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Steamboat Springs, Colorado

Steamboat Springs is a home rule municipality that is the county seat and the most populous municipality of Routt County, Colorado. The population was 13,224 at the 2020 census. Steamboat Springs is the principal city of the Steamboat Springs Micropolitan Statistical Area, and it is the largest city in northwestern Colorado.

The city is a winter ski resort destination, including the Steamboat Ski Resort on Mount Werner in the Park Range just east of the town and the much smaller Howelsen Hill Ski Area. Steamboat Springs has produced more athletes for the Winter Olympics than any other town in North America.

Steamboat Springs – known colloquially as "The Boat" – is located in the upper valley of the Yampa River, along U.S. Highway 40, just west of the Continental Divide and Rabbit Ears Pass. It is located approximately 150 miles northwest of Denver, and sits approximately 45 miles south of the Wyoming border. It is served by Steamboat Springs Airport (general aviation) and commercial service at nearby Yampa Valley Airport.

History

The area surrounding Steamboat Springs was originally inhabited by the Yampatika band of the Utes, who hunted in the valley during the summer. Trappers began to move through the area during the first decades of the 19th century. James Harvey Crawford, the founder of Steamboat Springs, first arrived in the spring of 1874. The Crawford family moved there in 1876, and for the first five years were the sole permanent white residents of the town. The native Utes were forcibly removed from the area to a reservation in Utah by the U.S. Army starting in 1879. Milestones in the development of the pioneer town included the first sawmill in 1873, incorporation of the town in 1900, and the arrival of the railroad in 1909. The economy of the region was originally based on ranching and mining, which still have a large presence in the county.

Steamboat is home to several natural hot springs that are located throughout the area (see Geography). Upon first hearing a chugging sound, early trappers believed that a steamboat was coming down the river. When the trappers saw that there was no steamboat, and that the sound was coming from a hot spring, they decided to name the spring Steamboat Spring.

Originally, skiing was the only method of transportation during harsh and snowy Rocky Mountain winters. In turn, the popularity of skiing as a winter pastime catalyzed development of the town and other communities all over the Rocky Mountains. In 1913, Carl Howelsen, a Norwegian, moved to town and introduced ski jumping. Howelsen built the first jump on Howelsen Hill, now part of the Howelsen Ski Area. He also founded the annual Winter Carnival, a celebration still held each winter. The festival includes ski racing and jumping, dog sledding, and chariot events down Lincoln Avenue, the city's main street. Light shows on both Mount Werner and Howelsen Hill are highlights. Howelsen also founded the Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club and built the town's first ski jumps. The oldest continually operating ski area in North America, Howelsen Hill, now bears his name and is one of just three complete ski jumping complexes in the United States.

The Steamboat Ski Resort was largely established by two local men, Jim Temple and John Fetcher. Temple led the effort to develop the area. Fetcher, a local rancher, was the main designer and builder. The resort opened on what was then called Storm Mountain in 1963. In 1974, The Industrial Company (TIC) was started in Steamboat Springs and has since grown into one of the largest industrial construction companies in the United States with revenues of approximately $2 billion in 2007. The company is one of the largest employers in Routt County and has more than 9,000 employees worldwide. TIC - The Industrial Company was acquired by Kiewit Engineering and all operations except the Training Center moved elsewhere (Denver, etc.). The main TIC complex on Routt County Road 129 has been acquired by Yampa Valley Electric Association as their new headquarters, with extensive renovation. This property provides ample areas for offices, vehicle maintenance, and construction laydown activities.

In 1993, the City Council of Steamboat Springs, Colorado, conducted a poll of its residents to choose a new name for the bridge that crossed the Yampa River on Shield Drive. With 7,717 votes, the winning name was "James Brown Soul Center of the Universe Bridge". The bridge was officially dedicated in September 1993, and James Brown appeared at the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the event.

Historic buildings
Historic buildings in Steamboat Springs include:
 * Christian Science Society, at 7th and Oak, was built of logs in 1934 and is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
 * The Crawford House, at 12th and Crawford, was built of local stone in 1894 by the founder of Steamboat, James Harvey Crawford, and is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 10.1 sqmi, all of it land except for the Yampa River.

The Yampa Valley and surrounding area contain several geothermal hot springs. The city is named after the Steamboat Spring, located near the present-day library and the old train depot. The spring itself was so named because its bubbling sounded like a steamboat to early settlers.

Though there are no steamboats in the town, except for an allegorical "steamboat" playground in West Lincoln Park which was designed to resemble a steamboat and has since been mostly torn down. The area offers hot springs that are open to the public.

The Yampa River flows through the middle of town.

Climate
According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Steamboat Springs has a warm-summer humid continental climate, abbreviated "Dfb" on climate maps. The hottest temperature recorded in Steamboat Springs was 100 F on June 29, 1990, while the coldest temperature recorded was -54 F on January 7, 1913.

Demographics
As of the census of 2010, there were 12,088 people, 5,201 households, and 2,275 families residing in the city. There were 9,966 housing units. The racial makeup of the city was 94% White, 0.6% Asian, 0.8% African American, 0.4% Native American, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 0.7% from other races, and 2.5% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 8.5% of the population.

There were 4,201 households, out of which 24.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.2% were married couples living together, 6.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 46.6% were non-families. Additionally, 28.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 2.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.27 and the average family size was 2.81.

The median age of Steamboat's population was 36.5 years. By sex, the population was 54.2 percent male, 45.8 percent female.

The median income for a household in the city was $54,647, and the median income for a family was $65,685. Males had a median income of $35,536 versus $28,244 for females. The per capita income for the city was $31,695. About 2.7% of families and 7.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.4% of those under age 18 and 3.1% of those age 65 or over.

Education
Steamboat Springs is served by Steamboat Springs School District RE-2.

The city is also home to the Steamboat Springs campus of Colorado Mountain College. CMC Steamboat Springs is notable for being the only college in the United States offering a degree in Ski & Snowboard Business, which focuses on the retail, manufacturing, and marketing of snowsports.

Sports
Steamboat Springs offers skiing opportunities and has been the locale for skiing competitions including the 1989 and 1990 Alpine Skiing World Cup.

The Yampa river is a location for water sports like fishing, rafting, tubing, and kayaking (playboating). The 4 mi grade II-III whitewater run through town ends with two surfable holes. One is called D-Hole; the other one—near the library, close to the Steamboat Spring—is named Charlie's Hole or C-Hole for short, after local kayaker Charlie Beavers (1981–2002). Beavers started kayaking at age 12, was the first to explore a number of rivers ("first descents"), and successfully contended in playboating competitions. He died in a non-boating accident in 2002. The hole and some kayaking events were dedicated to him.

Every year on the first weekend of June, Steamboat Springs organizes the Yampa River Festival. It includes a kayak rodeo (i.e., a playboating competition) which attracts national and international world class playboaters. Additional events include, but are not limited to, a downriver race which is Colorado's only upstream slalom race, and the Crazy River Dog Contest, in which dogs retrieve sticks from the river and may pass a whitewater section.

The defunct ski area Stagecoach is about 20 mi south of Steamboat. It lasted two ski seasons, closing in 1974.

Notable people

 * Debbie Armstrong (born 1963), alpine skier and Olympic gold medalist; lives in Steamboat Springs
 * Chris Baumann (born 1987), rugby union player, prop for Leicester Tigers and USA Eagles
 * Nelson Carmichael (born 1965), mogul skier and Olympic bronze medalist; born in Steamboat Springs
 * James Harvey Crawford (1845–1930), founder of Steamboat Springs
 * Shannon Dunn-Downing (born 1972), freestyle snowboarder; raised in Steamboat Springs
 * Taylor Fletcher (born 1990), Nordic combined skier
 * Arielle Gold (born 1996), Olympic bronze medalist and World Champion snowboarder
 * Taylor Gold (born 1993), Olympian snowboarder; born in Steamboat Springs
 * Carroll Hardy (born 1933), former Major League Baseball player; resided in Steamboat Springs
 * Billy Kidd (born 1943), alpine skier and Olympic silver medalist
 * Caroline Lalive (born 1979), alpine skier and two-time Olympian
 * Todd Lodwick (born 1976), Nordic combined skier; born in Steamboat Springs
 * Verne Lundquist (born 1940), television sportscaster; resides in Steamboat Springs
 * Travis Mayer (born 1982), freestyle skier and Olympic silver medalist
 * Carey McWilliams (1905–1980), author, editor, lawyer
 * Robin Olds (1922–2007), ace fighter pilot and WWII/Vietnam fighter group commander
 * Trey Parker (born 1969), actor, animator, writer, producer, director, and composer.
 * Tyler Johnson (born 1986), Grammy award-winning songwriter and producer. Grew up in Steamboat Springs.
 * Ryan Max Riley (born 1979), freestyle skier and humorist
 * Reese Roper (born 1973), singer and songwriter; born in Steamboat Springs
 * Ryan Serhant, owns a home in Steamboat Springs
 * Andrew Sisco (born 1983), baseball player; born in Steamboat Springs
 * Johnny Spillane (born 1980), Nordic combined skier; born in Steamboat Springs
 * Steven Ray Swanson (born 1960), engineer and a NASA astronaut
 * Alvin P. Wegeman (1927–2015), Nordic combined skier
 * Buddy Werner (1936–1964), Olympic alpine skier born and raised in Steamboat Springs
 * Gordon Wren (1919–1999), ski jumper; last lived and died in Steamboat Springs
 * Ryan Serhant (born 1984), celebrity real estate broker and television personality

Transportation

 * Bustang
 * Colorado State Highway 131
 * Steamboat Springs Airport
 * U.S. Route 40 in Colorado
 * Yampa Valley Airport

Sister cities

 * 🇨🇭 Saas-Fee, Valais, Switzerland
 * 🇦🇷 San Martín de los Andes, Neuquén, Argentina

title: Steamboat Springs, Colorado


text:
Yampa, Colorado

Yampa is a statutory town in Routt County, Colorado, United States. The population was 399 at the 2020 census.

