Editing Walsenburg, Colorado

{{short description|City in Colorado, United States}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2024}}
{{Infobox settlement
<!-- Basic info  ---------------->
 | name                     = Walsenburg, Colorado
 | native_name              = <small>''La Plaza de los Leones'' (Plaza of the Leons)</small>
 | settlement_type          = [[List of cities and towns in Colorado#Statutory city|Statutory City]]<ref name=COMun>{{cite web |url=https://dola.colorado.gov/lgis/municipalities.jsf|title=Active Colorado Municipalities|publisher=[[Colorado|State of Colorado]], [[Colorado Department of Local Affairs]], Division of Local Government|access-date=January 31, 2021}}</ref>
 | motto                    = "A great place to be! Welcome!"
<!-- images and maps  ----------->
 | image_skyline            = Walsenburg and the Spanish Peaks.JPG
 | image_caption            = Walsenburg with the [[Spanish Peaks]] in the background.
 | image_flag               = 
 | flag_size                = 
 | image_map                = Huerfano County Colorado Incorporated and Unincorporated areas Walsenburg Highlighted 0882350.svg
 | map_caption              = Location of the City of Walsenburg in {{nowrap|[[Huerfano County, Colorado]].}}
 | pushpin_map              = USA
 | pushpin_label            = Walsenburg
 | pushpin_label_position   = right<!-- the position of the pushpin label: left, right, top, bottom, none -->
 | pushpin_map_caption      = Location of the City of Walsenburg in the {{nowrap|[[United States]].}}
<!-- Location ------------------>
 | subdivision_type         = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
 | subdivision_name         = {{flag|United States}}
 | subdivision_type1        = [[U.S. state|State]]
 | subdivision_name1        = {{flag|Colorado}}
 | subdivision_type2        = [[List of counties in Colorado|County]]
 | subdivision_name2        = [[Huerfano County, Colorado|Huerfano County]]<ref name=COcounty>{{cite web |url=https://dola.colorado.gov/lgis/counties.jsf|title=Colorado Counties|publisher=[[Colorado|State of Colorado]], [[Colorado Department of Local Affairs]], Division of Local Government|access-date=January 31, 2021}}</ref>
 | subdivision_type3        = [[List of cities and towns in Colorado|City]]
 | subdivision_name3        = Walsenburg<ref name=COMun/>
<!-- Politics ----------------->
 | government_footnotes     = 
 | government_type          = [[Colorado municipalities#Statutory city|Statutory City]]<ref name=COMun/>
 | leader_title             = Mayor
 | leader_name              = Gary M. Vezzani<ref name=code>{{Cite web |url=https://library.municode.com/co/walsenburg/codes/municipal_code?nodeId=WAMUCO |title=Walsenburg municipal code |author=<!--Not stated--> |date=2020 |website=Municode |publisher= |access-date=October 25, 2024 |quote=}}</ref>
 | leader_title1            = City administrator
 | leader_name1             = Roger Tinklenberg<ref name=code />
 | leader_title2            = City Council
 | leader_title3            = City clerk
 | leader_name3             = Vacant<ref>{{cite news |last=Craddock |first=Mark |date=April 30, 2025 |title=Walsenburg fires embattled accountant, city clerk/treasurer |url=https://worldjournalnewspaper.com/walsenburg-fires-embattled-accountant-city-clerk-treasurer/ |work=Huerfano World Journal |location= |publisher= |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250502033630/https://worldjournalnewspaper.com/walsenburg-fires-embattled-accountant-city-clerk-treasurer/ |archive-date=May 2, 2025 |access-date=May 18, 2025}}</ref>
 | leader_title4            = 
 | leader_name4             = 
 | established_title        = <!-- Settled -->
 | established_date         = 
 | established_title2       = <!-- Incorporated (town) -->
 | established_date2        = 1873
 | established_title3       = [[Municipal corporation|Incorporated]]
 | established_date3        = June 16, 1873<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>
 | named_for                = [[Fred Walsen]]
<!-- Area    --------------------->
 | 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           = 7.74
 | area_land_km2            = 7.74
 | area_water_km2           = 0.00
 | area_total_sq_mi         = 2.99
 | area_land_sq_mi          = 2.99
 | area_water_sq_mi         = 0.00
<!-- Population   ----------------------->
 | population_as_of         = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
 | population_footnotes     = <ref name="Census 2020">{{cite web |url=https://data.census.gov/profile/Walsenburg_city,_Colorado?g=160XX00US0882350 |title=Walsenburg city; Colorado |author=United States Census Bureau|date= |website= |publisher= |access-date=April 23, 2023 |quote=}}</ref>
 | population_note          = 
 | population_total         = 3049
 | population_density_km2   = auto
 | population_density_sq_mi = auto
 | population_demonym       = Walsenburger 
<!-- General information  --------------->
 | timezone                 = [[Mountain Time Zone|Mountain (MST)]]
 | utc_offset               = &minus;7
 | timezone_DST             = [[Mountain Time Zone|MDT]]
 | utc_offset_DST           = &minus;6
 | coordinates              = {{coord|37|37|36|N|104|46|44|W|type:city_region:US-CO|display=it}}
 | elevation_footnotes      = <ref name=gnis/>
 | elevation_ft             = 6300
<!-- 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=January 8, 2008 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20101122200027/http://zip4.usps.com/zip4/citytown.jsp | archive-date = November 22, 2010 }}</ref>
 | postal_code              = 81089
 | area_code                = [[Area code 719|719]]
 | blank_name               = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
 | blank_info               = 08-82350
 | blank1_name              = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
 | blank1_info              = 2412176<ref name=gnis>{{GNIS|2412176}}</ref>
 | footnotes                = 
 | website                  = {{URL|https://www.colorado.gov/walsenburg}}
}}

