Editing Meeker, Colorado

{{short description|Town in and county seat of Rio Blanco County, Colorado, United States}}
{{More citations needed|date=August 2024}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{Infobox settlement
<!-- Basic info  ---------------->
| name               = Meeker, Colorado
| nickname           = 
| settlement_type    = [[List of cities and towns in Colorado#Statutory town|Statutory Town]]
| motto              = The river runs through it.{{citation needed|date=April 2024}}
<!-- images and maps  ----------->
| image_skyline      = 2010-1101-MeekerCO.jpg
| imagesize          = 
| image_caption      = Aerial view of Meeker, November 2010
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| image_map          = File:Rio Blanco County Colorado Incorporated and Unincorporated areas Meeker Highlighted 0849875.svg
| mapsize            = 250x200px
| map_caption        = Location of Meeker in Rio Blanco County, Colorado.
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<!-- Location ------------------>
| subdivision_type   = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
| subdivision_name   = {{USA}}
| subdivision_type1  = [[U.S. state|State]]
| subdivision_name1  = {{flag|Colorado|name=State of Colorado}}
| subdivision_type2  = [[List of counties in Colorado|County]]
| subdivision_name2  = [[Rio Blanco County, Colorado|Rio Blanco]] ([[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 |access-date=September 1, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091212060308/http://www.dola.state.co.us/dlg/local_governments/municipalities.html |archive-date=December 12, 2009 }}</ref>
| subdivision_type3  = 
| subdivision_name3  = 
| subdivision_type4  = 
| subdivision_name4  = 
<!-- Politics ----------------->
| government_footnotes = 
| government_type    = [[Colorado municipalities#Statutory town|Statutory Town]]<ref name=COMun/>
| leader_title       = [[Mayor]]
| leader_name        = Kent Borchard<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.townofmeeker.org/trustees.htm | title = Board of Trustees | publisher = Town of Meeker Colorado Government Website, Meeker Colorado | access-date = December 29, 2011 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120110011427/http://www.townofmeeker.org/trustees.htm | archive-date = January 10, 2012 }}</ref>
| leader_title1      = <!-- for places with, say, both a mayor and a city manager -->
| leader_name1       = 
| leader_title2      = 
| leader_name2       = 
| established_title  = Founded
| established_date   = 1883
| established_title2 = [[municipal corporation|Incorporated]]
| established_date2  = 1885-11-10<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 | access-date = September 2, 2007}}</ref>
| established_title3 = <!-- Incorporated (city) -->
| established_date3  = 
<!-- Area    --------------------->
| area_magnitude     = 
| unit_pref          = Imperial
| area_footnotes     = <ref name="CenPopGazetteer2019">{{cite web|title=2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2019_Gazetteer/2019_gaz_place_08.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=July 1, 2020}}</ref>
| area_total_km2     = 9.30
| area_land_km2      = 9.30
| area_water_km2     = 0.00
| area_total_sq_mi   = 3.59
| area_land_sq_mi    = 3.59
| area_water_sq_mi   = 0.00
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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/Meeker_town,_Colorado?g=160XX00US0849875 |title=Meeker town; Colorado |author=United States Census Bureau|date= |website= |publisher= |access-date=April 20, 2023 |quote=}}</ref>
| population_note    = 
| population_total   = 2374
| population_density_km2 = auto
| population_density_sq_mi = auto
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<!-- General information  --------------->
| timezone           = [[Mountain Time Zone|MST]]
| utc_offset         = -7
| timezone_DST       = [[Mountain Time Zone|MDT]]
| utc_offset_DST     = -6
| coordinates        = {{coord|40|03|00|N|107|53|40|W|region:US_type:city|display=inline,title}}
| elevation_footnotes = <ref name=gnis/>
| elevation_ft       = 6444
<!-- Area/postal codes & others -------->
| postal_code_type   = [[ZIP code]]<ref name=ZIPcode>{{cite web|url=http://zip4.usps.com/zip4/citytown.jsp |title=ZIP Code Lookup |format=[[JavaScript]]/[[HTML]] |publisher=[[United States Postal Service]] |access-date=November 22, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101104123722/http://zip4.usps.com/zip4/citytown.jsp |archive-date=November 4, 2010 }}</ref>
| postal_code        = 81641
| area_code          = [[Area code 970|970]]
| blank_name         = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
| blank_info         = 08-49875
| blank1_name        = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
| blank1_info        = 2412977<ref name=gnis>{{GNIS|2412977}}</ref>
| website            = [http://www.townofmeeker.org/ Town of Meeker]
| footnotes          = 
| named_for          = [[Nathan Meeker]]
| pop_est_as_of      = 
| pop_est_footnotes  = 
| population_est     = 
}}

