There is a reason Durango continues to make top 10 lists. Our natural beauty, great climate, and friendly people come to mind. So does good beer. It is one of many things that make our community great and is reason to celebrate our six breweries, as we do, with our favorite craft beer.

The most recent list we have made is not like others to which we are accustomed that compares Durango to another town, but is an informal checklist against which cities, large or small, can be measured that, somewhat subjectively, determines those that work best.

Compiled by writer James Fallows and his wife Deb who took a trip around the country a few years ago, this “top 11” list is one they derived after traveling 54,000 miles. They came up with a list of community characteristics where things seemed to work.

To borrow from the Late Show, and to wish SKA Brewing Company a belated 21st birthday and Steamworks Brewing Company a happy 20th, we must draw attention to No. 11 which identifies communities that work as those that have craft breweries. As much as we knew that, it is nice to have it affirmed.

Towns that have craft breweries also have entrepreneurs and a critical mass of people, not all young, who like to drink beer.

Starting in 1988 with the Carver brothers staking their claim in Durango to establish the first brewery in the Four Corners region since Prohibition, entrepreneurs are who have made our craft brew industry in Durango come alive. Our six breweries employ approximately 400 people.

We would like to thank all of our beer entrepreneurs (that also includes Brew Pub and Kitchen, Animas Brewing Company and Durango Brewing) for their hard work. We wish you all a long and happy life.

To get the whole list of the other traits, you will have to read the article “Eleven Signs a City Will Succeed” but, overwhelmingly say the Fallows, successful towns focused on practical problems they could address.

Good thing we do not have to go far to have a beer with those conversations.