Editing Hot Sulphur Springs, Colorado

{{short description|Town in Colorado, United States}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{Infobox settlement
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 | official_name            = Hot Sulphur Springs, Colorado
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 | subdivision_type2        = [[List of counties in Colorado|County]]
 | subdivision_name2        = [[Grand County, Colorado|Grand County Seat]]<ref name=COMun>{{cite web |url=http://www.dola.state.co.us/dlg/local_governments/municipalities.html |title=Active Colorado Municipalities |publisher=[[Colorado|State of Colorado]], Department of Local Affairs |accessdate=September 1, 2007 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20091212060308/http://www.dola.state.co.us/dlg/local_governments/municipalities.html |archivedate=December 12, 2009 }}</ref>
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 | established_title        = Established
 | established_date         = 1860
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 | established_date2        = April 1, 1903<ref name=MuniIncCO>{{cite web | url = http://www.colorado.gov/dpa/doit/archives/muninc.html | title = Colorado Municipal Incorporations | publisher = [[Colorado|State of Colorado]], Department of Personnel & Administration, Colorado State Archives | date = December 1, 2004 | accessdate = September 2, 2007}}</ref>
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 | area_total_km2           = 1.99
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<!-- Population   ----------------------->
 | population_as_of         = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
 | population_footnotes     = <ref name="Census 2020">{{cite web |url=https://data.census.gov/profile/Hot_Sulphur_Springs_town,_Colorado?g=160XX00US0837600 |title=Hot Sulphur Springs town; Colorado |author=United States Census Bureau|date= |website= |publisher= |access-date=April 23, 2023 |quote=}}</ref>
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 | population_total         = 687
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 | timezone                 = [[Mountain Time Zone|MST]]
 | utc_offset               = -7
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 | utc_offset_DST           = -6
 | coordinates              = {{coord|40|04|30|N|106|06|11|W|region:US_type:city|display=inline,title}}
 | elevation_footnotes      = <ref name=gnis/>
 | elevation_ft             = 7697
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 | postal_code              = 80451 ([[PO Box]])
 | area_code                = [[Area code 970|970]]
 | blank_name               = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
 | blank_info               = 08-37600
 | blank1_name              = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
 | blank1_info              = 2412770<ref name=gnis>{{GNIS|2412770}}</ref>
 | website                  = {{URL|www.hotsulphurspringsco.com}}
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}}

'''Hot Sulphur Springs''' is a [[List of cities and towns in Colorado#Statutory town|statutory town]] and the [[county seat]] of [[Grand County, Colorado|Grand County]], [[Colorado]], United States.<ref name="GR6">{{cite web|url=http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx |accessdate=June 7, 2011 |title=Find a County |publisher=National Association of Counties |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110531210815/http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx |archivedate=May 31, 2011 }}</ref> The town is located near [[Byers Canyon]] between [[Granby, Colorado|Granby]] and [[Kremmling, Colorado|Kremmling]], {{convert|95|mi}} northwest of [[Denver]] and {{convert|30|mi}} northwest of [[Winter Park, Colorado|Winter Park]]. The town population was 687 at the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]].<ref name="Census 2020" /> Its elevation is {{convert|7680|ft}}.

==History==
Hot Sulphur Springs was originally a winter campground for [[Native Americans in the United States|Native Americans]] who came to use the [[hot spring]]s for medicinal purposes. In 1840 [[William Newton Byers]], founder of the ''[[Rocky Mountain News]]'', was the first European American to document the springs. The town was established in 1860, making it the oldest town in the county, originally named "Saratoga West" and sometimes called "Warm Springs".

