All work and no play is not included the La Plata County mantra, as quality of life for most residents includes the recreational abundance found in the region.

Surrounded by the vast San Juan National Forest, La Plata County seems to lure those who enjoy an active lifestyle and the out-of-doors. Preferences run the gamut, from adventure with white water kayaking, extreme skiing and climbing one of Colorado's famed "Fourteener" mountain peaks, to the more leisurely fly-fishing, river walks, and skiing the groomed downhill trails. Choices are plentiful, and in La Plata County, recreation merely shifts with the season.

A river—the Animas River—literally runs through the city of Durango, and, thus, river sports abound. While the Animas is known for rafting, floating and kayaking, all of La Plata County's rivers and reservoirs are revered for their fishing. Fly-fisherman of all ages and skill levels year-round enjoy both the invigoration and tranquility of the sport.

Since rivers generally announce the presence of lakes, boating is also popular in the region. Water enthusiasts flock to Lake Vallecito within La Plata County, or travel to nearby McPhee Reservoir or Navajo Lake for boating, water and jet skiing.

High county golf means rolling greens set within the county's stunning natural environs. Among those alluring local courses are The Cliffs at Tamarron Resort, a masters' level course in the shadow of the dramatic Hermosa Cliffs, and Dalton Ranch, featuring country club service in the heart of the Animas Valley.

And what would life in the Rockies be without skiing? La Plata County has a variety of options including traditional alpine, Nordic and extreme adventures. Purgatory at Durango Mountain Resort boasts scenic downhill terrain for all skill levels.

In summer, mountain trails are shared by hikers, horseback riders and mountain bikers, with some terrain open to jeeps and all-terrain vehicles. While the Four Corners region has the largest per capita recreational horse population in the country, mountain biking is coming on strong as the area's leading sport.

The Durango Community Recreation Center, a $15 million state-of-the-art facility at the La Plata County Fairgrounds, opened early January 2002 and includes an Olympic-sized swimming pool, racquetball and basketball courts, weight training and exercise equipment and more. Additionally, the $10 million Sun Ute Community Center recently opened in Ignacio and also features state-of-the-art health and recreational facilities.