Branson is a statutory town located in Las Animas County, Colorado, United States. It is a ranching community today. Farming in the area was severely impacted by the Dust Bowl of the 1930s and the population of Branson and its region has since been declining.

Branson was recognized in the 21st century for its successful online school which drew students from all over Colorado. Education joined ranching as the principal economic activities of the region.

History

Branson was first known as Wilson, or Wilson Switch; then as Coloflats. The Coloflats, Colorado, post office opened on August 19, 1915, and the name was changed to Branson on July 30, 1918. The town was named for Josiah F. Branson (1867–1944) who platted the town on his land. The Town of Branson was incorporated on March 26, 1921.

As a measure of the village's isolation, residents of Branson and vicinity shop in Trinidad, an hour's drive away. of 2000, there were 77 people, 37 households, and 24 families residing in the town. The population density was . There were 43 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the town was 97.40% White, 1.30% Native American, and 1.30% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 19.48% of the population.

There were 37 households, out of which 32.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.9% were married couples living together, 16.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.1% were non-families. 35.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 18.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.08 and the average family size was 2.63.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 26.0% under the age of 18, 1.3% from 18 to 24, 29.9% from 25 to 44, 20.8% from 45 to 64, and 22.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females, there were 71.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 62.9 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $24,583, and the median income for a family was $23,214. Males had a median income of $19,167 versus $20,000 for females. The per capita income for the town was $14,933. There were 26.9% of families and 25.0% of the population living below the poverty line, including 33.3% of under eighteens and none of those over 64.

Branson online school

In 2001, Branson's K-12 (kindergarten to grade twelve) school, which draws students from up to from the village, was down to forty-one students. Two teachers (out of a total number of eight) had been laid off. The school building, dating from 1923, was decrepit. J. Alan Aufderheide, the superintendent of the Branson school began developing online classes for students and expanded this idea into an online school for students anywhere in Colorado. The state of Colorado paid for a computer and internet connection for online students as well as per-capita funding to schools. Branson school teachers worked with students online and by telephone.

See also

  • Black Mesa
  • List of municipalities in Colorado
  • List of populated places in Colorado
  • List of post offices in Colorado

References

  • Town of Branson
  • State of Colorado
  • History Colorado
  • History, photos and information on Sangres.com
  • Branson School Online Branson School Online
  • Branson history
  • Article in the New York Times on Branson School Online