'''Walsenburg''' is the [[Colorado municipalities#Statutory city|statutory city]] that is the [[county seat]] of and the [[List of cities and towns in Colorado|most populous municipality]] in [[Huerfano County, Colorado|Huerfano County]], [[Colorado]], [[United States]].<ref name=CountySeatsCO>{{cite web|url=http://www.cdphe.state.co.us/hs/cntyseat.html|title=Colorado County Seats|publisher=[[State of Colorado]], Department of Public Health and Environment|access-date=December 31, 2007}}</ref><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}}</ref> The city population was 3,049 at the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]],<ref name=2020_Census>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census/about/rdo/summary-files.html|title=Decennial Census P.L. 94-171 Redistricting Data|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]], [[United States Department of Commerce]]|date=August 12, 2021|access-date=July 30, 2022}}</ref> down from 3,068 in 2010.

==History==
Walsenburg was originally settled under the name of La Plaza de los Leones in 1859. The settlement was named after settler Don Miguel Antonio de Leon, who came along with others from New Mexico.
A post office called Walsenburg has been in operation since 1870.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.postalhistory.com/postoffices.asp?state=CO | title=Post offices | publisher=Jim Forte Postal History | access-date=July 11, 2016}}</ref> The community was named after Fred Walsen, an early settler.<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| year=1954| url=https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=mdp.39015051116740;view=1up;seq=57| publisher=J. Frank Dawson Publishing Co.| location=Denver, CO| page=51}}</ref> [[Robert Ford (outlaw)|Robert Ford]], the famous gunman, operated a combination saloon and gambling house in Walsenburg; his home at 320 West 7th Street still stands.<ref>{{Cite web |title=History - Robert Ford and Walsenburg {{!}} City of Walsenburg |url=https://cityofwalsenburg.colorado.gov/our-story/our-history/history-robert-ford-and-walsenburg |access-date=August 7, 2023 |website=cityofwalsenburg.colorado.gov}}</ref> The town is also remembered in sports history due to a famous newspaper gaffe ("Will Overhead") after the [[1933 Indianapolis 500#"Will Overhead"|1933 Indianapolis 500]].<ref name="WillOverhead">{{cite news| url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1454&dat=19830526&id=HcgsAAAAIBAJ&pg=7110,2958387| title=Will Overhead, a real no-name, once 'won' Indy 500 race| work=Wilmington Morning Star| date=May 23, 1983| access-date=January 22, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite episode| series=The Talk of Gasoline Alley| series-link=Donald Davidson (historian)| station=[[WIBC (FM)|1070 WIBC-AM]]| airdate=May 5, 2003}}</ref><ref>{{cite episode| series=The Talk of Gasoline Alley| series-link=Donald Davidson (historian)| station=[[WFNI]]| airdate=May 12, 2008}}</ref>

