If you feel that you would like
even more information, we have a comprehensive
“Relocation Packet”.
The “Relocation Packet” is
mailed at the cost of $10.00 or can be purchased at
the chamber for $5.00.
Besides standard relocation
information about climate, realtors, cost of living,
quality of life, churches, clubs
and organizations,
schools and many other subjects, we include our
local paper so that you can get an idea
of what goes
on in the community. We include local attraction
brochures that we have available to give you
a sense
of the community.
If you would like for us to
send you one of our relocation packets, please send
a check or money order
of $10 to the following
address:
Trinidad Las
Animas County
Chamber of Commerce
309 Nevada
Ave
Trinidad, CO
81082
You
can also call our office at 866-480-4750 or
719-846-9285 and pay via Visa or MasterCard.
If we can be of further assistance, please don’t
hesitate to contact us at (719) 846-9285. If you are
planning a trip to our area, please plan to stop by
our office in the Colorado Welcome Center located
off I-25 at Exit 13-B. Additional information can
also be accessed at the website for the City of
Trinidad
at www.historictrinidad.com
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Physical Description of Las
Animas County:
Las Animas County is 4,798 square miles in size.
It is
the 5th largest County (land
area) in the continental U.S. The western
boundary is the Culebra Range of
the Sangre de
Cristo Mountains. The geography of the county is
mountainous with several cold-water lakes.
There
has been abundant wildlife (deer, elk, bear,
mountain lion, etc.), ideal for wildlife
watching, fishing,
and hunting. Within the
county are privately owned ranches and many new
sub-divisions (35+ acres per
tract), as well as
state and national public lands.
To the north and
east, are the high plains. There are two
volcanic mesas (Johnson Mesa and the Mesa de
Maya) stretching 80 miles east of Trinidad.
Abundant wildlife species, including hawks and
eagles, live
a tranquil existence on these
mesas. Along the Purgatoire River are red-rock
canyon lands, complete
with many artifacts of
early man and the longest stretch of fossilized
dinosaur tracks known to scientists.
Most of the
vast land here is privately owned ranch land.
The U.S. Army’s Pinon Canyon Maneuver
Site is
also located here. The southern boundary of Las
Animas County is the Colorado-New Mexico
Border.
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Physical Description of Trinidad:
Adorning
hilly streets nestled along the banks of the
Purgatoire River,
Trinidad elevation-6,025ft, is a
picturesque city of Victorian and adobe
architecture. The brick streets,
historic buildings
in the Corazon de Trinidad National Historic
District are scenic and unique.
-
Population:
According to the 2000 U.S. Census, there are
approximately 15,207 residents in Las
Animas County,
including 9,100 residents of Trinidad. Population
projections by the U.S. Census for Las
Animas County
in the year
-
Climate:
The
elevations, southern location, with low humidity
combine to provide a moderate, very comfortable,
dry, four-season climate, with approximately 14
inches of rainfall per year. Weather extremes are
usually scattered
and of short duration. Trinidad
coupled with foothills and the Mountains of Las
Animas County is not normally windy,
although there
is some wind on the wide-open eastern plains of the
county. Summers are warm and dry, with daytime
temperatures range between 80 and 90 degrees, with
the average 5 to 10 inches of snowfall per year.
Some are just
a mere dusting; others could be 6 to 8
inches of wet snow, particularly in March. The sun
continually shines and always
melts the snow within
a day or two. Severe cold is normally of short
duration. Balmy days are also scattered throughout
the winter months so that, for example, golf can be
played, with few interruptions, throughout the
entire year.
Trinidad is situated on the
front wall of the Rocky
Mountains at an elevation of
6,025 feet above sea level. Its
location near the southern
border of Colorado results in a
semi-arid climate with
approximately 14 inches of
rainfall per year. The
elevation, southern location and
low humidity combine to provide
a moderate, very comfortable dry
climate.
Weather
extremes are usually scattered
and of short duration. Summers
are warm and dry, with daytime
temperatures in the 80 to
90-degree range. Because of the
elevation, a dusting of snow can
occur as early as mid-September,
but it is quickly gone and warm
fall weather often lasts into
December. Severe cold is
normally of short duration.
Balmy days are also scattered
throughout the winter months so
that golf can be played, with
some interruptions, throughout
the year. The dry air makes both
heat and cold seem less server
than in other parts of the
nation which have more humidity
and broader temperature
extremes.
April and May
are the wettest months, each
averaging more than 3.5 niches
of precipitation. The six winter
months, October through March,
each average less than one inch
of precipitation.
AVERAGE
DAILY TEMPERATURES
| Month |
High |
Low |
| January |
48 |
19 |
| February |
53 |
23 |
| March |
55 |
25 |
| April |
61 |
30 |
| May |
69 |
42 |
| June |
87 |
52 |
| July |
91 |
58 |
| August |
86 |
56 |
| September |
81 |
50 |
| October |
69 |
36 |
| November |
56 |
27 |
| December |
58 |
28 |
|
|
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Churches, civic and Social
Organizations:
There are
churches of every denomination, and over 100 civic
and social
organizations. For children, the City of
Trinidad Parks & Recreation, Boy and Girl Scouts,
4-H Clubs and numerous sports
programs are
available.
-
Recreation:
We offer the
best of four seasons Colorado outdoor recreation.
Trinidad boasts four museums, a golf
course, two
movie theaters, art galleries, many cultural events,
a bowling alley, roller-skating rink, community
center,
skate park, and several health clubs.
-
Schools:
The Trinidad
School District #1 includes a high school, Middle
School, two elementary schools, (one for
grades K-1;
another for grades 2nd-5th),
an alternative school, and private schools. The
Public Schools are located in
Aguilar, Branson, Hoehne, Kim, and Primero. Daycare and pre-school
services are available through the Council of
Governments-Children’s Services, and the Head Start
Program.
