Durango, La Plata County, Colorado, USA

Durango is a city on the Animas River in southwestern Colorado and the seat of La Plata County. The Denver and Rio Grande Railroad established the town in 1880 to serve mining communities in the San Juan Mountains. Rail transport, smelting and trade shaped its early growth. Tourism, outdoor recreation, education and government are important parts of the local economy. The Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad preserves a rail connection through the Animas Valley that remains a prominent attraction.