About First Call Durango

Nestled in the southwestern corner of Colorado, the famous Four Corners spot marks the single place where you can stand in Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, and Utah simultaneously. This region blends the towering peaks of the Rocky Mountains with expansive high-desert landscapes, offering endless opportunities for hiking, biking, fishing, and other adventures. Longtime local Ryan Engle, whose family has called Durango home for five generations, describes it as an honor to reside in such a stunning corner of the world.

A lifelong Durango native, Ryan grew up here, graduating from Durango High School before continuing his education at Fort Lewis College and completing law enforcement training at the academy in Trinidad. He dedicated more than two decades to protecting the community as an officer with the La Plata County Sheriff’s Department, ultimately retiring in 2018 after serving as commander of the Southwest Drug Task Force’s drug unit. Following a long career in public service, he sought a new path that would let him keep assisting others while presenting fresh daily challenges—and that search consistently pointed him toward the field of disaster restoration..

Ryan has poured countless hours into supporting his hometown through various roles, including membership in the Colorado Drug Investigators Association, leadership within the La Plata County Sheriff’s Office, participation in the county’s methamphetamine awareness initiatives, and involvement with Celebrating Healthy Communities. He’s coached youth baseball and other sports programs run by Durango Parks and Recreation, and he’s delivered drug prevention education sessions for the Durango Police Department’s Safety Town program as well as students in the Durango 9-R and Bayfield school districts. Few people demonstrate such unwavering commitment to their community.

Having spent his entire life in this part of Southwest Colorado, Ryan has witnessed firsthand the destruction caused by the region’s frequent wildfires, flash floods, and other natural events. He notes that the area cycles through all four distinct seasons, bringing intense summer threats like blazes, heavy runoff, and debris flows, alongside winter issues such as frozen pipes bursting in empty vacation properties or aging residences. These incidents often lead to lingering problems like moisture buildup and mold growth triggered by the local climate and environment.

Insights Gained Through Personal Encounters with Home-Related Emergencies and Damage

Ryan has faced property damage firsthand multiple times, giving him a deep understanding of how disruptive and emotionally taxing these incidents can be for homeowners and families. Back in 2013, while preparing to buy the home he’d always wanted, he needed to sell his current house on a tight timeline. The home inspection revealed hidden mold growth in the attic and crawl areas, prompting him to hire a specialized mold remediation firm to address it right away.

Even though the crew had to return for additional work after an initial clearance test didn’t pass, the overall experience unfolded without major complications. Ryan reflects, “That period was incredibly tense, but it felt reassuring to have experts step in and handle everything properly. Their thorough approach left a strong impression on me, and I’m determined to deliver an even higher standard of care in my own work.”

Unfortunately, a separate incident proved far more challenging. Ryan’s wife, Alayna, dealt with a serious sewage overflow at her business location, forcing a complete two-week shutdown. The event caused substantial financial harm through direct property harm and lost income. The remediation team initially assured everyone the space would be safe to reopen after just seven days.

Once Alayna rearranged client appointments accordingly, however, the premises were clearly not ready on the promised date—leaving scheduled customers with no choice but to seek services elsewhere and compounding the immediate revenue hit. This frustrating ordeal drove home for Ryan how critical clear, consistent updates are among the restoration crew, property owners, and anyone else affected. He now makes open dialogue and teamwork central priorities for himself and his entire crew.

These real-world setbacks have shaped Ryan’s strong emphasis on clear interaction and top-tier conduct. Through his role at First Call, he invests heavily in ongoing staff education, maintains rigorous oversight by personally reviewing jobs, and keeps lines of communication wide open throughout every project. As he puts it, “By reflecting on what I’ve gone through myself, I can genuinely connect with clients, spot issues before they escalate, and take steps to prevent them altogether.”

Contact First Call of Durango for Your Property Damage Remediation Services

If you're dealing with property damage from a natural disaster, fire, flood, or other emergency, First Call of Durango is here to help. Our certified restoration experts are available 24/7 to provide fast, reliable service tailored to your specific needs. Call us at 970-385-1776

Ryan places a strong emphasis on maintaining the highest standards of professionalism in his work. He has completed specialized training through both the First Call Academy and the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC). His IICRC certifications include Water Damage Restoration Technician (WRT), Applied Structural Drying (ASD), and Applied Microbial Remediation Technician (AMRT), equipping him with advanced expertise in handling water-related losses, efficient structural drying techniques, and effective microbial cleanup procedures.

First Call of Durango proudly serves all of Southwest Colorado, including LaPlata, Montezuma, Dolores, San Juan, and Archuleta Counties including Durango, Bayfield, Cortez, Mancos, Pagosa Springs, Telluride, Dolores, Dove Creek, Mancos, Allison, and Silverton, Colorado.