For higher
education, Trinidad State Junior College (TSJC)
offers a wide range of community college courses as
well
as Associate Degree programs in a variety of
disciplines. It is now possible to obtain a
four-year degree through TSJC,
the Colorado State
University-Pueblo and Adams State College located in
Alamosa.
-
Housing:
Trinidad and
the surrounding areas feature a variety of housing
possibilities, ranging from luxurious home
on
mountain acreage to older Victorian homes on
tree-line boulevards to simple efficiency
apartments. Average price
for a pre-owned home is $65,000-$95,000. Average rental for
homes and apartments is $300-$800 per month. Below
is a
list of Trinidad-Las Animas County Chamber of
Commerce member real estate companies. Some are full
service
companies handling rentals, large ranch
sales, while others are more specialized. Our local
daily newspaper (published
Monday through Friday) is
the Chronicle News (719) 846-3311, and Trinidad Times Independent
(published twice a
week) (800) 748-2722 or (719) 846-8799. These are
the best sources for real estate ads.
|
Trinidad and the
surrounding areas feature a
variety of living possibilities,
ranging from deluxe country
homes on acreage to older
Victorian homes on tree-lined
boulevards, to simple efficiency
apartments.
|
•
Average price |
Residential lot |
$
18,000.00 -
$ 25,000.00 |
|
•
Average price |
35
acre lots |
$
35,000.00 -
$100,000.00 |
|
•
Average price |
Two-bedroom home |
$
45,000.00 |
|
•
Average price |
Three-bedroom home |
$130,000.00 |
|
•
Average price |
Four-bedroom home |
$110,000.00 -
$280,000.00 |
|
•
Average rental |
One-bedroom
apartment |
$
350.00- $ 450.00 |
|
•
Average rental |
Two-bedroom
apartment |
$
450.00 - $ 550.00 |
|
•
Average rental |
Three-bedroom
apartment |
$
600.00 - $ 725.00 |
|
•
Average rental |
Two-bedroom house |
$
525.00 - $ 575.00 |
|
•
Average rental |
Three-bedroom house |
$
600.00 -$ 850.0 |
Rental
property is scarce at the
current time. Your best bet is
to contact one of the real
estate offices listed within
this guide, or subscribe to our
daily newspapers - The
Chronicle-News at (719) 846-3311
or the Trinidad Plus at (800)
748-2722
Trinidad has
four mobile home parks with
numerous sites available for
rent. Average monthly rent per
lot is $150.00 -$170.00, which
may or may not include water.
Development in
Trinidad is continually in
process. There is over 80
developments in the Las Animas
County area with several new
developments under way. |
|
-
Employers/Jobs:
Our top
employers include: Burlington Northern Santa Fe
Railroad, Trinidad State Junior College,
School
District #1, Las Animas County, Evergreen Resources,
City of Trinidad, Mt. San Rafael Hospital, Trinidad
State
Nursing Home, Wal-Mart Super Center, Safeway,
Quality Inn, Danielson Designs, First National Bank
in Trinidad, and
Purgatoire Valley Construction.
Employment
information is also available at the Colorado Work
Force Center (719) 846-9221 and Personnel Management
Services (719) 846-2915. You can also check out the
classifieds in the Chronicle News and Trinidad Times Independent.
-
Taxes:
Colorado
Sales Tax is 2.9%, Trinidad Sales Tax is 4%. Full
Year Residents must pay Colorado State Income
Tax
base on Federal Taxable Income at a flat 5% rate.
2003 Residential Assessment Rate is 7.96% of Actual
Value.
The Assessment rate for Non-Residential
properties is 29% of Actual Value. For more
information, contact the Las
Animas County
Assessor’s Office at (719) 846-2295.
SALES TAX
- Colorado Sales Tax is
2.9%. City of Trinidad
Sales Tax is 4%. Las
Animas County Sales Tax
is 1%.
INCOME TAX
- For information,
contact the Colorado
Department of Revenue at
1-303-534-1408.
FULL YEAR RESIDENTS
- Must pay Colorado
State Income Tax based
on Federal Taxable
Income at a flat 5%
rate. You must file a
State Tax Return if you
file a Federal Return.
PART YEAR RESIDENTS AND
NON-RESIDENTS
- States Income Tax is
determined by
proportioning Tax to the
ratio of the Colorado
Adjusted Gross Income to
the Federal Adjusted
Gross Income by using
form 1O4PN Schedule
which is part of the
1040 Long Form.
PROPERTY TAX
- 2001 Residential
Assessment Rate was
9.15% of Actual Value.
The Assessment Rate for
Non-Residential
properties is 29% for
information, contact the
Las Animas County
Assessor’s Office, 200
East First Street. Suite
203, Courthouse,
Trinidad, CO. 81082. |
|
-
If you are interested in Opening
a business:
Las Animas
County is designated as one of the State of
Colorado’s Enterprise Zones. There are some tax
incentives available for opening qualifying
businesses in our community. For help in developing
a business plan or securing financing for a business
enterprise, please contact the Trinidad-Las Animas
County Economic Development Office at (719) 846-9412
for more information.
-
Future Trends:
Trinidad and
Las Animas County are growing. Mountain land
development is bringing new people, their talents,
ideas and investments. Tourism, a charming downtown,
and a thriving art community created a vibrant
community. The area is rich in natural resources,
and is currently experiencing a boom in coal-bed
methane gas well drilling. The Economic Development
Office is working to attract small manufacturers to
our community in order to ensure a diverse business
community.
|
