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Durango, CO
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Durango, Colorado is located in one of the most beautiful areas in the Four Corners region. Surrounding areas plunge from 14,000 foot peaks to desert valley floors, supporting alpine forests and aspen groves, rolling mountains rich with ponderosa, piñon and juniper trees and lush green valleys. Sagebrush and yuccas are framed by dramatic cliffs of purple and crimson rock.
At an elevation of 6,512 feet above sea level, Durango enjoys an ideal four-season climate with 300 days of sunshine and moderate temperatures year-round. Winters are usually mild and sunny with temperatures ranging from 10 to 50 degrees. Despite Durango’s average snowfall of 71 inches, accumulations don’t stay long in town and snow removal is manageable. Spring brings warmer weather and rain. Summer temperatures seldom climb above the upper 80’s and rivers and reservoirs stay relatively full in summer, fed by melting snow in the San Juan Mountains. Autumn days are dry and cool, creating wonderful fall colors to view while hiking, biking or driving the area’s Scenic Byways.
Due to its ideal climate, beautiful landscapes and plentiful natural resources, Durango has enjoyed a long and rich history.
Founded in 1880 by the Denver and Rio Grande Railroad, historic Durango is perched at 6512 feet above sea level and is the county seat of La Plata County.
Best known for the Historic Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, as the home of Fort Lewis College, and for its proximity to Mesa Verde National Park, Durango is a popular year-round destination. From pristine snow and waterways, majestic mountains to superb shopping and dining, fascinating arts and culture, you’ll find an array of activities as relaxing or adventurous as you like.
Fun History Fact: The narrow gauge rails are 36 inches apart, whereas standard gauge rails are 56 inches!
Durango History
During the period beginning 2,500 years ago until the 1300s, Ancestral Puebloans called this area home. By the time the Ute Indians settled here, centuries later, these ancient people had mysteriously disappeared from their last homeland - the area now called Mesa Verde National Park. The Ute Indians sheltered in the abandoned dwellings and enjoyed ample fishing and hunting opportunities the area offered.
In 1860, a lucky prospector discovered gold. Within the year, miners, farmers and families flocked to the area.
Twenty years later, railroad officials created plans for the railroad, Main Avenue, Second and Third Avenues, and by 1881 the City of Durango was incorporated and became the county seat.
By the turn of the century, Durango had become a vacation destination, with the creation of the San Juan National Forest in 1905 and Mesa Verde National Park in 1906.
The 1900s brought many of the modern-day amenities that residents still enjoy today, including the Durango Municipal Airport in 1929, the expansion of Fort Lewis College to a four year college in 1957 and Purgatory ski resort in 1965.
Present-day Durango sees multitudes of visitors each year who embrace the many opportunities to fish, hike, mountain bike and ski, and welcomes history buffs taking in Durango’s historic downtown and nearby archaeological wonders.
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Colorado
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General Information, Facts & Symbols
The United States of America accepted Colorado as the 38th state to enter the union on August 1, 1876.
Abbreviation:
CO
Capital of Colorado State:
Denver
Primary Agriculture:
The farm industry, which is primarily concentrated in livestock, is also an important element of the state’s economy. The primary crops in Colorado are corn, hay, and wheat.
Primary Industry:
The primary factors of Colorado’s manufacturing industry are food and kindred products, and printing/publishing. The mining industry includes oil and gas, coal, and metal mining. Denver is home to companies that control half of the gold production of the nation.
Colorado State Nickname:
The Centennial State
Colorado State Motto:
Nil Sine Numine (Nothing Without the Deity)
Colorado State Flower:
Rocky Mountain Columbine (Aquilegia caerulea)
(Legislation of 1925)
Colorado State Tree:
Colorado Blue Spruce (Legislation of 1939)
Colorado State Bird:
Lark Bunting (Calamospiza melanocorys)
(Legislation of 1931)
The Lark Bunting (Calamospiza melanocorys) is a medium-sized sparrow and the only member of the genus Calamospiza. It breeds in the prairie regions of central Canada and the mid-western United States. Their nest is an open cup on the ground in a grassy area.
These Lark Bunting has a large pale bill and a pale wing patch. The plumage of the adult males in breeding is black except for their white wing patch. Females of the species and immature males appear more sparrow-like, having dark brown upperparts and white underparts, with streaking on the back, breast and flanks. The wings are dark with brown edges.