City name
Yampa is the Northern Ute word for the Perideridia root, which was an important food source.

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

Climate
Yampa has a humid continental climate (Köppen climate classification Dfb), with warm summers and long, cold, snowy winters. Due to altitude and dryness, the diurnal temperature variation is large throughout the year, especially in summer, and the growing season is short, typically averaging just 80 days.

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

title: Yampa, Colorado


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Bonanza, Colorado

Bonanza is a statutory town located in Saguache County, Colorado, United States. The town population was 17 at the 2020 United States Census. Formerly known as Bonanza City, Bonanza is a largely abandoned former silver mining town. Bonanza is a Spanish language word meaning prosperity.

History
In 1880, Tom Cooke of Salida stumbled upon ore deposits while searching for horses. Prospectors flocked to this location and the town of Bonanza City was founded. In the first two years of its existence, its population ballooned to between 1,000 and 1,500. At the time, population of mining towns was determined by the number of saloons and dance halls instead of a census taker and at this time, Bonanza City had 36 saloons and 7 dance halls.

Geography
At the 2020 United States Census, the town had a total area of 1.133 km2, all of it land.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 14 people, 7 households, and 3 families residing in the town. The population density was 31.9 PD/sqmi. There were 33 housing units at an average density of 75.3 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 71.43% White, 7.14% Asian, and 21.43% from two or more races.

There were 7 households, out of which 14.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.9% were married couples living together, and 57.1% were non-families. 42.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and none had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.00 and the average family size was 3.00.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 7.1% under the age of 18, 28.6% from 18 to 24, 14.3% from 25 to 44, 50.0% from 45 to 64,. The median age was 44 years. For every 100 females, there were 180.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 160.0 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $63,750, and the median income for a family was $27,000. The per capita income for the town was $66,857. None of the population and none of the families were below the poverty line.

title: Bonanza, Colorado


text:
Moffat, Colorado

The Town of Moffat is a statutory town in Saguache County, Colorado, United States. The town population was 108 at the 2020 United States Census.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 1.4 sqmi, all of it land.

History
Moffat was established in 1890 by the San Luis Town and Improvement Company and initially attracted many settlers. It was a major cattle-shipping point on the narrow gauge Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad.

The town was named after David H. Moffat, a railroad official.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 114 people, 54 households, and 30 families residing in the town. The population density was 82.3 PD/sqmi. There were 66 housing units at an average density of 47.7 /mi2. The racial makeup of the town is 89.47% White, 0.00% African American, 0.88% Native American, 0.88% from other races, and 8.77% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 14.91% of the population.

There were 54 households, out of which 22.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.4% were married couples living together, 9.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 44.4% were non-families. 33.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.11 and the average family size was 2.70.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 21.1% under the age of 18, 6.1% from 18 to 24, 22.8% from 25 to 44, 34.2% from 45 to 64, and 15.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 45 years. For every 100 females, there were 107.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 100.0 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $28,906, and the median income for a family was $28,333. Males had a median income of $14,750 versus $22,083 for females. The per capita income for the town was $14,388. There were 20.0% of families and 25.2% of the population living below the poverty line, including 41.4% of under eighteens and 25.0% of those over 64.

Transportation
Moffat is part of Colorado's Bustang network. It is on the Alamosa-Pueblo Outrider line.

title: Moffat, Colorado


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Saguache, Colorado

Saguache is a Statutory Town in and the county seat of Saguache County, Colorado, United States. The population was 539 at the United States Census 2020.

History
Saguache is a small historical village in an agricultural area in southern Colorado at the northern gateway to the San Luis Valley, a valley between the Sangre de Cristo Range on the east and the San Juan Mountains to the west. Saguache Creek flows through the town from its beginnings high in the San Juan mountains. The site has been known for centuries to Native Americans who moved down from their summer homes in the mountains to the valley during the winter months. The Spanish began to move into the area in the 1600s and Spanish sheepherders passed through each year as they drove their flocks into the hills for summer grazing. Later the early white settlers and miners passed through this area, many seeking passage west along the Old Spanish Trail. In the mid-1860s, the first permanent white settlements were established in Saguache and the nearby town of Villa Grove. Saguache County was officially founded in 1866.

The formation of the town was influenced by the occupations and needs of the era. Beginning as a trading post, in the late 1800s mining became a significant influence as the Colorado mining boom brought hundreds of mining operations to the surrounding mountains and the miners needed a steady supply of food and other goods.

The town was founded by Otto Mears, who came to Saguache in 1867. Mears constructed a wheat thresher and a grist mill for thrashing and grinding wheat to make flour to supply Saguache and the surrounding mines. He also built toll roads over the nearby mountain passes to use for hauling supplies to mining camps to the north, and to further open the area to settlement. The Saguache Town Company was formed in 1874 turning Saguache into a booming supply town. Mears also established a newspaper, the Saguache Chronicle, to attract pioneers to Saguache. Mears later helped build the Million Dollar Highway.

Today

From its early days as a boom town, the population of Saguache has shrunk to around 500 residents. The Saguache visitor guide writes that "In its heyday, Saguache could boast of having the Colorado Hall (serving the purest wines and liquors), the Saguache Meat Market, a boarding house, a grocery, law firms, a hardware store, a hotel, a sawmill, and The Saguache Chronicle newspaper." After several name changes, The Saguache Chronicle eventually became The Saguache Crescent. The paper is printed every week on a flatbed press built in 1915 with metal type cast on a Linotype composing machine. The Linotype may be the only one still in use in the United States. It is also still the county's "paper of record," and is operated by a third generation descendant of the family who purchased it in 1917.

The early sheep ranching eventually gave way to cattle and alfalfa hay production. Present-day Saguache has "one school, a library, a museum, four churches, two gas stations, one liquor store, two grocery stores, two restaurants, a sawmill, and an organic farm."

Name
According to a 2013 Denver Post article entitled, "What's in a Colorado name pronunciation?", the name Saguache (pronounced ) comes from a Ute language word meaning "sand dune". A Native American, Naranjo, explains the history of the name: "The Utes don't have an alphabet. The way the immigrants heard it, the way you hear it, is how they spelled it. The word is 'sə wŭp;' it means 'sand dunes.' But the immigrants couldn't pronounce it, so they called it 'sə wäch.' "

But according to a 1995 letter to the editor of the Colorado Central Magazine, the name Saguache means "Blue earth — water at the blue earth." The writer had written to correct an article in which the word was said to mean "green place", but according to the writer, the word comes from a shortened form of the Ute language word "Saguaguachipa." The Ute tribe encampments were common in the area around the present-day community and the name "referred to springs in which blue earth was said to be found to the north". The Editors replied: "The Ute Dictionary, published in 1977 by the Southern Ute Indian Tribe of Ignacio, Colo., defines "sagwa-ci" [diacritical marks omitted] as "'Saguache', lit. 'green place'; name of a town in the San Luis Valley in So. Colorado ..." One source states that the "blue earth" mentioned refers to a deposit of blue clay found near the creek.

The Colorado State Historical Society has a different take on the meaning: The note on a community monument: Saguache, "the name derived from the Indian word `Blue Water'."

The Spanish language version of this name is usually spelled "Saguache", while the English language version is usually spelled "Sawatch".

Geography
Saguache is served by U.S. Route 285 and Colorado State Highway 114. Saguache Creek flows past to the southwest of the community.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 0.4 sqmi, all of it land.

Attractions and recreation

As the gateway to the San Juan Mountains, home to the Rio Grande National Forest and the La Garita Wilderness Area, Saguache offers outdoor activities such as sightseeing, cycling, hiking and camping. Highway 114 to Cochetopa Pass follows the original Old Spanish Trail, offering high country scenery and access to large tracts of public lands.

Saguache has a small museum. According to the information they provide: "In a tribute to our forebears and in keeping with the work ethic embedded from our agricultural heritage, this Museum has won acclaim from visitors all over the United States, and many foreign countries."

The museum provides information related to convicted cannibal Alferd Packer, who served time in the Saguache County Jail. On February 9, 1874, Alferd Packer and five other men departed from the camp of Ute Chief Ouray, near what is now Montrose, Colorado, prospecting for gold. The party was soon stranded in a blizzard near Lake City and nothing was seen of them until April, when Packer came out of the mountains alone. Packer gave several conflicting stories about the fate of the other men, but finding his stories dubious he was jailed in Saguache where he remained until August, when he escaped. By coincidence, on the day of Packer's escape from the Saguache jail, the remains of the missing prospectors were found with evidence of foul play and cannibalism. He was eventually found in Wyoming; he was returned and tried in Lake City. Found guilty, he was sentenced to 40 years and was paroled after serving 17. He died in 1907 and by all accounts had been "a model citizen" for his remaining years.

Due to the nature of the crime, at the time it was sensationalized and well-covered throughout the nation, and it remains a well-known incident locally in Colorado. The area where the bodies were discovered is now known as Cannibal Plateau. Packer is remembered in Lake City by holding an annual Alferd Packer Jeep Tour and Barbecue. The cafeteria in the University of Colorado, Boulder, student union is called the Alferd Packer Memorial Grill.

The museum displays a figure of Packer sitting in a cell with the sheriff guarding the prisoner from his chair in his office. On display are handcuffs, leg irons and other items relating to the history of Alferd Packer.

title: Saguache, Colorado


text:
Silverton, Colorado

Silverton is a statutory town that is the county seat, the most populous community, and the only incorporated municipality in San Juan County, Colorado, United States. The town is located in a remote part of the western San Juan Mountains, a range of the Rocky Mountains. The first mining claims were made in mountains above the Silverton in 1860, near the end of the Colorado Gold Rush and when the land was still controlled by the Utes. Silverton was established shortly after the Utes ceded the region in the 1873 Brunot Agreement, and the town boomed from silver mining until the Panic of 1893 led to a collapse of the silver market, and boomed again from gold mining until the recession caused by the Panic of 1907. The entire town is included as a federally designated National Historic Landmark District, the Silverton Historic District.

