Welcome to Durango Colorado

Durango was established after the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad built a depot just south of the bustling agricultural community of Animas City. The gold fever in 1874 resulted in the early mining settlement of Silverton, 50 miles north of what was to become Durango. The narrow gauge railroad would connect Silverton to the south. The first stake was driven in 1880, and Durango became a hub of transportation.

Although tourism drives the economy of Durango today, its colorful past includes agriculture and mining and smelting operations. The narrow gauge train tracks were built more than 120 years ago, and they still act as a pathway used by today's Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, which is an excursion train for tourists.

Durango at a glance:

• Founded in 1880 by the Denver and Rio Grande Railroad
• Average snowfall in Durango: 68 inches
• Population in Durango: 15,000
• Major Industries: Tourism and agriculture
• Largest employer in La Plata County:  Southern Ute Indian Tribe
• Average days of sunshine: 300+
• Average Snowfall at Durango Mountain Resort: 260 inches
• 14ers in this area: Sunlight Peak, Windom Peak, Mt. Eolus all located in the Weminuche Wilderness of the San Juan Mountains
• Most common fish in Animas River: Trout
• Camping: Over 900 camping sites within a 40-mile radius of Durango, closest is Junction Creek, 5 miles northwest of Durango.
• Acres that burned in Missionary Ridge Fire: 70,000 acres
• Animas River: The original name, Rio de las Animas Perdidas, translates to "the river of lost souls."
• Engineer Mountain: 12,975 feet

Durango Area Tourism Office: (970)247-3500Durango Area Links