Colorado State Fish:
Greenback Cutthroat Trout (Legislation of 1994)
Colorado State Insect:
Colorado Hairstreak Butterfly (Legislation of 1996)
Colorado State Gemstone:
Aquamarine (Legislation of 1971)
Official State Seal:
Depicted to the right is the state seal of Colorado. The seal of the state of Colorado is a symbol of the authority and sovereignty of the state and is a valuable asset of its people. It is the intent of the state government to ensure that appropriate uses are made of the state seal and to assist the secretary of state in the performance of the secretary’s constitutional duty as custodian of the seal.
The Official Colorado State Flag:
Depicted to the left is the state flag of Colorado. The flag of the state of Colorado is a symbol of the authority and sovereignty of the state and is a valuable asset of its people. The Colorado flag is flown over all state buildings just below the country flag of the United States of America.
State Commemorative Quarter:
From the 1999-2008 United States Mint 50 State Quarters® Program
The third commemorative quarter-dollar coin released in 2006 honors Colorado, and is the 38th coin in the United States Mint’s 50 State Quarters® Program. The Colorado quarter depicts a sweeping view of the state’s rugged Rocky Mountains with evergreen trees and a banner carrying the inscription “Colorful Colorado.” The coin also bears the inscriptions “Colorado” and “1876″.
Colorado’s Rocky Mountains are home to some of the Nation’s most majestic natural wonders. Among these, rising approximately 10,000 feet from the valley floor in Northwest Colorado, Grand Mesa is the largest flat-top mountain in the world, and is home to more than 200 lakes and many miles of scenic hiking trails.
Colorado was admitted into the Union on August 1, 1876, becoming our Nation’s 38th state. With statehood gained less than one month after the 100th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, Colorado is nicknamed the “Centennial State”.
Quarter Specifications
Release Date: June 14, 2006
Reverse (tails) Side: Colorful Colorado
Engraver: Norm Nemeth
Standard Weight: 5.670g
Standard Diameter: 24.26mm (0.955 in)
Thickness: 1.75 mm
Edge Detail: Reeded
Composition: Cupro-Nickel Clad
(8.33% Nickel / 91.67% Copper)
Important Historical Figures of Colorado
Chipeta, “White Singing Bird”
1844-1924: In 1859, she became the second wife of Ouray of the Uncompaghres, chief of the Ute Indian Nation. Her diplomatic tenacity strove to achieve a bloodless peace with white settlers.
Kit Carson
1809-68: Known best as a mountain man, Kit Carson also was an Indian agent and had a long military service record. He accompanied three of the Fremont expeditions as a guide.
Nathaniel P. Hill
1832-1900: Known as a famous chemist who built the first large mining smelter in Colorado in 1868. The building of the smelter is said to have initiated the era of hard rock mining in our state. The company was called the Boston and Colorado Smelting Company.
William J. Palmer
1836-1907: Known best as a builder of railroads, but also as a successful businessman, military man and philanthropist. William J. Palmer was a Union Cavalry General during the Civil War, and later founded the town of Colorado Springs and subsequently founded the Colorado Fuel and Iron Company in Pueblo, Colorado. Palmer was instrumental in bringing the Denver and the Kansas Pacific railroad lines to Denver. Palmer is perhaps best known as the builder of the Denver and Rio Grande Railroad which was the first narrow gauge railroad in the United States. The Denver - Colorado Springs line started service in 1871.
Barney Ford
1822-1902: Known as a successful businessman in early Colorado, Barney Ford was instrumental in ensuring that equal voting rights for all citizens became a part of our state’s constitution in 1876. Ford, who was once a runaway slave, is best known for his work in support of civil rights in early Colorado history.
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Bayfield, CO
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The Town of Bayfield is a statutory Town located in La Plata County, southwest Colorado, not far from the Four Corners of Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, and Utah. We sit at an elevation of about 6900 feet, in the beautiful Pine River Valley, with spectacular vistas in all directions.
Bayfield is home to over 1800 residents and acts as the commercial and cultural center for eastern La Plata County. Bayfield prides itself on our small town atmosphere and long-standing sense of community. Our Bayfield School District has long been recognized as one of Colorado’s finest and was awarded “Colorado School Board of the Year” in 2007.
The Town of Bayfield was incorporated in 1906 when the Bay family and the Schiller family each donated land to create a supply Town near the Pine River. Bayfield was named after Mr. William Bay when he won a coin toss between himself and Mr. Schiller. Had the toss gone the other way, it is said the Town would have been named “Schillerville”.