In 1863, the town site was bought by Byers in a backroom deal with a Minnesota [[Sioux]] woman{{citation needed|date=November 2023}} despite a treaty naming the [[Ute people|Ute tribe]] as the lawful owners{{citation needed|date=November 2023}}, who unsuccessfully sued Byers, while Byers and territorial governors [[William Gilpin (governor)|William Gilpin]] and [[John Evans (Colorado governor)|John Evans]] launched a "The Utes Must Go" campaign with the help of the U.S. Cavalry{{citation needed|date=November 2023}}. Wishing to create a world-famous spa and resort ("the American Switzerland"), Byers changed the name and surveyed, platted, and named the streets, attracting famous visitors including [[Zane Grey]] and [[John Wesley Powell]].<ref>Deborah Frazier George, ''Colorado's Hot Springs'', 2nd edition, 2000, pp. 18-19.</ref> The first pool house was built ca. 1900.

When Grand County was formed, Hot Sulphur Springs was the first county seat from 1874 to 1882, after which it moved to [[Grand Lake, Colorado|Grand Lake]]. The county seat returned in 1888 and has been there ever since.

Byers died on March 25, 1903. The town was incorporated on April 1, 1903.<ref name=MuniIncCO/> His original family cabin is located at 204 Byers Avenue along what is now [[U.S. Route 40|Highway 40]]. The building is currently the county's only [[mortuary]].

The first [[winter carnival]] in Hot Sulphur Springs was held on December 31, 1911. The success of this event led to a three-day carnival which took place on February 10–12, 1912. The following winter, a second annual winter carnival was planned in conjunction with the first Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Carnival. This series of events led to the creation of [[Howelsen Hill Ski Area]] in Steamboat Springs, and is credited with playing a large role in the birth of the Colorado ski industry.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.coloradoskiauthority.com/history/ski-resort-timeline/|title = Colorado Ski History Timeline}}</ref>

The big plans of Byers were prevented by the slow arrival of the railroad in 1928 (after the construction of the [[Moffat Tunnel]]), and eventually the railroad quit stopping there, although the town is still a resort attracting many visitors. The first lodging rooms opened in 1926.

In 1997 the resort was extensively renovated, and the Ute tribal spiritual leader blessed the waters at the opening ceremony, attended by almost 1,000, which welcomed the Utes to use the springs once again.

Payday was always the last day of the month and was considered a dangerous day because of the many gunfights that occurred. Because Halloween is October 31, the last day of the month, the people of the town celebrated Halloween on the 30th to keep children safe, which continues to the present day.

The Pioneer Village Museum is also located in Hot Sulphur Springs.

==Geography==
Hot Sulphur Springs is located in central Grand County, along the [[Colorado River]], just east (upstream) of where the river enters Byers Canyon. [[U.S. Route 40]] passes through the center of town as Byers Avenue; it leads {{convert|10|mi|0}} east to [[Granby, Colorado|Granby]], the largest town in the county, and {{convert|17|mi}} west to [[Kremmling, Colorado|Kremmling]]. The [[Byers Canyon Shooting Range]] west of town is part of the [[Colorado Parks and Wildlife]] Hot Sulphur Springs State [[Wildlife area|Wildlife Area]] providing a winter foraging area for [[Big-game hunting|big game]] animals.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://cpw.state.co.us/swa/Hot%20Sulphur%20Springs%20SWA%20-%20Byers%20Canyon%20Rifle%20Range |title=Hot Sulphur Springs SWA - Byers Canyon Rifle Range |publisher=[[Colorado Parks and Wildlife]] |accessdate=November 2, 2023 }}</ref>

According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the town has a total area of {{convert|2.0|km2|order=flip}}, all of it land.<ref name="Census 2010">{{Cite web| url=http://factfinder2.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/G001/1600000US0837600| title=Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Demographic Profile Data (G001): Hot Sulphur Springs town, Colorado| publisher=U.S. Census Bureau| work=American Factfinder| accessdate=November 18, 2016}}{{dead link|bot=medic|date=April 2020}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref>

===Climate===
This climate type is dominated by the winter season, a long, cold period with short, clear days, relatively little precipitation mostly in the form of snow, and low humidity. The climate is similar to that of nearby [[Kremmling, Colorado#Climate|Kremmling]].

