Battlement Mesa, Colorado

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Battlement Mesa is a census-designated place (CDP) and post office in and governed by Garfield County, Colorado, United States. The CDP is a part of the Glenwood Springs, CO Micropolitan Statistical Area. The Battlement Mesa post office has the ZIP Codes 81635 and 81636 (for post office boxes).<ref name=ZIPcode/> At the United States Census 2020, the population of the Battlement Mesa CDP was 5,438.<ref name="Census 2020" /> The Battlement Mesa Metropolitan District provides services.

Description

The community, which bills itself as a "covenant-controlled community", is primarily a group of contiguous subdivisions developed in the later decades of the 20th century, catering to families and retirees. It is located on the flank of a hill on the south side of the Colorado River, across from the older town of Parachute. The two communities together are known as "Parachute-Battlement Mesa". The town takes its name from Battlement Mesa, an Template:Convert basalt-topped mesa that sits to the south of the town.

History

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The Battlement Mesa Schoolhouse in 1981, prior to its restoration

The community was first developed by an oil company as a residence for its workers in the expectation that the rising price of oil would make shale oil extraction economically viable. When adjusted oil prices fell, the housing estate was left as a stranded asset, and the oil company marketed it to retirees in conjunction with a real estate firm.Template:Citation needed

Battlement Mesa Schoolhouse

The Battlement Mesa Schoolhouse, located at 7201 300 Road, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The rear portion of the building was built in 1897 with stone from a local quarry. The front portion was added in 1907, also using stone from the same quarry. By the late 1940s, the building was no longer used as a schoolhouse but was used for community gatherings and events. However, the local population declined, and the schoolhouse fell into disuse and was looted and vandalized.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In 2003, the State Historical Fund awarded a grant to The Grand Valley Historical Society to restore the school building.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>Template:Clear left

Geography

Battlement Mesa is located in Garfield County on the south side of the Colorado River. It is bordered to the northwest, across the river, by the town of Parachute. Interstate 70 passes through Parachute, providing access to Battlement Mesa from Exit 75. I-70 leads east Template:Convert to Glenwood Springs, the Garfield County seat, and southwest Template:Convert to Grand Junction. Denver is Template:Convert east via I-70.

At the 2020 United States census, the Battlement Mesa CDP had an area of Template:Convert, including Template:Convert of water.<ref name=CO_CDP_2020/>

Climate

This climatic region is typified by large seasonal temperature differences, with warm to hot summers and cold (sometimes severely cold) winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Battlement Mesa has a humid continental climate, abbreviated "Dfb" on climate maps.<ref>Climate Summary for Battlement Mesa, Colorado</ref> Template:Weather box

Demographics

Template:Historical populations The United States Census Bureau initially defined the Template:Nowrap for the Template:Nowrap Template:Clear left

Education

Battlement Mesa is served by Garfield County School District 16, which also serves the neighboring town of Parachute.

References

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External links

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