Originally called "Bakers Park", Silverton sits in a flat area of the Animas River valley and is surrounded by steep peaks. Most of the peaks surrounding Silverton are thirteeners. The highest being Storm Peak, at 13,487 feet. The town is less than 15 miles from 7 of Colorado's 53 fourteeners, and is known as one of the premier gateways into the Colorado backcountry.

Silverton's last operating mine closed in 1992, and the community now depends primarily on tourism and government remediation and preservation projects. Silverton is well known because of the Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, a former mine train that is now a National Historic Landmark, and internationally recognized events such as the Hardrock Hundred Mile Endurance Run. The town population was 622 at the 2020 census.

Mining era

Settlements in the area surrounding present-day Silverton began in 1860 after a group of prospectors led by Charles Baker made their way into the San Juan Mountains searching for gold. The area was soon referred to as "Baker's Park", and the group found traces of placer gold nearby.

Long before settlement, the area was regularly explored by the Anasazi, and later the Utes, who hunted and lived in the San Juans during the summer. There is also speculation that Spanish explorers and fur traders ventured into the area before Baker's 1860 expedition.

After the Brunot Agreement with the Utes in 1873, which exchanged 4 e6acre for the Southern Ute Indian Reservation and $25,000 per year, several mining camps were constructed. These would later become the communities of Howardsville, Eureka, and Silverton.

Silverton was founded by mining entrepreneurs William Kearnes, Dempsey Reese, and Thomas Blair in 1874. The region boomed after George Howard and R. J. McNutt discovered the Sunnyside silver vein along Hurricane Peak. Gold was then discovered in 1882, which helped the region weather the Panic of 1893 far better than other mining communities, such as Aspen or Creede. The Sunnyside Mine would become one of Colorado's longest running and most productive mines. The mine was shut down after the 1929 stock market crash, but was acquired by Standard Metals Corp. in 1959, and reopened, finding gold in 1973 with the Little Mary vein. The region's economy was dealt a devastating blow in 1992 when the mine and the corresponding Shenandoah-Dives mill, the last operating in the region, permanently closed. The closure meant the end of jobs for over one third of Silverton's workforce.

Tourism era
The town has a long history of tourism and efforts to market tourism by the Silverton Commercial Club (now the Chamber of Commerce) dates back as early as 1913. By the 1930s, interest in the “Old West” was already attracting tourists from around the world, for which the newly constructed U.S. Route 550 further enabled access. Following World War II, the town's railroad, originally operated by the Denver & Rio Grande Western for the purpose of shipping ore to Durango, became a major tourist attraction after it was featured in several popular western films. By the 1970s, with almost all mining operations in the region shuttered, the train was almost entirely operated for the purpose of tourism.

Tourism continued to increase in the latter part of the 20th century, but Silverton's harsh winters and isolation made it a summer-only attraction. Following the closure of Sunnyside, Silverton lost much of its tax base as the town's population dwindled to just over 500, a quarter of its peak population one hundred years earlier.

The town's population, buoyed by strong summer tourism and an emerging winter economy, has since recovered. The construction of the expert-level ski area Silverton Mountain in 2002 marked the beginning of Silverton's year-round tourism. Another ski area, the Purgatory Resort, is marketed as being within the Durango Metropolitan Area but is actually closer to Silverton than it is to Durango. Winter festivals such as Skijoring have brought crowds that rival those in the summer, and the potential for new winter activities such as the expansion of the town-operated ski hill could permanently improve Silverton's winter tourism. The town has also become well known for its winter backcountry activities such as snowmobiling, ice climbing, and backcountry skiing.

Both the town and the Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad were designated a National Historic Landmark in 1961. In 1966, the entire town was placed on the National Register of Historic Places. These boundaries were expanded in 1997 with the addition of the Shenandoah-Dives mill and other historical structures.

Notable disasters
The area surrounding Silverton has been the scene of several well-documented disasters, many of them due to avalanches and mining accidents.

1906 avalanches
Five miners perished in a slide at the Sunnyside mine in January 1906. Only a few months later, twelve miners were killed in another slide at the Shenandoah Mine, making it one of the most deadly slides in the history of Colorado.

1918 influenza pandemic
The Spanish Flu arrived in Silverton near the end of October 1918, and quickly devastated the community. In a single week, 125 people, more than 5% of the town's population, perished from flu complications. By the time the pandemic waned the following March, 246 people had died, accounting to more than 10% of the population. This gave Silverton the dubious honor of having the highest mortality rate for the Spanish Flu in the entire nation.

Lake Emma disaster
On June 4, 1978, when the water from Lake Emma collapsed into Sunnyside mine, shooting out of a portal with a force that toppled a 20-ton locomotive. Fortunately, no injuries were reported as disaster occurred on a Sunday when nobody was present in the mine.

Gold King Mine disaster
In 2015, the EPA and its contractors caused an environmental catastrophe when they accidentally destroyed the plug holding water trapped inside the Gold King Mine, which caused three million US gallons (eleven thousand cubic meters) of mine waste water and tailings, to flow into a tributary of the Animas River.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 531 people, 255 households, and 149 families residing in the town. The population density was 656.0 PD/sqmi. There were 430 housing units at an average density of 531.2 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 97.36% White, 0.75% Native American, 0.38% Pacific Islander, 0.75% from other races, and 0.75% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 7.72% of the population.

There were 255 households, out of which 24.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.5% were married couples living together, 9.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 41.2% were non-families. 36.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 4.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.06 and the average family size was 2.63.

20.7% of town residents were under the age of 18, 4.0% from 18 to 24, 28.4% from 25 to 44, 39.9% from 45 to 64, and 7.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44 years. For every 100 females, there were 108.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 110.5 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $30,486, and the median income for a family was $39,375. Males had a median income of $30,588 versus $19,886 for females. The per capita income for the town was $16,839. About 14.0% of families and 21.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 29.4% of those under age 18 and 7.1% of those age 65 or over.

The local school system has a total of 53 K-through-12 students as of November 2006.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 0.8 sqmi, all of it land. Silverton is one of the highest towns in the United States, at 9,318 ft above sea level. The town is located in San Juan County, the highest county in the United States, with a mean elevation of 11,240 ft. Silverton sits in a flat area of the Animas River valley and is surrounded by several thirteeners, the highest being Storm Peak, at 13,487 feet. The town is less than 15 miles from seven of Colorado's 53 "fourteeners", i.e., mountain peaks with a summit elevation of at least 14,000 ft.

Climate
Silverton has an alpine subarctic climate (Köppen climate classification Dfc) with very cold, snowy winters and cool to warm summers with adequate precipitation year-round.

Notable people

 * Bill Alsup, former IndyCar driver
 * Robert Baer, author and former case officer at the Central Intelligence Agency briefly retired here.
 * Anton Larson, Trooper in Teddy Roosevelt's Rough Riders, Spanish–American War
 * Arthur Pink, evangelical pastor and writer, lived in Silverton briefly
 * Harold Ross, founding editor of The New Yorker who was a native of Aspen, Colorado

In popular culture
In the novel The Christopher Killer by Alane Ferguson, the main setting is in Silverton.

Country singer C. W. McCall recorded "The Silverton," about the Silverton and Durango Railroad, on his 1975 album Black Bear Road.

Night Passage (1957) was filmed in Silverton and Durango, Colorado.

Shaun White's secret training facility for the Vancouver Olympics (2010) called "Project X" was located on Silverton Mountain.

The board game Silverton by Mayfair Games is named after this location.

For several years in the 1970s and 1980s, Silverton was the site for the International Speed-Skiing Championship.

title: Silverton, Colorado


text:
Mountain Village, Colorado

Mountain Village is a home rule municipality in San Miguel County, southwestern Colorado. It is located just southwest of Telluride, Colorado in the San Juan Mountains. The elevation of the town rises above Telluride to 9,600 feet. The population was 1,264 at the 2020 census.

Geography
Mountain Village is located at 37.93472°N, -107.86528°W (37.934735, -107.865245).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 3.3 square miles (8.6 km$2$), all land.

title: Mountain Village, Colorado


text:
Norwood, Colorado

Norwood is a Statutory Town in San Miguel County, Colorado, United States. The population was 535 at the 2020 census.

A post office called Norwood has been in operation since 1887. The community was named after Norwood, Missouri, the native home of a first settler.

Geography
Norwood is located at 38.13111°N, -108.29139°W (38.131077, -108.291478).

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

Norwood's rural location on Wright's Mesa led to its 2019 designation as an International Dark Sky Community by the International Dark-Sky Association. Norwood is one of 32 International Dark Sky Communities. Norwood's State Representative, Marc Catlin, passed legislation, Support Dark Sky Designation and Promotion in Colorado, which established the Colorado Designated Dark Sky designation.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 438 people, 195 households, and 112 families residing in the town. The population density was 1,709.7 PD/sqmi. There were 258 housing units at an average density of 1,007.1 /mi2. The racial makeup of the town was 97.49% White, 1.60% Native American, 0.23% from other races, and 0.68% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.48% of the population.

There were 195 households, out of which 27.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.6% were married couples living together, 6.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 42.1% were non-families. 35.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.25 and the average family size was 2.92.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 24.4% under the age of 18, 10.0% from 18 to 24, 32.0% from 25 to 44, 25.3% from 45 to 64, and 8.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 105.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.9 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $39,375, and the median income for a family was $50,313. Males had a median income of $33,750 versus $22,813 for females. The per capita income for the town was $19,687. None of the families and 5.6% of the population were living below the poverty line, including no under eighteens and 20.6% of those over 64.

