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Huerfano County, Colorado

88 topographic sheets cover 25 settlements here, and 10 properties are on the National Register of Historic Places.

Research this county

From the record

10 National Register listings published here.

Sources: the National Register database, National Park Service

Colorado within the United States
Huerfano County within Colorado

What the record shows

  • 425 topographic sheet readings cover the county's settlements.
  • 10 properties here are on the National Register of Historic Places: 8 buildings, 1 structure and 1 district.
  • 1 of the 10 listings was added during the 1970s.
  • The Geographic Names Information System records 25 populated places in this county; 25 are covered by at least one topographic sheet.

Places on the National Register

10

Every property in this county listed on the National Register of Historic Places, with the year it was listed and the federal nomination document.

Photograph PropertyType ListedReference
Francisco Plazabuilding198686002950
Huerfano County Courthouse and Jailbuilding197373000476
Huerfano County High Schoolbuilding200505001200
La Veta Pass Narrow Gauge Railroad Depotbuilding198080000902
Lamme Hospitalbuilding199393001376
Maitland Arroyo Bridgestructure200202001134
Oxford Hotelbuilding2024100011000
Smith, Edwin L. Buildingbuilding2020100005435
Veta Passdistrict201111000607
Walsenburg Mercantilebuilding2025100011507

Wildfire, 1992 to 2020

294 fires

Every wildfire the federal occurrence database records inside this county: 294 of them, burning about 18,677 acres. 76 started naturally and 41 were recorded as arson. Each settlement page carries the fires within five miles of it.

Reported cause Fires
Missing data/not specified/undetermined124
Natural76
Arson/incendiarism41
Smoking18
Recreation and ceremony12
Equipment and vehicle use10
Debris and open burning9
Power generation/transmission/distribution3
Misuse of fire by a minor1

The five largest, by the area the report gives. None of them was recorded as arson.

DateCause SizeReported by Name on the report
19 June 2013Natural13,572 acresRoyal Gorge Field OfficeEAST PEAK
15 December 2016Missing data/not specified/undetermined2,000 acresHuerfano County48
1 June 2011Missing data/not specified/undetermined1,600 acresColorado State Forest Service-State HeadquartersWALSENBURG
15 October 2015Missing data/not specified/undetermined270 acresHuerfano CountyHIGHWAY 160 MM 291
3 June 2019Natural230 acresPike and San Isabel National ForestREVEILLE
5 June 2020Natural144 acresRoyal Gorge Field OfficeWILSON CROSSING
28 February 2018Equipment and vehicle use117 acresHuerfano County Fire Protection DistrictUNKNOWN
15 July 2011Missing data/not specified/undetermined100 acresColorado State Forest Service-State HeadquartersWALSENBURG

Every settlement page carries the fires within five miles of it - see the settlement index below.

Storms, 1958 to 2025

60 of 193 shown

The NOAA Storm Events Database holds 193 reports for this county, causing no deaths, 7 injuries and about $605,500 in recorded property damage. Each settlement page carries the reports that name it.

Kind of event Reports
Hail92
Flash Flood61
Heavy Rain16
Tornado8
Thunderstorm Wind7
Lightning3
Debris Flow3
Funnel Cloud2
Flood1

The most serious of them, by death, then injury, then recorded damage. The accounts are quoted exactly as the forecast office filed them.

