Welcome To KEY TO THE CITY's Page For
La Veta
Huerfano County, Colorado
ZipCodes
81055
Page Contents for La Veta, Colorado
History & History-related items
Chamber of Commerce.
Organizations, Churches, and Sports.
Statistics & Facts
The Colorado state capital is Denver.
The population of La Veta is approximately 856 (2007), 800 (2010).
The approximate number of families is 552 (2000), 415 (2010).
The amount of land area in La Veta is 2.759 sq. kilometers.
The amount of land area in La Veta is 1.2 sq. miles.
The amount of surface water is 0 sq kilometers.
The distance from La Veta to Washington DC is 1590 miles.
The distance to the Colorado state capital is 155 miles. (as the crow flies)
La Veta is positioned 37.51 degrees north of the equator and 105.00 degrees west of the prime meridian.
La Veta elevation is 7,013 feet above sea level.
La Veta per capita income is $ 18,489 (2000).
La Veta median income is $ 29,400 (2005).
The La Veta median home price is $ 128,500 (2005).
La Veta average annual precipitation is 18.0 inches peryear.
The average winter temperature is 30 degrees F.
The average spring temperature is 44.8 degrees F.
The average summer temperature is 67.9 degrees F.
The average fall temperature is 49.9 degrees F.
Location
in southern Colorado 59 miles southwest of Pueblo and 18 miles from Walsenburg. Other nearby communities include Weston, Aguilar, Gardner, Rye, Fort Garland, Colorado City and Blanca.
Here is a map page for La Veta and Cuchara.
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Geography
an Alpine mountain valley bridging mountains and high plains. La Veta is located against the Spanish Peaks. One of the features of the Spanish Peaks are the dikes that radiate out. These were formed when molton magma moved up through vertical cracks. They hardened and were eventually exposed due to erosion.
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Weather
seasonal. There are over 300 days of sunshine each year. Snow may fall from September through April.
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History & History Related Items
"One branch of the Santa Fe Trail led westward into the San Luis Valley via the Sangre de Cristo Pass in northwestern Huerfano County. In 1862, a former sutler with the US Army at Fort Garland, Col. John M. Francisco, and Judge Henry Daigle built Fort Francisco on land purchased from the Vigil-St. Vrain Land Grant, significantly south and west of most of the San Luis Valley-bound traffic. Originally the Fort was a complete square built around an open plaza in the center. The only gateway opened to the north. The Fort was built of adobe one foot thick, with dirt floors and dirt roofs with parapets for defense.
As more settlers moved into this beautiful and fertile valley, the Fort increased in importance as shelter from Indians and as the commercial center for the area. The first Post Office, named Spanish Peaks, opened in the Plaza in 1871. By 1875 the Indian threat was almost completely gone. In 1876 the narrow gauge railroad came through La Veta several blocks north of the Fort on its way westward through the newly surveyed La Veta Pass. In 1877 the permanent rail depot was built beside the rails and the business community slowly moved north to it. For many years, this stretch of the line between La Veta and Wagon Creek was the highest in the world. The old grade can still be seen to the west of La Veta and higher up across Old La Veta Pass. The old depot building at the summit is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The 1877 La Veta Depot still stands next to Main Street by the tracks." excerpt from the Sangre.com page at http://www.sangres.com/laveta.htm. This page also has some good pictures of the area.
La Veta means the vein in Spanish. The exact origin of the name for the town is unknown, but it is possible it is in reference to the gold or coal veins found here.
A page with stories and legends about the Huerfano County area.
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The incorporation of La Veta
1876Attractions
La Veta has long been a ranching community and still remains so, but the area has been greatly enhanced by a more diverse and creative populous, both year-round and seasonal. The community has many arts and craft galleries along with shops, restaurants and other amenities.
See a photography page for La Veta.
Francisco Fort Museum
306 South Main Street
P.O. Box 263
LaVeta, CO. 81055
Phone: 719-742-5501
An Adobe structure, Francisco Fort was built in 1862 by Col. John M. Francisco and Judge Henry Daigre on land purchased from the Vigil-St. Vrain Land Grant. It was the first settlement in the Upper Cuchara Valley.
Spanish Peaks International Celtic Music Festival
held each year in September
This page has information about La Veta as well as a number of nice pictures of the area.
Grandote Peaks Golf Course
Designed by Tom Weiskoff
La Veta, Co
Toll-free: (800) 457-9986
Phone: (719) 742-3391
Scenic Highway of Legends
This route, Highway 12, was designated as one of Colorado's scenic and historical byways in 1987. It was named a National Forest Byway in 1988. The 80 mile route passes through wonderfully beautiful scenery on its course. It can be driven in about two hours. It winds through Walsenburg, La Veta, Cuchara, Monument Lake, Stonewall, Vigil, Weston, Segundo, Cokesdale and Trinidad crossing the Cuchara Pass at 9,994 feet above sea level part way along the byway. A welcome center is located in Trinidad with more information about the route. Here is a map page for the highway.
Huerfano County Tourism
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La Veta City Government
La Veta Town Hall204 South Main
La Veta, CO. 81055
Phone: (719) 742-3631
La Veta is a Statutory town in Huerfano County.
La Veta Historical Events
date unknown
Legend of the Devil's Stairs
A long time ago, the Devil came out from hell to survey the world. He chose the Cuchara Valley as his entrance. He would climb the steps and sit on the twin mountains, plotting how to make it his. God learned of this, and noticing the beauty of the mountains and valley, claimed the valley. He told the Devil never to come here again, but the steps still remain.
La Veta Chamber
La Veta Cuchara Chamber of Commerce
P.O. Box 32
117 West Grand
La Veta, CO 81055
Phone: 719-742-3676
Toll-free: 866-615-3676
Huerfano County Chamber of Commerce
400 Main St
P.O. Box 493
Walsenburg, CO 81089
Phone: (719) 738-1065
La Veta Organizations
La Veta Cuchara Chamber of CommerceP.O. Box 32
117 West Grand
La Veta, CO 81055
Phone: 719-742-3676
Toll-free: 866-615-3676
Huerfano County Chamber of Commerce
400 Main St
P.O. Box 493
Walsenburg, CO 81089
Phone: (719) 738-1065
La Veta Libraries
La Veta Public Library310 S. Main Street
P.O. Box 28
La Veta, CO 81055
Phone: 719-742-3572
La Veta Schools
La Veta School District RE-2126 East Garland
PO Box 85
La Veta, CO 81055
Phone: 719-742-3562
Fax: 719-742-5799 La Veta
Miscellany
The population of La Veta was:1990 - 925
2000 - 924
2007 - 856
The number of housing units was:
2000 - 552
Median age:
2000 - 43.3 years
Median household income:
2000 - $ 29,342
2005 - $ 29,400
Median house value:
2000 - $ 110,100
2005 - $ 128,500
La Veta is located in the Mountain Time Zone and does participate in daylight savings time during a portion of the year.
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