Las Animas, Colorado

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Las Animas is a city in Bent County, Colorado, United States. The population was 2,758 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Bent CountyGR6. Las Animas, located in southeast Colorado, is east of Pueblo, near Bent's Fort. Las Animas is home to the Kit Carson Museum.

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[edit] Geography

Location of Las Animas, Colorado

Las Animas is located at 38°4′1″N, 103°13′33″W (38.066980, -103.225937)GR1.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 3.3 km² (1.3 mi²), all land.

[edit] Demographics

As of the censusGR2 of 2000, there were 2,758 people, 1,091 households, and 716 families residing in the city. The population density was 825.5/km² (2,134.2/mi²). There were 1,264 housing units at an average density of 378.3/km² (978.1/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 74.87% White, 0.91% African American, 2.86% Native American, 0.58% Asian, 15.34% from other races, and 5.44% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 42.60% of the population.

There were 1,091 households out of which 31.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.0% were married couples living together, 14.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.3% were non-families. 30.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.46 and the average family size was 3.04.

In the city the population was spread out with 27.3% under the age of 18, 8.6% from 18 to 24, 24.0% from 25 to 44, 22.2% from 45 to 64, and 17.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 94.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.8 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $26,157, and the median income for a family was $29,815. Males had a median income of $26,168 versus $23,250 for females. The per capita income for the city was $13,893. About 19.7% of families and 25.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 39.3% of those under age 18 and 14.4% of those age 65 or over.

[edit] Santa Fe Trail Day

Las Animas is the home of Santa Fe Trail Day, a celebration of the pioneers who took this trail into the west. This local holiday claims it is the oldest Student Council sponsored event in the US. The Las Animas High School Student Council organizes the day, with assistance from the Bent County Chamber of Commerce. Festivities have included a Parade, a Costume Contest, Square Dancing, a Demolition Derby, and many other activities through the years. In past years, students have spread out events over a two-day period, sometimes making this a weekend event. The event occurs on the last Friday in April.

[edit] Columbian Elementary School

Columbian Elementary School, April 6, 2005
Columbian Elementary School, April 6, 2005

Built in 1916 to replace the old Columbian School (built in 1887), Columbian Elementary School was the only Spanish architecture in Las Animas. It was also the only open-courtyard school in the state of Colorado. There was a long fight to save the building, urging the school board to find other uses for it. This 90-year-old building met its fate with a wrecking crew on February 21, 2006[1]. An injunction was issued to delay the demolition on the day the building was struck. Las Animas Elementary students are selling the bricks for five dollars each to raise money for new playground equipment. Columbian School was designated to the 2004 Colorado Preservation, Inc. List of Endangered Places. It was also added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2004 (List of Registered Historic Places in Colorado).

A new Las Animas Elementary School now stands just west of the old school location.

[edit] Water Issues

As in most agricultural areas, water is a central issue in Las Animas. Like many cities in Southeastern Colorado, Las Animas competes with wealthier cities on the front range for the water necessary to sustain life and the local agricultural economy. Developers and municipalities have capitalized upon drought and low crop prices by buying water from desperate farmers. As this water is diverted upstream to serve the larger cities, Las Animas loses access to this important resource.

[edit] Historic Places to Visit in or near Las Animas

[edit] Notable Persons from Las Animas

[edit] Notable Movies Filmed in or around Las Animas

[edit] External links

[edit] References

Mestas, Anthony A. "Old Columbian school falls to wrecker's ball." The Pueblo Chieftain. 25 Feb. 2006. http://www.chieftain.com/print.php?article=/metro/1140875593/10
  1. ^ Old Columbian school falls to wrecker's ball
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