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Durango, Colorado

Coordinates: 37°15′57″N 107°52′42″W / 37.26583°N 107.87833°W / 37.26583; -107.87833
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Durango, Colorado
Home rule municipality[1]
Durango as seen from Rim Drive
Durango as seen from Rim Drive
Flag of Durango, Colorado
Flag
Motto(s): 
"Open Spaces and Familiar Faces"
Location of the City of Durango in La Plata County, Colorado
Location of the City of Durango in La Plata County, Colorado
Durango is located in the United States
Durango
Durango
Location of the City of Durango in the United States
Coordinates: 37°15′57″N 107°52′42″W / 37.26583°N 107.87833°W / 37.26583; -107.87833[3]
Country United States
State Colorado
CountyLa Plata County seat[2]
Founded1880
IncorporatedApril 27, 1881[4]
Government
 • TypeHome rule municipality[1]
Area
[5]
17.103 sq mi (44.296 km2)
 • Land14.708 sq mi (38.093 km2)
 • Water2.395 sq mi (6.203 km2)
Elevation
[3]
6,529 ft (1,990 m)
Population
 (2020)[5]
19,071
 • Density1,297/sq mi (501/km2)
 • Metro
55,638
DemonymDurangoan
Time zoneUTC−07:00 (MST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−06:00 (MDT)
ZIP codes[6]
81301-81303
Area code970
FIPS code08-22035
GNIS feature ID2410374[3]
Websitewww.durangogov.org

Durango is a home rule municipality that is the county seat and the most populous municipality of La Plata County, Colorado, United States.[1] The city population was 19,071 at the 2020 United States Census.[5] Durango is the home of Fort Lewis College.

History

[edit]

The town was organized from September 1880 to April 1881 by the Denver and Rio Grande Railroad (D&RG, later known as the Denver and Rio Grande Western railroad) as part of their efforts to reach Silverton, Colorado, and service the San Juan mining district, the goal of their "San Juan Extension" built from Alamosa, Colorado. The D&RG chose a site in the Animas Valley close to the Animas River near what is now the Downtown Durango Historic Business District for its railroad facilities following a brief and most likely perfunctory negotiation with the other establishment in the area known as Animas City, two miles (3.2 km) to the north.[7] The city was named by ex-Colorado Governor Alexander C. Hunt, a friend of D&RG President William Jackson Palmer, after Durango, Mexico, based on his favorable impression of that city resulting from a scouting trip undertaken on behalf of Palmer.[8]

Palmer, among other D&RG associates such as William Bell, started a subsidiary company known as the Durango Trust to sell land and plan a Main Street, 2nd, and 3rd Avenue, and so on to organize the town, taking inspiration from how Palmer founded the city of Colorado Springs. Sales from the Durango Trust skyrocketed by the completion of the D&RG's Silverton Branch, and by 1885, Durango's business district had seven hotels and restaurants, eleven saloons, dance halls and stores, two bakeries and blacksmith shops, and a variety of other businesses, also boosting the town of Silverton's population to 2,000 at the time.[8]

The D&RG(W) and the Rio Grande Southern Railroad were vital resources to many places, including Durango, before the major introduction of the automobile, helping transport goods such as produce and mineral traffic in and out of the Southwestern Colorado area, and along with other businesses such as the Durango Smelter, immensely supporting the town's economy. However, the Great Depression and aftermath of World War II hurt the area's railroad industry. The Rio Grande Southern lost its contract to transport mail in 1951, and soon thereafter suspended operations. The D&RGW also ended their San Juan Express passenger service from Durango to Alamosa. However, the natural scenery along their Silverton Branch had been recognized as a major tourist attraction. In turn, the D&RGW introduced the major tourism industry into the Durango area, transporting visitors up to Silverton and back and attracting Hollywood into La Plata County for a time. Once the D&RGW ended up losing its freight traffic in 1968, the tracks from Durango east to Chama, New Mexico, and south to Farmington, New Mexico, were removed, but the Silverton Branch remained in operation until 1981 when it was sold and became the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad.[8][9]

There are significant archaeological sites surrounding the Durango area featured on the State and National historical registers, including:

Geography

[edit]

At the 2020 United States Census, the town had a total area of 10,946 acres (44.296 km2), including 1,533 acres (6.203 km2) of water.[5]

Climate

[edit]

According to the Köppen climate classification system, Durango has a mediterranean-influenced humid continental climate (Dsa / Dsb).

