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Cortez, Colorado

Cortez is a home rule municipality that is the county seat and the most populous municipality of Montezuma County, Colorado, United States. The city population was 8,766 at the 2020 United States Census.

History
In 1886, the town was built to provide housing for the men working on the tunnels and irrigation ditches required to divert water out of the Dolores River and into Montezuma Valley. The town was named for Spanish conquistador Hernán Cortés.

It is a popular stop for tourists, who stay there because of its central location among surrounding attractions, such as Mesa Verde National Park, Monument Valley, and the Four Corners.

Prehistoric sites
There are many prehistoric sites in the Cortez area, listed on the Colorado State Register of Historic Properties or both the state register and the National Register of Historic Places. They include large parks or centers, such as Crow Canyon Archaeological Center, Canyon of the Ancients National Monument, Hovenweep National Monument, and Mesa Verde National Park. There are also smaller or individuals sites, such as Cowboy Wash, Hawkins Pueblo and cliff dwellings, Lowry Ruin, Mitchell Springs Archeological Site, also known as the Mitchell Springs Ruin Group, Mud Springs Pueblo, and Yucca House National Monument. Within the McElmo Drainage Unit (AD 1075–1300) is Cannonball Ruins, Maxwell Community, Roy's Ruin, Sand Canyon Archaeological District, and Wallace Ruin.

Historic trails or byways
The following are trails or byways through the Cortez area:
 * Old Spanish National Historic Trail
 * San Juan Skyway National Scenic Byway
 * Trail of the Ancients

1959 U-2 emergency landing
A Lockheed U-2 reconnaissance aircraft made an emergency nighttime forced landing August 3, 1959, at the Cortez Municipal Airport. Republic of China Air Force Major Hsi-Chun Mike Hua was on a training flight originating at Laughlin AFB, Texas; the U-2 aircraft engine flamed out at 70,000 feet MSL. Maj. Hua established best glide and was able to navigate through a valley to a lighted airport that wasn't on his map, of the existence of which he was unaware until he found it. The airport was the only one in the area with a lighted runway which was illuminated overnight.

Geography
At the 2020 United States Census, the city had a total area of 16.249 km2 including 0.113 km2 of water.

Climate
Cortez has a dry-summer continental climate (Köppen Dsb), though it borders on a semi-arid climate (BSk) due to low precipitation. The city has hot summer days and cold winter nights, the latter a result of its elevation.

Demographics
As of the census of 2010, there were 8,482 people, 3,590 households, and 2,234 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,449.9 PD/sqmi. There were 3,885 housing units at an average density of 637.6 /sqmi. The gender makeup of the city was 48.1% male (4,083) and 51.9% female (4,399). The racial makeup of the city was 79.2% White, 0.4% African American, 11.8% Native American, 0.8% Asian, 0.00% Pacific Islander, 6.04% from other races, and 2.44% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 13.30% of the population.

There were 3,590 households, out of which 30.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.0% were married couples living together, 14.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.8% were non-families. 30.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.33 and the average family size was 2.92.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 26.7% under the age of 18, 8.8% from 18 to 24, 26.6% from 25 to 44, 21.6% from 45 to 64, and 16.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 91.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.4 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $28,776, and the median income for a family was $35,533. Males had a median income of $30,755 versus $20,280 for females. The per capita income for the city was $18,040. About 14.8% of families and 18.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 27.3% of those under age 18 and 17.3% of those age 65 or over.

Economy

Cortez is a local commercial center, competing with Durango in the east, and Farmington, New Mexico in the south, and draws trade from southeastern Utah, the extreme northeastern corner of Arizona, the Shiprock area of Northwestern New Mexico, and San Miguel, Dolores, Montezuma, and parts of La Plata County in Colorado. Its economy is based very heavily on tourism, both to nearby Mesa Verde National Park as well as to San Juan National Forest, Bureau of Land Management (BLM) lands in the area (including Canyons of the Ancients National Monument, as well as the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe and Navajo Indian Reservations).

Mesa Verde National Park, featuring Ancestral Pueblo cliff dwellings, is situated southeast of Cortez.

Cortez is home to the headquarters of Osprey Packs, who employ over 100 people in Cortez.

Education
Cortez Public Schools are part of the Montezuma-Cortez School District RE-1. The district has one preschool, five elementary schools, one middle school and one high school. The educational system is currently suffering a loss of 1.6% according to the Transitional Colorado Assessment Program.

Montezuma-Cortez RE-1 Pre-School, Kemper Elementary School, Lewis-Arriola Elementary School, Manaugh Elementary School, Mesa Elementary Schools, Pleasant View Elementary School, Cortez Middle School and Montezuma-Cortez High School are located in Cortez. The high school mascot is the Panther.

Government
The City Council of Cortez is composed of seven members including the Mayor and Mayor Pro-tem. The current mayor of Cortez is Rachel Medina.

Transportation
Cortez Municipal Airport serves Cortez. Cortez is part of Colorado's Bustang network. It is on the Durango-Grand Junction Outrider line.

Notable people

 * William B. Ebbert, rancher and politician, represented Cortez in the Colorado General Assembly.
 * Vince Lee, American architect, climber, and mountaineer
 * Michael Milenski, Cortez native who was founder and general director of Long Beach Opera.
 * Chuck Nevitt, former NBA basketball player
 * Scott Tipton, U.S. House of Representatives - Colorado's 3rd District
 * Eli Tomac, Professional dirt bike racer

title: Cortez, Colorado


text:
Dolores, Colorado

Dolores is a Statutory Town located in Montezuma County, Colorado, United States. The town population was 885 at the 2020 United States Census.

Description
Dolores (Spanish for "sorrows" and named for the river on which it is located) is located at the mouth of the Dolores Valley and the upper reaches of McPhee Reservoir, approximately 40 mi from the Four Corners Monument. Established as a station on the Rio Grande Southern Railroad, it replaced the earlier town, Big Bend, now covered by McPhee Reservoir. McPhee Reservoir is named for a company town founded by New Mexico Lumber Company, that is now covered by the reservoir.

History
The following are Dolores area historic sites of the Ancient Pueblo People:
 * The Canyons of the Ancients Visitor Center and Museum, and the on-site Domniguez and Escalante Pueblos are listed on the Colorado State Register of Historic Properties and the National Register of Historic Places listings in Montezuma County, Colorado.
 * Canyons of the Ancients National Monument
 * O'Brien Site, an Ancient Pueblo settlement of 11 pueblos occupied between AD 1075 - 1150.

Other historic sites added to the Colorado State Register of Historic Properties and National Register of Historic Places include:
 * Lebanon School, also known as the Lebanon Schoolhouse
 * Southern Hotel, also known as Benny's Hogan and the Rio Grande Southern Hotel

Geography
At the 2020 United States Census, the town had a total area of 1.721 km2, all of it land.

The town is confined to a narrow valley bottom along the Dolores River near the point where the river turns from flowing southward out of the San Juan Mountains to the north. Built-up areas outside the town limits include extensive residential, commercial, and minor-industrial areas upstream in the valley floor, on Summit Ridge to the south-southwest, and on high ground to the west, at the intersections of Colorado Highways 145 and 184.

Demographics
As of the census of 2010, there were 936 people, 431 households, and 236 families residing in the town. The population density was 1,337.1 PD/sqmi. There were 501 housing units at an average density of 715.7 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 90.38% White, 2.14% Native American, 0.11% Asian, 0.21% Pacific Islander, 3.42% from other races, and 3.74% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 10.90% of the population.

There were 431 households, out of which 25.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 38.5% were married couples living together, 12.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 45.2% were non-families. 39.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.15 and the average family size was 2.92.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 22.5% under the age of 18, 7.5% from 18 to 24, 26.0% from 25 to 44, 28.6% from 45 to 64, and 16.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44.7 years. For every 100 females, there were 99.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 99.7 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $30,417, and the median income for a family was $32,188. Males had a median income of $27,404 versus $19,286 for females. The per capita income for the town was $14,912. About 16.6% of families and 17.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 24.1% of those under age 18 and 11.6% of those age 65 or over.

Transportation
Dolores is part of Colorado's Bustang network. It is on the Durango-Grand Junction Outrider line.

license: Creative Commons - Attribution Share-Alike - https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/

title: Dolores, Colorado


text:
Mancos, Colorado

Mancos is a statutory town in Montezuma County, Colorado, United States. The population was 1,196 at the 2020 census, down from 1,336 in 2010.

The town is in southwestern Colorado, at the base of Mesa Verde National Park, and holds the trademark for "Gateway to Mesa Verde". Surrounded by rangeland and mountains, Mancos offers a variety of outdoor recreational activities. The town was founded in 1894, near the site where early Spanish explorers first crossed the Mancos River. It is the commercial center for east Montezuma County, and was considered at one time as a county seat. It is served by U.S. Highway 160 and State Highway 184.

Ancient Pueblo People
The Mancos Valley has been settled since at least the 10th century AD, although various severe conditions in the mid to late 13th century saw the area and its multitude of small villages abandoned by the Ancient Pueblo People (Anasazi). The Mancos area is dotted with inventoried and uninventoried archeological sites, including both isolated houses and shelters and small village complexes. Mancos Valley residents were probably among those who withdrew to the cliff dwellings on Mesa Verde, perhaps for defensive purposes, due to climate change, or as part of concentration policy of possible invaders and occupiers of the region.

