Conejos County

History and Geography
Conejos County has an area of approximately 1,290 square miles. The nearly level valley floor, with an average elevation of about 7,700 feet, characterizes the eastern portion of the County while the stunning San Juan Mountains, rising to a height of over 13,000 feet, characterize the western portion. Conejos County is bound by the Rio Grande River to the east and the State of New Mexico to the south. Sixty-six percent of the County is public land, including the mountainous areas of the Rio Grande National Forest. Small towns and vast pasturelands characterize the remaining 34 percent of privately owned land. The County has five municipalities: Manassa, La Jara, Antonito, Sanford and Romeo. As in all agricultural areas of the West, water is the lifeblood of the community. In addition to the Rio Grande, the County is traversed by the Conejos, Alamosa, and San Antonio Rivers, and La Jara Creek.

Conejos County was one of the original 17 counties created by the Colorado legislature in 1861. Although it was first called Guadalupe County, it was renamed Conejos, the Spanish word for “rabbits”. Rural Conejos County is home to many important historical sites. The town of Antonito boasts the Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad, a narrow gauge steam engine railroad constructed in 1880 that makes the daily trek from Antonito to Chama, New Mexico during the summer and fall. Northeast of the town of Sanford is Pikes Stockade, the site where Zebulon Pike raised the American flag in 1807 over what was then Spanish Territory. The stockade was reconstructed using Pike’s journal and is maintained by the Colorado Historic Society. Conejos, the County seat, is also home to Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Parish, the oldest parish church in Colorado. The community of Manassa hosts Pioneer Days each July, an event that celebrates the arrival of Mormon pioneers.

The many towns of Conejos County include: the Town of Antonito, Bear Creek, Bountiful, Cañon, Capulin, Carmel, Conejos, Elk Creek, Fox Creek, Guadalupe, Horca, La Florida, Town of La Jara, La Sauses, Las Mesitas, Lobatos, Town of Manassa, Mogote, Ortiz, Osier, Platoro, Richfield, Rincones, Town of Romeo, San Antonio, Town of Sanford, and Sheep Creek.

Demographics
In 2010, Conejos County’s population was 8,586. The County is one of only two in Colorado that has a Hispanic majority. State-wide, the majority of Hispanics (61percent) reported themselves as being of Mexican origin, compared to just 24 percent in Conejos County. Population density is only six people per square mile and in reality, is less than that with the majority of the population being concentrated into many town centers. This gives residents the freedom to connect with nature and appreciate their land. There are 2,980 households, 39 percent of which have children under the age of 18 living with them.

Economy
Residents of Conejos County enjoy an authentic rural way of life that is rapidly disappearing in our modern world. Part of the charm of this area is the history and the lasting ties that many of our residents have to this land. Agriculture has been a very important part of the economy and rural lifestyle from the earliest settlers until the present time. Visitors are drawn to the beautiful scenery and year round outdoor recreation opportunities. Excursions on the Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad are a major attraction during the summer and fall months. Other base industry income comes from mining, lumber and wood production, machine, equipment, and food manufacturing. In addition, with open space, irrigable land, ample sunshine and intermittent wind, the County is expected to become a major player in the development of renewable energy resources in the future. At present, however, per capita income is only $18,875 and 23 percent of the population lives below the national poverty line.

Education
Little Treasures Pre-School in La Jara and Rocky Mountain SER/Headstart in Conejos and Sanford serve the preschool age children of the county. Three public school districts provide quality education through four elementary schools, three middle schools, and three high schools. There are 1,870 students enrolled in these schools. For higher education, Trinidad State Junior College-Valley Campus, and a four-year public institution, Adams State College, are both located in nearby Alamosa.

Other Resources
http://www.conejoscounty.org