Las Animas County

Las Animas County, Colorado

PO Box 115
Trinidad, CO 81082
Phone: (719) 846-3314
Fax: (719) 845-2573
www.trinidadco.com/Main/CityCounty.asp

On southeastern border of CO, south of Pueblo; organized Feb 9, 1866 from Huerfano County (prior to statehood). Name Origin: From part of the original name of the Purgatoire River, which runs through the county, El Rio de las Animas Perdidas en Purgatorio, Spanish 'river of souls lost in Purgatory,' in memory of people killed at the river by Indians c. 1595 who died without absolution. Shortened to El Purgatorio; then to its present form by French trappers; also known by Americanized Picketwire.

Area (sq mi):: 4775.42 (land 4772.63; water 2.79) Population per square mile: 3.20
Population 2005: 15,446 State rank: 29 Population change: 2000-20005 1.60%; 1990-2000 10.50% Population 2000: 15,207 (White 55.20%; Black or African American 0.40%; Hispanic or Latino 41.50%; Asian 0.40%; Other 16.50%). Foreign born: 2.30%. Median age: 40.90
Income 2000: per capita $16,829; median household $28,273; Population below poverty level: 17.30% Personal per capita income (2000-2003): $19,880-$21,865
Unemployment (2004): 5.40% Unemployment change (from 2000): 1.00% Median travel time to work: 20.60 minutes Working outside county of residence: 9.80%
Cities with population over 10,000: None
See other counties in Colorado.