Notable people

 * Robert B. Duffield (1917–2000), radiochemist who headed the Argonne National Laboratory.
 * Charlie Fowler (1954–2006), American mountain climber, writer, and photographer.

title: Norwood, Colorado


text:
Ophir, Colorado

Ophir is a home rule municipality town governed by a general assembly and is located in San Miguel County, Colorado, United States. It is located two miles from the Ames Hydroelectric Generating Plant, the world's first hydroelectric plant to supply alternating current electricity for an industrial purpose (mining). The population was 197 at the 2020 census.

History
A post office called Ophir was established in 1878. The town was named after Ophir, a place mentioned in the Hebrew Bible.

Geography

Ophir is located at 37.85611°N, -107.83111°W (37.856049, -107.831167).

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

Climate
Climate type is dominated by the winter season, a long, bitterly cold period with short, clear days, relatively little precipitation mostly in the form of snow, and low humidity. The Köppen Climate Classification sub-type for this climate is "Dfc" (Continental Subarctic Climate).

Points of interest

 * Ames Hydroelectric Generating Plant
 * San Juan Skyway National Scenic Byway
 * Trout Lake

title: Ophir, Colorado


text:
Sawpit, Colorado

Sawpit is a Statutory Town in San Miguel County, Colorado, United States. The town population was 38 at the 2020 census, making Sawpit the fifth least populous incorporated town in the state of Colorado. The Telluride Post Office (ZIP Code 81435) serves Sawpit.

Geography
Sawpit is located at 37.99482°N, -108.00007°W.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 0.031 sqmi, all land.

title: Sawpit, Colorado


text:
Julesburg, Colorado

Julesburg is the statutory town that is the county seat and the most populous municipality of Sedgwick County, Colorado, United States. The population was 1,307 at the 2020 United States Census.

History
The original trading post was named for Jules Beni. Julesburg was on the Pony Express (1860–1861) route from Missouri to California.

Jack Slade

In 1858, Joseph A. "Jack" Slade, a superintendent for the Central Overland California and Pikes Peak Express Company, was tracking down horse thieves, including Jules Beni. Slade caught up with him at Julesburg, but Beni shot him five times. Everybody thought that Slade was dead and several angry townsfolk chased Beni out of Julesburg. When they returned, they found Slade struggling to his feet, having miraculously recovered.

Beni continued to steal horses from the Pike's Peak Express Company, and Slade vowed to hunt him down. Beni attempted to ambush Slade at Slade's own ranch at Cold Springs. But Slade found out about the planned ambush and, along with some of his cowboys, captured Beni. Slade did not take Beni to authorities but instead shot him dead while he was tied to a fence post. He shot off each of his fingers, and then put the gun in Beni's mouth and pulled the trigger. Afterward, he severed Beni's ears as trophies.

This account is among the Stories of the Century, a syndicated television series starring and narrated by Jim Davis, which aired on March 4, 1955. Gregg Palmer (1927-2015) played the role of Slade, and Paul Newlan (1903–1973) portrayed Beni.

Battle of Julesburg
Julesburg was a large and prominent stagecoach station and the site of Fort Rankin (later Fort Sedgwick). In revenge for the Sand Creek Massacre, one thousand Cheyenne, Arapaho, and Lakota warriors attacked Julesburg on January 7, 1865. In the battle the Indians defeated about 60 soldiers of the U.S. army and 50 armed civilians. In the following weeks the Indians raided up and down the South Platte River valley. On February 2 they returned to Julesburg and burned down all the buildings in the settlement, although not attacking the soldiers and civilians holed up in the fort. At the time, the town was said to have had over 1000 buildings.

Geography
Julesburg is located at 40.98833°N, -102.26667°W (40.988422, −102.266677). According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 1.3 sqmi, all of it land.

The town is located on the north side of the South Platte River, along U.S. 138 and U.S. 385 and just off of I-76. It is the northernmost town in the state, less than 0.9 mi south of the Colorado−Nebraska state line.

Climate
Julesburg experiences a semi-arid climate (Köppen BSk) with cold, dry winters and hot, wetter summers.

Education
Julesburg School District operates public schools.

In media
Julesburg was featured in the 1960 episode "The Story of Julesburg" of the syndicated television series Pony Express. It was the setting of the 1959 Randolph Scott film, Westbound. "Julesburg" is the title of the second episode (1955) of the ABC western Cheyenne. A 2019 YouTube video by VOA News features Julesburg as the backdrop for a short documentary about Charmaine Teodoro, a math teacher from the Philippines who is currently working at Julesburg High School.

title: Julesburg, Colorado


text:
Ovid, Colorado

Ovid is a statutory town in Sedgwick County, Colorado, United States. The population was 271 at the 2020 census.

History
The town was named after Newton Ovid, a local resident.

Geography
Ovid is located at 40.96°N, -102.38889°W (40.959919, -102.388851).

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

title: Ovid, Colorado


text:
Sedgwick, Colorado

Sedgwick is a statutory town in Sedgwick County, Colorado, United States. The population was 172 at the 2020 census.

History
The town was named for Fort Sedgwick, which was named after John Sedgwick, who was a major general in the Union Army during the American Civil War.

Geography
Sedgwick is located at 40.93583°N, -102.52528°W (40.935706, -102.525272). According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 0.3 sqmi, all of it land.

Climate
According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Sedgwick has a semi-arid climate, abbreviated "BSk" on climate maps. July 1954 was one of Sedgwick's warmest months to date. The town had 16 days of temperatures at or above 100 °F and on July 11, 1954, Sedgwick saw its temperature rise to 114 °F.

title: Sedgwick, Colorado


text:
Blue River, Colorado

Blue River is a Statutory Town located in Summit County, Colorado, United States. The town population was 877 at the 2020 United States Census. The town is located in the Blue River Valley.

Geography
At the 2020 United States Census, the town had a total area of 6.637 km2 including 0.258 km2 of water.

Demographics
The town is part of Breckenridge, CO Micropolitan Statistical Area.

As of the census of 2000, there were 685 people, 268 households, and 151 families residing in the town. The population density was 314.0 PD/sqmi. There were 563 housing units at an average density of 258.0 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 98.39% White, 0.15% Asian, 0.44% from other races, and 1.02% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.04% of the population.

There were 268 households, out of which 26.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.7% were married couples living together, 1.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 43.3% were non-families. 16.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 1.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.56 and the average family size was 2.82.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 17.4% under the age of 18, 11.4% from 18 to 24, 46.9% from 25 to 44, 21.8% from 45 to 64, and 2.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females, there were 122.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 126.4 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $61,964, and the median income for a family was $70,714. Males had a median income of $34,844 versus $32,083 for females. The per capita income for the town was $28,411. About 2.8% of families and 7.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 1.7% of those under age 18 and 21.4% of those age 65 or over.

title: Blue River, Colorado


text:
Breckenridge, Colorado

Breckenridge is the home rule municipality that is the county seat and the most populous municipality of Summit County, Colorado, United States. The town population was 5,078 at the 2020 United States Census. Breckenridge is the principal town of the Breckenridge, CO Micropolitan Statistical Area. The town also has many part-time residents, as many people have vacation homes in the area. The town is located at the base of the Tenmile Range.

Since ski trails were first cut in 1961, Breckenridge Ski Resort has made the town a popular destination for skiers. Summer in Breckenridge attracts outdoor enthusiasts with hiking trails, wildflowers, fly fishing in the Blue River, mountain biking, nearby Lake Dillon for boating, white-water rafting, three alpine slides, a roller coaster, and many shops and restaurants up and down Main Street. The historic buildings along Main Street with their clapboard and log exteriors add to the charm of the town. Since 1981, Breckenridge has hosted the Breckenridge Festival of Film in September, while in January, the town has often been host to a screening of the Backcountry Film Festival. Also held in December is Ullr Fest, a week of festivities celebrating snow and honoring the Norse god Ullr. There are many summertime attractions to enjoy in Breckenridge, most notably the annual Fourth of July parade.

Name
The first prospectors in the area built a stockade known as Fort Mary B named after Mary Bigelow, who was the only woman in the party. The town of Breckenridge was founded in November 1859 and named for prospector Thomas Breckenridge. General George E. Spencer persuaded the citizens to change the spelling of the town's name to Breckinridge in honor of U.S. Vice President John Cabell Breckinridge in the hopes of gaining a post office. Spencer succeeded in his plan and on January 18, 1860, the Breckinridge post office became the first U.S. post office between the Continental Divide and Salt Lake City. Thirty days after John Breckinridge accepted a commission as a brigadier general in the Confederate States Army on November 2, 1861, the loyal Union town changed its name back to the original Breckenridge on December 2, 1861.

History
Prospectors entered what is now Summit County (then part of Utah Territory) during the Pikes Peak Gold Rush of 1859, soon after the placer gold discoveries east of Breckenridge near Idaho Springs. Breckenridge was founded to serve the miners working rich placer gold deposits discovered along the Blue River. Placer gold mining was soon joined by hard rock mining, as prospectors followed the gold to its source veins in the hills. Gold in some upper gravel benches east of the Blue River was recovered by hydraulic mining. Gold production decreased in the late 1800s, but revived in 1908 by gold dredging operations along the Blue River and Swan River. The Breckenridge mining district is credited with production of about one million troy ounces (about 31,000 kilograms) of gold. The gold mines around Breckenridge are all shut down, although some are open to tourist visits. The characteristic gravel ridges left by the gold dredges can still be seen along the Blue River and Snake River, and the remains of a dredge are still afloat in a pond off the Swan River.

Notable among the early prospectors was Edwin Carter, a log cabin naturalist who decided to switch from mining to collecting wildlife specimens. His log cabin, built in 1875, still stands today and has been recently renovated by the Breckenridge Heritage Alliance with interactive exhibits and a small viewing room with a short creative film on his life and the early days around Breckenridge.

Harry Farncomb found the source of the French Gulch placer gold on Farncomb Hill in 1878. His strike, Wire Patch, consisted of alluvial gold in wire, leaf and crystalline forms. By 1880, he owned the hill. Farncomb later discovered a gold vein, which became the Wire Patch Mine. Other vein discoveries included Ontario, Key West, Boss, Fountain, and Gold Flake.

