Electric - The entire county is served by the La Plata Electric Association. In 1999, the average monthly residential usage / cost was 636 kWh / $51.45; the average monthly commercial usage / cost was 3677 kWh / $289.13.

Natural Gas - Most of the area is served by Atmos Energy, Kinder Morgan and various propane distributors. The Town of Ignacio owns and operates its own natural gas distribution system.

Water - Durango and Bayfield have municipal water systems. Ignacio contracts water through the Southern Ute Tribe. Others are served by Rural Water Districts or have their own wells. The proposed Vallecito Water District will cover much of the southeastern portion of the county, including the Florida Mesa and Bayfield areas.
For more information, see Water Information Program

Wastewater - Durango and Bayfield have municipal wastewater treatment systems. Ignacio contracts wastewater treatment through the Southern Ute Tribe. Others are served by rural water districts or have their own septic systems.

Solid Waste - Most of the area is served by Waste Management (970) 247-1821 and WCA Transit Waste (970) 749-2802. There are also a variety of private waste haulers.

Telephone - Most of the area is served by Qwest. The southeast portion of the county, i.e. Ignacio, is served by CenturyTel.

Though the mountains of Southwestern Colorado may seem isolated, La Plata County businesses and community leaders years ago realized the importance of being "virtually" connected to the outside world. As a result, today La Plata County is blessed with advanced telecommunications.

The region's beauty and quality of life has attracted forward-thinking individuals, those interested in and capable of bringing technology to the region. While many mountain towns by virtue of location, geography and cost will never receive the coveted fiber optics, La Plata County is already linked to an extensive fiber optics backbone. Many segments of the county are enjoying high-speed connectivity, and the build-out of the so-called "last mile" connections in other areas is progressing daily.