For 40 consecutive years, Durango has earned the designation of a “Tree City” by meeting the criteria for the Tree City USA program, which includes investing in its urban forest and celebrating Arbor Day, among other criteria from the Arbor Day Foundation. The designation recognizes the city’s efforts in 2019.

The city of Durango celebrated its first Tree City USA designation on Colorado Arbor Day, April 17, 1981, in a joint ceremony dedicating Pioneer Park, according to historical documents provided by the city of Durango. The city has continued its tree-planting tradition and continues to show its commitment to its urban forest as a perennial participant in the Tree City USA program.

Along with being a Tree City USA for 40 consecutive years, Durango will receive its 28th Tree City USA Growth Award for achievements in improving and growing forestry program operations last year.

Tree City USA is a program of the Arbor Day Foundation that provides the framework necessary for communities to manage and expand their public trees. The Colorado State Forest Service administers the Tree City USA program in Colorado on behalf of the Arbor Day Foundation.

For more information about the Tree City USA program, visit www.arborday.org/programs/treecityusa.