Archaeological sites of the Ancient Pueblo period include:
 * Bement site, a Colorado State Register of Historic Properties site, representing the first and second Pueblo periods. Between AD 750-850 there was one shelter on the site. About 150 years later, a group of six structures were inhabited from 1000 to 1150.
 * Lost Canyon Archeological District, on the National Register of Historic Places, which may have been the northernmost boundary of the Mesa Verde Ancient Pueblo People from about AD 1000-1300.

Native American tribes
Control of the area was contested by nomadic Navajo and Ute people for centuries. Spanish friars and military passed through the area as part of the Old Spanish Trail connecting New Mexico and California in the 18th century. The name "Mancos" comes from the Domínguez–Escalante expedition of 1776, though the reason for the name remains unclear (see below). By some unverified accounts, the name Mancos refers to the crippled nature of the Spanish explorers' horses after they crossed the San Juan Mountains. According to unverified lore, the horses were rejuvenated by the lush green grass in the Mancos Valley. Somewhere in the town is the point at which the expedition crossed the Rio Mancos on its way to California from Old Mexico.

19th and 20th century
The Old Spanish Trail trade route passed through the area of Mancos from 1829 into the 1850s.

Part of the original Ute Reservation in 1868, Mancos was part of the San Juan Cession of 1873, and cattle ranchers began settling the Mancos Valley in the 1870s, providing cattle to the mining camps of the San Juan and La Plata ranges. Today, the boundary of the Ute Mountain Indian Reservation is located some 6 mi south of town. At the time it was founded, Mancos served as the primary commercial trading center for eastern Montezuma County, rivaling the town of Dolores to the northwest. At that time, Cortez, now the county seat, was barely a bend in the wagon trail. In the 1890s, Mancos was platted and built as a stop along the Rio Grande Southern Railroad built by Otto Mears - Colorado's southwestern railroad pathfinder, connecting Durango to the east and the Telluride mining districts to the north, via Dolores. Ranchers in the Mancos Valley continued to provide beef, timber, and other agricultural products to the mining camps. Following this, Latter-day Saints colonists moved into the area and established farms and small communities such as Weber and Cherry Creek.

Local farmers and ranchers began constructing irrigation canals to bring water from the Mancos River to cropland and pasture in various parts of the Mancos Valley in the late 1870s and 1880s, and by the beginning of the 20th century a large network of irrigation ditches and laterals was operating and continues to operate (with improvements) today. In the mid-2000s, a large project, the Mancos Valley Salinity Control Project, was funded by various sources, including the US Bureau of Reclamation, the Natural Resources Conservation Service, and local irrigation and water companies and districts. The project, nearly complete in 2010, includes replacing many open irrigation ditches with piping to conserve water and prevent salt contamination from infiltration and evaporation of irrigation water. Many of the original irrigation ditches have been determined to be eligible for the National Register of Historic Places, together with various archeological sites.

Incorporated in 1894, Mancos town government quickly asserted itself, banning fast riding and driving (of wagons) in town the next year, as well as building boardwalks. A water system and electrical system were constructed in 1904, followed by a new bridge across the river in 1905 and concrete sidewalks in 1909. However, most side streets of the town remain unpaved. The abandonment of the railroad in the 1950s allowed US 160 to be rerouted to follow the present Railroad Avenue, leaving Grand Avenue, the town's main street, as a business route; an earlier route of US 160 is now County Road J, south of the river and most of the town. The establishment of Mesa Verde National Park also encouraged early growth of Mancos.

Several Mancos sites from about the turn of the 20th century are listed on the state or national register of historic places. The first two are on the Colorado State Register of Historic Properties, the remaining are on the National Register of Historic Places:
 * The Bauer Bank Building, built in 1905, is the oldest surviving masonry building in the Mancos Valley.
 * The Bauer House was built in 1889 for George Bauer, a Mancos pioneer merchant who built the town's first store in 1881, a banker, and a stonemason.
 * Mancos High School, built in 1909 of local sandstone, was the first high school in the county.
 * The Mancos Opera House was completed in 1910.
 * The Wrightsman House was built in 1903 of late Victorian architecture.

Attempts to create a separate Mancos County from the eastern portion of Montezuma County in the mid-20th century failed. Agricultural development, and to a certain extent, tourism, benefited from the Mancos Project of the US Bureau of Reclamation in the 1950s, which created Jackson Reservoir north of the town, today the site of Mancos State Park. This project also supplies water for the town, a rural water district, and Mesa Verde National Park.

In recent years the growth of Durango has spread to Mancos, making the town something of an art colony. Aramark, the concessionaire for Mesa Verde National Park, has facilities in the town, and there is a specialty aspen sawmill (Western Excelsior) and other small industrial enterprises. Numerous events are held in the town each year, including Mancos Days the last weekend in July, a motorcycle rally over Labor Day weekend, and a balloon festival in September. Much of the farm and ranch land in the Mancos Valley has been subdivided into rural residential and "hobby ranch" properties in recent years, as is happening in much of Montezuma County. Several major subdivisions immediately adjacent to Mancos are in various stages of development and are expected to greatly increase the town's population by 2015, despite some slowdown due to economic conditions. The Mancos Library District constructed a new public library in 2008, located on a former electrical generating station site south of the Mancos River. Most recent new businesses and business activity are occurring outside the corporate limits of the town, in Montezuma County jurisdiction. In 2007-2010, there have been numerous controversial approvals of new commercial developments, including mail-order firms, sand and gravel pits, ready-mix plants and hot-mix asphalt facilities, by the Montezuma County Board of County Commissioners.

Geography
Mancos is located in eastern Montezuma County.

According to the United States Census Bureau, Mancos has a total area of 0.6 sqmi, all of it recorded as land. The town is located in the Mancos River valley at an elevation of approximately 7000 ft. The Mancos River was named by Spanish explorers (Rio de los Mancos - "River of the Sleeve") perhaps for the way the river, which rises in the La Plata Mountains northeast of Mancos, drains the valley and then flows into the narrow confines of Weber Canyon and Mancos Canyon, southwest of Mesa Verde, where it joins the San Juan River. The town's skyline is dominated by the mass of Mesa Verde 7 mi to the west, Menefee Mountain 2 mi to the southeast, and the La Plata Mountains, a range to the east and northeast, in which the headwaters of the Mancos River originate.

Originally laid out as a railroad town, Mancos stretches for approximately a mile along the river and on both sides of it, while newer areas lie north of the old railroad alignment (now U.S. Route 160, part of the San Juan Skyway and the Old Spanish Trail). The small main business district lies along Business Route 160 (Grand Avenue), while newer business areas are located along the main highway. The highly publicized death of a schoolchild in 2003 led to a major reconstruction of US 160 through the town in following years, creating a street pattern which somewhat hampers development. US 160 leads west 18 mi to Cortez, the Montezuma county seat, and east 27 mi to Durango. Colorado State Highway 184 leads northwest from Mancos 18 mi to Dolores.

The Mancos River flows from east to west through the town, and then flows to the south into Mancos Canyon, on the west and south toe of Mesa Verde. Much of the townsite is located in a Special Flood Hazard Area (the 100-year floodplain)), including most bridges connecting the two parts of the town.

5 mi northeast of town is Mancos State Park located on Jackson Gulch Reservoir, built by the Mancos Irrigation Project. Echo Basin, a winter (Nordic) skiing area and various vacation resorts and dude ranches, as well as an elk ranch and other tourist-, sports-, and hunting-related activities are located in and around the town.

As is common in Colorado, many government services are provided by special districts, both inside the corporate limits of the town of Mancos and outside in the county. Among these are the Mancos Library District, Mancos Water Conservancy District and Mancos Fire Protection District (which also provides emergency medical services). The nearest hospitals are Southwest Memorial Hospital in Cortez (approximately 18 mi west) and Mercy Regional Medical Center in Durango, approximately 34 mi east. The town does have a medical clinic, funded through a variety of private and public sources.

The nearest general aviation and commercial airport is located southwest of Cortez, approximately 22 mi west of Mancos. There are a few private airstrips in the vicinity of Mancos, but these are not open to the public; a former town airfield near Jackson Gulch Reservoir is sometimes still marked on maps.

2020 census
As of the 2020 census, there were 1,196 people residing in the town. The population density was 1,868.75 PD/sqmi. There were 588 housing units at an average density of 918.75 /sqmi.

2010 census
As of the census of 2010, there were 1,336 people, 546 households, and 320 families residing in the town. The population density was 2,227.41 PD/sqmi. There were 608 housing units at an average density of 950 /sqmi. The racial makeup was 1,141 (85.4%) White, 1 (0.1%) Black or African American, 84 (6.3%) Native American, 9 (0.7%) Asian, 4 (0.3%) Pacific Islander, 56 (4.2%) from other races, and 41 (3.1%) from two or more races. There were 164 (12.3%) of Hispanic or Latino ancestry, of any race.

1,263 people (94.5% of the population) lived in households, 73 (5.5%) lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and none were institutionalized.