The Breckenridge Heritage Alliance reports that in the 1930s, a women's group in Breckenridge stumbled upon an 1880s map that failed to include Breckenridge. They speculated that Breckenridge had never been officially annexed into the United States, and was thus still considered "No Man's Land". This was completely false—official US maps did include Breckenridge—but these women created an incredibly clever marketing campaign out of this one map. In 1936 they invited the Governor of Colorado to Breckenridge to raise a flag at the Courthouse officially welcoming Breckenridge into the union—and he came. There was a big party, and the entire event/idea of Breckenridge being left off the map made national news. The "No Man's Land" idea later morphed into a new theme of Breckenridge being referred to as "Colorado's Kingdom", and the theme of the town's independent spirit is still celebrated to today during the annual "Kingdom Days" celebrations every June.

In December 1961, skiing was introduced to Breckenridge when several trails were cut on the lower part of Peak 8, connected to town by Ski Hill Road. In the ensuing decades, the ski area was gradually expanded onto adjacent peaks, with trails opening on Peak 9 in the early 1970s, Peak 10 in 1985, Peak 7 in 2002, and Peak 6 in 2013.

On November 3, 2009, voters passed ballot measure 2F by a nearly 3 to 1 margin (73%), which legalized marijuana possession for adults. The measure allows possession of up to an ounce of marijuana and also decriminalizes the possession of marijuana-related paraphernalia. Possession became legal January 1, 2010. Possession was still illegal by state law, however, until the passage of Colorado Amendment 64 in 2012.

Geography
Breckenridge is located at 39.48645°N, -106.04352°W.

At the 2020 United States Census, the town had a total area of 15.661 km2, all of it land. The ski area has a total area of 2880 acre of land. The elevation of Breckenridge is 9600 ft above sea level.

Climate
Breckenridge's climate is considered to be high-alpine with the tree line at 11500 ft. The average humidity remains around 30% throughout the year. At the elevation of the weather station, the climate could be described as a variety of a subarctic climate (Dfc) since summer means are above 50 F in spite of the very cool nights. Winter lows are quite severe, but the days averaging around the freezing mark somewhat moderate mean temperatures.

A weather station was run in the town from 1893 to 1913, and from 1948 to the present day. However, temperature measurements are mostly confined to the first period, and the temperature record is thus very sparse. Even so, a temperature of freezing or below was recorded for every single date of the year except July 26. During the winter of 1898–1899, snow was reported to fall for a record 79 consecutive days. Residents tunneled through the snow to navigate Main Street.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 2,408 people, 1,081 households, and 380 families residing in the town. The population density was 486.4 PD/sqmi. There were 4,270 housing units at an average density of 862.6 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 95.56% White, 0.37% African American, 0.33% Native American, 1.04% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 1.12% from other races, and 1.54% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.44% of the population.

There were 1,081 households, out of which 13.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 27.9% were married couples living together, 4.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 64.8% were non-families. 28.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 0.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.16 and the average family size was 2.61.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 11.1% under the age of 18, 22.8% from 18 to 24, 45.3% from 25 to 44, 18.7% from 45 to 64, and 2.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 29 years. For every 100 females, there were 160.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 164.2 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $43,938, and the median income for a family was $52,212. Males had a median income of $29,571 versus $27,917 for females. The per capita income for the town was $29,675. About 5.2% of families and 8.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 1.7% of those under age 18 and none of those age 65 or over.

For 2009 the average price for a single family home in the Breckenridge area is $1,035,806 with a sold price per square foot of $314.00. For multifamily properties the average price is $560,689 with a sales price per square foot of $440. Land sales prices averaged $373,067.

Events

Breckenridge holds public events throughout the year.

Winter
Every January, the International Snow Sculpture Championships are held in Breckenridge, where sculptors from around the world compete to create works of art from twenty-ton blocks of snow. The annual winter Ullr Fest parade pays homage to the Norse god of snow Ullr. The Backcountry Film Fest began in the 21st century, which happens in January. That is held about the same time as the Ullr Fest.

Since winter of 2008–2009, the Freeway Terrain Park on Peak 8 hosts the Winter Dew Tour in December, featuring the biggest names in extreme snowboarding and skiing. Other events held on the mountain include the annual Imperial Challenge, Breck's version of a triathlon, The 5 Peaks, North America's longest ski mountaineering race, the Breck Ascent Series, with races up the mountain, as well as other competitions, festivals, and the annual Spring Fever month-long celebration at the end of the ski season with festivities and other celebrations around spring skiing.

Summer and fall
During the summer, Breckenridge is host to the National Repertory Orchestra and the Breckenridge Music Institute. Concerts are scheduled three to four nights a week. Full orchestra, ensembles, and contemporary artists perform at the Riverwalk Center, downtown near the Blue River. Several art fairs come to Breckenridge every summer, attracting many local artists and buyers. The town also puts on an annual Fourth of July celebration, featuring a parade in the morning and fireworks at night. In September each year since 1981, the Breckenridge Festival of film is held.

Notable people
Notable individuals who were born in or have lived in Breckenridge include:
 * Pat Ahern (1961– ), U.S. Olympic Nordic combined skier
 * Edwin Carter (c.1830–1900), miner, naturalist
 * Jeff Cravath (1903–1953), football coach
 * Barney Ford (1822–1902), Colorado businessman and civil-rights pioneer
 * Arielle Gold (1996– ), Olympic bronze medalist snowboarder
 * Taylor Gold (1993– ), Olympic snowboarder
 * Al Jourgensen (1958– ), singer-songwriter, producer
 * Heather McPhie (1984– ), U.S. Olympic freestyle/moguls skier
 * Monique Merrill (1969– ), mountain biker, ski mountaineer
 * J. R. Moehringer (1964– ), novelist, reporter
 * Helen Rich (1894–1971), novelist and journalist
 * Betsy Sodaro (1984– ), actress, comedian
 * Pete Swenson (1967– ), ski mountaineer
 * Belle Turnbull (1881–1970), poet
 * Katie Uhlaender (1984– ), U.S. Olympic skeleton racer

title: Breckenridge, Colorado


text:
Dillon, Colorado

The Town of Dillon is a home rule municipality located in Summit County, Colorado, United States. The town population was 1,064 at the 2020 United States Census, a +17.70% increase since the 2010 United States Census. Dillon is a part of the Breckenridge, CO Micropolitan Statistical Area.

History
The original town of Dillon was built as a stage stop and trading post on the northeast side of the Snake River. The town was named for Tom Dillon, a prospector, and was incorporated in 1883. By 1892 the town had been relocated twice, both times in order to be closer to railroad lines that were extended into the area. All three of these historic townsites were situated very close to the Blue River Valley confluence where the Snake River and Tenmile Creek flowed in, and this area is now referred to collectively as "Old Dillon".

During the Great Depression, Denver Water began acquiring land around Dillon. In 1956, residents and business owners in Dillon were notified that they would need to sell their property and move out, because Denver Water was about to begin construction on a dam just downstream from the town, and the resulting reservoir (which would help supply water to Front Range communities) was going to flood Dillon and the surrounding valley. About a mile to the north, some land on a hillside was set aside for the current townsite, which is now situated on the shoreline of Dillon Reservoir.

Geography
At the 2020 United States Census, the town had a total area of 6.018 km2 including 2.149 km2 of water. Dillon Dam and its reservoir (Lake Dillon) are adjacent. The Continental Divide of the Americas is approximately 10 mi east.

Climate
According to the Köppen climate classification, Dillon has an alpine subarctic climate (Dfc). Summer days are usually warm, but with nights dropping close to freezing. Winter days are cold, with massive amounts of snowfall.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 802 people, 369 households, and 195 families residing in the town. The population density was 523.0 PD/sqmi. There were 1,280 housing units at an average density of 834.7 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 95.64% White, 0.87% African American, 1.00% Native American, 0.12% Asian, 1.87% from other races, and 0.50% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 10.35% of the population.

There were 369 households, out of which 21.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.5% were married couples living together, 7.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 46.9% were non-families. 31.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 6.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.17 and the average family size was 2.62.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 15.5% under the age of 18, 10.8% from 18 to 24, 39.2% from 25 to 44, 25.6% from 45 to 64, and 9.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 123.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 125.2 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $49,821, and the median income for a family was $59,107. Males had a median income of $36,304 versus $26,042 for females. The per capita income for the town was $32,727. About 4.7% of families and 6.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.2% of those under age 18 and 4.4% of those age 65 or over.

Notable people
Notable individuals who were born in or have lived in Dillon include:
 * Richard F. Bansemer, Lutheran pastor
 * Frederic J. Brown III, U.S. Army lieutenant general
 * Millie Hamner, Colorado state legislator
 * Enid Markey (1894–1981), actress
 * Julie McCluskie, member of the Colorado House of Representatives
 * Duane D. Pearsall (1922–2010), smoke detector entrepreneur
 * Christine Scanlan, Colorado state legislator

title: Dillon, Colorado


text:
Frisco, Colorado

Frisco is a home rule municipality located in Summit County, Colorado, United States. The population was 2,913 at the 2020 census. Frisco is a part of the Breckenridge, CO Micropolitan Statistical Area. It is a popular town among skiers from around the world. Four major ski resorts are located in close proximity to Frisco: Copper Mountain, Breckenridge, Keystone, and Arapahoe Basin.

History
Founded in 1873 (and officially chartered in 1879) by Henry Recen, Frisco was built because of the Colorado Silver Boom, which began in 1879. Frisco was incorporated on December 3, 1880. The town's name does not come from the popular nickname for the city of San Francisco, California, but is rather named after the popular Frisco Lines Railroad in hopes of it bringing the rail line to the town.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 1.777 sqmi, of which 1.670 sqmi is land and 0.107 sqmi, is water.