===Colorado Coalfield War===
{{Main|Colorado Coalfield War}}
[[File:The 1896 city jail in Walsenburg, Colorado, which in 1994 became the mining museum for "The City Built on Coal" LCCN2015632564.tif|thumb|left|upright|Walsenburg Mining Museum]]Walsenburg played a central role in the 1913-1914 Strike of the [[United Mine Workers of America]] against the [[John D. Rockefeller, Jr.|Rockefeller]]-owned [[Colorado Fuel and Iron]], an event better known as the [[Colorado Coalfield War]]. The town was the site of a [[Colorado and Southern Railway]] stop and location of several gun-battles before and after the April 20, 1914 [[Ludlow Massacre]] that killed over a dozen women and children when [[Colorado Army National Guard|Colorado National Guard]] opened fire on a striker encampment at [[Ludlow, Colorado|Ludlow]], 22 miles south of Walsenburg. Among the first instances of violence in Walsenburg during the coal strikes is known as the Seventh Street Massacre, which saw three miners die in a shooting perpetrated by newly minted Walsenburg deputies.<ref>McGovern, George; Guttridge, Leonard. ''The Great Coalfield War''. Boston: [[Houghton Mifflin Harcourt|Houghton Mifflin Company]], 1972. 125-126 p.</ref>

The Battle of Walsenburg (April 28–29, 1914) was the penultimate engagement of National Guard and militia against pro-strikers during the [[Colorado Coalfield War#10-Day War|10-Day War]] stage of the conflict.<ref>McGovern & Guttridge, 266.</ref> Several men on both sides, as well as at least one uninvolved civilian, were killed before strikers withdrew.

Walsenburg is mentioned in the [[Woody Guthrie]] song "[[Ludlow Massacre (song)|Ludlow Massacre"]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.digitalhistory.uh.edu/disp_textbook.cfm?smtID=3&psid=1068|title="Ludlow Massacre" By Woody Guthrie|last1=Mintz|first1=S.|last2=McNeill|first2=S.|work=Digital History|year=2018|access-date=January 21, 2020}}</ref>

=== 1927-1928 Colorado Coal Strike ===
{{Main|1927–1928 Colorado Coal Strike}}
In 1927 the coal mines in Walsenburg were one of the many shutdown during the statewide strike led by the [[Industrial Workers of the World|IWW]].<ref>{{cite journal |last=McClurg |first=Donald J. |year=1963 |title=The Colorado Coal Strike of 1927 &ndash; Tactical Leadership of the IWW |journal=Labor History |volume=4 |issue=1 |pages=68–92 |doi=10.1080/00236566308583916}}</ref>

===21st century===
On June 19, 2013, [[Boy Scouts of America|Boy Scouts]] at Spanish Peaks Scout Ranch noticed an uncontrolled fire near [[East Spanish Peak]] which rapidly grew over the next few days, growing into the [[East Peak Fire]]. The entirety of Walsenburg was placed under a pre-evacuation notice. The fire burned  {{convert|13,572|acres|km2}} and was contained on July 9.<ref>{{cite news|title=East Peak Fire fully contained, but not fully controlled|url=http://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/wildfire/east-peak-fire-fully-contained-but-not-fully-controlled|publisher=TheDenverChannel.com|date=July 9, 2013|access-date=October 10, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130712020115/http://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/wildfire/east-peak-fire-fully-contained-but-not-fully-controlled|archive-date=July 12, 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Geography and climate==
Walsenburg is located in east-central Huerfano County, on the north side of the [[Cucharas River]], at the eastern edge of the foothills of the [[Sangre de Cristo Mountains]]. [[Interstate 25 in Colorado|Interstate 25]] runs along the eastern edge of the city, with access from Exits 49, 50, and 52. I-25 leads north {{convert|48|mi}} to [[Pueblo, Colorado|Pueblo]] and south {{convert|36|mi}} to [[Trinidad, Colorado|Trinidad]]. [[U.S. Route 160 in Colorado|U.S. Route 160]] passes through the center of Walsenburg, leading west across North La Veta Pass {{convert|72|mi}} to [[Alamosa, Colorado|Alamosa]] and south with I-25 to Trinidad. [[Colorado State Highway 10]] leads northeast from Walsenburg {{convert|73|mi}} to [[La Junta, Colorado|La Junta]].

