Dolores, Colorado
Encyclopedia
The town of Dolores is a Statutory Town in Montezuma County
, Colorado
, United States
. The population was 936 at the 2010 census
. It is one of three incorporated municipalities in the county.
Dolores (Spanish for "sorrow" and named for the river on which it is located) is located at the mouth of the Dolores Valley and the upper reaches of McPhee Reservoir
, approximately 40 miles from the Four Corners Monument
. Established as a station on the Rio Grande Southern Railroad
, it replaced the earlier town, Big Bend, now covered by McPhee Reservoir
. McPhee Reservoir is named for a company town
founded by New Mexico Lumber Company, that is now covered by the reservoir.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the town has a total area of 0.7 square miles (1.8 km²), all land.
The town is confined to a narrow valley bottom along the Dolores River
near the point where the river turns from flowing southward out of the San Juan Mountains
to the north. Built-up areas outside the town limits include extensive residential, commercial, and minor-industrial areas upstream in the valley floor, on Summit Ridge to the south-southwest, and on high ground to the west, at the intersections of Colorado Highways 145 and 184.
of 2010, there were 936 people, 431 households, and 236 families residing in the town. The population density
was 1,337.1 people per square mile (520.0/km²). There were 501 housing units at an average density of 715.7 per square mile (278.3/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 90.38% White, 2.14% Native American, 0.11% Asian, 0.21% Pacific Islander, 3.42% from other races
, and 3.74% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 10.90% of the population.
There were 431 households out of which 25.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 38.5% were married couples
living together, 12.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 45.2% were non-families. 39.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.15 and the average family size was 2.92.
In the town the population was spread out with 22.5% under the age of 18, 7.5% from 18 to 24, 26.0% from 25 to 44, 28.6% from 45 to 64, and 16.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44.7 years. For every 100 females there were 99.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 99.7 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $30,417, and the median income for a family was $32,188. Males had a median income of $27,404 versus $19,286 for females. The per capita income
for the town was $14,912. About 16.6% of families and 17.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 24.1% of those under age 18 and 11.6% of those age 65 or over.
Other historic sites added to the Colorado State Register of Historic Properties
and National Register of Historic Places
include:
Montezuma County, Colorado
Montezuma County is the southwesternmost of the 64 counties of the state of Colorado of the United States. The county population was 23,830 at U.S. Census 2000...
, Colorado
Colorado
Colorado is a U.S. state that encompasses much of the Rocky Mountains as well as the northeastern portion of the Colorado Plateau and the western edge of the Great Plains...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The population was 936 at the 2010 census
United States Census, 2010
The Twenty-third United States Census, known as Census 2010 or the 2010 Census, is the current national census of the United States. National Census Day was April 1, 2010 and is the reference date used in enumerating individuals...
. It is one of three incorporated municipalities in the county.
Dolores (Spanish for "sorrow" and named for the river on which it is located) is located at the mouth of the Dolores Valley and the upper reaches of McPhee Reservoir
McPhee Reservoir
McPhee Reservoir is located in Montezuma County, Colorado, United States. It is the second largest artificial body of water in Colorado. It was constructed and is operated by the United States Bureau of Reclamation as part of the Dolores Project, and dams the Dolores River to furnish irrigation...
, approximately 40 miles from the Four Corners Monument
Four Corners Monument
The Four Corners Monument marks the quadripoint in the Southwestern United States where the states of Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico and Utah meet. It is the only point in the United States shared by four states, leading to this area being called the Four Corners region...
. Established as a station on the Rio Grande Southern Railroad
Rio Grande Southern Railroad
The Rio Grande Southern Railroad was a narrow gauge railroad which ran from Durango to Ridgway in the western part of the US state of Colorado...
, it replaced the earlier town, Big Bend, now covered by McPhee Reservoir
McPhee Reservoir
McPhee Reservoir is located in Montezuma County, Colorado, United States. It is the second largest artificial body of water in Colorado. It was constructed and is operated by the United States Bureau of Reclamation as part of the Dolores Project, and dams the Dolores River to furnish irrigation...
. McPhee Reservoir is named for a company town
Company town
A company town is a town or city in which much or all real estate, buildings , utilities, hospitals, small businesses such as grocery stores and gas stations, and other necessities or luxuries of life within its borders are owned by a single company...
founded by New Mexico Lumber Company, that is now covered by the reservoir.
Geography
Dolores is located at 37°28′28"N 108°29′54"W (37.474540, -108.498294).According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the town has a total area of 0.7 square miles (1.8 km²), all land.
