Durango was built by the Denver & Rio Grande in 1880 to serve the San Juan mines, and the narrow-gauge steam train still runs up the Animas canyon to Silverton every summer. What’s left of that era, the brick blocks on Main Avenue, the Strater, the old smelter ground, is under constant restoration, and the valley around it is under constant construction. We’re the rental yard in Grand Junction that Durango contractors call when the local shelf is empty. (970) 241-4368.
Three-story Victorian storefronts mean tuck-pointing, cornice work, sign hanging and window replacement from a lift, not a ladder. The 34-foot Nifty towable boom sets up in an alley on outriggers; the 19-foot JCB scissor works the interior ceilings; the Genie material lift puts ductwork and beams up with two people. For the masonry itself, the brick saw, mixers and grinders are on the shelf.
North of town the valley is horse property and river-bottom homes; south toward Bayfield it is ranch ground. The Bobcat E20 and E35 mini excavators dig the utilities and the irrigation, the skid steers and dump trailers move the gravel and the spoil, and the post-hole augers and trenchers run the fence and the water line. Spring runoff on the Animas comes fast, and the trash pumps are ready for it.
Durango’s outfitters, shuttle fleets and restaurants wash hard. The hot-water Hotsy units rent by the day or week; seven Hotsy models and the full detergent line are on the sales floor if it’s time to own one, and we are the factory-authorized Hotsy service center, along with Husqvarna and Hustler, for the whole southwest corner.