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Durango CO

October Events

October Events

Chelsea's Client Appreciation Party!

This year's client appreciation party will take place at Ska Brewing on Sunday October 22nd from 11:00 to 1:00. Come rain, snow or shine! We will have the upstairs reserved and hopefully its nice enough for yard games!I'll provide food and beers! (Vegetarian and Paleo options)Bring the kids--- in Halloween costumes if they want!

Hope to see you there!

The Peanuts Great Pumpkin Patch Express

This special train will run three weekends in October. During the ride, kids will receive a trick-or-treat bag to collect goodies during their time at the Pumpkin Patch. Snoopy and Charlie Brown will be available for photos as kids enjoy an assortment of fun activities during their adventure at The Great Pumpkin Patch! There is also a straw bale maze with a pumpkin for every child to take home.

Three Springs Fall Festival

Three Springs Fall Festival on Saturday, October 28th from 11AM-2PM at Three Springs Plaza. Bring your kids in costumes and let them explore the festival, fun games, contests, and of course trick or treating.

Murder & Mayhem Tour

An adult option or possibly older children option. These tours start at El Moro and focus on the secrets of Main St from the wild west days of Durango. "The tour focuses on North Main Avenue. It starts at the El Moro Restaurant and ends at Durango Craft Spirits. This tour will take you to notorious saloons and past the sites of legendary gunfights. Durango in the late 1800's and early 1900's was truly the Wild West."

SKA 22nd Anniversary Party

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The SKA Anniversary party is not a party to miss! It typically sells out within a day when tickets come out in the spring but if you are lucky enough to get a ticket it is not to be missed. You can expect to know at least half of the people there and drink enough beer to make some new friends as well. This year the party falls on September 9th and features the ska band Less than Jake.

Here is the excerpt from SKA's website:

"Every year we throw a party for you to help us celebrate our anniversary. This year we'll be joined by 30+ of our craft brewery friends, Less Than Jake, Chris Murray and tasty food vendors.

Your ticket price includes generous tastes of all the beer our friends brought with them, live music by Less Than Jake, Chris Murray and more!

All proceeds go to La Plata Open Space Conservancy because we believe in protecting the lands we love!"

Back to School

Back to School

Summer is coming to a close this month with all of the 9R kids going back to school. This means that those amazing summer programs the kids were involved in are coming to a close and if you can't get off of work at 3:30 everyday we have researched some of the afterschool programs that are available to our children.

Nifty Nanny Not only does Nifty Nanny offer after school programs but they adjust for no school days, holiday breaks, and snow days so your children always have an activity when you can't be there.

After School Art Durango Arts Center has partnered with Durango School District 9-R to bring After School Art to all 9-R elementary schools. "The After School Art program is held weekly (one-hour classes) at each of the elementary schools, the monthly sessions enroll 12 students to ensure personalized attention. Sessions are themed (such as art around the world, architecture, folk art, impressionism), with age-appropriate art/artist history lessons and a fine art project."

Boys and Girls Club Boys and Girls Club offers and after school program for kids. They even offer transportation from some schools to their location by the Durango Rec Center.

Durango Devo Devo also provided their bike coaching for all grades starting at 4:00pm every day allowing your kids to keep up their mountain bike skills and burn off some energy from school.

Summer Programs for the Kids

Summer Programs for the Kids

After last months blog post we had alot of interest in summer programs for the kids and thought we should research it a bit more. In our research we decided that we would rather be doing all of these amazing summer camps than sitting and work...sadly that isn't an option but we wish it was. Here is a list of our favorites that we have found so far as well as a little information about each one and the links to their websites.

Gametime Through Rec Center
    “The Durango Parks and Recreation offers an all-day program for school aged youth. Parents may register their child for specific days, weeks or entire months. Children will play games, create arts and craft projects, go swimming, take field trips, and much more. Children must have: a sack lunch, sunscreen, bug spray, swim wear, towel, and rain gear for each day. Occasionally, children will go on a field trip or tour that will require a small supplemental fee. Weekly schedules are given out for easy transition between summer Gametime and your child's other activities.”

