Bent County is a county located in the U.S. state of Colorado. As of the 2020 census, its population was 5,650. The county seat and only incorporated municipality is Las Animas. The county is named in honor of frontier trader William Bent.

History

As Colorado experienced population growth following the American Civil War, government had to be closer to the people for commerce and justice to be better served in growing communities. Territorial Bent County was created in February 1870, followed by Greenwood County the following month. The June 1, 1870, Federal Census was several months away and plans were being made to apply for statehood. On February 2, 1874, Grand County and Elbert County were formed. On February 6, 1874, Greenwood County was dissolved and divided between Bent and Elbert Counties. At the time of this annexation, Bent County included a large portion of southeastern Colorado. In 1889, Bent County acquired its current borders when it was partitioned to create Cheyenne, Lincoln, Kiowa, Otero, and Prowers Counties.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of , of which (1.8%) are covered by water.

Adjacent counties

  • Kiowa County - north
  • Prowers County - east
  • Baca County - southeast
  • Las Animas County - southwest
  • Otero County - west

Major highways

  • 20px U.S. Highway 50
  • 20px State Highway 101
  • 20px State Highway 109
  • 20px State Highway 194
  • 20px State Highway 196

State protected area

  • John Martin Reservoir State Park

Trails and byway

  • American Discovery Trail
  • Santa Fe National Historic Trail
  • Santa Fe Trail National Scenic Byway

Demographics

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Communities

Cities

  • Las Animas

Census-designated places

  • Hasty
  • McClave

Unincorporated places

  • Able
  • Boggsville
  • Caddoa
  • Fort Lyon
  • Marlman
  • Melina
  • Ninaview
  • Prowers

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Image:Bent County Democrat newspaper, Las Animas, CO IMG_5732.JPG|Bent County Democrat newspaper in Las Animas

Image:Bent County, CO, rodeo arena IMG_5725.JPG|Bent County rodeo arena

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See also

  • Bibliography of Colorado
  • Geography of Colorado
  • History of Colorado
  • Arapahoe County, Kansas Territory
  • Arrappahoe County, Jefferson Territory
  • Arapahoe County, Colorado Territory
  • Greenwood County, Colorado Territory
  • George W. Swink, retailer and cattleman
  • National Register of Historic Places listings in Bent County, Colorado
  • Index of Colorado-related articles
  • List of Colorado-related lists
  • List of counties in Colorado
  • Outline of Colorado

References

  • State of Colorado
  • History Colorado
  • Bent County Government website
  • Colorado County Evolution by Don Stanwyck