According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], Walsenburg has a total area of {{convert|8.2|km2|order=flip}}, all of it land.<ref name=2020_Census />

The [[Spanish Peaks Regional Health Center]] is located {{convert|2|mi|0}} west of Walsenburg on US 160, opposite the entrance to [[Lathrop State Park]]. The building houses a state-operated veterans' retirement home and a community hospital that serves the area.

Walsenburg has a [[humid subtropical climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification|Cfa]]) with hot, rainy summers with cool nights and cool snowy winters with chilly nights.

{{Weather box
 | width       = auto
 | collapsed   = yes
 | single line = yes
 | location    = Walsenburg, Colorado (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1934–present)
 | Jan record high F  = 78
 | Feb record high F  = 75
 | Mar record high F  = 81
 | Apr record high F  = 87
 | May record high F  = 98
 | Jun record high F  = 101
 | Jul record high F  = 106
 | Aug record high F  = 99
 | Sep record high F  = 98
 | Oct record high F  = 92
 | Nov record high F  = 91
 | Dec record high F  = 79
 | year record high F =

|Jan avg record high F = 65.6
|Feb avg record high F = 66.1
|Mar avg record high F = 74.2
|Apr avg record high F = 79.5
|May avg record high F = 87.0
|Jun avg record high F = 95.0
|Jul avg record high F = 96.4
|Aug avg record high F = 93.7
|Sep avg record high F = 90.4
|Oct avg record high F = 83.3
|Nov avg record high F = 72.9
|Dec avg record high F = 65.1
|year avg record high F = 97.3

 | Jan high F = 47.3
 | Feb high F = 49.3
 | Mar high F = 57.1
 | Apr high F = 63.4
 | May high F = 72.5
 | Jun high F = 83.5
 | Jul high F = 87.4
 | Aug high F = 85.1
 | Sep high F = 79.2
 | Oct high F = 68.4
 | Nov high F = 55.9
 | Dec high F = 46.5
 | year high F = 66.3
 | Jan mean F = 34.0
 | Feb mean F = 35.4
 | Mar mean F = 42.1
 | Apr mean F = 48.5
 | May mean F = 57.6
 | Jun mean F = 67.7
 | Jul mean F = 72.5
 | Aug mean F = 70.6
 | Sep mean F = 63.6
 | Oct mean F = 52.5
 | Nov mean F = 41.8
 | Dec mean F = 33.4
 | year mean F = 51.6
 | Jan low F = 20.7
 | Feb low F = 21.5
 | Mar low F = 27.2
 | Apr low F = 33.6
 | May low F = 42.7
 | Jun low F = 51.8
 | Jul low F = 57.5
 | Aug low F = 56.2
 | Sep low F = 48.0
 | Oct low F = 36.6
 | Nov low F = 27.7
 | Dec low F = 20.4
 | year low F = 37.0

|Jan avg record low F = -1.3
|Feb avg record low F = 0.1
|Mar avg record low F = 9.1
|Apr avg record low F = 18.3
|May avg record low F = 29.6
|Jun avg record low F = 41.5
|Jul avg record low F = 49.8
|Aug avg record low F = 48.3
|Sep avg record low F = 34.9
|Oct avg record low F = 19.7
|Nov avg record low F = 9.0
|Dec avg record low F = -2.5
|year avg record low F = -7.7

