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The Historic Columbian Hotel, Main Street

El Corazon de Trinidad National Historic District


Thank you for your interest in our beautiful, Trinidad and Las Animas County community. The links at the right will direct you to facts about Trinidad and Las Animas County with answers to some of the most often-asked questions.

 

 

 

If you would like even more detailed information, a comprehensive Community Profile booklet is available which details the latest, in-depth demographic information and economic trends.  Simply send an email to the Executive Director or use our Information Request Form to request specific information regarding our area.

 

Additionally, the Trinidad & Las Animas County Chamber of Commerce has a “Relocation Packet” which can be mailed for the cost of $10 or can be purchased at the chamber for $5.  The Chamber's packet includes standard relocation information about climate, realtors, cost of living, quality of life, churches, clubs, organizations, schools, etc., but also includes copies of the local papers.  It also includes local attraction brochures to give you a sense of the community.  Additional information from the Chamber of Commerce, about the community, can be obtained by visiting their website.

Additional information about the City can also be accessed via the City of Trinidad website.

 

Physical Description of Las Animas County

Las Animas County is 4,798 square miles in size. It is the largest county in the State of Colorado and the 5th largest County in the continental U.S. (by land mass).  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 is 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+ acre parcels), 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.

Physical Description of Trinidad

Adorning hilly streets nestled along the banks of the Purgatoire River, Trinidad - elevation 6,025 feet - is a picturesque city of Victorian and adobe architecture.  The brick streets, combined with the 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 9,078 residents within the City of Trinidad.  Population estimates prepared by the State Demography Office in October 2006, indicate Las Animas County's population at 16,271 with 9,327 of those residents within the City of Trinidad.  Please go to the Demographics page for additional detail on the population breakdowns for the Las Animas County area.

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 in the northern portion of the County and on the wide-open eastern plains of the County.  Summers are generally warm and dry, with daytime temperatures ranging between 80 and 90 degrees.  Average snowfall equates to roughly 5 to 10 inches per year; some are just mere dustings, others could be 6 to 8 inches of wet snow, particularly in March.  The sun continually shines and always melts the snow within a couple of days.  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.  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.  The dry air makes both heat and cold seem less severe 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 inches 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

Schools

There are six school districts within Las Animas County and a variety of schooling options available. 

 

Public Schools are located in Aguilar, Branson, Hoehne, Kim, Primero, and Trinidad.  Additionally, Las Animas County's School Accountability Reports are available via the Colorado Department of Education.  Check below for Reports for the individual school(s) and/or school districts where you have an interest.

 

Aguilar School District:

 

Branson School District:

 

Hoehne School District:

 

Kim School District:

 

Primero School District:

 

Trinidad School District:

 

Private Schools available in the area include:

 

There are also a number of Preschool, Kindergarten, and after school program options available, in addition to a variety of daycare alternatives both in-home/private providers and independent operators.

 

The South Central Council of Governments provides day care, preschool services, and after school programming for a variety of ages via their Early Learning Center.  The Head Start Program is also available in Las Animas County.  A number of private, independent day care providers are also available to meet a variety of family needs.  For additional information on available services, contact the Council of Governments directly at (719) 845-1133.

 

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.  Additionally, TSJC offers a variety of specialized programs like the Energy Production & Industrial Construction Program (EPIC and others.  A Customized Training program is also available that provides practical programming to meet your employer training needs.

Housing

Trinidad and the surrounding areas feature a variety of housing possibilities ranging from luxurious homes on mountain acreage to older Victorian homes on tree-line boulevards, to simple efficiency apartments and virtually everything in between.  There are a variety of real estate agencies operating in the Las Animas County area.  Some are full service companies handling rentals and large ranch sales, while others are more specialized.  Please review our list of area real estate agencies to discover properties available today!  The local newspapers are the Chronicle-News (published Monday through Friday) and the Trinidad Times Independent (published Tuesdays and Fridays). 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.  To view available holdings in the area, please see our complete list of real estate agencies operating in Trinidad and Las Animas County.

 

 

Trinidad has four mobile home parks with numerous sites available for rent.

Residential and commercial development in Trinidad is ongoing.  Currently, there are several new residential developments underway which will provide additional opportunities to those looking for a variety of housing options.

Employers/Jobs

Top employers include Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad, Trinidad State Junior College, School District #1, Las Animas County, Pioneer Natural Resources, the 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, to name a few.  A detailed employer list with the latest employee figures is also available.

 

Employment information is also available at the Colorado Work Force Center and Personnel Management Services.  You can also check out the classifieds section of the Chronicle-News and the Trinidad Times Independent.

 

 

 

Taxes

Colorado Sales Tax is 2.9% and the City of Trinidad Sales Tax is 4%, making the combined total Sales Tax 6.9%.

 

Full Year Residents must pay Colorado State Income Tax based 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 on this item contact the Las Animas County Assessor’s Office at (719) 846-2295.

 


SALES TAX

Colorado Sales Tax is 2.9% and the City of Trinidad Sales Tax is 4%, for a combined total of 6.9% Sales Tax.

 

INCOME TAX

For information contact the Colorado Department of Revenue at (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

State 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

2003 Residential Assessment Rate was 7.96% 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.