Dove Creek, Colorado facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Dove Creek, Colorado
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| Nickname(s):
Pinto Bean Capital of the World
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Location of the Town of Dove Creek in Dolores County, Colorado.
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 Dove Creek, Colorado
Location in the United States
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| Country |  United States |
| State |  Colorado |
| County | Dolores County seat |
| Incorporated | June 15, 1939 |
| Government | |
| • Type | Statutory Town |
| Area | |
| • Total | 0.573 sq mi (1.483 km2) |
| • Land | 0.573 sq mi (1.483 km2) |
| • Water | 0 sq mi (0.000 km2) |
| Elevation | 6,841 ft (2,085 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 635 |
| • Density | 1,109/sq mi (428/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−07:00 (MST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−06:00 (MDT) |
| ZIP code |
81324
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| Area code(s) | 970 |
| FIPS code | 08-21265 |
| GNIS feature ID | 2412446 |
Dove Creek is a small town in Colorado, United States. It is the main town and county seat of Dolores County. In 2020, about 635 people lived there. The town gets its name from a nearby stream called Dove Creek. It is also known as the "Pinto Bean Capital of the World" because it grows a lot of pinto beans.
Contents
History of Dove Creek
Early Trails and Settlements
The Old Spanish Trail was an important trade route. It passed through the area where Dove Creek is now located. This happened from 1829 until the 1850s. A post office opened in Dove Creek in 1915.
Historic Places to See
Several old and important sites near Dove Creek are listed on the Colorado State Register of Historic Properties. These include:
- The Brewer Archaeological District: This area has two large ancient settlement sites. They are called Brewer Mesa Pueblo and Brewer Canyon Pueblo.
- Glade Ranger Station: This building dates back to before 1910.
- P.R. Butt & Sons Building: Built in 1914, this was one of the first buildings in town.
Geography and Location
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Dove Creek from above in September 2023
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Dove Creek Superette, a gas station supermarket on U.S. Route 491
Dove Creek is located in the western part of Dolores County. It sits on US 491, which used to be called US 666. The town is named after Dove Creek, a stream that flows south towards the San Juan River.
The town is on the northern part of the Great Sage Plain. This is a large flat area with desert-like land. It is surrounded by mountains like the La Plata Mountains and La Sal Mountains. Many deep canyons cut through this plain. Even with limited water, this area has been good for farming for a long time.
Town Center and Buildings
The Dolores County Courthouse was built in 1957. It replaced an older, temporary courthouse. The people of the county decided to move the county seat from Rico to Dove Creek in 1947. This change happened because more farmers and ranchers lived in Dove Creek. They outnumbered the miners in the eastern part of the county.
The courthouse is next to Dolores County High School. Most businesses in Dove Creek are now found along US 491. A large concrete building for storing beans is a well-known landmark on the west side of town.
Climate in Dove Creek
Dove Creek has a climate with warm summers and cold winters. Here is a quick look at the average temperatures:
| Climate data for Dove Creek, Colorado (1991–2020) | |||||||||||||
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| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Mean daily maximum °F (°C) | 37.7 (3.2) |
41.8 (5.4) |
50.4 (10.2) |
58.8 (14.9) |
68.7 (20.4) |
81.2 (27.3) |
86.6 (30.3) |
82.9 (28.3) |
75.0 (23.9) |
61.7 (16.5) |
49.3 (9.6) |
38.3 (3.5) |
61.0 (16.1) |
| Daily mean °F (°C) | 27.5 (−2.5) |
31.2 (−0.4) |
39.1 (3.9) |
45.5 (7.5) |
55.0 (12.8) |
66.3 (19.1) |
72.2 (22.3) |
69.6 (20.9) |
62.1 (16.7) |
49.6 (9.8) |
38.2 (3.4) |
28.4 (−2.0) |
48.7 (9.3) |
| Mean daily minimum °F (°C) | 17.3 (−8.2) |
20.6 (−6.3) |
27.8 (−2.3) |
32.1 (0.1) |
41.2 (5.1) |
51.5 (10.8) |
57.8 (14.3) |
56.2 (13.4) |
49.2 (9.6) |
37.5 (3.1) |
27.0 (−2.8) |
18.5 (−7.5) |
36.4 (2.4) |
| Source: NOAA | |||||||||||||
People of Dove Creek
Population Changes Over Time
The number of people living in Dove Creek has changed over the years.
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1940 | 418 | — | |
| 1950 | 702 | 67.9% | |
| 1960 | 986 | 40.5% | |
| 1970 | 619 | −37.2% | |
| 1980 | 826 | 33.4% | |
| 1990 | 643 | −22.2% | |
| 2000 | 698 | 8.6% | |
| 2010 | 735 | 5.3% | |
| 2020 | 635 | −13.6% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
In 2000, there were 698 people living in Dove Creek. About 96% of the people were White. A small number were Native American or from other backgrounds. About 4% of the population was of Hispanic or Latino origin. The average age in town was 39 years old.
Economy and Jobs
Local Industries
The economy of Dove Creek is mostly based on farming. The Dolores County Industrial Park is located west of town. A plant there makes vegetable oil from crops like sunflowers and canola grown in the area. This plant might also make biodiesel in the future. The industrial park also has other businesses.
Adobe Milling is a company located on the east side of town. They sell different kinds of locally grown beans and other traditional foods from the Southwestern region.
Main Employers
The biggest employers in Dove Creek are the county government and the local school district. Many businesses in town help support the farms and ranches. Some businesses also provide services for people traveling on the highway.
Community News
The Dove Creek Press
The Dove Creek Press is a weekly newspaper for the community. Kathleen "Kat" Keesling has owned and operated it since January 2017. The newspaper office is on Main Street in Dove Creek.
The Dove Creek Press first started publishing on May 10, 1940. It was eight pages long and cost $2 per year for a subscription.
See also
In Spanish: Dove Creek (Colorado) para niños
