Durango School District has purchased 35 apartments at Lightner Creek Village to serve as affordable housing for staff members and educators beginning in fall 2026.
The $10 million purchase, located at 20310 U.S. Highway 160, aims to address the district’s recruitment and housing challenges, said district spokeswoman Karla Sluis. The purchase is one of the largest by unit count among school districts in Colorado, she said.
The Lightner Creek Village complex also includes townhomes and condos, but the district’s purchase is limited to one apartment building and an adjacent building with garages and storage units, said Chief Operations Officer Chris Coleman.
Preliminary rent estimates for a studio apartment range from $700 to $800 per month, Coleman said – more than $500 less than the average cost for a studio in Durango, according to recent data from Apartments.com.
One- and two-bedroom units will also be available, Coleman said, although pricing for those has not yet been determined. Coleman said rent will be “significantly below market levels.”
A housing advisory committee has been formed to advise the Board of Education on rental rates, qualification criteria and tenant prioritization to “ensure a fair and transparent process,” Coleman said.
According to Apartments.com, the average monthly rent in Durango is $1,585 for a one-bedroom, about $1,800 for a two-bedroom and nearly $3,000 for a three-bedroom – marking a 3.8% increase over the past year.
According to a June news release from the district, the average teacher salary is $65,590 for a 183-day contract – but salaries can vary depending on experience and years worked. Sluis said first-year teachers start at $51,500 annually, and the district’s lowest hourly wage for staff is $19.84.
According to Apartments.com, an income of $5,283 per month – or $63,396 per year – is needed to live comfortably in Durango’s rental market.
The release said Durango School District – like most Colorado school districts – use a “step system” for teacher salaries, which grants annual raises based on years worked, if approved by the Board of Education. The exact raise amount was not given.
Current tenants will be allowed to remain in their units until the end of their leases, most of which expire between May and September 2026, Coleman said.
“For those with leases ending before May 31, 2026, the current owner, at our request, were offered extensions through that date to provide more time for planning their transition,” Coleman said. “We worked closely with the seller to ensure this option was available, as we recognize moving can be disruptive. Ultimately, all 35 units will be reserved for district educators and staff, as bond funding requires us to lease only to employees.”
Some improvements are planned before the units transition into staff housing, including exterior work and interior upgrades such as painting, flooring and appliance updates, Coleman said.
“We understand that salaries and housing are deeply felt issues in our community, and we value the feedback we’ve received,” Coleman said. “In early 2025, more than 400 staff participated in our housing survey, with over 200 expressing interest in workforce housing. While 35 units won’t meet every need, it is a meaningful start.”
epond@durangoherald.com
