Durango winter 2010

I recall growing up in Pagosa Springs, Colorado jumping off the roof of the house into the piled snow, a moderate drop. This is one of those years! Thus far, at my home west of Durango at just under 8000 feet in elevation, we have had nearly 14 feet (about 160") of snow and it's still snowing! Two years ago we had 15 feet of snow total so it looks like we should surpass that amount. It's been great for skiing, snowmobiling, ice-fishing, etc...with numerous nice weather breaks between storms. Purgatory (Durango) is reporting a 76" mid-way base with 15" in the past 48 hours and still snowing. Wolf Creek (Pagosa Springs) is reporting 128" mid-way depth and a total of 347" (that's 29 feet!!!) so far this season. I worry a bit about the elk and deer herds as I see one lone elk each night about 300 yards from my house. Separated from the herd is not a good thing and I'm afraid there will be winter kill this year. That's nature, however, and Spring & Summer should be just gorgeous! This will be a good year to visit the high country if you like wildflowers, lush meadows and streams.

On the real estate front, December through February have all exceeded prior years going all the way back to 2006. That's a good sign that we have hit bottom and are slowly climbing back. 2010 will be a year of opportunity as bank sales, short sales and foreclosures are expected to be prevalent. There are currently nearly 80 properties under contract in La Plata County (a county of approximately 40,000 people). That is pretty good.