Climate data for Durango, Colorado, 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1991–2018
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °F (°C) 60
(16) 		71
(22) 		78
(26) 		84
(29) 		98
(37) 		96
(36) 		99
(37) 		95
(35) 		96
(36) 		86
(30) 		72
(22) 		62
(17) 		99
(37)
Mean daily maximum °F (°C) 39.2
(4.0) 		45
(7) 		54.1
(12.3) 		62.8
(17.1) 		71.3
(21.8) 		81.3
(27.4) 		85
(29) 		82.3
(27.9) 		75.7
(24.3) 		64.3
(17.9) 		50.1
(10.1) 		39.9
(4.4) 		62.6
(16.9)
Daily mean °F (°C) 26.1
(−3.3) 		31.8
(−0.1) 		39.6
(4.2) 		46.4
(8.0) 		54.3
(12.4) 		63.5
(17.5) 		68.9
(20.5) 		66.9
(19.4) 		60.1
(15.6) 		48.6
(9.2) 		36.4
(2.4) 		26.7
(−2.9) 		47.4
(8.6)
Mean daily minimum °F (°C) 13
(−11) 		18.6
(−7.4) 		25.1
(−3.8) 		30
(−1) 		37.2
(2.9) 		45.6
(7.6) 		52.9
(11.6) 		51.5
(10.8) 		44.5
(6.9) 		32.9
(0.5) 		22.7
(−5.2) 		13.4
(−10.3) 		32.3
(0.1)
Record low °F (°C) −12
(−24) 		−5
(−21) 		0
(−18) 		10
(−12) 		21
(−6) 		28
(−2) 		35
(2) 		40
(4) 		26
(−3) 		11
(−12) 		−2
(−19) 		−14
(−26) 		−14
(−26)
Average precipitation inches (mm) 2.17
(55) 		1.71
(43) 		1.32
(34) 		1.25
(32) 		1.18
(30) 		0.53
(13) 		1.92
(49) 		2.28
(58) 		2.22
(56) 		1.93
(49) 		1.46
(37) 		1.65
(42) 		19.62
(498)
Average snowfall inches (cm) 19.4
(49) 		15.4
(39) 		5.3
(13) 		3.8
(9.7) 		0.2
(0.51) 		0
(0) 		0
(0) 		0
(0) 		0
(0) 		1.1
(2.8) 		5.5
(14) 		13
(33) 		63.7
(161.01)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in) 7.1 8 6.6 6.6 6.7 4.4 11.3 12.6 8.7 7.3 6.5 7.1 92.9
Average snowy days (≥ 0.1 in) 6.9 6.5 3.8 2.2 0.2 0 0 0 0 0.7 3.4 6 29.7
Source 1: NOAA[10]
Source 2: XMACIS2[11]

Demographics

[edit]
Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18902,726—
19003,31721.7%
19104,68641.3%
19204,116−12.2%
19305,40031.2%
19405,8879.0%
19507,45926.7%
196010,53041.2%
197010,333−1.9%
198011,64912.7%
199012,4306.7%
200013,92212.0%
201016,88721.3%
202019,07112.9%
U.S. Decennial Census

As of the 2000 census,[12] there were 13,922 people, 5,492 households, and 2,603 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,052.4 inhabitants per square mile (792.4/km2). There were 5,819 housing units at an average density of 857.8 units per square mile (331.2 units/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 86.8% White, 0.5% African American, 5.5% Native American, 0.7% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 4.1% from other races, and 2.2% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 10.3% of the population.

There were 5,492 households, out of which 22.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 34.2% were married couples living together, 9.4% had a single female householder, and 52.6% were non-families. 31.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.23 and the average family size was 2.83.