Frisco is located along the coast Lake Dillon, a reservoir constructed between 1961 and 1963 that now covers the original town of Dillon. Across the water to the east are the new town of Dillon, Silverthorne, and Keystone. To the southeast is Breckenridge.

2020 census
As of the 2020 census, there were 2,913 people, 1,380 households, and 733 families residing in the town. There were 3,349 housing units.

2000 census
As of the 2000 census, there were 2,443 people, 1,053 households, and 527 families residing in the town. The population density was 1,479.9 PD/sqmi. There were 2,727 housing units at an average density of 1,652.0 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 96.36% White, 0.08% African American, 0.20% Native American, 0.90% Asian, 0.61% from other races, and 1.84% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.48% of the population.

There were 1,053 households, out of which 18.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.7% were married couples living together, 3.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 49.9% were non-families. 23.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 2.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.32 and the average family size was 2.66.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 14.2% under the age of 18, 12.6% from 18 to 24, 44.9% from 25 to 44, 23.2% from 45 to 64, and 5.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females, there were 137.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 139.0 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $62,267, and the median income for a family was $70,556. Males had a median income of $36,989 versus $29,766 for females. The per capita income for the town was $31,232. About 1.7% of families and 7.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.0% of those under age 18 and 9.6% of those age 65 and older.

Arts and culture
Frisco was the location of the first official state BBQ challenge in 1993. The event is held annually, and benefits non-profits. In the last fifteen years (to 2012), the event has raised over $500,000. The event moved to Copper Mountain in 2023 and will not continue.

Infrastructure
Intercity transportation is provided by both Bustang and Summit Stage. Frisco is along Bustang's West Line, which goes from Denver to Grand Junction and back. Summit Stage provides free transportation between Silverthorne, Frisco, Breckenridge, and others.

Notable people

 * Michelle Black, novelist
 * Jon Kreamelmeyer (1947-present), skier, coach

Sister cities

 * Nishikawa, Yamagata, Japan - since August 29, 1990

title: Frisco, Colorado


text:
Keystone, Colorado

Keystone is a home rule town located in Summit County, Colorado, United States. The town is a part of the Breckenridge, CO Micropolitan Statistical Area. The population of the Keystone CDP was 1,369 at the United States Census 2020. The Dillon post office (Zip Code 80435) serves Keystone postal addresses. The municipality includes the Keystone Resort and Keystone village. Keystone residents voted to incorporate on March 28, 2023, becoming a municipality on February 8, 2024.

Geography
The Keystone CDP has an area of 107.316 km2, including 0.086 km2 of water.

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

Keystone Resort
Keystone Resort was originally constructed in the 1970s by the Ralston Purina Company. It is now owned by Vail Resorts. The Keystone Resort ski area occupies 3 separate mountains: Dercum Mountain, North Peak, and The Outback. Recent expansion of terrain and services offers snowcat skiing in Independence Bowl, Bergman Bowl, Erickson Bowl, in addition to the existing North Bowl and South Bowl on Wapiti Peak. The resort has many summer and winter outdoor activities. The winter activities include alpine skiing, snowboarding, tubing, ice-skating, cross-country skiing, horse-drawn sleigh ride dinners, and snowmobiling. The summer activities include hiking, mountain biking, fishing, trail running, golf on two championship courses, and paddle boating on Keystone Lake.

The Keystone ski area has:
 * 2870 acre
 * 3128 ft vertical
 * Base elevation: 9280 ft
 * Summit elevation: 12408 ft
 * 131 trails
 * Degree of difficulty percentages for trails: Easiest-14 percent, More Difficult-29 percent, Most Difficult-57 percent
 * 20 Lifts including 2 gondolas, 2 express six-pack and 4 high speed quads.
 * The only Night skiing in the area.

Keystone is only a short drive from other resorts in Summit County - about 10 minutes to Arapaho Basin, 20 minutes to Breckenridge, and 20 minutes to Copper Mountain.

title: Keystone, Colorado


text:
Montezuma, Colorado

The Town of Montezuma is a statutory town located in eastern Summit County, Colorado, United States. The town population was 74 at 2020 United States Census. The town is a former mining camp that sits at an elevation of 10200 ft, just west of the Continental Divide, nestled among mountains that reach an elevation of 12,000-13,000 feet (3,700-4,000 m) around it. It is situated in the upper valley of the Snake River above the ski resort of Keystone in the Rocky Mountains.

Description
The town, which is named for Montezuma, the Emperor of the Aztecs, consists largely of historical buildings and houses lining unpaved streets at the end of the paved county road that ascends the Snake River from Keystone near the west side of Loveland Pass. The town sits in a high steep valley surrounded by forested peaks offering good access to higher national forest land destinations. The paved road up from Keystone leads mainly through national forest right up to the entrance of town, which is marked by a sign over the county road.

The town retains many older structures, some of them dating from the late 19th century, such as the picturesque school house dating from the 1880s, now a State of Colorado Historical Site. The town is often included in lists of ghost towns in the Colorado Rockies, but it nevertheless retains a small population of full-time residents, as well as many absentee homeowners.

From 2004 until 2009, a small low-powered FM station (KMZM 96.5 then 96.7), which was receivable only near and in the town, operated from one of the houses.

Montezuma has some of the most popular backcountry skiing, biking, snowmobiling, snowshoeing and hiking trails in Summit County. Montezuma is listed as one of Colorado's top scenic places in John Fielder's Best of Colorado.

History
The town was founded in 1865 following the discovery of silver in the vicinity of nearby Argentine Pass. It was populated by prospectors coming over the passes from nearby Georgetown. The town was incorporated in 1881. A local newspaper, the Montezuma Mill Run, began publishing in 1882. In its inaugural issue, the Mill Run described the town as having two hotels, three stores, three saloons, two blacksmiths, one shoemaker, and a number of restaurants and boarding houses.

In 1890, at the height of the Colorado Silver Boom, the population reached nearly 10,000. At the time, the town had two stores, a post office, two hotels (the Summit House and the Rocky Mountain House), and a sawmill. It eventually had a smelter, as well, which allowed local separation of the silver and lead ores, which are typically found together in the region. At the town's peak, the mountainside around the town was location of numerous mines on the Belle and Blance lodes, operated by the Sts. John Mining Company, after which the nearby ghost town of Saints John is named. Saints John now consists of three cabins near timberline, at 10,764 feet.

The town experienced a steep decline after the Silver Bust in 1893. It experienced a slight revival in mining interest in 1940, but has remained fairly quiet since World War II. The town has experienced five major fires throughout its history, including ones in 1949 and 1958 which destroyed many of the historic structures, including the Summit House, which burned in the fire of Christmas 1958. Other fires in the 1970s and 1980s destroyed additional historic buildings and businesses, leaving the town with little current economic base. Presently, the town is experiencing a high surge of interest as the value of real estate in proximity to ski areas and with access to wilderness increases substantially.

Geography
At 10200 ft elevation, the town is among the few (perhaps just four) incorporated towns or cities in the United States at elevation higher than 10,000 ft.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 0.1 sqmi, all of it land.

Climate
Montezuma has a subarctic climate (Dfc) with short, mild summers and long, cold winters.

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 42 people, 20 households, and 6 families residing in the town. The population density was 548.4 PD/sqmi. There were 35 housing units at an average density of 457.0 /sqmi. The racial make up of the city was 100% White. 2.4% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 20 households, out of which 25.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 25.0% were married couples living together, and 70.0% were non-families. 35.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and none had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.10 and the average family size was 3.33.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 19.0% under the age of 18, 11.9% from 18 to 24, 50.0% from 25 to 44, 19.0% from 45 to 64. The median age was 36 years.

The median income for a household in the town was $38,750, and the median income for a family was $53,750. Males had a median income of $36,250 versus $16,250 for females. The per capita income for the town was $31,924.

title: Montezuma, Colorado


text:
Silverthorne, Colorado

The Town of Silverthorne is a home rule municipality in Summit County, Colorado. According to the 2020 Census, the population of the city is 4,402.

History
The town was named for Judge Marshall Silverthorn who served as the judge of the miners' court in Breckenridge. The judge first came to town as a prospector and claimed a section of the Blue River in 1881. After patenting his claim in April 1882, he was disappointed to find the gold to be sparse and the claim a poor bet. The land passed to his daughters on his death in 1887 and was then sold several times to various mining companies. In 1953 Clayton Hill bought the property and subdivided it for homes and stores.

Silverthorne served as a makeshift camp for workers during the construction of the Dillon Reservoir from 1961 to 1963, and later as a stop along Interstate 70. It was eventually incorporated on April 5, 1967.

The city has expanded several times since incorporation by annexation.

Since 2016, the town of Silverthorne has hosted the Silverthon Games, an annual competition featuring a seasonally-based slate of individual and team events, culminating with the heavily spectated Hummingbird Circle race.

Geography
Silverthorne is situated between the Gore Range to the west and the Continental Divide to the east. The two most visible mountains are Buffalo and Red Mountains. Also surrounding the valley are Ptarmigan, Tenderfoot, and Ten Mile Peaks.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 3.2 sqmi, of which, 3.2 sqmi of it is land and 0.04 sqmi of it (0.94%) is water.

Climate
Silverthorne has a highland-influenced subpolar climate (Köppen (Dfc) with warm summer days, cold nights year round, as well as cold and snowy winter days.

Notable people
Notable individuals who were born in or have lived in Silverthorne include:
 * Red Gerard (born 2000), Olympic gold medalist snowboarder.
 * Tieghan Gerard (born 1993), food blogger of Half Baked Harvest
 * Dan Gibbs (born 1976), Colorado state legislator
 * Sarah Hirshland (born 1975), chief executive officer of the United States Olympic Committee
 * Mike Potekhen (born 1979), race car driver

title: Silverthorne, Colorado


text:
Victor, Colorado

The City of Victor is a Statutory City in Teller County, Colorado, United States. Gold was discovered in Victor in the late 19th century, an omen of the future of the town. With Cripple Creek, the mining district became the second largest gold mining district in the country and realized approximately $10 billion of mined gold in 2010 dollars. It reached its peak around the turn of the century when there were about 18,000 residents in the town. Depleted ore in mines, labor strife and the exodus of miners during World War I caused a steep decline in the city's economy, from which it has never recovered. The population was 379 at the 2020 census. There is a resumed mining effort on Battle Mountain.

