Agate, Colorado facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Agate, Colorado
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Agate, Colorado
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 Agate, Colorado
Location in Colorado
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| Country |  United States |
| State |  State of Colorado |
| County | Elbert County |
| Settled | about 1876 |
| Elevation | 5,446 ft (1,660 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-7 (MST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-6 (MDT) |
| ZIP code |
80101
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| GNIS feature ID | 0204818 |
Agate is a small, unincorporated community in Elbert County, Colorado, United States. This means it's a group of homes and businesses that isn't officially a town or city with its own local government. Agate has its own U.S. Post Office with the ZIP Code 80101.
Agate's History: From Gebhard to Agate
The area where Agate is located was settled around 1876. The Union Pacific Railroad helped establish a town here, which they first called Gebhard. The Gebhard Post Office opened on April 8, 1881.
However, the name of the town was officially changed to Agate on April 24, 1882. Even before the railroad came, local ranchers already called this area Agate. The name likely came from an "A-gate," which was a wooden gate shaped like the letter A. Some people also think it was named after the type of rock called agate, which can be found in the area.
Agate is the community furthest to the northeast in Elbert County. It's mainly a ranching community, meaning many people here work with livestock. It's also home to Agate School District 300, which is one of the smallest school districts in Colorado.
Where is Agate Located?
Agate is located in Colorado at coordinates 39°27′43″N 103°56′31″W. You can find Agate just off Interstate 70 at exit 340. It's also along the Union Pacific Railroad line, which runs between the towns of Limon and Aurora. Agate is about 12 miles southeast of Deer Trail, Colorado.
The community sits on a ridge that runs from northwest to southeast. A small ravine separates it from the ridge where I-70 is built. To the west, you'll find the Agate Creek valley. The railroad tracks actually divide the community. East of the tracks, you'll find the school, the post office, and many businesses and homes. West of the tracks, there's a grain elevator and a few houses. In recent years, some new small housing areas have been built in the general area.
Emergency Services
The Agate Fire Department helps keep the community safe.
