John Wells

John Wells
President, The Wells Group of Durango, Inc.

John M. Wells is a longtime Durango business and community leader with more than four decades of experience in real estate, business development, and civic and non-profit leadership in Southwest Colorado.

A native of New Mexico, John attended Fort Lewis College in Durango, graduating with a degree in Business Administration in 1978. He began his real estate career in Durango in 1979 and, in 1983, was recruited to establish the real estate marketing department for Durango Mountain Resort, then known as Purgatory. In that role, he helped broker the resort’s first high-rise condominium development.

In 1985, John and two partners founded The Wells Group Real Estate Brokerage in Durango. What began as a six-person organization grew into one of the region’s established real estate firms, serving clients throughout Southwest Colorado.

Throughout his career, John has maintained a strong commitment to community service and civic leadership. His service to Fort Lewis College has included the Alumni Board, including serving as Alumni President; the Fort Lewis College Foundation Executive Board, where he served as President from 2006 to 2008; the college’s Booster Club; and numerous committees supporting the institution. He has also served as a guest lecturer for the Fort Lewis College School of Business and as a member of the Fort Lewis College Board of Trustees.

John’s community and business involvement has also included service on the Durango Business Improvement District Board of Directors, the Board of Directors of First National Bank of Durango, the Colorado Forum, and the La Plata Forum.

John has spent his professional career helping shape and promote the Durango and Southwest Colorado community. His board experience spans higher education, banking, economic development, business, and community organizations, giving him a broad perspective on the opportunities and challenges facing the region.