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SOCIAL <br /> The social considerations that affect property values in this region are <br /> largely quality of life considerations. La Plata County and the City of Durango offer <br /> clean air and the scenic beauty of the surrounding mountains, abundant outdoor <br /> recreational opportunities, a good educational system afforded by the public <br /> schools and Fort Lewis College, good medical and other necessary services and <br /> cultural opportunities afforded by the presence of the college in the community. <br /> ECONOMIC <br /> The major economic considerations affecting the City of Durango and La <br /> Plata County are the same as those discussed for the overall region above. The <br /> importance of the tourist sector can be inferred from hotel/motel sales and <br /> prepared food and beverage sales, which made up 4% and 11%, respectively, of <br /> the City's retail sales in 2001. <br /> The Durango to Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad is a major tourist <br /> attraction in the City of Durango. It reached a peak ridership of 213,000 people in <br /> 1992. The ridership for 2001 was 193,028, down 6.6% from the 2000 ridership of <br /> 206,729 people. The Durango Mountain Resort, formerly know as Purgatory Ski <br /> Resort, is another major tourist draw. Although it suffered off seasons in 1989 - <br /> 1990 and 1999 - 2000 due to a lack of snow, visitation typically exceeds 300,000 <br /> skiers as shown by the 2000 — 2001 ski season visitation of approximately <br /> 320,000. <br /> 35 <br />