Our Communities
Cheyenne County
History and Geography
Cheyenne County, home to the Cheyenne Wells, Kit Carson, Arapahoe, and Wild Horse communities, serves as a connection point to the American frontier, both in geography and western spirit. Our role as a connector became official when the town of Cheyenne Wells became the site of the first radio wave telephone system in the nation, strategically placed to connect isolated frontier families with the rest of the world. Today, our roots as a connection point to the frontier remain strong. Cheyenne County welcomes over 5,000 vehicles each day as they travel through the county on the Ports-to-Plains corridor, providing travelers with views of fields, grazing cattle, and the short-grass prairie.
Demographics
Cheyenne County had a population of 1,825 in 2019. Due to both out migration and natural decreases, Cheyenne County has been experiencing a significant decrease in overall population for decades (-20% between 1999 and 2019). This has slowed in the last ten years, which saw a 0.4% decrease. One of the least-dense counties in Colorado with only 1.2 people per square mile, agriculture remains the county’s largest industry.
Elbert County
History and Geography
Established in 1874, Elbert County is rich in history that signifies the American West. Native Americans inhabited many parts of the county’s 1,851 square miles going back 1,200 years. When gold fever struck in the latter part of the 19th century, the Pike’s Peak Gold Rush brought in white settlers who set up prairie camps throughout the region. Economic activity grew as these camps became more established, which included logging, farming, cattle ranching and dairy farming. The Western heritage in Elbert County is evidenced by a primarily agricultural economy, long distance views, open lands, and rural character of its communities. Elbert County possesses quintessential Western landscape marking the end of the Front Range and the beginning of high plains grasslands. Rolling hills with large stands of ponderosa pines and rock outcroppings cover the western landscape. Toward the east, the land flattens and transitions to farm and grasslands.
Demographics
The majority of the County’s residents live in rural subdivisions in areas surrounding the incorporated towns of Elizabeth, Kiowa, and Simla. The western portion of the county, with its proximity to Denver and Colorado Springs, has supported increased population growth. By contrast, the eastern part of the county has retained much of its working agricultural lands and slower population growth rates. With a population of nearly 30,000, Elbert County is projected to be one of the fastest growing counties in Colorado over the next decade.
Kit Carson County
History and Geography
Kit Carson County is well known for the historic Kit Carson County Carousel but Old Town, another unique tourist attraction, also calls the county seat of Burlington “home.” Old Town offers a visit back in time to pioneer days and our major economic driver, agriculture. The county’s rolling terrain covers 2,162 square miles. The six communities located along Interstate 70 were established every 10-12 miles because steam engines needed to take on water around those locations. KCC farmers produce wheat and corn along with livestock are in the state’s top producers. It offers both dryland and irrigated crop production. Rainfall here is low and therefore the county has no floodplains! New economies have developed in renewable energy which are easy to see as you drive the highway – wind turbines dot the plains. Multiple wind
farms stretch across Kit Carson County from Burlington to Flagler on both sides of the interstate and continue into Cheyenne, Lincoln, and Elbert counties.
Demographics
The county hosts a population of over 7,100 residents in 2019 which is lower than last reported due to the closure of the Burlington prison in 2016. Those residents over age 65 make up 30% of the population. Young families are coming to rural areas as the coronavirus has caused many to rethink education options and allow remote working. Housing is still a challenge in the county as more than 68% of the residents are homeowners. Opportunities for jobs and business development should be robust as the aging population sell their homes and businesses to transition into retirement.
Lincoln County
History and Geography
Lincoln County, founded in 1889, sports the unique backwards “L” that is easily spotted in the east-central plains of Colorado. With towns that are equal distance from Colorado Springs and Denver, Lincoln County has long-served the role as a crossroads, first for the intersecting railroads of the Rock Island (now Kyle Railroad) and the Kansas Pacific (now Union Pacific), and then for the seven highway corridors that make their way across the shortgrass prairie. North of Interstate 70 is a higher concentration of wheat farms and wind turbines, where areas south enjoy a greater amount of native grasslands and cattle operations. Hugo, the county seat, retains its western ranching roots and has a wealth of history and events built around that heritage. Limon, the largest town, serves as Hub City to five of the seven highway corridors and supports a large travel-service related industry.
Demographics
Lincoln County has 5,460 residents, with just over half of the inhabitants occupying the four towns (Arriba, Genoa, Hugo, and Limon). Historically largely agricultural, today’s workforce is changing to transportation (28%), government (35%) and energy (25%). Where economically agriculture dominates the local mix, a more diversified workforce is becoming commonplace. The population has enjoyed a modest 2.0% increase since 2010.
