Columbine Christian School has a rich history within the city of Durango. In 1938, Frank and Mary Barker donated the orchard on their property on the 2900 block of West 2nd Ave, which was then still Animas City, to the local conference for the building of a church school. A one room school (with an ‘outhouse’) was built that summer and school began in the fall. Heating for the school was a wood stove and the rest of the orchard was a playground for the students who enjoyed climbing the trees. There were about 13 or 14 students and one teacher, Margerite Hefly. The teacher lived with the Barker family. Some years later the “orchard” property was sold to purchase the property on Main Street where a church and school were built.
Owned and operated by the Rocky Mountain Conference of Seventh-day Adventists the school exists to serve children in Durango and provide a Protestant option to the public schools in the area. God can be found throughout the classes and instruction. The school day begins with worship and ends with Bible-based instruction. CCS stands on the tenants of scripture and the understanding that each is a gift from God.