Durango Colorado Today

Durango, Colorado, today...population 16,138, located in La Plata County, population 42,112, sits amidst some of the American West’s most rugged and beautiful country but is somewhat isolated from major populated cities.

The city is 215 miles northwest of Albuquerque, New Mexico, 350 miles southwest of Denver, Colorado, the state capital, 461 miles northeast of Phoenix, Arizona, and 413 miles Southeast of Salt Lake City, Utah.

Although Durango cut it's teeth in the rugged, pioneer-era of miners and railroaders, the city is relatively safe by national standards.

The violent crime rate is less than one-half the national average but the property crime rate is slightly above the national average.

There’s plenty to see and enjoy in Durango year-round from the slopes of Durango Mountain Resort, busy in both winter and summer, to the scenic Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad.

Trains have been running on the route for 118 years first hauling freight, gold and silver ore . It is estimated that over $300 million dollars in gold and silver were hauled on these tracks.

Today, the freight is tourist from all over the world that come to Durango to enjoy the unique experience of travelling these historic rails pulled by the same type of coal-fired steam engine that operated for so many years before.

In 1998, the Society of American Travel Writers voted it one of the "Top Ten Most Exciting Train Journeys in the World".

The Architectural history of the city has been remarkably well preserved. The historic residential district contains many beautiful examples of late 19th and early 20th Century homes restored to their original splendor.

The downtown is literally a step back in time offering a charm not often found today from the gracious Strater Hotel to the railroad depot.

Shopping in Durango is a unique experience of retail stores, custom boutiques, art galleries, western wear stores, outdoor suppliers and shops and restaurants.

During winter ski season or the summer tourist season, it’s always busy and fun to visit and just stroll around. Most of your shopping preferences can be satisfied in Durango.

The golfer will find three eighteen-hole courses in Durango for seasonal play and the outdoor lover can hike, camp, hunt, fish in the 402,555 acre San Juan National Forest that surrounds Durango.

If a western lifestyle with plenty of outdoor recreation appeals to you, then a visit to Durango would be advised.

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