Entry No. 61 — the Durango file — filed under: hands-on

The Cowboy Forge Blacksmith School

Steve, a Southwest Colorado native blacksmithing since 1996 and teaching since 2012, runs this working coal-forge shop just west of Durango. Weekend beginning workshops run 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. with no experience required, and you forge your own tools using the coal forge and learn heat-treating, with all materials provided. There's also a by-appointment Open Forge for graduates who want practice time.

The move: Spend a full Saturday at the coal forge hammering, twisting, and heat-treating steel into your own hand-forged tools.

📍 Before you go In Mancos, roughly 28 miles west of Durango; beginning workshops are full-day weekend sessions you must reserve in advance. Open Forge requires completing a beginning course first.

• 📍 Mancos
• 💸 $$
• ⚡ Up for anything
• 🌗 Indoors

Where: Mancos, CO 81328

Hours: Added 2026-06-23 — confirm current hours before you go.

⚠ Seasonal or scheduled — always check before you go.

Plan a visit & invite your people →

Proof: source 1 · source 2 · source 3 · source 4

last checked: 2026-06-23