Elbert County

"Boom" is a term aptly applied to Elbert County, the Central Plains' most populated county and one of the nation's fastest growing counties. Many families who work in the Denver metro area have moved to nearby western Elbert County to leave the commotion of the city behind and enjoy a quiet country lifestyle.

Founded in 1859 as a logging center, Elizabeth sits at 6,450 feet--over a thousand feet higher than the Mile High City. Only 20 minutes from Denver, Elizabeth and nearby Kiowa offer the perfect backdrop for new business parks and light manufacturing companies. And with its homespun values still intact, Elbert County is an ideal location to raise a family. Dense Ponderosa forests still cover the area, thickening into the Black Forest as Elbert slopes into El Paso County.

Farther east and south into the county, is the town of Simla where the lifestyle is definitely still rural, but never boring. This part of Elbert County unfolds into gently rolling prairies dotted with splendid evergreen growth and spectacular Front Range views. Out here, agriculture is king with farmland occupying 93 percent of the total area.

For a closer look at Elbert county, please visit the following sites: www.elbertcounty-co.gov.

Demographics

Population: 19,872; a 75 percent increase since the 1990 census
Land area: 1,854 square miles.
Population density: 8.7 persons per square mile.
Elevations range from 5,000 to 7,350 feet. The Palmer Divide is the county's east-west spine, from which waters flow north to the Platte or south to the Arkansas.
Annual precipitation ranges from 15 to 18 inches.
January mean temperature is 29°. July mean temperature is 74°.

Life

Many of Elbert County's residents work in Denver or the suburbs but live in nearby western Elbert County so they can enjoy a more rural lifestyle and feel more secure in their homes and schools. The area is made up primarily of ranch land and farms, with gently rolling grasslands and plenty of wild life. Residents in eastern Elbert County, on the other hand, enjoy a more rural way of life. This area is comprised of gently rolling prairies and is unique with its more variable elevation and beautiful evergreen growth. For horse lovers, Elbert County is definitely the place to be.

Kiowa is the home of the Kiowa Cowboy Up Rodeo and the Elbert County Fair. The county fair offers a wide variety of arts and crafts, animals, and several rodeo events. The town's country charm hasn't changed much over the years.

One of the largest towns in Elbert County is Elizabeth, which is home to the Elizabeth Stampede, a PRCA Rodeo held in annually in early June. In addition to the great rodeo events, there are also many other activities such as several summer music festivals featuring folk and bluegrass music.

Economy

In spite of the population growth, farms and ranchland still make up much of the county's land, and agriculture is still the predominant single industry in Elbert County. Primary cash crops are grass hay and alfalfa. Stock raising is a thriving legacy of pioneer days.

Retail and service businesses along with new and expanded light manufacturing concerns have doubled during the last decade to meet the needs of the growing population. You'll find a wide range of companies ranging from high tech and medical equipment, to commercial greenhouses, antique shops and plastic toy manufacturers.

Renewable energy is abundant on Colorado's Central Plains. In early 2011, 34 wind turbines were constructed northwest of Burlington generating a total of 51 megawatts of electricity. In early 2014, it was announced that a 150-megawatt wind farm will be built in Kit Carson County by NextEra Energy within the next two years. The Cedar Point wind project (a joint effort between Enbridge and Renewable Energy Systems Americas, Inc.) has 139 turbines capable of generating up to 252 megawatts of electrical power located in both Lincoln and Elbert Counties north and west of Limon. At the end of 2013, Limon I and II (Centennial Wind Farms) were online with one hundred twenty-five (125) 1.6mw turbines each, producing an additional 400 mw of renewable energy. NextEra was under construction at the end of 2013 for Limon III which will add more than 100 towers generating an additional 200 MW of power. When Limon III is completed, this will increase the total wind production in Lincoln County to 852 MW.

For information on the business climate in Elizabeth, contact the Elizabeth Chamber of Commerce at (303) 646-4287.

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