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Fort Garland, Colorado facts for kids

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Fort Garland, Colorado
Fort Garland from the south.
Fort Garland from the south.
Location of the Fort Garland CDP in Costilla County, Colorado.
Location of the Fort Garland CDP in Costilla County, Colorado.
Fort Garland, Colorado is located in the United States
Fort Garland, Colorado
Fort Garland, Colorado
Location in the United States
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
7,937 ft (2,419 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total 464
 • Density 1,235.1/sq mi (476.9/km2)
Time zone UTC-7 (MST)
 • Summer (DST) UTC-6 (MDT)
ZIP code
81133
Area code(s) 719
GNIS feature 2408238

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 2020, the population of the Fort Garland CDP was 464.

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 / 37.429477; -105.435280. 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
Year Pop. ±%
2000 432 —    
2010 433 +0.2%
2020 464 +7.2%
Source: United States Census Bureau

Modern amenities

Wagon and sign for the Ute Cafe in Fort Garland, Colorado LCCN2015632578
Ute Cafe in Fort Garland

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.

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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.

See also

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