City of Durango | Residents | Parks and Leisure | Open Space


949 E. Second Avenue \| Durango, CO 81301 \| 970.375.5000 \| 970.375.5098 - Fax

Open Space Acquisition - Jacobs Cliffs

In December 2004, Governor Bill Owens and members of the Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO) Board announced an unprecedented $60 million in state lottery proceeds. $48 million of that total will help preserve 80,000 acres in Colorado. The City of Durango was awarded $3,023,500 for the Jacob’s Cliffs open space purchase.

The property lies at the base of Animas Mountain and advances the City’s goal of the mountain being a fully protected resource for the community. The 176 acres of Jacob’s Cliffs provides scenic vistas and a heavily wooded mountainside with a mix of steep terrain and large rock outcrops and cliffs. The area also provides critical winter-range for deer and elk, as well as recreational opportunities such as hiking and rock climbing.

"We have been working for years to try to preserve the Jacob's Cliffs area. Now with the GOCO funding that will be a reality,” said City Councilor Virginia Castro. “The beauty and natural wonder of this area will be available for future generations to discover and enjoy. Jacob's Cliffs connects with other protected areas adjacent to the city. What a tremendous asset for our community! We're so grateful and excited that GOCO chose to partner with us."

The City currently has $526,760 in its Open Space Fund that has been set aside for this acquisition. Once the purchase agreement is finalized, the City will have until December 2007 to fund its share of the acquisition cost.