WhenEvent Place namedHarm What the report says
July 1999LightningCuchara3 hurtThree people were injured by a lightning flash approximately 100 yards west of the summit of West Spanish Peak. A 44-year old male experienced a direct hit, while his 41-year old male companion felt the side flash and was thrown against some rocks, suffering a skull fracture. A 7-year old boy also experienced the side flash and was thrown down and suffered facial cuts.
July 1978Tornado (F2)not stated2 hurt, $25,000no account filed
July 2006LightningCuchara2 hurtno account filed
May 1993Tornado (F1)not stated$500,000A tornado developed two miles southwest of the town of La Veta and moved north to two miles west of La Veta before dissipating. The tornado touched down periodically along its track. Two barns were destroyed and at least 20 pine and cottonwood trees (up to 100 feet tall) were uprooted. Downed trees had to be removed from several roads. Estimates placed damages at $100,000. There were no deaths or injuries.
June 2000LightningLa Veta$40,000A summer house was totally destroyed by a lightning started fire.
June 2007HailWalsenburg$30,000Very large hail damaged vehicles, broke windows, and destroyed roofs on structures in a mostly rural area.
September 2019Flash FloodRed Wing$5,000Huerfano County Emergency Manager reports Pass Creek Road has been washed out due to flash flooding from the Spring burn scar.
July 2014Flash FloodLa Veta$3,000no account filed
July 1958Tornado (F0)not stated$2,500no account filed
June 2025HailDelcarbon-Hail up to 1 inches in diameter fell in Huerfano County from severe thunderstorms.
June 2025HailDelcarbon-Hail up to 1.5 inches in diameter fell in Huerfano County from severe thunderstorms.
July 2025Debris FlowCuchara-EM reported flow over CO-12 in addition to debris flow. Debris caused some overflow in roadside ditches. County Rd 420 and Indian Creek also experienced similar conditions at this time, but no sperate reports.
July 2025Thunderstorm WindWalsenburg-AWOS station K4V1 4 N Walsenburg. The station measured a 58 mph wind gust.
July 2024Thunderstorm WindDelcarbon-Mesonet station co029 025s066 at apache city recorded 63 mph wind gust.
September 2024Thunderstorm WindDelcarbon-There was a 56 knot wind gust reported at location.
June 2024Flash FloodLa Veta-Heavy rainfall led to some water over short stretches of Hwy 160, county roads, ditches, and other low-lying areas. No other notable impacts reported. Radar-estimated rainfall of 1.5-2.0 inches occurred over impacted areas within warning area.
June 2024Thunderstorm WindLa Veta-Public source (via mPing) reported wind damage with 1 inch tree limbs broken and shingles blown off.
June 2023HailLa Veta-Public reported.
June 2023Heavy RainLa Veta-There was 1.6 inches of rain reported.
August 2022Heavy RainWalsenburg-Spotter reported 1.75 inches of rain.
August 2022Flash FloodWalsenburg-Roadway flooding.
July 2022Flash FloodCuchara-County Highway 12 closed at mile marker 13 for water over the road.
July 2022Heavy RainLa Veta-Heavy rainfall of 1.53 inches.
July 2022Heavy RainLa Veta-Heavy rainfall of 1.82 inches measured at Harrison Bridge near Cucharas, in one hour.
July 2021Flash Flood(Vtp)La Veta Pass-Flooding occurred at Indian Creek and Road 421. Eight inches of water was noted, but with no damage.
July 2021Flash Flood(Vtp)La Veta Pass-Debris and mudflow were noted into Middle Creek and along county roads 440 and 442.
July 2021Flash FloodCuchara-Highway 12 was closed at Big Branch Creek for water and debris over the road.
July 2021Flash FloodCuchara-Flash flooding occurred over Highway 12, with the road closed.
July 2021Flash FloodLa Veta-Road 421 was overtopped for hundreds of yards.
July 2021Flash Flood(Vtp)La Veta Pass-Water overtopped County road 442.
August 2021Heavy RainLa Veta-Heavy rainfall of 3.70 inches.
August 2021Heavy RainDelcarbon-Heavy rainfall of 3.49 inches.
July 2021Heavy RainRed Wing-Heavy rainfall of 1.00 inches, on the Spring Burn scar.
July 2021Heavy RainLa Veta-Heavy rainfall of 3.45 inches.
August 2021Flash FloodCuchara-Emergency management reported that Highway 12 was overtopped with water.
May 2021Heavy RainLa Veta-Heavy rain of 1.70 inches, La Veta.
May 2021Heavy RainDelcarbon-Heavy rain of 2.97 inches, 6 miles south Rye.
May 2021Heavy RainLa Veta-Heavy rain of 2.54 inches, 5 miles north northeast Spanish Peaks.
May 2021Heavy RainFarisita-Heavy rain of 2.97 inches, 4 miles south Farisita.
May 2020Heavy RainLa Veta-One-hour total.
August 2020Debris Flow(Vtp)La Veta Pass-Heavy rain and flash flooding on Spring burn scar.
August 2020Heavy RainLa Veta-Heavy rainfall of 1.9 inches.
August 2020Flash Flood(Vtp)La Veta Pass-Massive flash flood coming down Indian creek. Video shows several new channels, rushing water several feet deep with an expanse nearly 100 feet wide. CR 421 completely inundated.
August 2020Flash FloodLa Veta-Rushing water across CR 421 along Indian creek, about a foot deep. Road is impassable.
August 2020Flash FloodCuchara-Highway 12 was over topped and a car became stranded in flood waters.
August 2020Debris FlowLa Veta-Mud slide across Highway 12 has closed the road down from mm 13-14, per CSP Pueblo.
August 2020Flash FloodCuchara-Highway 12 was temporarily closed for a flash flood and minor debris flow off of the Spring burn scar.
July 2020Flash FloodCuchara-Flash flooding over toppled Hwy 12 at mile marker 14.5. Hwy 12 saw approx. 3 inches of mud with 3 inches of water on the road over a distance of approximately 90 feet.
July 2020Flash Flood(Vtp)La Veta Pass-Twelve inches of water was over the roadway.
July 2020Flash FloodRed Wing-Road was closed due to 3 feet of rock and debris covering the road.
July 2020Flash Flood(Vtp)La Veta Pass-Water over county road 421.
June 2019Flash Flood(Vtp)La Veta Pass-Huerfano County Emergency Manager reported water flowing over CR 442 just west of CR 441 making the road impassable.
July 2019Flash Flood(Vtp)La Veta Pass-Sheriffs deputy reported 3-4 feet of water over Huerfano County road 443.
July 2019Flash Flood(Vtp)La Veta Pass-Flash flooding and debris-mud flows, from Indian Creek, across portions of CR 421 in and just north of Sulphur Springs was reported.
August 2019Flash FloodRed Wing-Huerfano County EM reported CR 572 has become impassable due to flash flooding and debris flow.
August 2019Flash Flood(Vtp)La Veta Pass-Huerfano County EM reported a flash flood and rock slide closing CR 572.
August 2019Flash Flood(Vtp)La Veta Pass-Huerfano County EM reported 2 to 4 feet of water running across roadway at least 500 feet wide.
August 2019HailDelcarbon-Nickel sized hail reported.
July 2019Flash Flood(Vtp)La Veta Pass-South Abeyta Creek was reported to be about 2 feet over its banks.
July 2019Flash Flood(Vtp)La Veta Pass-Huerfano County EM reported Middle Creek is out of its banks.

