Destination Durango Silver Stage Online

When I relocated to Durango, my friends asked, “What will you do out there?” The truth is, this region has so much to offer, it’s hard to decide what to do on any given day. Perhaps it is this happy predicament which seduces so many people to relocate to this vibrant mountain town.

Durango’s dynamic cultural community plays host year-round to events celebrating local, national and international artists. Live theatrical, musical and dance performances can be enjoyed almost nightly at either the Community Concert Hall at Fort Lewis College or in the cozy atmosphere of the many theaters and restaurants in the postcard-perfect downtown area.

Recent newcomer, Arthur Post, conducts the San Juan Symphony. He relocated to the region three years ago from Pennsylvania, where he conducted the Pittsburgh Symphony and guest-conducted orchestras throughout the world. His groundbreaking programming combines classics with music reflecting local land, cultures and concerts.

Durango’s diverse independent art galleries nurture a lively art scene. Artists, writers, and actors choose Durango as their home because of this energy. Artist Karyn Gabaldon, owner of Karyn Gabaldon Fine Arts, and her jazz musician husband, Jeff Solon, attended Fort Lewis College. Karyn, an Albuquerque native, recounts, “As a child I camped in this area with my family and fell in love with its beauty.” The nature has kept Karyn and Jeff here for thirty-three years. Karyn’s watercolors reflect the incomparable beauty she sees in this region.

Charming downtown Durango surprises everyone with its collection of sophisticated restaurants. From sushi, Thai and Brazilian to the finest gourmet fare, a delectable meal can always be savored.

This is a town that rejoices in its westerness, as is reflected in its architecture and the authentic melodrama at the Strater Hotel’s Diamond Circle Theater. Jeannie Wheeldon, fourth generation Durangoan, graduated from Stanford but returned to take over the theater founded by her father and grandmother. Another treat at the Diamond Circle is the annual Cowboy Gathering, where Durango’s rich and colorful western tradition is portrayed through poetry, art, music and storytelling. Step around the corner to The Office in the Strater Hotel and enjoy a martini in a Victorian yet cosmopolitan setting—one of several such venues in the historic district.

Linda Mannix, who owns Santa Rita Ranch with her husband Jeff, says, “I’ve come full circle.” She’s a relocated Texan who has made Durango home for the past thirty-two years. “My college roommate was from Durango. When I visited with her, I knew I had to stay.”

After graduating, she entered the local corporate world. Then she married Jeff, a city-boy who yearned to be a cowboy, in a true western-style wedding at the rodeo grounds, complete with bridesmaids on horseback. Now full-time ranchers raising Texas Longhorn beef, the Mannixes devote their spare time to the Cowboy Gathering—Jeff as president of the board and Linda as executive coordinator.

The spirit of the area is enhanced by varied outdoor recreational opportunities, bolstered by plentiful sunshine (300 days per year!) and spectacular scenery. Activities from skiing and snowshoeing, horseback riding, and hiking to fly-fishing, kayaking and rafting are all enjoyed in the nearby mountains, deserts and rivers. The area is known for its unsurpassed mountain biking, and hosts the Iron Horse bike race from Durango to Silverton every Memorial Day Weekend.

Durango also has several outstanding fitness centers, including the new Community Recreation Center. Those who desire a more laid-back experience can walk the trail along the Animas River or relax in one of the city’s twenty-two parks. Or perhaps shop in the many distinctive stores on Main Avenue featuring unique furnishings, clothing and accessories, and outdoor gear.

Linda Mannix described why many relocate: “Diversity—there’s everything from the mountains to the desert—climate, community, and Fort Lewis College, which gives us bright ideas.” Fort Lewis College is also the home of the Center for Southwest Studies, one of the many museums and research centers that pays homage to Durango’s western heritage.

Brain Wagner, Durango Arts Center Director and ten year resident, captures the essence of the Durango lifestyle. “My wife and I spent a great deal of time looking for a town where we could raise our children, and that had a hospital and a college with a strong music department. We wanted a community that valued culture and the arts and opportunities for children. We wanted to be in a location with a rich outdoor experience — beautiful blue skies during the day and be able to see the stars at night. It all came together in Durango. It’s a wonderful place to live.”

This quality of life is sustained by both the natives and newcomers who give the community its uniqueness, while promoting a blend of cultures and a love of the outdoors.

Durango Area Tourism Office
111 S. Camino del Rio, Durango, Colorado 81302
1-800-525-8855 * (1-800-525-8855 * www.durango.org)