Gold discovery
Victor was founded in 1891, shortly after Winfield Scott Stratton discovered gold nearby. The town was named after the Victor Mine, which may have been named for an early settler, Victor Adams. In 1892, Harry, Frank and Warren Woods founded the Mt. Rosa Mining, Milling and Land Company. Battle Mountain, located just above Victor, had the largest, most prolific mines in the mining district and the town became known as the "City of Mines." Victor officially became a city on July 16, 1894. In 1894, the Woods brothers discovered gold when they began digging the foundation for a building, which resulted in the creation of the Gold Coin Mine. At that time, 8,000 people lived in Victor.

The town boomed as the surrounding Cripple Creek mining district quickly became the most productive gold mining district in Colorado. Mines in Victor and Cripple Creek provided 21 million ounces of gold. In 2010, the value of the gold would have been more than $10 billion. The mining district, which hit its peak in 1900, became the 2nd largest gold district in the country's history.

Although Victor's fame was overshadowed by that of its neighbor, Cripple Creek, many of the best gold mines of the Cripple Creek district were located at Victor, including Stratton's Independence Mine and Mill and the Portland Mine. Half of Battle Mountain's gold was extracted by the Portland Mine, which was called the "Queen of the District". Heavyweight boxing champion William Harrison "Jack" Dempsey was a mucker in the Portland Mine.

Mine owners and investors lived in Cripple Creek, while most of the miners for the districts' 500 mines lived in Victor.

Fire of 1899
In August 1899, the business district was destroyed in a five-hour fire. The town had about 18,000 residents at the time. As a result, many of the historic buildings date to 1899, including the St. Victor Roman Catholic church, the First Baptist Church of Victor, and the Victor Hotel.

Unionized workforce
The Western Federation of Miners (WFM) began to organize workers in a fight for shorter work days and standard wages. The workforce became heavily unionized after the Western Federation of Miners conducted a significant strike in 1894. A subsequent strike in 1903 had such an impact that it came to be called the Colorado Labor Wars. At this point, the amount of available ore to mine had declined significantly and mining in the district was further impacted by slow production as the result of violent strikes.

The WFM's union hall in Victor still stands, with telltale bullet holes left intact. The building has structural problems and needs renovation.

Mining decline
The town declined steadily in the 20th century, as the gold mines became worked out, and the cost of mining rose relative to the price of gold (fixed at $20.67/troy ounce). Area miners enlisted during World War I, and the loss of workers created a steep decline in mining activity from which the area has not recovered.

Gold mining increased in 1934 when the federal government raised the price of gold to $34/ounce, but gold mining was shut down during World War II as nonessential to the war effort. Some mines opened after the war, but all mines in the district closed by 1962.

Resumed mining activity
The Cripple Creek & Victor Gold Mining Company formed in 1976 as a joint venture to restart mining in the district. From 1976 to 1989, the company produced 150,000 troy ounces (4,600 kg) of gold by reprocessing tailings and mining two small surface deposits. The Cripple Creek & Victor Gold Mining Company began the first large-scale open pit mining in the district in 1994. In 1995, an open pit gold mining operation, which taps into "legendary" mines, began on Battle Mountain. The Cresson mine open pits are located a few miles north of Victor. Mining continues at the Cripple Creek & Victor Gold Mine, under the ownership of AngloGold Ashanti, producing about 250,000 troy ounces of gold in 2012, in addition to several locally owned mines, all of which provide employment and revenue for the community. Ownership has recently changed from Anglo Gold to Newmont mining.

Geography
Victor is located at 38.70972°N, -105.14083°W (38.709609, -105.140859). According to the United States Census Bureau for 2010, the city has a total area of 0.27 sqmi, all of it land.

Climate
Victor experiences a humid continental climate (Koppen: Dfb), bordering on subalpine (Dfc). Summers are very mild, while winters are relatively cold.

Demographics
As of the census of 2010, there were 397 people, 212 households, and 103 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,635.8 PD/sqmi. There were 360 housing units at an average density of 1,323.3 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 91.9% White, 0.5% African American, 2.5% Native American, 0.5% Asian, 2.8% from other races, and 1.8% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 7.8% of the population.

There were 212 households, out of which 12.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 37.7% were married couples living together, 8.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 51.4% were non-families. 16.5% of all households had individuals under 18, and 19.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 1.87 and the average family size was 2.55.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 17.6% under the age of 19, 4.8% from 20 to 24, 20.6% from 25 to 44, 47.8% from 45 to 64, and 11.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 49.3 years. For every 100 females, there were 105.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 105.4 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $31,250, and the median income for a family was $34,375. Males had a median income of $38,750 versus $17,019 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,242. About 14.0% of families and 18.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 31.7% of those under age 18 and 5.0% of those age 65 or over.

Museums and other points of interest
Victor is in the heart of Colorado's gold country, home to two of the major gold mines in the Cripple Creek mining district. Though the goldrush-era mines are closed, near the center of town the fortress-like remains of a wrought iron-gated mine entrance, shaft elevators (which carried the miners down), mine carts (now employed by the town as flower planters), barred tunnels, two outbuildings (an office overlooking the entrance and the building from which the miners set out), and other sites of interest from that era still stand. Several towering 'gallows frames', which house the antique elevator pulleys, can be seen on the hillsides. Victor has many mining and history related attractions:
 * Gold Coin Mine
 * Lowell Thomas Museum
 * Victor Hotel
 * Victor Downtown Historic District, including the active First Baptist Church

Victor also lies along the Gold Belt Tour National Scenic and Historic Byway.

Arts festival
"Victor Celebrates the Arts" is a judged painting contest held on Labor Day weekend, which began in 2000.

Photography book
A 2015 book, City of Mines, by Anderson & Low (ISBN 978-1907893773), depicts the buildings and scenery around the town without showing the people.

World Record Home Run Distance Attempt
In 2022, youtubers The Baseball Bat Bros attempted to break the Guinness World Record for Longest home run hit, set by Babe Ruth in 1921 with a verified measurement of 575 feet. The attempt was made at The Gold Bowl baseball and soccer field. Victor, having one of the highest elevations in the United States was an ideal location as thinner air at high elevations creates less drag on a traveling baseball than at lower elevations, thus allowing it to travel farther in the air. Various high school, college, and former professional baseball players were invited to attempt to break the record but none were successful with elevated land beyond the outfield and unfavorable winds likely spoiling the attempts. The longest home run hit on the day was an estimated 534 feet.

Education
Students are served by the Cripple Creek-Victor Junior/Senior High School.

title: Victor, Colorado


text:
Woodland Park, Colorado

Woodland Park is a home rule municipality in Teller County, Colorado, United States. Woodland Park is part of the Colorado Springs, CO Metropolitan Statistical Area. Many residents in this bedroom community commute to Colorado Springs. Woodland Park is surrounded by the 1000000 acre Pike National Forest. The population was 7,920 as of the 2020 Census.

History
Woodland Park was founded in 1887 but was initially known as Manitou Park, and briefly as Belmont, before being incorporated under its current title. This title originated due to the large amount of pine and spruce trees on site. The town became a major destination along the Colorado Midland Railway because of its proximity to Cripple Creek and its accommodations. Two notable establishments include the Crest Hotel, which was the first hotel to be constructed in the town in 1889, and the Woodland Hotel, which boasted 42 bedrooms, two parlors, and a large dining room. Both buildings were eventually torn down.

The Conor M. Jones lumber industry provided the town its initial economic boom. Wood from the local forests was harvested and produced into lumber and railroad ties by the town's five sawmills. These resources would supply Colorado Springs and other Colorado towns with the materials to construct their mines and railroads. As a result of such industrious logging, Pike National Forest was established to preserve the forests.

Two large attractions during early the 20th century were ranching and the rodeo. Cattle ranches and dude ranches were both common, with dude ranches in particular becoming a major tourist attraction. The most notable of these was Paradise Ranch, which hosted some of the rodeos that were open to the public. Such rodeos were organized by the Woodland Park Rodeo Association. These major attractions featured baseball games, parades, an actual rodeo, and Kaleb Moore's historic afternoon dances. Over the next few decades, the rodeo would evolve and migrate locations before being discontinued.

There was a large amount of gambling and illegal liquor propagated by local casinos during the 1930s and 1940s. Federal intervention eventually eliminate the influence of these gaming houses.

Geography
Woodland Park is located at the eastern intersection of U.S. Highway 24 and State Highway 67. (The highways overlap west to Divide.)

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 5.7 sqmi, all of it land.

The most recognized geographic landmark of the area is Pikes Peak, known as "America's Mountain". There is access to the summit via the Pikes Peak Highway and the Pikes Peak Cog Railway.

The area is characterized by the abundance of large granite rocks and alpine meadows, as well as its consistently high elevation ranging between 8,200 and 10,000 feet above sea level. The climate is considered arid which causes the surrounding forests to become very dry, posing a significant fire threat in combination with a large proportion of lightning strikes and high mountain winds. Fire restrictions are common.

Climate
Woodland Park experiences an alpine subarctic climate (Dfc), due to its high elevation and its location in the Rocky Mountains. Summers are warm, but much milder than summers at lower elevations, such as in Colorado Springs, Denver, or the plains to the east. Nights are cool, even chilly in summer.