Mines and quarries

98 recorded

The Survey's mineral resources record lists 98 workings inside this county. 2 still produce and 96 are closed or unrecorded. Each settlement page carries the workings within five miles of it.

Commodity Workings
Sand and Gravel, Construction47
Uranium, Vanadium8
Copper7
Uranium5
Gold5
Silver5
Tellurium4
Vanadium, Uranium4
Vanadium3
Gold, Silver3
Tungsten3
Copper, Uranium2
Copper, Silver2
Clay2

The least common of them first, because a county's hundredth gravel pit says nothing its first ten did not.

Where SiteCommodity StatusRecorded
Blanca DistrictCopper, Zinc, Lead, Silver, Molybdenum, Tungsten, Gold, AntimonyPast Producerhydrothermal veins
Bullseye MineGold, Lead, Silver, Copper, AntimonyPast ProducerVein
Butte Valley, Alamo #1Coal, Sand and Gravel, ConstructionPast ProducerSedimentary
Coronado GroupSilver, Gold, Copper, TelluriumPast ProducerVein
Dallas Dottie ProspectUranium, Vanadium, CopperOccurrenceCarnotite
Deadwood Mining Co. ClaimsGold, Copper, Lead, SilverProspectVein
Grayback North DistrictLead, Silver, Iron, Zinc, GoldPast Producer1875
La Veta DistrictZinc, Silver, Copper, Lead, GoldPast Producer1908, 1935
La Veta DistrictGold, Silver, Lead, CopperPast Producer
Lone Pine, OjoCopper, Vanadium, UraniumOccurrenceCoal
McMillan GroupGold, Silver, Tellurium, Copper, BismuthOccurrenceVein
Mcguire LodeUranium, Copper, VanadiumProspectCarnotite, Malachite, Calciovolborthite
Mosca Pass ProspectMolybdenumOccurrenceVein
Stumbling Stud MineVanadium, Uranium, Zirconium, Fluorine-Fluorite, ThoriumPast ProducerCoffinite
UnknownLimestone, GeneralOccurrenceLimestone
UnknownSand and Gravel, Construction, CoalOccurrenceSedimentary
Unnamed ProspectSilver, Gold, Lead, CopperProspectChalcopyrite, Galena, Sphalerite, Tetrahedrite
Unnamed ProspectsSilver, Copper, Gold, LeadProspectChalcopyrite, Galena, Sphalerite, Tetrahedrite
Unnamed ProspectsSilver, Gold, Copper, LeadProspectChalcopyrite, Galena, Sphalerite, Tetrahedrite
Washout ClaimUranium, CopperProspectCopper, Cuprite
ChamblinClayPast ProducerClay
Dividend aditSilver, Gold, Tungsten, TelluriumProspect
Hawkins aditSilver, Gold, Tungsten, TelluriumProspect
Independent ClaimCopper, UraniumProspect
Malachite MineCopper, SilverOccurrenceChalcopyrite
Parks Lode ClaimCopper, Uranium, VanadiumProspectTyuyamunite, Azurite, Malachite
Tom Branch ProspectsCopper, Silver, VanadiumOccurrence
UnknownClayOccurrenceClay
Butler ClaimsGold, SilverOccurrenceVein
Courthouse vein systemGold, Silver, Tungsten, TelluriumPast ProducerChalcopyrite, Galena, Gold, Hessite, Jalpaite, Melonite, Pearceite, Polybasite, Pyrite, Scheelite, Sphalerite, Sylvanite, Tetrahedrite, Wolframite
Unnamed Vanadium OccurrenceVanadiumProspectVein
Anal No. 1 MineVanadium, UraniumPast Producer1955
City Slicker MineVanadium, UraniumPast ProducerCarnotite
Hall PropertyVanadium, Uranium, CopperOccurrenceCarnotite, Malachite
Bell Air ClaimsUranium, Vanadium, Silver, CopperProspectCoffinite
Black Jack No. 2 ClaimUraniumProspect
Deiz Ranch OccurrenceUraniumOccurrence
Grayback South Placer DistrictGoldPast Producer1875
Isabell GroupUraniumProspectPitchblende
Little Joe ClaimsSilverProspectHematite
Spanish Peaks Uranium OccurrenceUraniumOccurrence
Unnamed Gold OccurrenceGoldOccurrence
Wayatoya Creek PlacerGoldPast ProducerPlacer
Maes Creek ProspectsCopperOccurrenceVein
Mcintire PropertyUranium, Vanadium, CopperProspect
Santa Rosa ClaimUranium, Vanadium, CopperPast ProducerAutunite, Azurite, Malachite
Gardner areaUranium, VanadiumProspect
Huerfano Park uranium prospectUranium, VanadiumProspect
Muleshoe Uranium DepositUranium, VanadiumPast Producer
South Apache Creek ProspectsUranium, VanadiumProspect
Whitecliff 1-6 ClaimsUranium, VanadiumProspect
Borrow PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer
GoemmerSand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer
Huerfano Granite QuarrySand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer
Kirkpatrick PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionProducer
UnknownSand and Gravel, ConstructionOccurrenceSand and Gravel