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|align=left
|1880= 100
|1910= 182
|1920= 123
|1930= 142
|1940= 235
|1950= 263
|1960= 237
|1970= 220
|1980= 405
|1990= 347
|2000= 521
|2010= 663
|2020= 687
|footnote=[[United States census|U.S. Decennial Census]]
}}
<!--As of the [[census]]<ref name="GR2">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|accessdate=January 31, 2008|title=U.S. Census website}}</ref> of 2000, there were 521 people, 196 households, and 131 families residing in the town. The population density was {{convert|674.5|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 227 housing units at an average density of {{convert|293.9|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|units&nbsp;|units|}}. The racial makeup of the town was 94.82% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 0.38% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 1.92% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 2.11% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 0.77% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 7.10% of the population.

There were 196 households, out of which 32.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.7% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 5.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.7% were non-families. 25.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.45 and the average family size was 2.98.

[[Image:Hot Sulphur Springs sign.JPG|250px|right|thumb|The welcome sign at the west end of town on Byers Avenue.]]

In the town, the population was spread out, with 24.4% under the age of 18, 9.0% from 18 to 24, 34.7% from 25 to 44, 25.7% from 45 to 64, and 6.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 122.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 134.5 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $39,306, and the median income for a family was $46,000. Males had a median income of $42,431 versus $20,208 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the town was $24,012. About 2.3% of families and 5.7% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 4.0% of those under age 18 and 9.1% of those age 65 or over.-->{{clear|left}}

== Hot springs ==
The natural thermal springs at Hot Sulphur Springs are located in just outside the town limits on the west side of the Colorado River. The natural hot springs are heated from geothermal activity. Historically, the indigenous [[Ute people]] used the springs, but as more European settlers, and American soldiers arrived in the area they were pushed out although the court system declared the Utes the rightful owners. In more recent years a resort has been built at the hot springs that offers several soaking pools and tubs with temperatures ranging from 98&nbsp;°F to 112&nbsp;°F.<ref name="GHC" />

===Water profile===
The hot mineral water emerges from the source at 125&nbsp;°F / 52&nbsp;°C at a rate of 200,000 gallons per day. The mineral content of the water consists of calcium (15ppm), chloride (145ppm), fluoride (11ppm), lithium (1.3ppm), magnesium (3.2ppm), potassium (24ppm), sodium (435ppm), sulfate (145ppm). Trace minerals include arsenic, iron, manganese and zinc.<ref name="GHC">{{cite journal |last1=Lund |first1=John W. |title=Hot Sulphur Springs, Colorado |journal=GHC Bulletin, Oregon Tech |date=September 2006 |pages=13–14 |url=https://oregontechsfcdn.azureedge.net/oregontech/docs/default-source/geoheat-center-documents/quarterly-bulletin/vol-27/art6867dee4362a663989f6fff0000ea57bb.pdf?sfvrsn=1bdb8d60_4 |access-date=July 7, 2022}}</ref>

==See also==
{{portal|Colorado}}
*[[Arapaho National Forest]]
{{clear}}

==References==
{{reflist|2}}

==External links==
*[http://www.HotSulphurSpringsCO.com Town of Hot Sulphur Springs official website]
*[http://www.hsschamber.com Hot Sulphur Springs Chamber of Commerce]
*[http://www.co.grand.co.us/ Grand County Government]
*[http://grandcountyhistory.org/museums/pioneer-village-museum/ Pioneer Village Museum]
*[http://dtdapps.coloradodot.info/staticdata/Downloads/CityMaps/HOT%20SULPHUR%20SPRINGS.pdf CDOT map of the Town of Hot Sulphur Springs]

{{Grand County, Colorado}}
{{Colorado|collapsed}}
{{Colorado county seats}}

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[[Category:Towns in Grand County, Colorado]]
[[Category:Towns in Colorado]]
[[Category:County seats in Colorado]]
[[Category:Hot springs of Colorado]]
[[Category:Spa towns in the United States]]