Pack Camp at Purgatory

“At Purgatory Adventure Camp for Kids (PACK), children ages 5-13 experience activities that foster their curiosity and creativity, like rock climbing, ropes courses, nature projects, animal tracks, arts & crafts, and more.” Weekdays Monday through Friday starting June 5th through August 18th with the ability to pay per number of days your child wants to attend.

Durango Nature Studies

                “Parents can take joy in the fact that their kids will be spending their summer catching crawdads, building forts, hiking, exploring, river tromping, and learning about the natural world”  Each session has a different theme such as Wilderness Survival, Hydrology, Powerful Nature, Nature Detectives, Destination Desert, each two weeks in length.

DEVO Summer Camps

                Bike Polo- This camp is for ages 10-18 to explore the sport of Bike Polo. Practices include learning rules of the game, tactics, bike handing and ball handling drills, live games and building a mallet and will be coached by local experts and Polo professionals.

                Cycling Science-bike exploration and bike related hands on science at the Powerhouse in the afternoons. Kids will learn anatomy and physiology, nutrition, bike engineering and physics of biking.

                Purgatory Summer Camps Through Devo- Devo coaches will lead rides and serve as your kid’s camp counselor all day. Groups: Kids will be placed in groups based upon ability (beg/int/adv.  Camp activities include; special guest appearances, gravity skill sessions, bike fit, trail building.

Durango Arts Center

                The Durango Arts Center provides a number of summer camps/courses in visual and performing arts for a variety of ages and interests. There are too many to list here! Conveniently locatedat the Durango Arts Center, it provides easy drop off for the day as well as easy pick up if your kiddos don’t feel well.

Colvig Silver Camps

                “Our philosophy is community driven, non-competitive, choice-based, and outdoor oriented.”  They offer five programs tailored to four different age groups. The age groups are grades 2-4, 5-7, 8-9, and 10-11. “Each program offers a wide variety of activities and expeditions in addition to a safe and comfortable environment where kids can be themselves entirely.”

Powerhouse Science Center

“From robotics, coding, and animation to animals, plants, rockets, and more! Fuel your child’s interests with these fun and engaging learning opportunities! Each camp is carefully planned and taught by qualified, enthusiastic scientists and teachers. Our camps serve ages 3-15.”

Fun Ways to Entertain the Kids

Fun Ways to Entertain the Kids

School is officially out for the summer for the children of 9-R. Here are some of my favorite activities to take the kids out for the day or their favorite activities to do while I need to get some work done. Durango is great about getting kids active and entertained:

Durango Devo has amazing summer camps for all ages of kiddos and all lengths of time.

http://durangodevo.com/groups/

 

Some very hot days we like to take it inside for a little adventure. Honeyville located north of Durango has all sorts of honey treats as well as the ability to watch the bees make the honey the kids can enjoy later. Turning this trip into a little learning activity is fun for the kids and adults too. 

 

We always love to buy the family pass to Trimble Hot Springs. It is a great place to pack up lunch for the day and spend all day getting some sun, playing in the pool and soaking in the hot springs.

Iron Horse Bicycle Classic

Iron Horse Bicycle Classic

Iron Horse Logo

As Memorial Day quickly approaches most Durango residents begin to think of the Iron Horse Bicycle Classic. This year will be the 46th Annual race to beat the train into Silverton. Over 50 miles and many feet of elevation gain serious competitors as well as those on tandem bikes, tutus and families will battle to beat the train into the tiny mountain town.