In the city, 16.6% of residents were under the age of 18, 26.1% from 18 to 24, 27.2% from 25 to 44, 19.4% from 45 to 64, and 10.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 29 years. For every 100 females, there were 104.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 103.8 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $34,892, and the median income for a family was $50,814. Males had a median income of $31,812 versus $25,022 for females. The per capita income for the city was $19,352. 17.2% of the population and 7.3% of families were living below the poverty line. 11.2% of those younger than 18 and 8.9% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.

Arts and culture

[edit]

Main Avenue

[edit]
The Strater Hotel in 2010

Main Avenue is a Nationally Registered Historic District that cuts through downtown Durango and is home to galleries, boutiques, restaurants, bars, and other businesses. Two notable and historic hotels, the General Palmer and the Strater, lie at the south end of the avenue, near the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad depot. With its combination of historic architecture, entertainment, and shopping, Main Avenue has historically comprised the center of Durango and is a popular year-round tourist destination.

Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad

[edit]

Durango is known worldwide for the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad,[citation needed] a heritage railroad that operates what was the Denver & Rio Grande Western's Branchline to the historic mining town of Silverton, Colorado, also still notably using historic D&RGW Steam Locomotives and other historic rail equipment.

D&RGW steam locomotive on the Durango turntable, 1965

Snowdown Festival

[edit]

Durango is home to Snowdown, an annual midwinter event popular for its Parade of Lights and other events. The event lasts 5 days, with competitions and costumes.

Durango Ragtime & Early Jazz Festival

[edit]

The annual Durango Ragtime & Early Jazz Festival features noted musicians from around the country. It is held in the Strater Hotel, a historic Victorian hotel in Durango. It is hosted by popular Durango resident and ragtime pianist Adam Swanson.

Iron Horse Bicycle Classic

[edit]

Founded in 1972, the Iron Horse is a 61-mile (98 km) bicycle road race held annually in Durango. Every year cyclists from around the world come together and race the Durango Narrow Gauge Train on its journey from Durango to Silverton.

Economy

[edit]

Top Employers

[edit]

With over 35,000 employees working in the city, Durango is an economic hub in southwestern Colorado. According to Durango's 2023 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report,[13] the city's top employers are:

# Employer Number of employees
1 Southern Ute Tribe 1,600
2 Durango School District 9-R 998
3 Mercy Medical Center 901
4 Purgatory Recreational Management 850
5 Fort Lewis College 683
6 La Plata County 445
7 Walmart 437
8 City of Durango 354
9 Bayfield School District 11-JT 216
10 Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory 200

Media

[edit]
Main article: Media in Durango, Colorado

Durango has a number of media outlets, such as the newspaper The Durango Herald. Some radio stations in Durango are 99x Durango, The Point, KDGO, XRock 105.3, KDUR 91.9/93.9, and Four Corners Broadcasting (KIQX 101.3, KRSJ 100.5, KKDC 93.3, and KKDC AM 930).

Transportation

[edit]

Durango is served by U.S. Highway 160 (the Old Spanish Trail), running east–west, and U.S. Highway 550, running north–south. Part of U.S. 550 offers high-speed access (primarily a 4-lane, divided highway) to Albuquerque, New Mexico. North of Durango, 550 is nicknamed the Million Dollar Highway, and is part of the scenic San Juan Skyway.

Durango is served by Durango–La Plata County Airport (IATA code: DRO), a major regional airport for southwestern Colorado, located near Ignacio, Colorado. The airport is serviced year-round by regional carriers Mesa Airlines (American Eagle), SkyWest Airlines (American Eagle and United Express), Republic Airways (United Express), and Envoy Air (American Eagle).

As of 2014, regional connecting hubs to DRO include Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX), and Denver International Airport (DEN).

Durango Transit provides several loop bus routes in the community, including Fort Lewis College. Normal hours of operation are weekdays from 6:30 am to 6:30 pm. Ignacio Road Runner provides bus service to the nearby towns of Ignacio, Colorado, and Bayfield, Colorado, with four trips daily on weekdays and one on Saturdays. Both services share the Durango Transit Center as a hub.