UnknownSand and Gravel, ConstructionOccurrenceGravel
UnknownSand and Gravel, ConstructionOccurrenceSand and Gravel
UnknownSand and Gravel, ConstructionOccurrenceSand and Gravel
UnknownSand and Gravel, ConstructionOccurrenceSand and Gravel
UnknownSand and Gravel, ConstructionOccurrenceSand and Gravel
UnknownSand and Gravel, ConstructionOccurrenceSand and Gravel
UnknownSand and Gravel, ConstructionOccurrenceGravel
UnknownSand and Gravel, ConstructionPast ProducerGravel
UnknownSand and Gravel, ConstructionOccurrenceSand and Gravel
UnknownSand and Gravel, ConstructionOccurrenceSand and Gravel
UnknownSand and Gravel, ConstructionOccurrenceSand and Gravel
UnknownSand and Gravel, ConstructionOccurrenceSand and Gravel
UnknownSand and Gravel, ConstructionOccurrenceGravel
UnknownSand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer
UnknownSand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer
UnknownSand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer
UnknownSand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer
UnknownSand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer
UnknownSand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer
UnknownSand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer
UnknownSand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer
UnknownSand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer
UnknownSand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer
UnknownSand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer
UnknownSand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer
UnknownSand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer
UnknownSand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer
UnknownSand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer
UnknownSand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer
UnknownSand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer
UnknownSand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer
UnknownSand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer
UnknownSand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer
UnknownSand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer
UnknownSand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer
UnknownSand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer
UnknownSand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer
UnknownSand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer
UnknownSand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer
UnknownSand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer
UnknownSand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer
Walsenburg PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionProducer

Every populated place in the county

25

Named settlements recorded in the Geographic Names Information System, each with the topographic sheets covering it. Villages, hamlets and abandoned places alike. Each is shown with the nearest named watercourse or landform and the survey quadrangle it falls on.

Provenance

  • Topographic sheets. USGS Historical Topographic Map Collection, county index, measured from the bulk metadata.
  • Fire insurance maps. Library of Congress Sanborn collection, faceted to this county.
  • Photographs. Each place queried individually against the Library of Congress Prints and Photographs search.
  • Wildfire. Short, Karen C. 2022. Spatial wildfire occurrence data for the United States, 1992-2020 [FPA_FOD_20221014]. 6th Edition. Fort Collins, CO: Forest Service Research Data Archive. https://doi.org/10.2737/RDS-2013-0009.6 Collected with United States Government funding and usable without additional permissions or fees.
  • Mines and quarries. USGS Mineral Resources Data System (MRDS) https://mrdata.usgs.gov/mrds/ A work of the United States government, no copyright under 17 U.S.C. 105.
  • Storms. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/stormevents/ A work of the United States government, no copyright under 17 U.S.C. 105. Narratives are quoted verbatim from the National Weather Service report and are not edited or summarised.