Mesa Verde National Park Coordinates:
37.2309°N, 108.4618°W
Rich in Native American history, Southwest Colorado is an adventurer’s paradise. The jagged peaks of the San Juan range leave no doubt about how the Rocky Mountains got their name, and the land is dotted with small mining towns that provide basecamps to outdoor enthusiasts of all kinds.
Counties in Southwest Region: Montrose, Ouray, San Miguel, Hinsdale, Dolores, San Juan, Montezuma, La Plata, Archuleta
Explore our Southwest Projects
FEATURED PROJECT
Ouray Ice Park
1 of 2
FEATURED PROJECT
Horse Gulch
2 of 2
FEATURED PROJECT
Ouray Ice Park
1 of 2
FEATURED PROJECT
Horse Gulch
2 of 2
Ouray Ice Park
The Ouray Ice Park transformed a once-sleepy mountain town into a winter sport mecca. Each December, the natural walls of the Uncompahgre River Gorge are transformed into 10-story walls of ice. A $193,000 Lottery-funded grant helped create the free public 24-acre park, which boasts more than 100 climbing routes nestled in the natural gorge. Whether you’re looking to enjoy a leisurely day of climbing with friends, trying out a new sport, or pushing yourself to new limits, the Ouray Ice Park is a place of breathtaking beauty and world-class outdoor recreation. The park also helps stimulate the local economy in wintertime as a unique ice climbing tourist destination.
Horse Gulch
Horse Gulch, sometimes called Durango’s Central Park, is a dreamscape for hikers, bicyclists, athletes in training, equestrians, runners, and commuters. Nearly $1.7 million in Lottery proceeds helped fund the Horse Gulch acquisition and preservation project which helped preserve 223 acres of open space. The area rises from an open meadow to a ridge with technical trails for advanced mountain bikers. Durango offers 300 miles of trails within 30 minutes of its downtown area.
Ouray Ice Park
The Ouray Ice Park transformed a once-sleepy mountain town into a winter sport mecca. Each December, the natural walls of the Uncompahgre River Gorge are transformed into 10-story walls of ice. A $193,000 Lottery-funded grant helped create the free public 24-acre park, which boasts more than 100 climbing routes nestled in the natural gorge. Whether you’re looking to enjoy a leisurely day of climbing with friends, trying out a new sport, or pushing yourself to new limits, the Ouray Ice Park is a place of breathtaking beauty and world-class outdoor recreation. The park also helps stimulate the local economy in wintertime as a unique ice climbing tourist destination.
Horse Gulch
Horse Gulch, sometimes called Durango’s Central Park, is a dreamscape for hikers, bicyclists, athletes in training, equestrians, runners, and commuters. Nearly $1.7 million in Lottery proceeds helped fund the Horse Gulch acquisition and preservation project which helped preserve 223 acres of open space. The area rises from an open meadow to a ridge with technical trails for advanced mountain bikers. Durango offers 300 miles of trails within 30 minutes of its downtown area.
Regional Projects
Information at a glance
Total Investment to Date
$105,762,523
Total Acres Conserved to Date
85,413
Total Grants Awarded to Date
376
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Mountain Region
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