'''Meeker''' is a [[List of municipalities in Colorado#Statutory town|statutory town]] in and the [[county seat]] of [[Rio Blanco County, Colorado|Rio Blanco County]], [[Colorado]], United States, that is the [[List of cities and towns in Colorado|most populous municipality]] in the county.<ref name="GR6">{{cite web|url=http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx |access-date=June 7, 2011 |title=Find a County |publisher=National Association of Counties |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110531210815/http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx |archive-date=May 31, 2011 }}</ref>  The town population was 2,374 at the [[2020 United States census]].<ref name="Census 2020" />

==Description==
The town is largely a ranching community, located in the wide fertile valley of the [[White River (Green River)|White River]] in northwestern Colorado. Relatively isolated from other communities, it sits near the intersection of [[Colorado State Highway 13|State Highway 13]] and [[Colorado State Highway 64|State Highway 64]], on the north side of the White River and at the base of a long ridge, known locally as China Wall. The [[Bureau of Land Management]] has a regional office in the town. Meeker is the home of the annual Meeker Classic [[Sheepdog trial]]s.

==History==
[[File:Troop D of Colorado state militia in Meeker, 1904.png|thumb|Troop D of the [[Colorado National Guard]] at Meeker during the [[Colorado Labor Wars]], 1904]]
The town is named for [[Nathan Meeker]],<ref>{{cite book|last=Dawson|first=John Frank|title=Place names in Colorado: why 700 communities were so named, 150 of Spanish or Indian origin|url=https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=mdp.39015051116740;view=1up;seq=40|publisher=The J. Frank Dawson Publishing Co.|location=Denver, CO|page=34}}</ref> the United States [[Indian Agent]] who was killed along with 11 other white citizens by White River [[Ute Tribe|Ute]] Indians in the 1879 Meeker Incident, also known as the [[Meeker Massacre]].<ref name="admin">{{Cite web |last=admin |title=Meeker History |url=https://meekerchamber.com/meeker-history/#:~:text=Meeker%20is%20the%20location%20of,and%20foraging%20for%20edible%20vegetation |access-date=2024-10-08 |website=Meeker Chamber of Commerce |language=en-US}}</ref> The site of the uprising, the former White River Indian Agency, is located along State Highway 64 in the White River valley west of town and is marked by a prominent sign. None of the buildings remain.

Meeker was the first incorporated town in Northwestern Colorado and is the County seat for Rio Blanco county.<ref name="admin"/>  The town was incorporated in 1885 and became the central hub of banking and trade in Northwestern Colorado for several generations.<ref name="admin"/>

After the uprising and the ensuing conflict known as the [[Ute War]], in 1880 the US Congress passed legislation requiring the Ute population to relocate to reservations in [[Utah]]. The [[United States Army]] established a [[garrison]] on the current site of the town, called the Camp at White River. The town was founded in 1883 following the removal of the troops. The White River Museum is located just north of the Rio Blanco County Courthouse and housed in several original wooden structures of the Army garrison.

The town emerged as a regional center for [[hunting]] by the turn of the 20th century. [[Theodore Roosevelt]] visited the town twice in 1901 and in 1905 on a [[mountain lion]] and bear hunting trip and stayed in the historic [[Meeker Hotel|Hotel Meeker]] opposite the courthouse. The town is also a favorite summer destination and permanent residence for many prominent Americans, including billionaires [[Michael Bloomberg]], former mayor of New York, [[Henry Kravis]], former president and COO of [[Goldman Sachs]] [[Jon Winkelried]], and comedian [[Daniel Tosh]].

==Geography==
According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the town has a total area of {{convert|2.9|sqmi|km2}}, all of it land. The town is situated on the White River at an elevation of {{convert|6,250|ft|m}} above sea level.

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|align=left
|1890= 260
|1900= 507
|1910= 807
|1920= 935
|1930= 1069
|1940= 1399
|1950= 1658
|1960= 1655
|1970= 1597
|1980= 2356
|1990= 2098
|2000= 2242
|2010= 2475
|2020= 2374
}}
<!--
As of the [[census]]<ref name="GR2">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=January 31, 2008 |title=U.S. Census website }}</ref> of 2000, there were 2,242 people, 919 households, and 605 families residing in the town. The population density was {{convert|769.8|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 1,054 housing units at an average density of {{convert|361.9|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|units&nbsp;|units|}}. The racial makeup of the town was 96.39% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 0.71% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.18% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 1.92% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 0.80% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 4.73% of the population.

