Mark Gaughan, MD (dermatologist): Developing skin cancer at our elevation (6500+ ft) is more likely. We lose 5% of ultraviolet ray protection for every 1000 ft of elevation. Everyone should use a broad-spectrum UV/A and UV/B sun block. Clothing and a large hat remain the best sun protection.

Joe Murphy, MD (board-certified family practitioner): Don't drink that crystal-clear stream water. Consider all water, except bottled or treated, as contaminated with Giardia, also known as "Beaver Fever." When you're hiking, there are excellent water filter bottles to take with you.

Another physical finding on moving to a higher elevation is that your blood pressure might rise. Check with a doctor early to see if your BP is affected.

Leanne Jordan, MD (obstetrician & gynecologist): Birth weights of newborn infants are lower at this elevation but these babies are full-term. There is no increase in premature labor.

Don Cooke, MD (internist & allergist): Durango is considered a highly allergenic area because of both the mountain pollens and the nearby desert pollens. Immunizations and medications may be necessary to control the symptoms.

Chuck Salka, MD (internist & infectious disease specialist):

Hantavirus, a fatal viral infection associated with mice, is influenced by drought and non-drought conditions. (Keep apprised of mice populations and educate yourself on how to properly eliminate the mice and their infectious urine and droppings.)

Among the tick diseases, Colorado tick fever is the most common and least dangerous. It is best to remove ticks immediately and inform your doctor if a fever develops. Lyme disease is not seen in this area.

Gus Hallin, MD (internist & pulmonologist): Above 5500 ft elevation there is an increase in pulmonary problems. If you had trouble breathing at sea level, you will most likely have serious problems in Durango. There is an increase in nocturnal apnea, trouble breathing at night. Anyone over age 80 should have an "overnight oxymetry" which is a simple non-invasive test.

John Withers, MD (general surgeon): Adaptation to the elevation may take several months as your blood thickens in order to carry more oxygen. Until that time walking up a hill will get you tired quickly.

Drinking lots and lots of water is essential in this dry climate and at this elevation. Dehydration will cause weakness, confusion and even death. Beer is not a substitution for water.

Southwest Colorado is a wonderful, healthy place to live. Its physicians are here to help you enjoy it.

Broadly interpreted, high altitude is any place above 5,280 feet, or 1,606 km. (About three quarters of the nation's land above 10,000 feet is in Colorado and there are estimates that place more than half of Colorado above 5,280 feet.)

At an elevation of 8,000 to 10,000 feet, the oxygen is approximately 40-45% less dense (creating that feeling of "thin air"), and the humidity is 50-80% lower than at sea level.

SOURCE FOR ABOVE INFORMATION: MERCY MEDICAL CENTER

At high altitudes, water boils at lower temperatures, thus increasing the cooking

time. Did you know that at sea level water boils at 212 degrees F; 2,000'

- 208 degrees; 5,000' - 203 degrees ; 7,500' - 198; 10,000' - 194?

SOURCE: La Plata County Cooperative Extension/CSU Office

For specific high-altitude cooking information call the above

office at 247-4355. (You'll be glad you did. No more pie

"boil overs, cake craters" and other cooking disasters.)

THE APPROXIMATE ALTITUDES OF THESE SOUTHWEST COLORADO TOWNS ARE ...