Colfax, Custer County, Colorado facts for kids

Colfax was a small, short-lived town in what is now Custer County, Colorado, United States. It was once a special kind of farming community where people lived and worked together, sharing everything. Today, it's known as a ghost town, meaning no one lives there anymore. The town was named after Schuyler Colfax, who was a Vice President of the United States. A post office served the community from May 2, 1870, until January 16, 1879.

The Story of Colfax

Colfax was started in 1870 by a group of 397 German immigrants. They were led by a man named General Carl Wulsten. These colonists were organized by a group called the German Colonization Society from Chicago.

This settlement was very important because it was the first non-Native American community in the Wet Mountain Valley. This area is now part of Custer County, Colorado.

Life in the Community

The people of Colfax focused on two main activities: farming and making cheese. They worked together, hoping to build a successful shared community.

Why Colfax Didn't Last

Unfortunately, the communal effort at Colfax faced a big challenge. A severe frost hit the area, which likely damaged their crops. Because of this, the settlers eventually left the town.

However, the story didn't end for everyone. Many of the original settlers chose to stay in the surrounding area. They continued to live there, working as ranchers and farmers, even after the communal town of Colfax itself was no longer active.