Investing in Durango, CO — Market Analysis
Durango's mix of outdoor tourism and Fort Lewis College creates year-round rental demand across both STR and LTR segments; DSCR investors frequently hold both types. With a median home price of $725,000, acquiring a rental property in Durango requires a minimum $145,000 down payment for a DSCR loan (20% of purchase price) or $181,000 for a conventional investment property loan (25%). At current DSCR investor rates around 7.5%, your estimated monthly payment on a $580,000 DSCR loan is approximately $4,055 in principal and interest, with a total PITIA (including taxes and insurance) of approximately $4,599/month.
For a long-term rental strategy, Durango properties at the median price point generate an estimated $4,200/month in gross rent — a gross rent multiplier of approximately 14.4x. After accounting for all operating expenses including vacancy, property management, maintenance, capital reserves, taxes, and insurance (typically 35% of gross), estimated net operating income runs around $2,730/month. This produces an estimated cap rate of 4.5% and an estimated monthly cash flow of $-1,330 after P&I on a DSCR loan. The estimated LTR DSCR ratio of 0.91x falls below the 1.0 minimum most lenders require. Investors typically compensate with a larger down payment (to reduce PITIA) or by targeting lower-priced sub-market properties with stronger rent-to-value ratios.
Short-term rental is an active strategy in Durango. Based on typical occupancy and nightly rates for this market, a well-managed STR property could generate approximately $3,200/month in gross revenue. This produces an estimated STR DSCR ratio of 0.7x — still below DSCR minimums at standard rates — larger down payment or no-ratio product needed. Note: DSCR lenders that accept STR income typically require 12-24 months of AirDNA or VRBO data, or a signed lease agreement from a property management company projecting annual revenue. Estimates above are for illustration only — actual performance depends on property location, amenities, and management quality.
La Plata County uses the standard conforming limit of $832,750. Most DSCR investor loans in Durango at current prices fall at or below this threshold, qualifying for standard investor DSCR pricing. Properties above $832,750 require jumbo DSCR or portfolio financing, which Tayton Capital also offers.
Tayton Capital finances investment properties in Durango across all major product types — DSCR, conventional investor, jumbo, and portfolio — with no limit on the number of properties financed. We close investment transactions remotely, including LLC vesting and title coordination.

