Dolores, Colorado facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Dolores, Colorado
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Aerial photo of Dolores
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Location of the Town of Dolores in Montezuma County, Colorado.
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 Dolores, Colorado
Location in the United States
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| Country |  United States |
| State |  Colorado |
| County | Montezuma County |
| Incorporated | July 19, 1900 |
| Government | |
| • Type | Statutory Town |
| Area | |
| • Total | 0.664 sq mi (1.721 km2) |
| • Land | 0.664 sq mi (1.721 km2) |
| • Water | 0 sq mi (0.000 km2) |
| Elevation | 6,946 ft (2,117 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 885 |
| • Density | 1,332/sq mi (514/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−07:00 (MST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−06:00 (MDT) |
| ZIP code |
81323
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| Area code(s) | 970 |
| FIPS code | 08-20770 |
| GNIS feature ID | 2412439 |
Dolores is a small town in Colorado, United States. It is located in Montezuma County. In 2020, about 885 people lived there. The town is named after the Dolores River, which flows nearby. The name "Dolores" means "sorrows" in Spanish.
Contents
About Dolores, Colorado
Dolores is found in the Dolores Valley, close to the McPhee Reservoir. This reservoir is about 40 miles (64 km) from the Four Corners Monument. The town started as a stop on the Rio Grande Southern Railroad. It took the place of an older town called Big Bend, which is now covered by the McPhee Reservoir. The reservoir itself is named after a company town that was also covered by its waters.
History of Dolores
The area around Dolores has a rich history, especially with the Ancient Pueblo People. Many important historical sites are found here.
Ancient Pueblo Sites
- The Canyons of the Ancients Visitor Center and Museum is a great place to learn about the past. It includes the Dominguez and Escalante Pueblos, which are listed on both the Colorado State Register of Historic Properties and the National Register of Historic Places.
- Canyons of the Ancients National Monument is a large area protecting many ancient sites.
- The O'Brien Site is an ancient Pueblo settlement. People lived there between AD 1075 and 1150, and it had 11 pueblos (villages).
Other Historic Buildings
Other important historical places in Dolores include:
- The Lebanon School, also known as the Lebanon Schoolhouse.
- The Southern Hotel, which was also called Benny's Hogan and the Rio Grande Southern Hotel. These buildings are also listed on the Colorado State Register of Historic Properties and the National Register of Historic Places.
Geography of Dolores
In 2020, the town of Dolores covered about 1.721 square kilometers (0.665 square miles) of land. There is no water area within the town limits.
The town is located in a narrow valley right next to the Dolores River. This is where the river changes direction, flowing from the San Juan Mountains to the north. Outside the main town, there are more homes, shops, and small businesses. These areas are located further up the valley, on Summit Ridge, and on higher ground to the west.
Population and People
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1900 | 108 | — | |
| 1910 | 320 | 196.3% | |
| 1920 | 465 | 45.3% | |
| 1930 | 557 | 19.8% | |
| 1940 | 804 | 44.3% | |
| 1950 | 729 | −9.3% | |
| 1960 | 805 | 10.4% | |
| 1970 | 820 | 1.9% | |
| 1980 | 802 | −2.2% | |
| 1990 | 866 | 8.0% | |
| 2000 | 857 | −1.0% | |
| 2010 | 936 | 9.2% | |
| 2020 | 885 | −5.4% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
As of 2010, there were 936 people living in Dolores. These people lived in 431 households, and 236 of those were families. The average household had about 2.15 people.
Most people in Dolores are White (90.38%). About 2.14% are Native American. People of Hispanic or Latino background made up about 10.90% of the population.
The population includes people of all ages. About 22.5% of the people were under 18 years old. The median age in Dolores was 44.7 years. This means half the people were younger than 44.7, and half were older.
Transportation in Dolores
Dolores is part of Colorado's Bustang network. This is a bus service that connects different towns. Dolores is on the Durango-Grand Junction Outrider line, which helps people travel between these areas.
See also
In Spanish: Dolores (Colorado) para niños