Greyhound Lines formerly served Durango, but after budget cuts, the service was discontinued. Since 2014, Road Runner Transit (a service of Southern Ute Community Action Programs) has restored daily bus service between Grand Junction and Durango.[14] Since 2018, Road Runner's service has been incorporated into the larger mantle of the state-run program Bustang.[15]

Colleges

[edit]

Notable people

[edit]

Sister cities

[edit]

Durango has two sister cities, as designated by Sister Cities International:

References in television and film

[edit]

The Denver & Rio Grande Western Railroad began to advertise the La Plata County Area to Hollywood beginning in the mid-1930s, kick-starting Durango's future in film appearances.[17]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c "Active Colorado Municipalities". Colorado Department of Local Affairs. Retrieved October 16, 2021.
  2. ^ "Colorado Counties". State of Colorado, Colorado Department of Local Affairs, Division of Local Government. Retrieved January 26, 2021.
  3. ^ a b c U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Durango, Colorado
  4. ^ "Colorado Municipal Incorporations". State of Colorado, Department of Personnel & Administration, Colorado State Archives. December 1, 2004. Retrieved September 2, 2007.
  5. ^ a b c d "Decennial Census P.L. 94-171 Redistricting Data". United States Census Bureau, United States Department of Commerce. August 12, 2021. Retrieved September 7, 2021.
  6. ^ "ZIP Code Lookup". United States Postal Service. Archived from the original (JavaScript/HTML) on November 4, 2010. Retrieved September 8, 2007.
  7. ^ Nossaman, Allen (19998). Many More Mountains Vol. 3: Rails into Silverton.
  8. ^ a b c Smith, Duane A. (1992). Rocky Mountain boom town : a history of Durango, Colorado. Niwot, Colo.: University Press of Colorado. ISBN 0-585-02503-7. OCLC 44959038.
  9. ^ Dorman, Richard L. (1987). Durango: always a railroad town (1st ed.). Santa Fe, NM: R.D. Publications. ISBN 0-9616656-1-0. OCLC 17515710.
  10. ^ "U.S. Climate Normals Quick Access – Station: Durango, CO". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved June 13, 2024.
  11. ^ "xmACIS2". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved June 13, 2024.
  12. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  13. ^ "2023 City of Durango Annual Comprehensive Report". durangoco.gov. City of Durango.
  14. ^ Dale Rodebaugh (July 11, 2014). "Bus service to Grand Junction to resume". Durango Herald. Archived from the original on August 13, 2020. Retrieved August 27, 2017.
  15. ^ Armijo, Patrick (December 31, 2017). "Road Runner bus line to join state network". The Durango Herald. Archived from the original on August 4, 2020. Retrieved November 30, 2019.
  16. ^ "College in Colorado - Facts about Fort Lewis College". Fortlewis.edu. Retrieved August 27, 2017.
  17. ^ a b c d e Jensen, Larry (2014). Hollywood's railroads : volume three, Narrow Gauge Country. [Sequim, WA]. ISBN 978-0-692-31351-0. OCLC 967732272.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  18. ^ Colorado Territory (1949) - IMDb, retrieved March 30, 2021
  19. ^ A Ticket to Tomahawk (1950) - IMDb, retrieved March 30, 2021
  20. ^ Denver & Rio Grande (1952) - IMDb, retrieved March 30, 2021
  21. ^ "The Naked Spur (1953)". IMDb. Retrieved August 27, 2017.[unreliable source?]
  22. ^ "Run for Cover (1955)". IMDb. Retrieved August 27, 2017.[unreliable source?]
  23. ^ "Night Passage (1957)". IMDb. Retrieved August 27, 2017.[unreliable source?]
  24. ^ "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969)". IMDb. Retrieved August 27, 2017.[unreliable source?]
  25. ^ "Avalanche (1978)". IMDb. Retrieved August 22, 2019.[unreliable source?]
  26. ^ IMDB: Cannon: Sky Above, Death Below , television series.[unreliable source?]
  27. ^ IMDB: City Slickers (1991) - Filming locations[unreliable source?]
  28. ^ IMDB: Durango Kids, motion picture.[unreliable source?]
  29. ^ "Cliffhanger (1993)". IMDb. Retrieved August 27, 2017.[unreliable source?]
  30. ^ "Hacking at Leaves". IMDb. Retrieved May 20, 2024.
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