There were 546 households, out of which 191 (35.0%) had children under the age of 18 living with them, 209 (38.3%) were opposite-sex married couples living together, 44 (8.1%) unmarried opposite-sex partnerships, and 3 (0.5%) same-sex married couples or partnerships. 81 (14.8%) had a female householder with no husband present, and 30 (5.5%) had a male householder with no wife present. 226 (14.4%) were non-families. 184 (33.7%) of all households were made up of individuals, and 66 (12.1%) had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.31 and the average family size was 3.01.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 356 (26.6%) under the age of 18, 67 (5.0%) aged 18 to 24, 363 (27.2%) aged 25 to 44, 341 (25.5%) aged 45 to 64, and 209 (15.6%) who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 87.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 81.8 males.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 1,119 people, 478 households, and 292 families residing in the town. The population density was 1,938.4 PD/sqmi. There were 524 housing units at an average density of 907.7 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 88.65% White, 2.23% Native American, 0.09% Pacific Islander, 7.86% from other races, and 1.16% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 12.42% of the population.

There were 478 households, out of which 32.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.7% were married couples living together, 13.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.9% were non-families. 33.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.31 and the average family size was 2.93.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 25.8% under the age of 18, 9.0% from 18 to 24, 26.1% from 25 to 44, 25.5% from 45 to 64, and 13.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.5 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $25,223, and the median income for a family was $32,188. Males had a median income of $27,708 versus $17,292 for females. The per capita income for the town was $13,946. About 11.8% of families and 16.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 22.5% of those under age 18 and 15.5% of those age 65 or over.

Transportation
Mancos is part of Colorado's Bustang network. It is on the Durango-Grand Junction Outrider line.

Notable people

 * Luther Elliss, former NFL Pro Bowl defensive end
 * Jaye P. Morgan, retired singer, born in Mancos in 1931
 * Louisa Wade Wetherill, explorer and trader

Sister city
Mancos has a sister city, as designated by Sister Cities International:
 * 🇫🇷 Feins, Ille-et-Vilaine, Brittany, France

title: Mancos, Colorado


text:
Towaoc, Colorado

Towaoc is a Census-designated place (CDP), a post office, and the capital of the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe located on the Ute Mountain Ute Reservation in Montezuma County, Colorado, United States. The Towaoc post office has the ZIP Code 81334 (post office boxes). At the United States Census 2020, the population of the Towaoc CDP was 1,120.

Geography
Towaoc is located east of Sleeping Ute Mountain, a sacred mountain of the Ute people, and northeast of the Four Corners Monument.

Old Towaoc, located at the base of Ute Mountain, is approximately 2 mi west of US Highways 491-160, and includes various tribal and BIA governmental buildings and housing areas, including the tribal offices of the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe. In recent years, a small complex has been developed directly on US Highway 491–160 at the junction of the road into the original town.

The Towaoc CDP has an area of 9.284 km2, all land.

Education
The CDP is served by Montezuma-Cortez School District RE-1.

Demographics
The United States Census Bureau initially defined the Towaoc CDP for the 1990 United States Census.

title: Towaoc, Colorado


text:
Montrose, Colorado

Montrose is a home rule municipality that is the county seat and the most populous municipality of Montrose County, Colorado, United States. The city population was 20,291 at the 2020 census, within a total area of 18.5 square miles. The main road that leads in and out of Montrose is U.S. Highway 50. The city is located in western Colorado, in the Uncompahgre Valley, and is an economic, labor, and transportation waypoint for the surrounding area. Montrose is the second-largest city in western Colorado, after Grand Junction.

In 2022, Montrose was ranked in the top-25 of the nation's most dynamic micropolitan statistical areas by think tank Heartland Forward largely due to its outdoor recreation access.

History
Montrose was incorporated on May 2, 1882, and named after the Marquis of Montrose, immortalized in Sir Walter Scott's novel A Legend of Montrose by Oliver D. "Pappy" Loutzenhizer and Joseph Selig. The Denver & Rio Grande railroad was built west toward Grand Junction and reached Montrose later in 1882, and the town became an important regional shipping center. A branch railroad line served the mineral-rich San Juan Mountains to the south.

In 1909, the U.S. government completed construction of the Gunnison Tunnel, located east of Montrose. It provided irrigation water from the Gunnison River in the Black Canyon to the Uncompahgre Valley, helping turn Montrose into an agricultural hub. The Uncompahgre Project is one of the oldest of those in the area by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation.

Early in the area's history, prehistoric people lived in the vicinity who created rock art at the Shavano Valley Rock Art Site from 1000 BC or earlier; their descendants continued this practice until about AD 1881. These petroglyphs recorded cultural events and were a means of artistic expression. The site is listed on the Colorado State Register of Historic Properties and the National Register of Historic Places.

Montrose is the birthplace of American screenwriter and novelist Dalton Trumbo, who scripted films including Roman Holiday, Exodus, Spartacus, and Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 18.5 sqmi; all of it is land.

Montrose is at the south end of the Uncompahgre valley and is built on the Uncompahgre River, which runs to the north, where 60 miles further its waters will join the Colorado River. It is surrounded by, to the north, the widening Uncompahgre Valley and the Grand Mesa, to the east, the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, to the south, the San Juan Mountains, and to the west the Uncompahgre Plateau. The valley is arid, and is only arable due to the water from the Gunnison Tunnel and Ridgway Reservoir.

Climate
Montrose features a semi-arid Continental climate zone. The town sits on high grasslands in the Uncompahgre Valley of Western Colorado. Snowfall occurs during the winter but is usually short-lived due to the high altitude and abundant sunshine.

2020 census
As of the 2020 census, there were 20,291 people and 8,175 households residing in the city. The population density was 1,102.77 PD/sqmi. The average median age was 45.2 years and the average work commute time was 15.4 minutes, nearly 40% lower than the State of Colorado. In the city, the population was spread out, with 21.0% under the age of 18, 7.5% from 18 to 24, 21.3% from 25 to 44, 25.0% from 45 to 64, and 25.3% who were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females, there were 86.4 males.

The racial makeup of the city was 78.44% White, 0.57% African American, 1.36% American Indian or Alaskan Native, 1.15% Asian, 0.09% Pacific Islander, 8.68% from other races, and 9.71% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4,491 people or 22.13% of the population.

There were 9,468 housing units at an average density of 514.56 /sqmi. There were a total of 8,175 households, with an average family size of 2.90. 57.8% are married, 21.4% never married, 12.6% divorced, 1.2% separated, and 7.0% widowed. The homeownership rate was 68.8%, slightly higher than the Colorado average. The median gross rent was $936 per month, or nearly 30% lower than the State of Colorado and nearly 36% lower than neighboring Telluride.

The median income for a household in the city was $52,534, a 56% increase from the 2010 US Census. The median income for a family was $68,801. About 16.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 24.8% of those under age 18 and 9.9% of those age 65 or over.

Approximately 27.5% of the population in the city has a Bachelor's Degree or higher, with 27.3% reporting a high school or equivalent degree, and 26.7% with some college but no degree. About 77.7% of those eligible for school enrollment between kindergarten and 12th grade are enrolled, much higher than the Colorado average of 66.5%.

Economy

Due to its relative affordability and proximity to many outdoor recreation activities, Montrose is known as a manufacturing hub for outdoor products. Fly-fishing companies Ross Reels, Abel, and Airflo are headquartered in the city. Additionally, Scott Fly Rods relocated to Montrose from Telluride in 1993. Gordon Composites, maker of nearly 90 percent of the high-performance laminate material used in the bow-hunting industry, is located in Montrose. Secret Creek, formerly known as Colorado Yurt Company, maker of handcrafted yurts, tipis, and rugged canvas wall tents, is also located in Montrose.

The Montrose City Council is actively recruiting outdoor recreation businesses to boost the local economy and create primary jobs. In addition, the City is planning major river corridor construction and restoration with the company, which it plans to use to attract more industry, increase outdoor recreation, and promote tourism.

Tourist and recreation opportunities are important to the regional economy. Montrose is a gateway to the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park to the east of town. In the winter, it is a transportation hub for ski areas of the San Juan Mountains to the south.

In November 2017, the City approved a $10 million fund for public infrastructure improvements within the Colorado Outdoors development, and was the recipient of a $2 million grant for a new trail system. The GOCO grant was the largest single grant awarded to the City of Montrose in its history, and connects the newly built, $30 million Montrose Recreation Center to the project, safely under-passing both major highways within the City.

The Montrose Urban Renewal Authority (MURA), the taxing entity in partnership with the Colorado Outdoors project, was the recipient of 2019 Governors Award from Downtown Colorado, Inc for Best Urban Renewal project.

In November 2019, Governor Jared Polis visited Montrose and Mayfly to unveil his Rural Economic Blueprint which focuses heavily on expanding rural access to broadband services and investing in rural economic development.

Russell Stover Candies closed its Montrose plant in the spring of 2021, eliminating 400 jobs and offering employees to relocate to plants in Kansas and Texas. The plant was listed as a "primary employer" for the city on its Economic Development Corporation website.

In October 2020, the City of Montrose announced a multi-year, multi-million dollar river restoration project along the Uncompahgre River, including a $785,000 grant from the Colorado Water Conservation Board.

In 2024, Shelter Distilling opened after receiving economic incentives from the city.

Fiber optic internet
The City of Montrose has several miles of fiber optic internet service installed which offers 1 gigabyte internet speeds throughout the community.

Transportation
Montrose Regional Airport serves the Montrose area with regional service to Denver. As the nearest major airport to the Telluride Ski Area, Montrose sees heavy seasonal service. Montrose has a local non-profit bus service called All Points Transit. Its three lines run only during weekdays. Montrose is part of Colorado's Bustang intercity bus network; three bus lines serve the town. It is along the Durango-Telluride-Grand Junction Outrider line.

