With its small town charm coupled with a wide variety of educational and recreational opportunities, Durango, CO, is the perfect place to raise a family. The city is home to the Durango School District 9-R, giving you multiple school options for your children. Whether you live in town or in rural La Plata County, the school district has several elementary and middle schools that provide individualized instruction for your children. High school students planning to attend college or pursue a technical career will excel at Durango High School, a public school with a comprehensive curriculum as well as excellent extracurricular opportunities. Alternatively, students can attend Durango Big Picture High School. This innovative school allows each student’s interest to shape her educational experience. Students at the school receive three days of classes and two days of internship training each week.
In addition to Durango’s high-quality education system, it has numerous community resources that make it a family-friendly town. The Crime Stoppers program facilitates communication between community members and the Durango Police Department, improving public safety. The Humane Society, city recycling program, 4CORE resources office, public library, Mercy Regional Medical Center, and San Juan Basin Health Department make Durango a pleasant, friendly home with easy access to public resources.
Durango also features a variety of outdoor activities that will delight every member of your family. With over 300 days of sunshine per year, the city promotes an active, healthy lifestyle. Take your children to the nearby San Juan National Forest for an overnight camping trip or day hike to experience the mountainous beauty of southwestern Colorado. Alternatively, relax by fishing the Animas river or enjoying an afternoon of swimming. Your children will love the ancient Pueblo dwellings at Mesa Verde National Park, a 45-minute drive from Durango. Other archaeological sites of interest include the Ute Mountain Tribal Park, Chimney Rock Archaeological Center, and Crow Canyon Archaeological Center. Visit the Anasazi Heritage Center museum to learn more about the American Indian population that lived in Durango long ago or ride the rails at the historic Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad and Museum. Regardless of your interests, Durango holds exciting opportunities for adults and children of all ages.
