Dear Action Line: My question regards the stream that comes down from the college and flows south behind the houses on Eighth Avenue and then jogs to Ninth Avenue. Is the path on the bank private property? Also, do the owners of the houses in question have the right to dig in the stream? How about south of College Drive; who is responsible for the stream and the bank?
Dear Just Wondering: Action Line loves a question about trails that allows him to lace up his hiking boots and do some “on the ground” journalism.
In fact, you can find some curious items scattered around Durango’s trails and wooded hillsides. Orange Crush, anyone?
Action Line previously answered a question about this area last year, but Just Wondering’s question regards what happens further downstream.
Our investigation revealed multiple signs in the vicinity warning the public not to trespass. Such signs always spark our curiosity. What are they trying to protect, and from whom? That may be a deeper question than we have space for here, but peering past the signs appears to be a stream, a path beside it, and a vegetated hillside.
That doesn’t answer our question about who owns the land, though. For that, we consulted the city of Durango GIS page. The map can show you parcels and property lines, in addition to numerous other bundles of information including topics such as where fire hydrants are located and which day you get your trash picked up.
Unsurprisingly, most of the land the Lamppost Trail sits on is controlled by Fort Lewis College. Directly south of the mesa, where Ted’s Rental & Sales sits, is registered under Legacy 1971 LLC.
The stream itself crosses through a patchwork of properties, most tied to a dwelling. The largest chunk that is not inhabited belongs to the Foster, W Clayton Trust, according to the map.
Other properties bisected by the stream are owned by:
- Savers Trust
- Aragon, Monicque & Best, Matthew
- Bustillos, Samantha
- Wilson Jeffrey R & Karen R
- Tredway, Matilda Mabel
- City of Durango
- MSSS, LLLP
- May, Jeremy & McCarthy, Corrie
- Burke, Sandra A
The map does not have any information about the stream and embankment east of East Ninth Avenue south of College (that people use to access Horse Gulch), but my best guess is that it’s the responsibility of the city.
As for operating machinery or digging, the city permit page says that “the excavation of more than 10 cubic yards on private property requires an on-site excavation permit from the Engineering Division.” By the way, did you know that “effective January 1, 2025 the City will require building permits for reroofing projects”?
Email questions and suggestions to actionline@durangoherald.com or mail them to Action Line, The Durango Herald, 1275 Main Ave., Durango, CO 81301. Action Line can also be found occasionally lurking in parking lots, on a ski lift or atop Hogsback.