Recreation
The Montrose Recreation District serves the Montrose area with indoor and outdoor recreation facilities and programs. These facilities include an 83,000 square foot recreation center, which opened in January 2017. The facility has three pools, multi-court gymnasium, weight and fitness areas, indoor playground, racquetball courts, party rooms, and a walking/jogging track. There are three 18-hole golf courses within the city of Montrose.

Major highways

 * [[Image:US 50.svg|25px]] US 50 runs east-west, crossing 12 states. It links Sacramento, California with Ocean City, Maryland. In Colorado, it connects Montrose to Grand Junction, Gunnison and Pueblo.
 * [[Image:US 550.svg|25px]] US 550 comes all the way from Bernalillo, New Mexico (just north of Albuquerque), via Durango and Ridgway, reaching its end at the corner of Townsend Avenue and Main Street, in Montrose.

Movies
The original version of True Grit (1969 Film) starring John Wayne was filmed in Montrose and the surrounding region. Additionally, several scenes from motion pictures How the West Was Won (1962 Film) and The Sheepman (1958 Film) were shot in Montrose.

Television
The television series, Then Came Bronson starring Michael Parks had the episodes "Old Tigers Never Die; They Just Run Away" and "Mating Dance for Tender Grass" filmed in and around Montrose. In the A&E network reality show, Dog the Bounty Hunter, Montrose is featured in four episodes. The MTV reality show Teen Mom: Young and Pregnant's has several episodes filmed in Montrose, where living in a small town was a common talking point in the series.

In the AMC drama series, Better Call Saul, Saul Goodman is incarcerated in ADX Montrose, a fictional maximum security prison based in Montrose, serving an 86-year sentence for his involvement in the events of Breaking Bad and related crimes. ADX Montrose is referred to as the “Alcatraz of the Rockies” and is based on ADX Florence.

Other
The 2011 video game Homefront is set mostly in Montrose. The game tells the story of a resistance movement fighting shortly against the military occupation of the Western United States by North Korea.

title: Montrose, Colorado


text:
Naturita, Colorado

Naturita is a statutory town in Montrose County, Colorado, United States. The population was 485 at the 2020 census, down from 546 in 2010.

The post office in Naturita was opened on October 21, 1881, under the name "Chipeta"; the name was changed to Naturita September 15, 1882, and has used that name since then. Naturita is a name derived from Spanish meaning "little nature".

Geography
The community is located in southwest Montrose County within the San Miguel River valley. The community is served by Colorado State Highways 97 and 141. Telluride is 52 mi to the southeast via Highways 141 and 145. Montrose, the Montrose county seat, is 41 mi to the northeast in air distance across the Uncompahgre Plateau but 86 mi by paved roads.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 0.6 sqmi, all of it land. The San Miguel River flows northwest from Naturita to the Dolores River, which continues northwest to the Colorado River in Utah.

Climate
The average low in January is 16 °F, while the average high in July rises to 96 °F. The record low temperature for the town is -23 °F, while the hottest temperature recorded is 115 °F

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 635 people, 257 households, and 164 families residing in the town. The population density was 865.5 PD/sqmi. There were 314 housing units at an average density of 428.0 /mi2. The racial makeup of the town was 93.70% White, 2.36% Native American, 0.16% Asian, 1.73% from other races, and 2.05% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.04% of the population.

There were 257 households, out of which 35.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.7% were married couples living together, 12.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.8% were non-families. 28.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.46 and the average family size was 3.06.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 29.6% under the age of 18, 7.9% from 18 to 24, 27.2% from 25 to 44, 21.7% from 45 to 64, and 13.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 105.0 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $28,977, and the median income for a family was $37,917. Males had a median income of $33,203 versus $15,625 for females. The per capita income for the town was $13,867. About 3.8% of families and 10.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.1% of those under age 18 and 11.8% of those age 65 or over.

Amenities
Naturita has an inn, cafe, gas station, bank, grocery store and a few motels. To the west along Highway 90 in the community of Bedrock is the historic Bedrock Store, where scenes from movies such as Thelma & Louise were filmed.

title: Naturita, Colorado


text:
Nucla, Colorado

Nucla is a statutory town in Montrose County, Colorado, United States. The population was 585 as of the 2020 census, down from 711 in 2010. Its name comes from the town founders' intent that it serve as a "nucleus" for the surrounding farms and mines, although it has since come to be associated with the growth of uranium mining in the region.

Geography
Nucla is located in southwestern Montrose County. It is at the northern terminus of Colorado State Highway 97, which leads south 4 mi to Naturita, the only other incorporated place in the area. The Uncompahgre Plateau rises to the northeast.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 0.6 sqmi, all of it land.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 734 people, 311 households, and 208 families residing in the town. The population density was 1,036.0 PD/sqmi. There were 369 housing units at an average density of 520.8 /mi2. The racial makeup of the town was 94.69% White, 1.09% Native American, 0.14% Asian, 0.54% from other races, and 3.54% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.68% of the population.

There were 311 households, out of which 31.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.8% were married couples living together, 11.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.8% were non-families. 30.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.36 and the average family size was 2.91.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 28.6% under the age of 18, 6.5% from 18 to 24, 24.3% from 25 to 44, 27.9% from 45 to 64, and 12.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.9 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $28,466, and the median income for a family was $33,636. Males had a median income of $32,417 versus $21,726 for females. The per capita income for the town was $12,982. About 14.4% of families and 17.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 23.4% of those under age 18 and 12.1% of those age 65 or over.

History
There are several prehistoric sites near Nucla on the Colorado State Register of Historic Properties:
 * Cottonwood Cave is a large rock shelter inhabited by 270 BC and the earliest date at which corn was found in the state of Colorado.
 * Tabeguache Cave is another prehistoric rock shelter.
 * Tabeguache Pueblo is an example of an early, dispersed Ancient Pueblo settlement, inhabited about AD 1100 and later abandoned.

The town was established by socialists, who emphasized the sharing of things. The name of the town comes from the word nucleus.

In 1990, residents of Nucla hosted the first Top Dog World Championship Prairie Dog Shoot competition, which resulted in killing nearly 3,000 prairie dogs.

In May 2013, the Nucla Town Board passed an ordinance that required every non-exempted head of household in the town to own a firearm.

Notable people

 * W. A. Draves (1912–1994), founder and an apostle of the Church of Christ with the Elijah Message, now headquartered in Independence, Missouri.
 * Bill Symons, Canadian Football Hall of Famer

title: Nucla, Colorado


text:
Olathe, Colorado

Olathe is a statutory town in Montrose County, Colorado, United States. The population was 2,019 as of the 2020 census, up from 1,849 at the 2010 census. A post office called Olathe has been in operation since 1896. The community was named after Olathe, Kansas.

Geography
Olathe is located in northeastern Montrose County in the valley of the Uncompahgre River. U.S. Route 50 passes through the east side of the town, leading southeast 10 mi to Montrose, the county seat, and northwest 11 mi to Delta.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 1.5 sqmi, all of it land. The Uncompahgre River passes along the western edge of the town, flowing northwest to the Gunnison River at Delta. Ash Mesa rises 100 ft over the town to the west.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 1,573 people, 520 households, and 383 families residing in the town. The population density was 1,186.8 PD/sqmi. There were 571 housing units at an average density of 430.8 /mi2. The racial makeup of the town was 74.44% White, 0.06% African American, 1.65% Native American, 0.32% Asian, 19.71% from other races, and 3.81% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 35.22% of the population.

There were 520 households, out of which 41.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.0% were married couples living together, 10.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.3% were non-families. 22.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.88 and the average family size was 3.44.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 31.8% under the age of 18, 10.1% from 18 to 24, 24.7% from 25 to 44, 19.3% from 45 to 64, and 14.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 31 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.1 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $26,286, and the median income for a family was $31,354. Males had a median income of $22,708 versus $18,077 for females. The per capita income for the town was $12,620. About 15.9% of families and 21.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 24.7% of those under age 18 and 19.6% of those age 65 or over.

Transportation
The closest airport served by scheduled airlines is Montrose Regional Airport, located 9 mi southeast of Olathe.

Major highways

 * [[Image:US 50.svg|25px]] U.S. Route 50 (US 50) runs east–west, crossing 12 states. It links Sacramento, California with Ocean City, Maryland. In Colorado, it connects Olathe to Montrose, Grand Junction and Pueblo. US 50 has a business loop within the town.
 * [[Image:Colorado 348.svg|25px]] State Highway 348 is mostly a country road running parallel to US 50. It starts at Fifth Street in Olathe, goes to the countryside and enters Delta via 8th Street/Eaton Avenue.

Olathe Sweet Corn Festival
Since 1992, this annual town festival has been held the first Saturday in August each summer, dedicated to the region's "agricultural jewel", Olathe Sweet Corn. The Festival features such entertainment as craft shows, karaoke, local acts, like the Anders Brothers, Cabin Fever Band, and concerts by bigger names like Three Dog Night in 1996, Kansas in 1998, Styx in 2004, LeAnn Rimes in 2007, Travis Tritt in 2008, and Clint Black in 2009. Any proceeds go to local non-profit groups.

Olathe BMX
Olathe BMX was established by the Town of Olathe in 2007 and sanctioned by the American Bicycle Association. Olathe BMX is run by volunteers; self-supporting since its conception in 2007, Olathe BMX has produced several state champions.

