beautiful mountain town nestled in the Southern Rocky Mountains. Located in Southwestern Colorado, Durango is surrounded by stunning views of the San Juan Mountains and Animas River Valley. This picturesque mountain town has a rich history and culture that make it an amazing place to visit or live.

The city of Durango sits at an altitude of 6,512 feet above sea level and covers an area of 12.6 square miles. The terrain surrounding Durango is made up mostly of mountains and valleys with plenty of lush vegetation. The Animas River runs through the city, offering a variety of recreational activities such as kayaking, rafting, fishing, and tubing. The river also serves as a great source for irrigation for local farmers and ranchers who have been living in the area since the late 1800s.

Durango’s climate is mild year-round with four distinct seasons. Summers are warm with temperatures ranging from 60-90 degrees Fahrenheit while winters can be cold with temperatures dropping to 0 degrees or below during some months. There is usually snowfall from October through May but it typically melts away quickly due to the sunny days that follow any snowfall events.

Durango has plenty to offer visitors or residents alike including several museums and historic sites such as Fort Lewis College which was established in 1891 as one of the first military academies west of the Mississippi River; numerous hiking trails through nearby mountains; skiing at Purgatory Resort; exploring downtown Durango’s many shops, restaurants, bars, galleries, and theaters; relaxing on one of the many lakes nearby; or taking advantage of one of many outdoor activities such as mountain biking or rock climbing available year-round in this gorgeous mountain town.

Overall, Durango offers something for everyone no matter what type of outdoor activity you’re looking for. From its stunning natural beauty to its rich history and culture there’s something here that will appeal to everyone who visits this special corner of Colorado.

History of Durango, Colorado

According to topschoolsintheusa.com, Durango, Colorado is a picturesque mountain town located in the southwestern region of the state. It has been inhabited for centuries by Native American tribes, and was first explored by Spanish conquistadors in the late 1500s. The town was officially founded in 1880 as a railroad hub and quickly became an important trade center for the area. Durango grew rapidly during this period and developed into a bustling city with many businesses, stores, churches, schools, and other amenities.

The city has a rich history that dates back to its earliest inhabitants, the Ute Indians. These tribes lived in the area for hundreds of years before they were forced out by settlers in 1881. Durango’s economy was largely based on mining and agriculture during this period, though it also had some manufacturing industries as well.

In 1891 Fort Lewis College was established as one of the first military academies west of the Mississippi River. The college became an important part of Durango’s culture and helped shape its educational system for generations to come. In addition to education, Durango’s economy also relied heavily on mining and tourism throughout the late 19th century and early 20th century.

The Great Depression brought economic hardship to Durango but it was able to recover with help from government programs like the Civilian Conservation Corps which helped build infrastructure such as roads, bridges, dams, and buildings throughout Colorado during this time period.

Durango continued to grow throughout much of the 20th century with an influx of new residents due to its natural beauty and recreational opportunities such as skiing at Purgatory Resort which opened in 1965; various hiking trails; rafting down the Animas River; fishing; mountain biking; rock climbing; etc… The city also experienced a cultural renaissance in recent years with many new restaurants, bars, galleries, theaters opening up downtown offering something for everyone who visits or lives here.

Today, Durango is home to around 17000 people who enjoy living in this vibrant mountain town surrounded by stunning views of mountains and valleys while taking advantage of all that it has to offer. Its rich history combined with modern amenities make it an amazing place to visit or live.

Economy of Durango, Colorado

Durango, Colorado has a vibrant and diverse economy that has been shaped by its rich history. The city’s earliest inhabitants were the Ute Indians, who lived in the area for hundreds of years before they were forced out by settlers in 1881. Durango’s economy was largely based on mining and agriculture during this period, though it also had some manufacturing industries as well.

In 1891 Fort Lewis College was established as one of the first military academies west of the Mississippi River, and it quickly became an important part of Durango’s culture and helped shape its educational system for generations to come.

Today, Durango’s economy is fueled by tourism, retail trade, construction, health care services, education services and professional scientific and technical services. Tourism is a major driver of the local economy with many people visiting each year for skiing at Purgatory Resort; various hiking trails; rafting down the Animas River; fishing; mountain biking; rock climbing; etc… As a result there are many restaurants, bars, galleries and theaters in downtown Durango that offer something for everyone who visits or lives here.

The retail trade sector is also thriving due to its proximity to popular ski resorts like Purgatory Resort which attracts skiers from all over the country each year. Construction is another major industry in Durango as there has been a lot of development over recent years with new buildings being constructed throughout the city. Health care services have also become increasingly important as more people move to Durango due to its natural beauty and recreational opportunities.

Education services are also important in Durango due to Fort Lewis College which offers both undergraduate and graduate degrees. Professional scientific and technical services have been on the rise in recent years due to companies such as Microsoft setting up offices in town which employ locals with high-tech skillsets.

Overall, Durango has developed into a thriving city with an eclectic mix of industries that provide employment opportunities for locals while still preserving its small-town charm that so many visitors come here for.

Politics in Durango, Colorado

Durango, Colorado is a city known for its small-town charm and vibrant outdoor lifestyle. It is also a city that has long been known for its progressive political leanings. Durango has been led by Democratic mayors since the early 1900s, with the current mayor being elected in 2019. Durango has consistently voted Democrat in presidential elections, with the most recent election being no exception. The city has also consistently supported progressive initiatives such as renewable energy, public transportation, and environmental protection.

At the state level, Durango is represented by three Democratic senators and one Republican representative in the Colorado State Senate, as well as four Democratic representatives and one Republican representative in the Colorado House of Representatives. This reflects Durango’s progressive values at both local and state level politics.

Locally, Durango has a mayor-council form of government with nine elected city council members serving four-year terms. The mayor serves a two-year term and is responsible for setting policy for the city council to consider and approve. The city council is responsible for approving budgets, setting tax rates, approving zoning changes, establishing ordinances and more.

Durango also has an active citizenry that regularly participates in local politics through town hall meetings and other public forums to discuss important issues facing their community such as affordable housing, economic development projects or infrastructure improvements. Additionally, there are many organizations in town that advocate on behalf of various causes such as environmental protection or economic justice which are actively engaged in local politics as well.

In conclusion, it can be seen that Durango is a politically progressive city whose citizens are actively engaged in their local government affairs through participation at both civic events and public forums alike to ensure their voices are heard on important topics facing their community today.