Nucla, Colorado facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Nucla, Colorado
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Town hall
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Location in Montrose County, Colorado
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 Nucla, Colorado
Location in the United States
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| Country |  United States |
| State |  Colorado |
| County | Montrose |
| Incorporated (town) | March 14, 1915 |
| Government | |
| • Type | Statutory Town |
| Area | |
| • Total | 0.69 sq mi (1.80 km2) |
| • Land | 0.69 sq mi (1.80 km2) |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2) |
| Elevation | 5,752 ft (1,753 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 585 |
| • Density | 842.9/sq mi (325.4/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-7 (Mountain (MST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-6 (MDT) |
| ZIP code |
81424
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| Area code(s) | 970 |
| FIPS code | 08-54935 |
| GNIS feature ID | 2413058 |
Nucla is a small town in Montrose County, Colorado, United States. In 2020, about 585 people lived there. The town's name comes from the idea that it would be a "nucleus," or central point, for nearby farms and mines. Later, it became known for uranium mining in the area.
Contents
Exploring Nucla's Location
Nucla is found in the southwestern part of Montrose County. It is at the very end of Colorado State Highway 97. This highway goes south about 4 miles (6.4 km) to Naturita, which is another town nearby. The Uncompahgre Plateau, a large flat-topped mountain area, is located to the northeast of Nucla.
The town of Nucla covers a total area of about 0.6 square miles (1.6 square kilometers). All of this area is land.
Nucla's Population Over Time
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1920 | 217 | — | |
| 1930 | 221 | 1.8% | |
| 1940 | 361 | 63.3% | |
| 1950 | 457 | 26.6% | |
| 1960 | 906 | 98.2% | |
| 1970 | 949 | 4.7% | |
| 1980 | 1,027 | 8.2% | |
| 1990 | 656 | −36.1% | |
| 2000 | 734 | 11.9% | |
| 2010 | 711 | −3.1% | |
| 2020 | 585 | −17.7% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
Over the years, Nucla's population has changed. In 1920, there were 217 people. The number grew steadily, reaching its highest point in 1980 with 1,027 residents. Since then, the population has decreased. By 2020, it was 585 people.
In 2000, about 734 people lived in Nucla. Most residents were White, with smaller numbers of Native American and Asian people. A small percentage of the population was of Hispanic or Latino background.
The town had 311 households. About one-third of these households had children under 18 living there. The average household had about 2 to 3 people. The median age in Nucla was 39 years old. This means half the people were younger than 39, and half were older.
A Look at Nucla's Past
The area around Nucla has a long history, with signs of people living there thousands of years ago. Several important ancient sites are located nearby:
- Cottonwood Cave: This is a large rock shelter where people lived as early as 270 BC. Scientists found corn here, showing that farming was happening very early in Colorado.
- Tabeguache Cave: Another ancient rock shelter that was home to early people.
- Tabeguache Pueblo: This site shows an early settlement of the Ancient Pueblo People. They lived here around AD 1100 before moving on.
The town of Nucla itself was started by a group of people called socialists. They believed in sharing resources and working together. The name "Nucla" comes from the word nucleus, meaning a central point.
In 2013, the town board of Nucla passed a rule. This rule asked every head of a household in town, unless they were exempt, to own a firearm.
Well-Known People from Nucla
- W. A. Draves (1912–1994), who started a religious group called the Church of Christ with the Elijah Message.
- Bill Symons, a famous Canadian Football player who is in the Canadian Football Hall of Fame.
See also
In Spanish: Nucla (Colorado) para niños