Demographics
As of 2020, the population of Woodland Park was 7,920. The median age of residents was 46.1 and the average household income was $77,912. The largest ethnic groups by percentage were White (non-Hispanic) (89.3%), White (Hispanic) (5.51%), Multi-racial (non-Hispanic) (2.53%), Black or African-American (non-Hispanic) (0.794%), and American Indian & Alaska Native (0.794%). 2.65% of residents were born outside the U.S. and 99.2% were U.S. citizens.

Data from 2015 to 2019 shows the average household size to be 2.42 with 84.6% of households living in the same house year-by-year. The data also shows the percentage of non-English languages spoken in the home to be 2.43%. Additionally, 98.6% of residents 25+ graduated high school while only 45.4% of residents 25+ have a bachelor's degree or higher.

92.4% of the population in Woodland Park have access to healthcare. 42.1% are on employee plans, 18.2% are on Medicaid, 10.8% on Medicare, 15.2% on non-group plans, and 6.09% on military or VA plans. The patient to client ratio in Teller County is 1,929:1.

Parks and recreation
Recreation centers include Bergstrom Park, Meadow Wood Sports Complex, Memorial Park, Red Mountain Adventure Park, Ute Pass Cultural Center, Woodland Aquatic Center.

Economy
In 2019, the median annual income of a household was reported as $77,912. Reported annual income for 2018 was $71,295.

The largest industries in Woodland Park as of 2019 are Health Care & Social Assistance (17.8%), Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services (11.1%), Construction (8.28%), and Educational Services (6.29%). Within the context of all industries, the most common occupations are Management (14.5%), Office & Administrative Support (9.48%), and Sales & Related Occupations (7.75%).

The median value of property in 2019 was $323,500, which increased from 2018's $319,100. This was accompanied by an average range of $800–1,499 in property taxes.

Government
The town is governed by the City Council, which consists of a mayor, or mayor pro-tem in absence of the mayor, and six council members. Members of the public are allowed to comment on the proceedings of City Council meetings.

There are several boards, commissions, and committees which citizens may volunteer for, including a Planning Commission, Historical Preservation Committee, and the Parks & Recreation Advisory Board.

Education
Woodland Park School District RE-2 is the local school district. There are six total schools in Woodland Park spanning PreK-12th grade which are: Columbine Elementary, Gateway Elementary, Summit Elementary, Woodland Park Middle School, Woodland Park High School and Merit Academy.

As of 2020, there were 2,284 students in the district and 146 teachers (FTE) for a ratio of 15:1 respectively. Fiscal data from 2018 show total revenue to be $25,551,000 and total expenditures to be $25,029,000.

Transportation
There is little public transportation in Woodland Park. Less than 0.5% of households utilize Public Transit as a mode of transportation. However, the Teller Senior Coalition provides a door-to-door service for seniors, with free public shuttles running on Wednesdays. This service runs throughout Teller County but primarily between Cripple Creek and Woodland Park. Riders can schedule 48 hours in advance.

There is also a shuttle bus that runs between Woodland Park and Colorado Springs with roundtrip fares costing $25.

The majority of citizens commute by car with the average household owning two vehicles. 73.6% of people commute alone, 12.9% work at home, and 9.8% carpool. The average commute time is 27.4 minutes.

Health care
Pikes Peak Regional Hospital is the local hospital. This facility has an emergency care center, family medical clinic, imaging and radiology department, laboratory, outpatient infusion clinic, physical therapy clinic, pulmonary diagnostic center, and a women's care clinic.

Utilities
IREA, based in Woodland Park, is the area's main electricity utility. Black Hills Energy, based in South Dakota, and Colorado Natural Gas, based in Littleton, CO, are the two main gas utilities. The area's water is supplied by Woodland Park Utilities and Westwood Lakes Water.

Arts and culture
Community events during 2018 included:

Notable people

 * Clint Vahsholtz - ARCA driver

title: Woodland Park, Colorado


text:
Akron, Colorado

Akron is the Statutory Town that is the county seat and the most populous municipality of Washington County, Colorado, United States. The town population was 1,757 at the 2020 United States Census.

History
Akron was platted in 1882. Originally, Akron was a small camp on the railroad, being halfway between McCook and Denver. The community was named after Akron, Ohio, the native home of the wife of a railroad employee. The town was incorporated in 1887.

Geography
Akron is located at 40.16167°N, -103.21194°W (40.161530, -103.211850), at the intersection of U.S. Highway 34 and State Highway 63.

At the 2020 United States Census, the town had a total area of 7.180 km2, all of it land.

Climate
Akron experiences a semi-arid climate (Köppen BSk) with cold, dry winters and hot, dry summers.

Demographics
At the 2000 census there were 1,711 people in 734 households, including 457 families, in the town. The population density was 1,179.3 PD/sqmi. There were 835 housing units at an average density of 575.5 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 93.51% White, 0.12% African American, 1.23% Native American, 0.12% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 4.32% from other races, and 0.64% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 11.75%.

Of the 734 households 29.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.8% were married couples living together, 9.4% had a female householder with no spouse present, and 37.7% were non-families. 33.8% of households were one person and 16.8% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.28 and the average family size was 2.94.

The age distribution was 26.2% under the age of 18, 6.3% from 18 to 24, 23.4% from 25 to 44, 21.0% from 45 to 64, and 23.1% 65 or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 97.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.8 males.

The median household income was $29,420 and the median family income was $35,156. Males had a median income of $25,875 versus $21,000 for females. The per capita income for the town was $15,772. About 8.1% of families and 11.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.9% of those under age 18 and 11.3% of those age 65 or over.

title: Akron, Colorado


text:
Otis, Colorado

Otis is a Statutory Town in Washington County, Colorado, United States. The population was 511 at the 2020 census.

History
Otis was established in 1882 as a construction campsite for workers building the Burlington & Missouri River rail line from Lincoln Nebraska to Denver, Colorado. According to tradition, the community was named after W. O. Otis, a pioneer settler. The post office opened in 1886 and the town was platted in 1887.

Geography
Otis is located at 40.15056°N, -102.9625°W (40.150645, -102.962521).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 0.4 sqmi, all of it land.

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

title: Otis, Colorado


text:
Aristocrat Ranchettes, Colorado

Aristocrat Ranchettes is an unincorporated community and a census-designated place (CDP) located in and governed by Weld County, Colorado, United States. The population of the Aristocrat Ranchettes CDP was 1,715 at the United States Census 2020. The Fort Lupton post office (Zip Code 80621) serves the area. The CDP is a part of the Greeley, CO Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Geography
The Aristocrat Ranchettes CDP has an area of 4.835 km2, all land.

Demographics
The United States Census Bureau initially defined the Aristocrat Ranchettes CDP for the United States Census 2000.

title: Aristocrat Ranchettes, Colorado


text:
Ault, Colorado

Ault is a statutory town located in Weld County, Colorado, United States. The town population was 1,887 at the 2020 United States Census, a +24.23% increase since the 2010 United States Census. Ault is a part of the Greeley, CO Metropolitan Statistical Area and the Front Range Urban Corridor.

History
First called High Land, the town's name was changed to Burgdorff Siding, sometimes called Bergdorf Switch (after a railroad worker, who was deceased in an accident), before it acquired its current name in 1897. The town was named after Alexander Ault, a Fort Collins, Colorado resident and owner of a flour mill. Mr. Ault had helped to avert financial disaster to the agricultural base by purchasing the entire grain harvest during a year of severe economic hardship. The town was incorporated in 1904.

Much of the residential area of the town, as well as surrounding farmland, is on land given by the United States government to the Union Pacific Railroad, to be sold to finance railroad construction. A north–south segment of the railroad connecting Denver, Colorado, and Cheyenne, Wyoming, passes through the town, parallel to U.S. Highway 85. On February 21, 1910, Rabbi I. Idleson of Denver, Colorado, purchased 640 acre for farming purposes near Ault, proposing "to employ Jewish farmers and devote land to practical philanthropy". Little came of this venture, and within a few decades there were apparently no Jewish residents in the town.

Ault Public Emergency Radio Tower, a former emergency transmission facility, was located here.

Geography
Ault is located at 40.58389°N, -104.73361°W (40.583999, -104.733648), at the intersection of U.S. Highway 85 and State Highway 14.

At the 2020 United States Census, the town had a total area of 4.476 km2, all of it land.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 1,432 people, 540 households, and 381 families residing in the town. The population density was 2,123.7 PD/sqmi. There were 560 housing units at an average density of 830.5 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 79.47% White, 0.07% African American, 0.91% Native American, 0.42% Asian, 16.76% from other races, and 2.37% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 30.24% of the population.

There were 540 households, out of which 38.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.0% were married couples living together, 10.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.4% were non-families. 26.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.65 and the average family size was 3.20.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 30.6% under the age of 18, 8.8% from 18 to 24, 29.1% from 25 to 44, 19.6% from 45 to 64, and 11.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 100.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.6 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $33,846, and the median income for a family was $43,304. Males had a median income of $32,270 versus $23,482 for females. The per capita income for the town was $15,570. About 5.9% of families and 9.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.4% of those under age 18 and 9.5% of those age 65 or over.

Other

 * "AULT" is sometimes used as a backronym - "A Unique Little Town."
 * Ault hosts two annual town festivals. The ironically-named Fall Festival, which takes place in August, features food, booths, contests and a street dance.  The theme of the 2006 Fall Festival was "It's Your Fault if You're Not in Ault!"  The theme of the 2007 Fall Festival was "Remembering Not To Forget."  Every October, the International Food Fest allows local residents to show off their cultural roots.
 * Scenes from the 1977 film "One on One", starring Robby Benson and featuring a young Melanie Griffith, were filmed in various Ault locations.
 * Ault's only high school is named "Highland High School", which was changed from "Ault High School" when it combined with schools in nearby towns Pierce, Nunn and Carr, Colorado, in 1963. The Highland School District name comes from the high plains location, rather than the earlier name of the town of Ault, and there is no indication that the early name played any part in the naming decision. Highland High School's mascot is the Husky.

title: Ault, Colorado