Education
Olathe is part of the Montrose County School District RE-1J and has three schools within the town limits. Olathe Elementary School has a population of around 500 students and supports grades K through 5. The middle school and high school are attached and create Olathe Middle High School.

title: Olathe, Colorado


text:
Brush, Colorado

Brush is a Statutory City located in Morgan County, Colorado, United States. The city population was 5,339 at the 2020 United States Census. Brush is a part of the Fort Morgan, CO Micropolitan Statistical Area.

History
Brush, Colorado was named for Jared L. Brush, who was a Colorado cattle pioneer. Brush had never lived in Brush, Colorado, instead helping to settle what is now known as Greeley. Brush later served as Lieutenant Governor of Colorado, and liked to visit "his town" often.

The town was incorporated by election in 1884.

Brush is on the Loewen database of possible sundown towns.

Geography
At the 2020 United States Census, the city had a total area of 7.339 km2 including 0.008 km2 of water.

Climate
According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Brush has a semi-arid climate, abbreviated "BSk" on climate maps.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 5,117 people, 1,836 households, and 1,233 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,120.0 PD/sqmi. There were 1,923 housing units at an average density of 796.7 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the population in the city was 75.81% White, 0.39% African American, 0.51% Native American, 0.16% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 20.19% from other races, and 2.91% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 50.00% of the population.

There were 1,836 households, out of which 35.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.8% were married couples living together, 9.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.8% were non-families. 28.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.64 and the average family size was 3.29.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 28.3% under the age of 18, 8.5% from 18 to 24, 25.7% from 25 to 44, 18.7% from 45 to 64, and 18.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females, there were 91.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.3 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $31,333, and the median income for a family was $39,094. Males had a median income of $24,431 versus $20,371 for females. The per capita income for the city was $14,672. About 5.4% of families and 10.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.1% of those under age 18 and 13.1% of those age 65 or over.

Culture
Agriculture and ranching make up a large part of the local economy. The Brush Rodeo is held each July. The Morgan County Fair showcases the community's 4-H projects and livestock.

The Brush Industrial Park contains a 272-bed prison in a correctional complex that has been vacant since 2010. In 2017, plans were to use an outbuilding as a treatment center for autistic spectrum disorders.

The East Morgan County Library is located in Brush.

The city museum is housed in a former schoolhouse.

The Brush High School mascot is the Beetdigger, signifying the importance of the annual sugar beet crop. The football team, winner of multiple state championships, plays its games at Beetdigger Stadium.

School District

 * Brush School District Re 2J

Elementary schools
•Address: 422 Ray Street
 * Thomson Elementary School

•Address: 2710 Mill Street
 * Beaver Valley Elementary School

Combined Secondary Campus
•Address: 1600 Mill Street
 * Brush Secondary Campus

Major highways

 * [[Image:I-76.svg|25px]] Interstate 76 connects Brush to Denver, located 93 miles southwest. To the northeast, Brush is linked with Interstate 80 in Big Springs, Nebraska, via Sterling, Colorado.
 * [[Image:Business Loop 76.svg|25px]] Business Loop 76 runs on Edison Street, reaching Fort Morgan in its west end.
 * [[Image:US 6.svg|25px]] US 6 connects Provincetown, Massachusetts to Bishop, California, via Nevada, Colorado, Illinois and 9 other states.
 * [[Image:US 34.svg|25px]] US 34 links Granby, Colorado with Berwyn, Illinois, passing through Nebraska and Iowa. In Colorado, it connects Brush to Greeley and Loveland.
 * [[Image:Colorado 71.svg|25px]] State Highway 71 runs from US 350, near La Junta to Nebraska state border, where it becomes Nebraska Highway 71.

Local notables

 * Pat Day, 1992 Kentucky Derby winner and a member of the jockey Hall of Fame, was born in Brush.

title: Brush, Colorado


text:
Fort Morgan, Colorado

Fort Morgan is the home rule municipality city that is the county seat and the most populous municipality of Morgan County, Colorado, United States. The city population was 11,597 at the 2020 United States Census. Fort Morgan is the principal city of the Fort Morgan, CO Micropolitan Statistical Area.

Fort Morgan
Camp Wardwell was established in 1865 along the Overland Trail to protect emigrants and supplies going to and from Denver and the mining districts. The fort was renamed in 1866 by General John Pope for one of his staff, Colonel Christopher A. Morgan, who had died earlier that year. The fort closed in 1868 after being used by 19 different companies from 11 cavalry and infantry regiments (about 1,300 soldiers).

Town
The town of Fort Morgan was platted just south of the old military fort's ruins on May 1, 1884, by Abner S. Baker, a member of Greeley's Union Colony. The town became the county seat of the newly formed Morgan County on February 19, 1889.

In World War II, a military school at the Fort Morgan State Armory was part of the West Coast Air Corps Training Center.

Geography
At the 2020 United States Census, the town had a total area of 13.993 km2 including 0.178 km2 of water.

Climate
Fort Morgan exhibits a semi-arid climate (Köppen: BSk)

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, 11,034 people, 3,887 households, and 2,736 families resided in the city. The population density was 2,472.1 PD/sqmi. The 4,094 housing units averaged 917.2 per square mile (354.4/km$2$). The racial makeup of the city was 74.43% White, 0.28% African American, 1.01% Native American, 0.18% Asian, 0.24% Pacific Islander, 20.62% from other races, and 3.24% from two or more races. Hispanics or Latinos of any race were 39.04% of the population.

Of the 3,887 households, 37.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.6% were married couples living together, 10.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.6% were not families. About 25.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.79 and the average family size was 3.32.

In the city, the population was distributed as 30.2% under the age of 18, 9.6% from 18 to 24, 29.1% from 25 to 44, 18.1% from 45 to 64, and 13.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females, there were 100.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.6 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $33,128, and for a family was $36,134. Males had a median income of $27,667 versus $22,346 for females. The per capita income for the city was $15,024. About 8.9% of families and 12.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.5% of those under age 18 and 8.6% of those age 65 or over.

Economy

Fort Morgan is home primarily to an agricultural economy.

Cargill operates a meatpacking plant. As of 2016, many of the employees at the plant were Muslims, many from Somalia.

Western Sugar operates their main plant in Fort Morgan.

Education

 * Morgan Community College

Newspaper
The city newspaper is the Fort Morgan Times.

Radio

 * KSIR 1010 AM and KRFD (FM) 94.5 have a broadcasting building in Fort Morgan.
 * KFTM ("Hometown Radio") 1400 is a short-range AM radio station broadcasting in the city.
 * BOB FM 97.5 KSRX is a music station from Sterling and Fort Morgan.

Rail
Amtrak, the national passenger rail system, provides service through Fort Morgan, operating its California Zephyr daily in both directions between Chicago and Emeryville, California, across the bay from San Francisco.

Air
Although the town is served by Fort Morgan Municipal Airport, no scheduled airlines operate from there, and the airport is purely for general aviation. Denver International Airport is 76 mi southwest and is the closest airport to provide scheduled services.

Major highways

 * Interstate 76
 * Business Loop 76
 * U.S. Highway 34
 * State Highway 52
 * State Highway 144

Notable people
Fort Morgan is the boyhood home of Big Band musician Glenn Miller. Miller went to high school in Fort Morgan and was known to have once played trumpet on top of Abner S. Baker School, since destroyed in a fire and now rebuilt, which at the time was the high school campus, but is now an elementary school.

Robert G. Whitehead (1916–2007) was born in Fort Morgan.

Joel Dreessen, former tight end for the Denver Broncos, grew up in Fort Morgan and attended Fort Morgan schools. He graduated from Fort Morgan High School in 2000.

Michael Crichton lived in Fort Morgan for a short time during World War II with his family when his father was drafted to serve in the war.

Sam Brunelli, football player.

Elvin C. Drake was head track and field coach for the 1956 NCAA Champion UCLA Bruins.

Ryan Jensen, center for the 2021 Super Bowl Champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Grew up in Fort Morgan and played football at Fort Morgan High School. Graduated in 2009.

Brenton Metzler is a TV producer. He moved to Fort Morgan at the age 16 and graduated from Fort Morgan High School in 1997.

title: Fort Morgan, Colorado


text:
Hillrose, Colorado

The Town of Hillrose is a statutory town located in Morgan County, Colorado, United States. The town population was 312 at the 2020 United States Census, an 18.18% increase since the 2010 United States Census.

History
The town was named after Rose Hill Emerson, daughter of early landholder.

Geography
Hillrose is located at 40.32556°N, -103.52139°W (40.325591, -103.521475).

At the 2020 United States Census, the town had a total area of 0.488 km2, all of it land.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 254 people, 93 households, and 69 families residing in the town. The population density was 1,144.3 PD/sqmi. There were 111 housing units at an average density of 500.1 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 92.52% White, 1.57% Native American, 0.39% Pacific Islander, 4.33% from other races, and 1.18% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 16.14% of the population.

There were 93 households, out of which 34.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.4% were married couples living together, 8.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.8% were non-families. 18.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 4.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.73 and the average family size was 3.14.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 30.7% under the age of 18, 5.1% from 18 to 24, 30.3% from 25 to 44, 22.4% from 45 to 64, and 11.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 111.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 102.3 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $29,219, and the median income for a family was $30,750. Males had a median income of $23,333 versus $17,750 for females. The per capita income for the town was $11,179. About 8.5% of families and 10.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.0% of those under the age of eighteen and 35.7% of those 65 or over.

Climate
According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Hillrose has a semi-arid climate, abbreviated "BSk" on climate maps.

title: Hillrose, Colorado


text:
Log Lane Village, Colorado

Log Lane Village is a statutory town in Morgan County, Colorado, United States. The population was 913 at the 2020 census.