Logan County
History and Geography
Northeastern Colorado’s Logan County is less than two hours from both Denver and Fort Collins – putting us close enough to enjoy big-city amenities, but far enough away to experience quaint, small-town living. We are the region’s economic hub, offering a rich agricultural heritage, top-notch healthcare facilities, room to grow and easy access to Denver International Airport via Interstate 76. Logan County is home to Northeastern Junior College, one of the state’s premier two-year residential colleges, and historic downtown Sterling, which is experiencing a renaissance with new shops, local restaurants, a brewery and cultural gems. Our laid-back lifestyle makes it easy to enjoy a variety of outdoor and cultural activities, from boating, fishing and swimming in North Sterling State Park to admiring the unique public art throughout our county. Our strong community roots, safe environment and cost of living well below that of major metros in Colorado, make Logan County a great place to raise a family. With sky for miles, clean air and no big city congestion, we offer the space to find your place on Colorado’s eastern plains.
Demographics
Logan County enjoys a very stable present population of 22,404, with a 0.3% decline since 2015. Logan County job numbers come in at 9,076 jobs as of 2019 and a labor participation rate of 57.3%. people. 12.5% of the county population holds Bachelors Degrees, and 12.9% holds Associates Degrees. Despite moderate population declines, Logan County is projected to grow by 0.6% by 2025. The sector of the population that is regarded as racially diverse is 27%. Industries exceeding the national average include government, health care and social assistance, retail trade, oil and gas, and utilities. The median age is 36.4 years, with a higher-than-national average of millennial residents. Recognized growing industries include agriculture, forestry, fishing, and hunting and health and human services.
Morgan County
History and Geography
Morgan County was formed in 1889 from part of Weld County. Morgan County is located on the high plains of Northeastern Colorado, 85 miles from Metro Denver on Interstate Highway 76 and within an hour’s drive from the Denver International Airport. Measuring 36 miles long and 36 miles wide, the county encompasses 1,296 square miles. Morgan County is abundantly rich agriculturally with many irrigation and dry land farms as well as beef, sheep and dairy ranches.
The county seat is Fort Morgan. Camp Wardwell was established along the Overland Trail in 1865 in order to protect emigrant and supplies going between Denver and Colorado mining districts. The camp was renamed in 1866 after Colonel Christopher A. Morgan, one of General John Pope’s valued staff members. In 1868 the fort closed after being used by 19 different companies from about 11 cavalry and infantry regiments. Glenn Miller grew up here and is honored each year at the Glenn Miller Swing Fest. The City of Brush offers a rich history that began in the late 1800’s as a supply station and cattle shipping point beginning on the Texas Montana Trail. This quiet town is full of tradition. Smaller towns in the county include Wiggins, Weldona and Snyder.
Demographics
The population of Morgan County was 26,308 in 2013, which is a +6.5% change since 2010. Morgan is primarily white (61.2%), and the next largest ethnic group is Hispanic or Latino (34.2%). The majority of Morgan County residents (73.5%) speak English at home.
Phillips County
History and Geography
In March of 1889 the state legislature created Phillips County, named in honor of R.O. Phillips, the secretary of the Lincoln Land Co. After surviving early challenges due to the Panic of 1883 and the Great Depression, Phillips County remains rooted in the Colorado prairie, among the undulating sandhills with buffalo grass. Phillips County is located in the far northeast corner of the state and has a total area of 688 square miles. The Town of Haxtun is in the western part of Phillips County and offers a host of interesting amenities including the National Historic Town Hall, great restaurants, the historic and lush town park, beautiful churches and unique stores. Holyoke is proud of the wonderful quality of life and cost of living it offers, along with providing all of the essential services. There are numerous community activities, which entertain all age groups and its many visitors. A walking tour of Holyoke showcases the lively downtown with its rebuilt historic movie theatre and various shopping opportunities. Only a block away, the Phillips County Museum houses a rich collection of Indian and pioneer artifacts, farm equipment and restored buildings. The Hegibotham Library located in Holyoke is one of the most unique public libraries in Northeast Colorado and is on the National Register of Historic Places Every town has a grain elevator and in Amherst you’ll find one of the largest concrete style grain elevators west of the Mississippi. All across the county you will see examples of a deep appreciation for history.
DEMOGRAPHICS
Between 2010 and 2019 Phillips County saw a decline of 4% in total population to 4,265. Nearly a quarter of the population is under 18 and over 6% under the age of 5. The senior population is fairly high with over 23% of the population 65 and up. Phillips County is fairly diverse in comparison to its neighbors with nearly three-fourths of the population white (77.3%), and the remaining mainly Hispanic or Latino (20%).