The town is confined to a narrow valley bottom along the Dolores River
Dolores River
The Dolores River is a tributary of the Colorado River, approximately 250 mi long, in the U.S. states of Colorado and Utah....
near the point where the river turns from flowing southward out of the San Juan Mountains
San Juan Mountains
The San Juan Mountains are a high and rugged mountain range in the Rocky Mountains in southwestern Colorado. The area is highly mineralized and figured in the gold and silver mining industry of early Colorado. Major towns, all old mining camps, include Creede, Lake City, Silverton, Ouray, and...
to the north. Built-up areas outside the town limits include extensive residential, commercial, and minor-industrial areas upstream in the valley floor, on Summit Ridge to the south-southwest, and on high ground to the west, at the intersections of Colorado Highways 145 and 184.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2010, there were 936 people, 431 households, and 236 families residing in the town. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 1,337.1 people per square mile (520.0/km²). There were 501 housing units at an average density of 715.7 per square mile (278.3/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 90.38% White, 2.14% Native American, 0.11% Asian, 0.21% Pacific Islander, 3.42% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 3.74% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 10.90% of the population.
There were 431 households out of which 25.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 38.5% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 12.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 45.2% were non-families. 39.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.15 and the average family size was 2.92.
In the town the population was spread out with 22.5% under the age of 18, 7.5% from 18 to 24, 26.0% from 25 to 44, 28.6% from 45 to 64, and 16.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44.7 years. For every 100 females there were 99.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 99.7 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $30,417, and the median income for a family was $32,188. Males had a median income of $27,404 versus $19,286 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the town was $14,912. About 16.6% of families and 17.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 24.1% of those under age 18 and 11.6% of those age 65 or over.
History
The following are Dolores area historic sites of the Ancient Pueblo People:- Anasazi Heritage CenterAnasazi Heritage CenterAnasazi Heritage Center, located in Dolores, Colorado, is an archaeological museum of Native American pueblo and hunter-gatherer cultures. Two 12th-century archaeological sites, the Escalante and Dominguez Pueblos, at the center were once home to Ancient Pueblo Peoples...
, also known as the Anasazi Archeological District, and the on-site Escalanti Pueblo are listed on the Colorado State Register of Historic PropertiesColorado State Register of Historic PropertiesColorado State Register of Historic Properties, administered by the Colorado Historical Society Office of Archaeology and Historic Preservation, is a listing of significant historic resources...
and the National Register of Historic Places listings in Montezuma County, ColoradoNational Register of Historic Places listings in Montezuma County, ColoradoThis is a list of the National Register of Historic Places listings in Montezuma County, Colorado. It is intended to be a complete list of the properties and districts on the National Register of Historic Places in Montezuma County, Colorado, United States...
. - Canyons of the Ancients National MonumentCanyons of the Ancients National MonumentCanyons of the Ancients National Monument is located in the southwestern region of the U.S. state of Colorado, and is managed by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management, an agency within the U.S. Department of the Interior...
- O'Brien Site, an Ancient Pueblo settlement of 11 pueblos occupied between AD 1075 - 1150.
Other historic sites added to the Colorado State Register of Historic Properties
Colorado State Register of Historic Properties
Colorado State Register of Historic Properties, administered by the Colorado Historical Society Office of Archaeology and Historic Preservation, is a listing of significant historic resources...
and National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
include:
- Lebannon School, also known as the Lebannon Schoolhouse
- Southern Hotel, also known as Benny's Hogan and the Rio Grande Southern Hotel
See also
- Colorado municipalitiesColorado municipalitiesThe U.S. state of Colorado currently has 271 active incorporated municipalities, including 196 towns, 73 cities, and two consolidated city and county governments.-Municipal government:...
- Dolores RiverDolores RiverThe Dolores River is a tributary of the Colorado River, approximately 250 mi long, in the U.S. states of Colorado and Utah....
- Four Corners region
- Mesa Verde National ParkMesa Verde National ParkMesa Verde National Park is a U.S. National Park and UNESCO World Heritage Site located in Montezuma County, Colorado, United States. It was created in 1906 to protect some of the best-preserved cliff dwellings in the world...
and UNESCOUNESCOThe United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations...
World Heritage SiteWorld Heritage SiteA UNESCO World Heritage Site is a place that is listed by the UNESCO as of special cultural or physical significance... - McPhee ReservoirMcPhee ReservoirMcPhee Reservoir is located in Montezuma County, Colorado, United States. It is the second largest artificial body of water in Colorado. It was constructed and is operated by the United States Bureau of Reclamation as part of the Dolores Project, and dams the Dolores River to furnish irrigation...
- San Juan Skyway National Scenic Byway