This year things will be a little different with an added gravel/dirt road race the "La Strada La Plata" as well as the "Iron BMX" to kick off the weekend. The list of events are as follows:

Friday:

  • Final Packet Pickup Buckley Park (3pm-7pm)
  • Narrow Horse Swim - http://www.durangoswimclub.org
  • Steamworks Faceplant Party: Beer, live music, vendors and bike parade. At Buckley Park 3-8pm
  • Iron BMX

Saturday:

  • Durango Coca-Cola Road Race (7:30am)
  • McDonald's Citizens Tour to Silverton (8am)
  • Quarter Horse to Purgatory (8:15am)
  • MBS King/Queen of Mountain (Road & MTB Omnium)
  • Bike Pickup Durango High School (3pm-7pm)
  • Silverton Finish Line Festival: Live music, beer garden, food, vendors and racing. Memorial Park 9am-1pm. Come out and support Silverton’s non profits.

Sunday:

  • La Strada La Plata Gravel Ride (9 AM Start)
  • Morehart Murphy Subaru MTB Race (Start time TBD / Category times vary)
  • Sprite Kids Race & Alpine Kids Village (Registration 8am-9am)
  • Alpine Kids Village - 9am-2pm
  • Durango Cyclery Cruiser Crit (Start Time TBD)
  • Durango downtown bike festival: kids festival with fun activities, live music, vendors and racing. Copper mug specials around town..

Mexican Logger is Here!!!

Mexican Logger is Here!!!

The much anticipated Mexican Logger brewed by Ska Brewing is back!!! Perfect for backyard BBQ's, rafting, and all things Durango this beer officially kicks off the summer season for Durango residents and those who have ever had a Mexican Logger. This year my marketing assistant was lucky enough to be the first person in 2017 to buy 6-packs of the good stuff for a closing gift, so we like to think we are in for an amazing summer.

Mexican Logger Release Party

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Favorite Durango Date Ideas

With Valentines fast approaching, as in one day away, I thought it would be fun to share my favorite date ideas in Durango. For those of you last minute planners or maybe those who want to avoid the crowds and find some time for yourself I have put together a little list.

Yoga Love? The Sweaty Buddha is offering a half price single drop in class for singles on Valentines Day!

Paddle Boarding Pack up the boards and head to Haviland or the Animas River for a perfect adventure date once the weather warms up. This one is great for the whole family and even pet friendly. 

Paddle Boarding

Pack up the boards and head to Haviland or the Animas River for a perfect adventure date once the weather warms up. This one is great for the whole family and even pet friendly. 

Dinner and DrinksMaybe a cozy night with a great cocktail is more up your ally. Here are a few of my favorites. The Ore HouseOlioThe Bookcase and Barber

Dinner and Drinks

Maybe a cozy night with a great cocktail is more up your ally. Here are a few of my favorites. 

The Ore House

Olio

The Bookcase and Barber

Relaxing Day at the Hot SpringsSitting in the hot springs while it snows outside is one of the best winter activities found north of Durango. Either make it a spa day or stop at the hot springs after a day of skiing. 

Relaxing Day at the Hot Springs

Sitting in the hot springs while it snows outside is one of the best winter activities found north of Durango. Either make it a spa day or stop at the hot springs after a day of skiing. 

Hiking or Mountain BikingDurango is an amazing place to adventure with the people you love. Whether your thing is hiking or mountain biking there are hundreds of miles of trails in and around Durango for you to explore. Plenty of local shops provide…

Hiking or Mountain Biking

Durango is an amazing place to adventure with the people you love. Whether your thing is hiking or mountain biking there are hundreds of miles of trails in and around Durango for you to explore. Plenty of local shops provide great trail advice as well as bike rentals if you want to try out a new activity. One of my favorite trail systems to make a day out of is Phil's World

Skate Skiing at HillcrestHillcrest has a groomed track in the winter for skate skiing as well as a track for classic cross country skiing. It is a great course for both fast and slow skiers and with a five minute drive to any of your  favorite …

Skate Skiing at Hillcrest

Hillcrest has a groomed track in the winter for skate skiing as well as a track for classic cross country skiing. It is a great course for both fast and slow skiers and with a five minute drive to any of your  favorite coffee shops can you really go wrong?>

Best Après Work Ski Areas

Best Après Work Ski Areas

Chapman Hill

It doesn't get much better when the drive to go skiing is less than 5 minutes from your front door. Chapman Hill is a local favorite, although a small ski hill it offers a variety of skill levels a great day or evening of skiing. My favorite part of taking the kids to Chapman is being able to see them at any point on the hill all while sipping hot cocoa or coffee at the bottom.