Sedgwick County
History and Geography
Sedgwick County sits in the most northeastern corner of Colorado and borders Nebraska. It’s a small county with just 2,379 residents in 2010. The towns within the county are Julesburg, Sedgwick, and Ovid. The community is steeped in history and lore of the cowboys and was historically a favored hunting and camping ground of Cheyenne, Sioux, Pawnee and Arapahoe Indians. In 1793, the Mallet brothers, French traders from the Illinois French settlement, traveled as far west as the junction of the South Platte for some distance before turning south to the Arkansas River, and onto Santa Fe. It is claimed these Frenchman gave the River its name—Platte. The 1803 Louisiana Purchase made the region part of the United States. With the discovery of gold in California and in the Pikes Peak region of Colorado, pioneers traveled the famous trails through Sedgwick County. The Overland Stage, (1859), the Oregon and Mormon Trails, Bozeman Trail, the Upper California crossing, the Western Union Telegraph, the Union Pacific Railroad, and the only Pony Express station in Colorado (1860). These trails and other nature and historic landmarks have been marked throughout Sedgwick County. Sedgwick County was organized in 1889 from a part of Logan County, which was territory originally occupied by the Arapahoe and Cheyenne Indians. The county was named in honor of General John Sedgwick, who was command of Fort Wize on the Arkansas River.
Demographics
The population of Sedgwick County has seen a downward trend since the eighties. Between 1980 and 2006, the overall population of Sedgwick decreased by 24.5%. Currently, the population has seen a -1.3% change since 2010. According to the 2014 U.S. Census estimates, the current population is 2,348. Nearly a quarter of the population is 65 years and over, while another 20% is under the age of 18.
Sedgwick County has a similar breakdown in diversity in comparison to its neighbors with a white population of 79.6%, and a growing Hispanic and Latino population (15.1%).
Washington County
History and Geography
Washington County was carved out of Weld County in 1887 and incorporated about five years after the first B&MR locomotive steamed through the region. The county was named in honor of the first president of the United States of America, George Washington. Small town living here is a peaceful blend of past and present. Washington County was once a dangerous and rugged place for both natives and settlers. On July 11, 1869, Summit Springs was the site of a bloody conflict between cavalry soldiers, Cheyenne and Sioux Indians. Today, four stones mark the battle, which is north of Akron on Highway 63. The most current stone marker is for Susannah Aldrich, who had been captured and killed by Chief Tall Bull of the Cheyenne Dog Soldiers. Buffalo Bill Cody participated in the battle that would later defeat Chief Tall Bull and would go on to recreate this battle it in his Wild West Show. There is a fence that still separates the monuments from the private ground where the battle occurred and where the actual springs are located. Washington County is located in the center of Northeastern Colorado; ideally situated along Highways 34 and 63, with swift and easy access to Interstates 76 and 70. The county is within 100 miles of Denver and has quick access to U.S. trade routes. Most of the land is dedicated to family farming and ranching. Washington County is one of the highest agricultural producers in Colorado.
Demographics
The median age of Washington County is 44.2 years, with over 22.4% of the population under the age of 18, and an additional 21% over the age of 65. Population growth in the county has stagnated in recent years with a decline of 0.7% since 2010 to a total population of 4,908 – or 1.9 persons per square mile. The composition of Washington County is primarily white (85.7%), with a much smaller Hispanic and Latino population (10.9%) than its neighboring counties.
Yuma County
History and Geography
Yuma County helps feed America. From county line to county line the geography and natural features of Yuma County make it one of the most agriculturally productive counties in Colorado.
For the most part, the landscape across Yuma County is a vast, undulating plain of grasses and sagebrush. One unique, and striking, feature tucked away on the eastern edge of the county is an area of limestone cliffs and canyons created by two river systems, the North Fork Republican and the Arikaree rivers.
As in Yuma County, similar histories run throughout counties lying on the plains of Eastern Colorado – a rich history of indigenous communities giving way to the expansion of western civilization, the introduction of the railroad and eventual modern agriculture and transportation. Each county and community has unique qualities and the residents who reside there exhibit deep pride in what sets them apart, Yuma County is no different.
Demographics
Recent Census estimates indicate Yuma County’s population remains steady at around 10,000 residents, little change over the last decade. A majority of the population reside in the cities of Yuma and Wray, but smaller communities such as Idalia and Joes dot the landscape.
Agriculture continues to be the dominant economic driver supported by a multitude of industries. Recent trends in technology and workplace structure show opportunities are broadening into manufacturing and IT services. Yuma County enjoys a relatively young workforce, median age 38 years, and a growing Latinx population of 25%.