Log Lane Village was named from the presence of log houses in the town.

Geography
Log Lane Village is located in central Morgan County at 40.27083°N, -103.8275°W (40.270752, -103.827374). It is 2 mi northwest of Fort Morgan, the county seat. The town is bordered to the northeast by the South Platte River and to the southwest by Colorado State Highway 144. Interstate 76 passes just south of the town, with access to Highway 144 at Exit 79. I-76 leads southwest 80 mi to Denver and northeast 47 mi to Sterling.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 0.2 sqmi, all of it land.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 1,006 people, 289 households, and 239 families residing in the town. The population density was 4,043.5 PD/sqmi. There were 324 housing units at an average density of 1,302.3 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 73.86% White, 0.50% African American, 1.49% Native American, 0.89% Asian, 19.58% from other races, and 3.68% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 52.78% of the population.

There were 289 households, out of which 52.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 65.7% were married couples living together, 12.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 17.0% were non-families. 12.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 3.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.48 and the average family size was 3.83.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 38.5% under the age of 18, 9.4% from 18 to 24, 29.8% from 25 to 44, 16.9% from 45 to 64, and 5.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 26 years. For every 100 females, there were 106.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 99.7 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $33,947, and the median income for a family was $35,536. Males had a median income of $25,913 versus $19,167 for females. The per capita income for the town was $11,502. About 13.0% of families and 16.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 20.0% of those under age 18 and 9.3% of those age 65 or over.

Economy
As of 2020, four marijuana dispensaries operate in Log Lane Village.

title: Log Lane Village, Colorado


text:
Wiggins, Colorado

Wiggins is a statutory town in Morgan County, Colorado, United States. The population was 1,401 as of the 2020 census, up from 893 at the 2010 census.

The community was established in 1882 as the Burlington Railroad depot of "Corona". Around 1900, Corona was renamed in honor of Oliver P. Wiggins, who had served as a guide and scout for Captain John C. Frémont on some of his explorations through northern Colorado in the 1840s and who had accompanied Kit Carson for 12 years on his expeditions.

Geography
Wiggins is in western Morgan County on the south side of Interstate 76, which leads east 15 mi to Fort Morgan, the county seat, and southwest 64 mi to Denver. U.S. Route 34 splits off from I-76 just north of the town, leading northwest 38 mi to Greeley.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town of Wiggins has a total area of 1.3 sqmi, of which 0.004 sqmi, or 0.30%, are water.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 838 people, 265 households, and 210 families residing in the town. The population density was 938.4 PD/sqmi. There were 279 housing units at an average density of 312.4 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 82.10% White, 1.19% African American, 2.27% Native American, 12.89% from other races, and 1.55% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 25.06% of the population.

There were 265 households, out of which 46.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.6% were married couples living together, 10.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 20.4% were non-families. 17.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.16 and the average family size was 3.52.

The age of the town's population is spread out, with 37.0% under the age of 18, 7.8% from 18 to 24, 28.0% from 25 to 44, 19.6% from 45 to 64, and 7.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 30 years. For every 100 females, there were 100.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 98.5 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $33,438, and the median income for a family was $34,219. Males had a median income of $26,296 versus $20,833 for females. The per capita income for the town was $11,827. About 15.0% of families and 14.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.1% of those under age 18 and none of those age 65 or over.

Education
Wiggins is home to the Wiggins RE-50J school district. The district includes Wiggins Elementary School, Wiggins Middle School and Wiggins High School.

title: Wiggins, Colorado


text:
Cheraw, Colorado

Cheraw is a Statutory Town located in Otero County, Colorado, United States. The town population was 237 at the 2020 United States Census.

History
In 1917, Cheraw was the smallest town in the world with a regimental band. Cheraw had a population of 80, half of whom were men serving in the Colorado National Guard Second Regiment Band under the leadership of Sergeant Luther D. Armstrong, attached to the regiment of General Cameron and the 115th Ammunition Train commanded by Colonel Danks.

In 1920, the U.S. census of the town of Cheraw reported a population of 186 in 49 households within the town limits. Fewer than ten of the town's adults had been born in Colorado; most were from the Midwest. The largest demographic group, 15 percent of the population, were resident aliens who had immigrated from Mexico within the previous decade.

The men's occupations in 1920 included blacksmith, salesman, publisher, lumberyard manager, retail merchant, laborer, wagon driver, bank cashier, barber, physician, druggist, teacher, minister, carpenter, farmer and farm laborers, alfalfa mill manager and laborers, bank bookkeeper, railroad depot operator, [illegible] at pool hall, railroad laborer, and auto mechanic. Women were employed at paying occupations as saleslady, teacher, manager of the telephone exchange, postal workers, and postmistress. The census taker was also a woman.

Geography
Cheraw is located at 38.10778°N, -103.51111°W (38.107901, -103.511137).

At the 2020 United States Census, the town had a total area of 0.474 km2 including 0.007 km2 of water.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 211 people, 92 households, and 58 families residing in the town. The population density was 1,289.3 PD/sqmi. There were 102 housing units at an average density of 623.3 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 95.73% White, 0.95% Native American, 2.84% from other races, and 0.47% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 10.90% of the population.

There were 92 households, out of which 33.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.7% were married couples living together, 8.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.9% were non-families. 31.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.29 and the average family size was 2.92.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 24.2% under the age of 18, 10.4% from 18 to 24, 24.6% from 25 to 44, 29.9% from 45 to 64, and 10.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 90.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.5 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $21,250, and the median income for a family was $24,844. Males had a median income of $20,125 versus $23,750 for females. The per capita income for the town was $12,590. About 13.4% of families and 14.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.7% of those under the age of eighteen and 8.6% of those 65 or over.

title: Cheraw, Colorado


text:
Fowler, Colorado

Fowler is a statutory town located in northwestern Otero County, Colorado, United States. The town population was 1,253 at the 2020 United States Census.

History
Fowler was named for Orson Squire Fowler, a phrenologist who founded the town. The town was incorporated in 1925.

The town was built as a small railroad station for the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway. The town was originally named Oxford, for a large ox that was killed when crossing the railroad tracks. The name of the town was changed because there was another town named Oxford located on the rail line.

Geography
Fowler is located at 38.12833°N, -104.025°W (38.128343, -104.025007).

At the 2020 United States Census, the town had a total area of 1.458 km2, including 0.010 km2 of water.

It is on the Arkansas River and U.S. Route 50.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 1206 people, 521 households, and 330 families residing in the town. The population density was 2,468.5 PD/sqmi. There were 591 housing units at an average density of 1,209.7 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 95.02% White, 0.08% Black, 1.08% Native American, 0.17% Asian, 2.99% from other races, and 0.66% from two or more races. Latino or Hispanic of any race were 12.35% of the population.

There were 521 households, out of which 25.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.8% were married couples living together, 7.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.5% were non-families. 34.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 16.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.22 and the average family size was 2.87.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 22.3% under the age of 18, 7.5% from 18 to 24, 22.5% from 25 to 44, 23.1% from 45 to 64, and 24.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females, there were 84.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 79.2 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $25,761, and the median income for a family was $32,143. Males had a median income of $25,536 versus $20,750 for females. The per capita income for the town was $15,501. About 11.3% of families and 11.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.0% of those under age 18 and 9.3% of those age 65 or over.

Government
The town has a small police department and fire department. In 1998, the magazine Westword included Fowler among examples of small police departments that struggled to hire or retain their police chiefs. Police chief Floyd Rogers was fired in 1997 after a string of controversies regarding the department's treatment of adolescents. After his firing a crowd of 60 adolescents rioted in Fowler, barricading U.S. Route 50, setting fires, and vandalizing the police station and two police cars.

Education
The Fowler School District has one elementary school and one high school. The high school mascot is the Grizzlies.

Transportation
Fowler is part of Colorado's Bustang network. It is along the Lamar-Pueblo-Colorado Springs Outrider line.

Notable people

 * Luke Hochevar, Major League Baseball pitcher (2007–present); raised in Fowler and pitched at Fowler High School.

title: Fowler, Colorado


text:
La Junta, Colorado

La Junta is a home rule municipality in, the county seat of, and the most populous municipality of Otero County, Colorado, United States. The city population was 7,322 at the 2020 United States Census. La Junta is located on the Arkansas River in southeastern Colorado 68 mi east of Pueblo. The city is home to Otero College.

History
La Junta (Spanish for the junction) was named for the fact it rested at the intersection of the Santa Fe Trail and a pioneer road to Pueblo. The town developed near Bent's Fort, a fur trading post of the 19th century.

During World War II, La Junta had an Army Air Force Training Base outside town. An Air Force detachment of the Strategic Air Command remained there until modern flight simulators developed in the 1980s rendered live flight unnecessary for pilot training maneuvers. At least one military aircraft crashed close by during such training maneuvers.

Geography and climate
The area is high plains terrain, dry with short grass prairie and sagebrush, and is part of the Southwestern Tablelands ecological region. This area of Colorado is often the warmest. Summer brings numerous days above 100 F. The hottest temperature recorded in La Junta was 110 F on June 28, 1990, and June 24, 2012, while the coldest temperature recorded was -23 F on January 20, 1948.

