First is the gorgeous scenery: The San Juan mountains—snowy peaks, red rock cliffs, sun-splattered valleys—and the Animas River's crystalline white water rolling over round rocks.
Next is the mild climate. Sure, there is snow and cold in the winter. But you couldn't have skiing at Purgatory without that. Spring is green and decorated with wildflowers. Summers can get hot in this southwest corner of Colorado. But, as they say around here, it's a dry heat. Autumn is awesome—aspens and hardwoods glow on the mountain slopes.
Next is the abundant wildlife. Elk bugle and mate in the valleys. Brown bear are bold enough to wander into towns and take a snooze in urban pine trees. Rainbow trout flash in rivers and lakes.
Then there are the people. It's quite a stewpot in La Plata. There are two Ute Reservations, an abundance of Hispanics and Anglos of all descriptions. If you like ponytails and Birkenstocks, cowboy hats and boots, or boutique coats and floppy hats, you'll love the county's hub, Durango. If you don't like such fashions, that's okay. The natives are friendly. They welcome anyone.
As if all of this isn't enough, tourists bring boatloads of money into the county, and part of the county sits on bulging reserves of natural gas. As pipelines pump it out of the county, cash flows in.
So what could possibly be wrong with a place this fortunate? You probably know the answer: It's so nice everyone wants to live there. The population grew 9% from 2000 to 2006 and is now around 48,000.
Housing and tourist development threatens to marginalize farms and ranches and to replace natural scenery with man-made clutter.
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But La Plata County is trying to meet the challenge. An organization called Sustainability Alliance of Southwest Colorado aims to protect area agriculture by educating locals to buy locally grown food and fiber. And the county commissioners recently established a program called La Plata County Compass to chart future directions and policies.
To control growth, the county currently is divided into several areas for zoning purposes, with each area having its own zoning commissioners who make recommendations for land use to the county board.
Area farmers have long felt pressure from population expansion. With remarkable foresight, Kay and Dave James actually used that pressure to launch their multiple family businesses.
Forty-six years ago, the couple bought a beautiful piece of Animas River valley land just north of Durango. But they were just out of college and strapped for cash. Going was slow.
Then they decided to make the most of their resources and developed 100 acres into a housing community. The Jameses did it first class with elaborate landscaping, ponds and streams. The Ranch, as they called the development, now holds 100 residences and may be the best of the many developments that have sprung up around Durango. The James family used the income it produced as seed money for the elegant mix of agricultural ventures it now runs on 450 acres.
Kay and Dave raise grass-fed beef, which they market for a premium at local stores, restaurants and farmers markets. Son Dan milks cows and makes some of the best artisan cheese you'll find anywhere. Daughter Julie grows spruce trees to sell, and daughter Jennifer sells choice vegetables grown organically.
The James Ranch is on the west side of the county. On the dry eastern side, wheat farmer Trent Taylor has had to cope with near-drought conditions for about 10 years. To make up for lost yields on his 3,000 acres, he re-opened his long-dormant family flour mill and began marketing whole grain hard white wheat flours. He also grew commercial vegetables for four years, and now grows alfalfa and custom farms wheat for neighbors.
It's been a grind. Still, he is trying to adapt and find a niche that will help him stay in what he calls, "a great place to live."
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FEATURED PROPERTIES IN THIS COUNTY FROM THE PROGRESSIVE FARMER REAL ESTATE DATABASE>> |
More info on the web:
Cooperative Extension, La Plata County
www.ext.colostate.edu/cedirectory/
Durango Chamber of Commerce
www.durangobusiness.org
General County Information
co.laplata.co.us
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