Hesperus Ski Area

Recently acquired by the same company that owns Purgatory Resort this Durango classic is a must visit. Only 11 miles West of Durango on Highway 160 we like to think of this as the perfect after work ski destination. They are best known for there night skiing and "old school" ski area feel. New to skiing? We just learned they offer free lessons to first-timers!

Annual Holiday Movie Party

If you haven't had the chance to make it to this event yet it is time to put it on your radar for next holiday season. This year we had around 400 attendants come watch the movies and donate items to Project Merry Christmas. Project Merry Christmas is one of my favorite non-profits to help out, you are able to "adopt" families during the holidays in order to give back to those in need and help our community become even more outstanding. If you click on the "Learn More" button it will take you directly to their website and you can learn even more about Project Merry Christmas!

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Does It Make Sense to Move Up?

A vast majority of real estate articles are focused on first-time buyers. There is actually a segment of the real estate market called the “move-up market,” which, as its name implies, fits buyers who want to move into a larger home. This market describes homeowners who need a larger home or would like more land and property. For several reasons, the local La Plata County market is currently ripe for move-up buyers.

There is a real opportunity for homeowners to sell their homes in the more median price ranges of the market and “move up” to a home of their dreams. The values have increased for the low and mid-priced homes, yet the higher priced homes are still lagging. This makes it the perfect time to capitalize on the advantages of the impacted median-range home prices, and buy in the softer market of the higher-priced homes.

At this time, buyers may get more home for smaller differences in payment. In the past, the leap to move up would have been larger; now, buyers will have a smaller difference in house payment. This is a huge factor—why pay more in the future when the best value may be now?

Additionally, low interest rates make it easy now, but that may change in the future. As we have noted in the past, we are still sitting at historically low interest rates. Last week, we saw mortgage rates at a 4 month high, and a recent Wall Street Journal article states that it is likely the Federal Reserve will initiate an interest rate increase in December (http://www.wsj.com/articles/feds-task-next-week-signal-december-rate-rise-1477351253).

In La Plata County, there is an excellent selection of homes for buyers in the higher-priced range. If you are considering a move-up scenario, the inventory is strong now in this market segment, allowing choices and variety in home selection.

Finally, the property taxes are still low in La Plata County. Take advantage of lower taxes, lower interest rates, and a variety of home options available. For a strong visual, take a look at the median price change in the last two years in each market price range (below). As you can see, in all homes over $500,000, values have decreased in the last two years. In the under-$500,000 range, values have increased. If you would like to move to a larger home, now is a prime time. As always, please let us know if you have any questions, or would like to discuss the market further.

La Plata County (All Residential Units)

Median Price / Two Year Change:

Price Range: 10/25/13 thru 10/25/14 10/25/15 thru 10/25/16

0- $500,000 $287,500 $307,875 +7.1 %

$500,000-$750,000 $580,000 $570,000 -1.7 %

$750,000-$1 Million $855,000 $827,450 -3.2 %

$1Million-$2 Million $1,265,000 $1,231,250 -2.7 %

Harvest Party

We love getting to bring all of our favorite people together in the fall and what's even better is when the kids get to have their own fun as well! This year the Harvest Party fell on Halloween weekend, which means costumes were in full swing for the little ones. It turned out to be a perfect fall day and everyone was able to enjoy the last bit of warmth.