Demographics
There were 7,568 people, 2,977 households, and 1,964 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,652.0 PD/sqmi. There were 3,277 housing units at an average density of 1,148.3 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 74.22% White, 1.22% African American, 1.77% Native American, 0.86% Asian, 0.13% Pacific Islander, 18.33% from other races, and 3.48% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 43.60% of the population.

There were 2,977 households, out of which 33.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.0% were married couples living together, 14.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.0% were non-families. 30.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.44 and the average family size was 3.06.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 27.1% under the age of 18, 10.4% from 18 to 24, 24.6% from 25 to 44, 21.4% from 45 to 64, and 16.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 89.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.1 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $29,002, and the median income for a family was $36,398. Males had a median income of $26,325 versus $21,324 for females. The per capita income for the city was $14,928. About 16.8% of families and 21.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 31.4% of those under age 18 and 10.0% of those age 65 or over.

Arts and culture
Tourists come to see tarantulas who are looking for mates during the cooler weather in September and into October each year. Bent's Old Fort National Historic Site, an important trading post along the Santa Fe Trail, is northeast of La Junta. The Koshare Indian Museum, housed at Otero College, holds a collection of Native American artifacts. The Koshare Indian museum hosts a unique Boy Scout/Explorer program which trains the Scouts in both Native American dance and building traditional outfits. The Scouts give dance performances during the summer and also host Scout troops from other areas. Purgatoire River track site, one of the largest dinosaur track sites in North America, is south of La Junta.

The Caboose is the drive-through for the State Bank, which was established in 1893. The bank has been remodeled with antiques, including a teller line from the late 1890s.

Media
The city is served by the daily newspaper The Tribune-Democrat. The city is also served by a local radio station that broadcasts in AM and FM. They are KBLJ 1400 AM and KTHN 92.1 FM.

Transportation
La Junta, until recently, had a railroad yard for assembling freight trains for the climb over Raton Pass. BNSF runs freight trains between Denver and Kansas/Texas via La Junta. The sole remaining major train crossing Raton Pass today is the daily Southwest Chief, in both directions, between Los Angeles and Chicago.

U.S. Highway 50 travels through La Junta, approaching from Pueblo to the northwest and continuing eastward towards Lamar and into Kansas. U.S. Highway 350 begins at La Junta and travels southwest before reaching Trinidad. State Highway 10 also begins at La Junta and travels west-southwest before reaching Walsenburg.

The city operates a public bus system with one route that circles the city. Intercity transportation is provided by Bustang. La Junta is part of the Lamar-Pueblo-Colorado Springs Outrider line.

The former military airport, located 5 mi north of La Junta, has 77 acre of tarmac and two runways. One runway (east-west) is 6851 ft long and the other is 5800 ft..

Health care
The city and region are served by the Arkansas Valley Regional Medical Center, located in La Junta.

Notable people
Notable individuals who were born in La Junta include rodeo cowboy legend Lane Frost, novelists William Charles Anderson and Ken Kesey, baseball pitcher Tippy Martinez and U.S. Army Col. Wendell Fertig, who led a guerrilla force against the Japanese in the Philippines during World War II.

In popular culture

 * The Terrence Malick motion picture Badlands (1973), starring Martin Sheen and Sissy Spacek filmed scenes in and around La Junta.
 * Richard Fleischer's Mr. Majestyk (1974), starring Charles Bronson, used several exteriors and interiors in La Junta, including the hospital and police station, as well as Main Street for the downtown gun battle, and various streets in town for parts of the car chase.
 * Scenes for the 1978-79 TV mini-series, Centennial, were filmed at Bent's Old Fort National Historic Site, just east of La Junta.
 * In The Net (1995), Sandra Bullock's character Angela Bennett is from La Junta.
 * In the 1946 movie Without Reservations starring John Wayne and Claudette Colbert, they become stranded at the La Junta train station. Wayne's character is a Marine Corps pilot and they go to the Army Air Field to try to catch a flight to California.
 * In the 1952 movie The Narrow Margin one of the mobsters who is looking to kill the wife of a mob boss on her way to Los Angeles to testify, boards the Southwest Chief during a train stop in La Junta.

title: La Junta, Colorado


text:
Manzanola, Colorado

Manzanola is a Statutory Town in Otero County, Colorado, United States. The town population was 341 at the 2020 United States Census.

Description
A post office called Manzanola has been in operation since 1895. The town was named for an orchard near the original town site, Manzanola being a name derived from Spanish meaning "red apple".

Manzanola was previously known as Town of Grams Ranch, Town of Apishipa, and the Town of Catlin, in consecutive order.

Geography
Manzanola is located at 38.10917°N, -103.86778°W (38.109096, -103.867739).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 0.3 sqmi, all of it land.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 525 people, 189 households, and 120 families residing in the town. The population density was 2,018.2 PD/sqmi. There were 209 housing units at an average density of 803.4 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 74.48% White, 0.57% African American, 1.14% Native American, 0.57% Asian, 20.76% from other races, and 2.48% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 45.14% of the population.

There were 189 households, out of which 30.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.0% were married couples living together, 12.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.5% were non-families. 31.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 16.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.74 and the average family size was 3.57.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 30.7% under the age of 18, 11.6% from 18 to 24, 24.0% from 25 to 44, 18.9% from 45 to 64, and 14.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females, there were 89.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.6 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $19,196, and the median income for a family was $26,250. Males had a median income of $24,688 versus $15,250 for females. The per capita income for the town was $9,598. About 23.2% of families and 30.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 45.4% of those under age 18 and 15.8% of those age 65 or over.

Transportation
Manzanola is part of Colorado's Bustang network. Is it along the Lamar-Pueblo-Colorado Springs Outrider line.

title: Manzanola, Colorado


text:
Rocky Ford, Colorado

Rocky Ford is a statutory city located in Otero County, Colorado, United States. The population was 3,876 at the 2020 census.

History
The community was named for a rocky ford across the Arkansas River near the original town site.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 1.7 sqmi, of which, 1.7 sqmi is land and 0.58% is water.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 4,286 people, 1,655 households, and 1,136 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,521.8 PD/sqmi. There were 1,852 housing units at an average density of 1,089.7 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 72.42% White, 0.40% African American, 1.47% Native American, 0.75% Asian, 0.12% Pacific Islander, 21.86% from other races, and 2.99% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 57.14% of the population.

There were 1,655 households, out of which 33.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.1% were married couples living together, 15.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.3% were non-families. 28.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.53 and the average family size was 3.07.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 28.2% under the age of 18, 8.7% from 18 to 24, 23.9% from 25 to 44, 21.6% from 45 to 64, and 17.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.2 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $23,359, and the median income for a family was $29,470. Males had a median income of $26,271 versus $17,485 for females. The per capita income for the city was $12,742. About 14.6% of families and 20.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 28.2% of those under age 18 and 11.6% of those age 65 or over.

Economy
Rocky Ford is noted for its watermelon, cantaloupe and agriculture due to its soil content and fluctuation in temperatures providing great growing conditions.

Transportation
Rocky Ford is part of Colorado's Bustang network. It is along the Lamar-Pueblo-Colorado Springs Outrider line.

Notable people
Notable individuals who were born in or have lived in Rocky Ford include:

 * Lewis Babcock (1943- ), judge
 * Marvin Cordova, Jr. (1985- ), light welterweight boxer
 * Paul Gebhard (1917–2015), anthropologist, sexologist
 * Blaine Gibson (1918–2015), Disney sculptor (The Hall of Presidents, Haunted Mansion, Pirates of the Caribbean) and animator
 * Earl T. Newbry (1900–1995), Oregon Secretary of State
 * Manuel T. Pacheco (1941- ), university president
 * George W. Swink (1836–1910), land developer, fruit grower
 * Robert Swink (1918–2000), film editor
 * John D. Vanderhoof (1922–2013), 37th governor of Colorado

title: Rocky Ford, Colorado


text:
Swink, Colorado

Swink is a Statutory Town in Otero County, Colorado, United States. The population was 604 at the 2020 census.

History
A post office called Swink has been in operation since 1906. The community was named after George W. Swink, a Colorado politician.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 696 people, 278 households, and 199 families residing in the town. The population density was 2,584.6 PD/sqmi. There were 291 housing units at an average density of 1,080.6 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 88.79% White, 0.43% African American, 1.01% Native American, 0.86% Asian, 7.18% from other races, and 1.72% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 20.55% of the population.

There were 278 households, out of which 34.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.1% were married couples living together, 8.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.1% were non-families. 25.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.48 and the average family size was 2.99.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 26.7% under the age of 18, 6.3% from 18 to 24, 26.4% from 25 to 44, 24.9% from 45 to 64, and 15.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 98.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.2 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $36,094, and the median income for a family was $46,667. Males had a median income of $36,806 versus $25,694 for females. The per capita income for the town was $19,353. About 8.4% of families and 10.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.6% of those under age 18 and 13.3% of those age 65 or over.

Transportation
Swink has been incorporated in Colorado's Bustang network. It is part of the Lamar-Pueblo-Colorado Springs line.

title: Swink, Colorado


text:
Loghill Village, Colorado

Loghill Village is a Census-designated place (CDP) in and governed by Ouray County, Colorado, United States. The CDP is a part of the Montrose, CO Micropolitan Statistical Area. The population of the Loghill Village CDP was 617 at the United States Census 2020. The Ridgway post office (Zip Code 81432) serves Loghill Village postal addresses.