There were 919 households, out of which 33.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.4% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 8.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.1% were non-families. 29.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.39 and the average family size was 2.99.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 26.8% under the age of 18, 6.6% from 18 to 24, 25.4% from 25 to 44, 26.7% from 45 to 64, and 14.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.2 males. These numbers do not include the residents of the unincorporated area surrounding the town.

The average income for households in the unincorporated areas surrounding Meeker was $46,250.<ref>{{cite web |title=Buford, CO |url=https://places.us.com/colorado/buford/ |access-date=January 10, 2023 |date=2022 |url-status=live}}</ref> The median income for a household in the town was $34,479, and the median income for a family was $43,529. Males had a median income of $36,026 versus $18,242 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the town was $17,647. About 9.0% of families and 11.4% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 15.9% of those under age 18 and 15.6% of those age 65 or over.-->{{clear left}}

==Climate==

According to the [[Köppen Climate Classification]] system, Meeker has a [[warm-summer humid continental climate]], abbreviated "Dfb" on climate maps. The hottest temperature recorded in Meeker was {{convert|103|F|C|1}} on July 11, 1900, while the coldest temperature recorded was {{convert|-43|F|C|1}} on January 7, 1913, and January 12, 1963.<ref name=NOWData />

{{Weather box
|location = Meeker, Colorado, 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1893–present
|single line = Yes
|collapsed = Yes
|Jan record high F = 61
|Feb record high F = 65
|Mar record high F = 77
|Apr record high F = 86
|May record high F = 93
|Jun record high F = 102
|Jul record high F = 103
|Aug record high F = 99
|Sep record high F = 94
|Oct record high F = 86
|Nov record high F = 74
|Dec record high F = 63

|Jan avg record high F = 48.3
|Feb avg record high F = 54.1
|Mar avg record high F = 66.6
|Apr avg record high F = 74.3
|May avg record high F = 82.4
|Jun avg record high F = 89.9
|Jul avg record high F = 94.0
|Aug avg record high F = 92.0
|Sep avg record high F = 87.1
|Oct avg record high F = 78.2
|Nov avg record high F = 66.1
|Dec avg record high F = 53.0
|year avg record high F = 94.8

|Jan high F = 33.9
|Feb high F = 39.2
|Mar high F = 50.3
|Apr high F = 58.1
|May high F = 67.9
|Jun high F = 79.4
|Jul high F = 86.4
|Aug high F = 83.5
|Sep high F = 75.5
|Oct high F = 62.7
|Nov high F = 48.0
|Dec high F = 35.1
|year high F =

|Jan mean F = 20.1
|Feb mean F = 26.0
|Mar mean F = 36.0
|Apr mean F = 42.9
|May mean F = 51.2
|Jun mean F = 60.7
|Jul mean F = 67.0
|Aug mean F = 64.9
|Sep mean F = 56.8
|Oct mean F = 45.0
|Nov mean F = 33.3
|Dec mean F = 21.7
|year mean F =

|Jan low F = 6.4
|Feb low F = 12.8
|Mar low F = 21.7
|Apr low F = 27.6
|May low F = 34.6
|Jun low F = 40.9
|Jul low F = 47.6
|Aug low F = 46.2
|Sep low F = 38.2
|Oct low F = 27.3
|Nov low F = 18.6
|Dec low F = 8.4
|year low F =

|Jan avg record low F = -15.3
|Feb avg record low F = -9.7
|Mar avg record low F = 3.8
|Apr avg record low F = 12.9
|May avg record low F = 21.6
|Jun avg record low F = 30.8
|Jul avg record low F = 38.1
|Aug avg record low F = 37.2
|Sep avg record low F = 25.6
|Oct avg record low F = 12.4
|Nov avg record low F = -2.8
|Dec avg record low F = -14.4
|year avg record low F = -19.9

|Jan record low F = -43
|Feb record low F = -38
|Mar record low F = -24
|Apr record low F = -5
|May record low F = 12
|Jun record low F = 17
|Jul record low F = 23
|Aug record low F = 29
|Sep record low F = 14
|Oct record low F = -17
|Nov record low F = -25
|Dec record low F = -36

|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation inch = 1.17
|Feb precipitation inch = 0.99
|Mar precipitation inch = 1.24
|Apr precipitation inch = 1.96
|May precipitation inch = 1.80
|Jun precipitation inch = 1.02
|Jul precipitation inch = 1.09
|Aug precipitation inch = 1.44
|Sep precipitation inch = 1.75
|Oct precipitation inch = 1.74
|Nov precipitation inch = 1.31
|Dec precipitation inch = 1.20
|year precipitation inch =