Huge thanks to SKA and The Container for the perfect venue, pizza, and beer (can you really ever go wrong with that combo??). Durango provides us with the perfect backdrop for a wonderful community, clients, and friends. So thankful for all of you!

See you next year!

Durango Events THIS WEEKEND!

The weather is finally heating up in Durango; flowers are blooming; rainy days are making everything green and beautiful! Just in time for a great spring event weekend to kickoff Durango's fun-fulled summer! If you don't have plans for this weekend quite yet, I suggest you check out at least one of the following events!

Source: http://www.ironhorseinndurango.com/why-stay-with-us/

Source: http://www.ironhorseinndurango.com/why-stay-with-us/

MAY 13TH - SPRING GALLERY WALK    
5:00 PM - 9:00 PM @ DOWNTOWN MAIN

Starting at 5pm, there are 13 galleries located downtown that are participating in the "Spring Gallery Walk." Each gallery will be displaying local and regional artists, as well as showcasing a little something new and exciting! 

Source: http://www.foxfirefarms.com/tasteofspring

Source: http://www.foxfirefarms.com/tasteofspring

MAY 14TH - 15TH - TASTE OF SPRING
1:00 PM - 6:00 PM @ FOX FIRE FARMS IN IGNACIO

An amazing spring kickoff event for the whole family! Five hours of live music, petting baby farm animals, face painting, local artisans and more! Free admission!

Source: https://www.peachsneetfeet.com/event/taste-of-durango/

Source: https://www.peachsneetfeet.com/event/taste-of-durango/

MAY 15TH - TASTE OF DURANGO
11:00 PM - 2:00 PM @ DOWNTOWN MAIN

Durango's annual summer kick-off party! A fabulous festival with a ton of local restaurants and craft brewery vendors. Buy tokens at the entrance and use them to sample all the incredible local food, beer, cocktails, and more! Previous years have had local attendance of 78%! Come downtown for a great Sunday with amazing music and familiar faces!

Harvest Party

In case you weren't able to make last Sunday's Harvest Party, here are some pictures! We had an absolute blast. The morning was a little worrisome with the downpour, but it cleared out and turned into a beautiful fall day! We had family activities including punching balloons, corn hole and real goats! 

  Big thanks to James Ranch for such a breathtaking fall location and not to mention the DELICIOUS burgers and hot dogs they cooked up for us. Grateful to be a part of such a wonderful community and to have such amazing clients!

See you all next year! 

The 2nd Annual Appreciation & Harvest Party

Last Saturday marked my 2nd Annual Appreciation & Harvest Party. This is my way of thanking my clients for their support and friendship over the years, and celebrating my favorite season. Fall is a short season in Durango but offers the most amazing hot sun, crisp air and beautiful colors. We got lucky this year and had beautiful weather, so the kids could play in the grass. 

The kids had a blast- we had about 15 of them! They pet the two resident goats, tossed bean bags, played with punching balloons and chased each other around the ranch. 

Speaking of kids, everyone got to meet the newest addition to our family, Reese. She's two months old now! She spent most of the time strapped to my chest, sleeping and peaceful as always. I can't wait to watch her play with the other kids next year, probably just learning how to walk! 

Every year, Cynthia and Robert at the James Ranch Harvest Grill, cook up some delicious, local, organic eats for us!  This year we had harvest burgers and Durango Dawgs, fresh local veggies with home made ranch, local potato chips and home baked cookies. The hard cider was also a hit!

If you haven't been to James Ranch, the setting is magical. Cows graze in the pasture and bright yellow fall leaves contrast against the dark red cliffs of the Animas Valley. James Ranch also has a store that is open most days, selling cheeses, beef, ice cream and veggies! They offer an annual CSA, beef shares and eggs too. They are an organization worth supporting because they are the sweetest local families with a great mission.  

If you didn't make it this year, I hope to see you next October!  

Happy Fall!! 

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