Geography
Loghill Village is located on Log Hill Mesa north of the town of Ridgway and northeast of Pleasant Valley. Loghill Village borders Ridgway State Park and Eldredge, though there is no direct road access between the two. Via road, Loghill Village is nearest to the town of Ridgway which can be seen from its position on the mesa.

Loghill is primarily covered in large Ponderosa Pine trees, piñons and junipers. Wildlife is abundant on the Mesa with a fairly large population of Mule Deer, Elk, Bobcats, Lynxes, Black Bears (of various colors), wild turkeys and an occasional sighting of mountain lions. Almost 1,000 feet higher than Ridgway, the types and sizes of flora vary greatly. For example, Aspen trees are seen here and there on the mesa, as opposed to the lower Ridgway valley where they are scarce. Aspens can be seen more abundantly in the foothills and mid mountain areas of the San Juan Mountains and Cimarrons.

The Loghill Village CDP has an area of 15.874 km2, all land.

Demographics
The United States Census Bureau initially defined the Loghill Village CDP for the United States Census 2000.

Communities
Loghill Village is divided into two main communities by a shallow gorge, a common greenbelt, running southwest to northeast.

 * Fairway Pines - A golf course residential community in the northwest of Loghill Village. All the streets in Fairway Pines take their names from animals.
 * Fisher Canyon - A community north of Loghill Village with access via County Road 1.
 * Loghill Village - Occupying the southeast of Log Hill mesa where most of the streets take their names from trees. This community gives its name to the larger community (CDP).

Transportation
The nearest airport with scheduled service is Montrose Regional Airport, located approximately 25 mi to the north via road, 19 mi northwest. Loghill Village can be reached by exiting west off of U.S. Route 550 and north off State Highway 62. The latter road is also part of the San Juan Skyway Scenic Byway.

title: Loghill Village, Colorado


text:
Ouray, Colorado

Ouray is a home rule municipality that is the county seat of Ouray County, Colorado, United States. The city population was 898 as of the 2020 census. The Ouray Post Office has the ZIP Code 81427. Located at an elevation of 7792 ft, Ouray's climate, natural alpine environment, and scenery have earned it the nickname "Switzerland of America".

History
Originally established by miners seeking silver and gold in the surrounding mountains, the town at one time boasted more horses and mules than people. Prospectors arrived in the area in 1875. In 1877, William Weston and George Barber found the Gertrude and Una gold veins in Imogene Basin, six miles south southwest of Ouray. Thomas Walsh acquired the two veins and all the open ground nearby. In 1897, Walsh opened the Camp Bird Mine, adding a twenty-stamp mill in 1898, and a forty-stamp mill in 1899. The mine produced almost 200,000 ounces of gold by 1902, when Walsh sold out to Camp Bird, Ltd. By 1916, Camp Bird, Ltd., had produced over one million ounces of gold.

At the height of the mining, Ouray had more than 30 active mines. The town—after changing its name and that of the county it was in several times—was incorporated on October 2, 1876, named after Chief Ouray of the Utes, a Native American tribe. By 1877 Ouray had grown to over 1,000 in population and was named county seat of the newly formed Ouray County on March 8, 1877.

The Denver & Rio Grande Railway arrived in Ouray on December 21, 1887. It would stay until the automobile and trucks caused a decline in traffic. The last regularly scheduled passenger train was September 14, 1930. The line between Ouray and Ridgway was abandoned on March 21, 1953.

In 1986, Bill Fries, a.k.a. C. W. McCall, was elected mayor, ultimately serving for six years.

The entirety of Main Street is registered as a National Historic District with most of the buildings dating from the late nineteenth century. The Beaumont Hotel and the Ouray City Hall and Walsh Library are listed on the National Register of Historic Places individually, while the Ouray County Courthouse, St. Elmo Hotel, St. Joseph's Miners' Hospital (currently housing the Ouray County Historical Society and Museum), Western Hotel, and Wright's Opera House are included in the historic district.

Geography
Ouray is located in the San Juan Mountains of southwestern Colorado. It is about 40 mi south of Montrose. It is only 10 mi northeast of Telluride, but due to the severity of the landscape, the drive is about 50 mi. Ouray is connected to Silverton and then Durango to the south by Red Mountain Pass which crests at just over 11000 ft. The drive along the Uncompahgre River and over the pass is nicknamed the "Million Dollar Highway", although the exact origin of the name is disputed. Yankee Boy Basin is located a few miles from the town.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 0.8 sqmi, all of it land.

Climate
Ouray is located at an elevation of 7792 ft, and experiences four distinct seasons. Summers are warm in the day and mild to cool at night with brief thunderstorms often occurring in the afternoons in July and August sometimes resulting in intense, though short lived, rainfall. Autumn is cool and mostly clear with occasional rain. Winters are long and cold—though seldom extremely so—with considerable snowfall. Spring is generally cool with early spring often bringing the largest snowfalls; late spring into early summer (mid-May through late June) is mild to warm and is usually the driest time of year. The Köppen climate classification for Ouray is Dfb.

Economy

The majority of Ouray's economy is based on tourism. Ouray bills itself as the "Switzerland of America" because of its setting at the narrow head of a valley, enclosed on three and a half sides by steep mountains.

Much of the town tourism is focused on ice climbing, mountain biking, hiking, trail running and off-roading in four-wheel drive (4WD) expeditions into the San Juan Mountains. Ouray has also become a popular destination for motorcyclists, as it marks the beginning of the Million Dollar Highway. This stretch of highway connects Ouray to its neighboring cities of Silverton and Durango. The Million Dollar Highway is frequently regarded as one of the most beautiful roads in Colorado, but is also considered one of the most dangerous due to its sharp turns, steep ledges, and lack of guard rails. Destinations include Yankee Boy Basin, Engineer Mountain, and Black Bear Road. Recording artist (and later Ouray mayor) C. W. McCall helped make Black Bear famous in the area. His song "Black Bear Road" borrowed the phrase, "you don't have to be crazy to drive this road, but it helps", from a sign once posted somewhere at the beginning of Black Bear Pass.

Ouray is a popular destination for ice climbing. The world's first ice climbing park, expanding on previously popular natural falls, consists of dozens of frozen waterfalls from 80 to 200 ft high farmed along more than a mile of the Uncompahgre Gorge. The water is supplied by a sprinkler system developed and maintained by a volunteer organization and supported by donations from local businesses, gear manufacturers and climbers. The Ouray Ice Park is free and attracts climbers from around the world. The annual Ice Festival is a weekend-long extravaganza of contests, exhibitions and instruction with many of the world's top ice climbers. Ice climbing has been a boon to the local economy as well, with hotels and restaurants that previously closed through the winter months now staying open to accommodate climbers.

There are five developed hot springs in Ouray and nearby Ridgway. These include thermal pools and vapor caves. Ouray Hot Springs is the largest facility with numerous pools.

There are numerous waterfalls along the road from Durango to Ouray, and within the city limits there are two waterfalls within easy reach. Cascade Falls is a short, 1/4 mile hike accessible from a parking lot on 8th Avenue. Box Canyon Falls is at the southwest edge of Ouray.

Ouray was originally a mining town. The largest and most famous mine is the Camp Bird Mine, the second-largest gold mine in Colorado, established by Thomas Walsh in 1896. Even though there was an operation permit filed in 2007, the mine still remains inactive. During its lifespan, the mine produced about 1.5 million troy ounces of gold, and 4 million troy ounces of silver, from 1896 to 1990. In 1995 the old milling equipment "The Crusher" was disassembled and sold to a smaller mine located in Mongolia where it operated for about two years. The vacant mine can be seen on the steep two-wheel drive road leading to the four-wheel drive roads to Yankee Boy Basin and Imogene Pass.

Demographics
As of the census of 2010, there were 1,000 people, 457 households, and 283 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,250 PD/sqmi. There were 800 housing units at an average density of 1,000 /mi2. The racial makeup of the city was 95.2% White, 0.1% (1) African American, 0.4% (4) Native American, 0.8% (8) Asian, 1.9% (19) from other races, and 1.6% (16) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 8.2% of the population.

There were 457 households, out of which 26.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.1% were married couples living together, 7.7% had a female householder with no husband present, 6.1% had a male householder with no wife present, and 38.1% were non-families. 32.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.19 and the average family size was 2.76.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 21.7% under the age of 18, 28.1% from 18 to 44, 33.2% from 45 to 64, and 17.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 45.1 years. For every 100 females, there were 101.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 101.8 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $36,094, and the median income for a family was $45,313. Males had a median income of $35,217 versus $27,083 for females. The per capita income for the city was $23,127. About 9.3% of families and 8.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.1% of those under age 18 and 6.4% of those age 65 or over.

Transportation
The nearest airport with scheduled service is Montrose Regional Airport, located approximately 40 mi to the north.

is the only paved road into or out of Ouray. U.S. 550 begins roughly 40 mi north of Ouray in Montrose. It runs south to Bernalillo, New Mexico, via Durango, Colorado, and Aztec, New Mexico. The stretch of U.S. 550 that runs south from Ouray to Silverton is known as the "Million Dollar Highway".

In popular culture

 * In Ayn Rand's novel Atlas Shrugged, the protagonist's secret hideaway was located in an unnamed valley in the Rocky Mountains called Mulligan's Valley or "Galt's Gulch." Rand later said that Galt's Gulch was inspired by Ouray, where Rand found inspiration to complete the novel.
 * Major League baseball pitcher Smoky Joe Wood was born in Kansas City but grew up in Ouray.

title: Ouray, Colorado