|unit precipitation days = 0.01 in
|Jan precipitation days = 7.7
|Feb precipitation days = 7.6
|Mar precipitation days = 8.0
|Apr precipitation days = 9.3
|May precipitation days = 9.1
|Jun precipitation days = 5.3
|Jul precipitation days = 7.0
|Aug precipitation days = 8.2
|Sep precipitation days = 7.2
|Oct precipitation days = 6.9
|Nov precipitation days = 6.7
|Dec precipitation days = 6.6

|Jan snow inch = 13.7
|Feb snow inch = 11.3
|Mar snow inch = 8.7
|Apr snow inch = 4.9
|May snow inch = 0.6
|Jun snow inch = 0.0
|Jul snow inch = 0.0
|Aug snow inch = 0.0
|Sep snow inch = 0.2
|Oct snow inch = 3.3
|Nov snow inch = 9.9
|Dec snow inch = 12.2
|year snow inch =

|unit snow days = 0.1 in
|Jan snow days = 7.2
|Feb snow days = 5.5
|Mar snow days = 4.2
|Apr snow days = 2.5
|May snow days = 0.3
|Jun snow days = 0.0
|Jul snow days = 0.0
|Aug snow days = 0.0
|Sep snow days = 0.1
|Oct snow days = 1.3
|Nov snow days = 4.7
|Dec snow days = 6.3

|Jan snow depth inch = 11.2
|Feb snow depth inch = 11.3
|Mar snow depth inch = 6.9
|Apr snow depth inch = 3.1
|May snow depth inch = 0.8
|Jun snow depth inch = 0.0
|Jul snow depth inch = 0.0
|Aug snow depth inch = 0.0
|Sep snow depth inch = 0.1
|Oct snow depth inch = 2.4
|Nov snow depth inch = 5.3
|Dec snow depth inch = 8.7
|year snow depth inch = 13.3

|source 1 = NOAA<ref name = NOAA>
{{cite web
|url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&stations=USC00055484&format=pdf&dataTypes=MLY-TMAX-NORMAL,MLY-TMIN-NORMAL,MLY-TAVG-NORMAL,MLY-PRCP-NORMAL,MLY-SNOW-NORMAL
|publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
|title = U.S. Climate Normals Quick Access – Station: Meeker, CO
|access-date = February 10, 2023
}}
</ref>
|source 2 = National Weather Service<ref name = NOWData>
{{cite web
|url = https://www.weather.gov/wrh/climate?wfo=gjt
|publisher = National Weather Service
|title = NOAA Online Weather Data – NWS Grand Junction
|access-date = February 10, 2023
}}
</ref>
}}

==Notable people==
* [[Neal Blue]], co-owner of [[General Atomics]]
* [[Virginia Neal Blue]] (1910–1970), [[Colorado State Treasurer]] from 1967 to 1970<ref>{{cite news |title=From the Archives: Virginia Neal Blue |url=https://www.colorado.edu/libraries/2018/04/19/archives-virginia-neal-blue |access-date=October 15, 2019 |work=University of Colorado Boulder |date=April 19, 2018}}</ref>
* [[Margaret L. Curry]] (1898–1986), Colorado state [[Probation officer|parole officer]]
* [[Buddy Roosevelt]], actor and stunt performer

==See also==
{{portal|Colorado}}
* [[List of municipalities in Colorado]]
* [[Colorow Mountain|Colorow Mountain State Wildlife Area]], northwest of Meeker
{{clear}}

==References==
{{reflist|22em}}

==External links==
{{commons category|Meeker, Colorado}}
* {{official website|http://www.townofmeeker.org}}
* [http://meekerrangecall.com/ Meeker Range Call and 4th of July Celebrations]
* [https://www.codot.gov/travel/scenic-byways/northwest/flat-tops-trail/ Flat Tops Trail Scenic Byway]
* [http://www.meekerchamber.com/ Meeker Chamber of Commerce]
* [http://www.meekersheepdog.com/ Meeker Classic Sheepdog Championship Trials]
* [http://www.city-data.com/city/Meeker-Colorado.html City-data.com entry for Meeker, Colorado]
* [https://meekerlibrary.booksys.net/opac/mklib/index.html#menuHome Meeker Regional Library]
* [http://www.pioneershospital.org/ Pioneers Medical Center]

{{Rio Blanco County, Colorado}}
{{Colorado county seats}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:County seats in Colorado]]
[[Category:Towns in Colorado]]
[[Category:Towns in Rio Blanco County, Colorado]]