Fort Garland, Colorado facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Fort Garland, Colorado
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Fort Garland from the south.
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Location of the Fort Garland CDP in Costilla County, Colorado.
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 Fort Garland, Colorado
Location in the United States
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| Country |  United States |
| State |  Colorado |
| County | Costilla County |
| Established | 1858 |
| Government | |
| • Type | unincorporated town |
| Area | |
| • Total | 0.376 sq mi (0.973 km2) |
| • Land | 0.376 sq mi (0.973 km2) |
| • Water | 0 sq mi (0 km2) |
| Elevation | 7,936 ft (2,419 m) |
| Population
(2010)
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| • Total | 433 |
| • Density | 1,152/sq mi (445/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-7 (MST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-6 (MDT) |
| ZIP code |
81133
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| Area code(s) | 719 |
| GNIS feature | Fort Garland CDP |
Fort Garland is an unincorporated town, a post office, and a census-designated place (CDP) located in and governed by Costilla County, Colorado, United States. The Fort Garland post office has the ZIP Code 81133. At the United States Census 2010, the population of the Fort Garland CDP was 433, while the population of the 81133 ZIP Code Tabulation Area was 840 including adjacent areas.
General information
Fort Garland is referred to as the "Gateway to the San Luis Valley", as it is the first town one encounters when traveling west having crossed over La Veta Pass in the Sangre de Cristo Range. Fort Garland is home to many artists, painters, crafters and internationally known musicians.
Fort Garland has a business district with two motels, several restaurants, the Old Fort Market grocery store, the Fort Garland Museum, two gas stations, a car wash, hair salon, campgrounds, hardware store, liquor store, and multiple shops featuring collectibles and antiquities as well as a Wild West show.
The Annual Fort Garland Band Jam Music Festival features local and regional musicians, as well as nationally and internationally recognized musical talent. This summer event, usually held in mid-July, includes an open-air market, local food vendors offering up traditional and regional cuisine, a beer garden, and children's activities. The music offered covers numerous styles, from traditional Spanish guitar to R&B to rock and roll.
The Blanca/Fort Garland Community Center is open to residents and the public on daily, monthly or annual fees.
The Entrada Visitor's Center offers information on local and regional points of interest, such as the Great Sand Dunes, the Colorado 'Gator farm, UFO Watchtower and other activities located within the San Luis Valley.
Fort Garland is at the crossroads of U.S. Route 160 and Colorado State Highway 159, which leads south towards Taos and Santa Fe, New Mexico.
History
Fort Garland was established in 1858 to protect settlers in the San Luis Valley, then part of the New Mexico Territory. The fort was abandoned in 1883, following the confinement of the Utes to reservations. The Fort Garland Museum preserves some of the historic buildings from the fort.
Geography
Fort Garland is located in northern Costilla County at 37°25′46″N 105°26′07″W / 37.429477°N 105.435280°W. The town of Blanca is 4 miles (6.4 km) west on U.S. Route 160. Walsenburg is 47 miles (76 km) to the east, across the Sangre de Cristo Range.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the Fort Garland CDP has a total area of 0.37 square miles (0.97 km2), all of it land.
Demographics
The United States Census Bureau initially defined the Fort Garland CDP for the United States Census 2000.
| Fort Garland CDP, Colorado | ||
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| Year | Pop. | ±% |
| 2000 | 432 | — |
| 2010 | 433 | +0.2% |
| 2020 | — | |
| Source: United States Census Bureau | ||
See also
In Spanish: Fort Garland (Colorado) para niños