Modern-day Bayfield residents enjoy an ideal four-season climate that averages some 300 days of sunshine every year, together with moderate temperatures and low humidity, year-round. This ideal recreational climate promotes all sorts of outdoor family activities while any type of enthusiast can find what they’re looking for. Whether hiking or biking, hunting or fishing, winter skiing or summer water sports, or exploring the cultural histories of Native American ruins and early Pioneer life, all are available within a short drive, and in almost any direction.
The historic steam train town of Durango is 20 short miles to the west, the world-class hot springs of Pagosa Springs are just 40 miles to the east, and our very own Pine River flows out of the majestic San Juan Mountains, through gorgeous Vallecito Lake (Vi - a - cito), 15 scenic miles to our north. The high deserts of northern New Mexico fall away immediately to our south, while the red-rock beauty of Arizona and Utah are little more than an hour to our west. All come together in the heart of the Pine River Valley, Bayfield, Colorado.
History of Bayfield
The original settlement in the Pine River Valley was named Los Pinos. It consisted of approximately fifteen families.
The first early settler who had claimed to be in the Pine River Valley was John Taylor, who arrived between 1871
and 1873.
Bayfield, a ranching community, was homesteaded by George Morrison and later sold to R.C. and Clarence Hensley.
In 1894 it was sold to William A. and Laura E. Bay, whom in April of 1898, donated eighty acres of land to be laid out for the Town, which was later incorporated. It was started as a trading and social center for the farmers and ranchers of the Pine River Valley. The Schiller family also donated land in April of 1898. The Town received its name after a flip of a coin between Mr. Bay and Mr. Schiller. Mr. Bay won the honor of naming the community. If Mr. Schiller would have won the coin toss, the Town of Bayfield would have been name Schillerville.
The first business was a trading post and general store. The first bank was the Farmers and Merchants Bank. The
safe from the bank can be found at Mill Street Drug Store. The first doctor opened an office in 1904 and the first State of Colorado Approved Standard School in Bayfield was founded in 1923. It was a two-story building with two classrooms
on each floor. The high school was located at the top with the lower level being used for elementary grades. This area
is now included in the Bayfield School District 10JT-R. The first post office was named Los Pinos and later became the Bayfield post office. The mail was delivered by the Pony Express.
The Town was incorporated August 18, 1906 with George Wheeler as the first mayor. The first newspaper, the Bayfield Blade was published by Dan Eggar.
After more than 100 years, Bayfield still has at its heart a traditional neighborhood with a strong sense of community. Today, Bayfield is a growing community with a current population of around 1,800 residents. As the Town continues
to grow the citizens and the Town officials are committed to maintaining the close-knit feel of a small town.
Bayfield Today
The Town of Bayfield has experienced a huge population increase since the beginning of 2000. In 2001, the Town agreed to form a special improvement district to build a business park which has 38 commercial parcels on 56 acres. There are a number of substantial businesses located in this Business Park. Lewis True Value, First National Bank of Durango, Alert Signs, Autocrafters, the Lavenia McCoy Public Library. Steamworks Brewing Company , Radio Shack, Babo’s Bar & Grill, Hongs Garden Grill & many other businesses are all located in this area of Town.
Since 2000, the Town has also added several new residential subdivisions. There is the Dove Ranch Subdivision which is located on the north end of Town off of County Road 501. This subdivision offers an array of different sized lots ranging from 4,000 square feet near County Road 501 to larger three acre lots farther up in the development. The final build out of this subdivision will be approximately 231 lots according to the Master Plan submitted by the developer.
The Mesa Meadows Subdivision is located across the street from the Bayfield Elementary School. It is comprised of 138 Single Family Residential Lots that are all approximately 10,000 square feet.
Fox Farm Village is a Planned Unit Development located off of Mars Avenue near the Bayfield Elementary School. It is an affordable housing subdivision and is platted for 50 Multi-Family Dwelling Units & 8 Fair Market Lots.
The Sunrise Estates Subdivision is located on the east end of Town. It is comprised of 52 lots and has both Single Family & Multi Family zoning.
The Cinnamon Heights Subdivision is a Planned Unit Development which is also located on the east end of Town behind the Shell Gas Station. This subdivision is platted for 49 Multi-Family Dwelling Units.
The Town’s population is approximately 1800 residents with 900 rooftops currently being served by Town Utilities.
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