 | Jan record low F  = -36
 | Feb record low F  = -25
 | Mar record low F  = -14
 | Apr record low F  = -2
 | May record low F  = 14
 | Jun record low F  = 30
 | Jul record low F  = 41
 | Aug record low F  = 37
 | Sep record low F  = 21
 | Oct record low F  = -2
 | Nov record low F  = -19
 | Dec record low F  = -27
 | year record low F = 
 | precipitation colour   = green
 | Jan precipitation inch = 0.83
 | Feb precipitation inch = 0.82
 | Mar precipitation inch = 1.72
 | Apr precipitation inch = 2.26
 | May precipitation inch = 1.82
 | Jun precipitation inch = 1.28
 | Jul precipitation inch = 2.24
 | Aug precipitation inch = 2.15
 | Sep precipitation inch = 0.85
 | Oct precipitation inch = 1.31
 | Nov precipitation inch = 1.00
 | Dec precipitation inch = 1.01
 | year precipitation inch = 17.29
 | unit precipitation days = 0.01 in
 | Jan precipitation days  = 4.2
 | Feb precipitation days  = 5.1
 | Mar precipitation days  = 6.7
 | Apr precipitation days  = 6.7
 | May precipitation days  = 7.7
 | Jun precipitation days  = 6.3
 | Jul precipitation days  = 9.9
 | Aug precipitation days  = 10.5
 | Sep precipitation days  = 5.7
 | Oct precipitation days  = 4.7
 | Nov precipitation days  = 5.1
 | Dec precipitation days  = 4.9
 | year precipitation days = 77.5
 | Jan snow inch = 10.5
 | Feb snow inch = 12.8
 | Mar snow inch = 17.4
 | Apr snow inch = 15.1
 | May snow inch = 2.0
 | Jun snow inch = 0.0
 | Jul snow inch = 0.0
 | Aug snow inch = 0.0
 | Sep snow inch = 0.5
 | Oct snow inch = 7.2
 | Nov snow inch = 12.7
 | Dec snow inch = 13.4
 | year snow inch = 91.6
 | unit snow days = 0.1 in
 | Jan snow days  = 4.2
 | Feb snow days  = 4.9
 | Mar snow days  = 5.0
 | Apr snow days  = 3.6
 | May snow days  = 0.6
 | Jun snow days  = 0.0
 | Jul snow days  = 0.0
 | Aug snow days  = 0.0
 | Sep snow days  = 0.2
 | Oct snow days  = 1.4
 | Nov snow days  = 3.9
 | Dec snow days  = 5.0
 | year snow days = 28.8
 | source = [[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration|NOAA]]<ref name="NOWData">{{cite web
|url = https://www.weather.gov/wrh/climate?wfo=pub
|title = NOWData – NOAA Online Weather Data
|publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
|access-date = December 8, 2023}}</ref><ref name="NCEI">{{cite web
|url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&stations=USC00058781&format=pdf&dataTypes=MLY-TMAX-NORMAL,MLY-TMIN-NORMAL,MLY-TAVG-NORMAL,MLY-PRCP-NORMAL,MLY-SNOW-NORMAL
|title = Summary of Monthly Normals 1991–2020
|publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
|access-date = December 8, 2023}}</ref>
}}

==Local attractions and recreation==
[[File:Fox Theatre Walsenburg, Walsenburg, CO-01.jpg|thumb|Fox Theatre Walsenburg]] [[Lathrop State Park]], located {{convert|2|mi|0}} west of the Walsenburg city limits, is Colorado's first state park and is over {{convert|1600|acre|km2}} in size. Martin Lake and Horseshoe Lake offer fishing stocked by [[Colorado Parks and Wildlife]], water skiing, boating, and jet skiing. Hiking and camping are other activities in the park, and it is the only state park in Colorado with a golf course.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Colorado Parks and Wildlife |url=https://cpw.state.co.us/ |access-date=August 7, 2023 |website=Colorado Parks and Wildlife |language=en}}</ref>

The [[Spanish Peaks]], {{convert|10|mi|0}} southwest of Walsenburg are a [[national natural landmark]]<ref>{{cite web |author=<!-- not stated --> |date=n.d. |title=Spanish Peaks |url=https://www.nps.gov/subjects/nnlandmarks/site.htm?Site=SPPE-CO |website=National Natural Landmarks |location= |publisher=National Park Service |access-date=May 18, 2025}}</ref> and have been named one of "Colorado's Seven Wonders" by ''[[The Denver Post]]''. [[Colorado State Highway 12|The Highway of Legends]], connecting Walsenburg with [[La Veta, Colorado|La Veta]], other historic mining towns, and [[Trinidad, Colorado|Trinidad]], is a [[National Scenic Byway]].

The Walsenburg Golf Course is a 9-hole public golf course open for play year round. The city opened a $2 million water park, "Walsenburg Wild Waters", after efforts by former mayor Maurice Brau and the city council, on May 27, 2007.<ref>{{cite book |last=Ree |first=Dorothy Rose|date=2006 |title=Walsenburg, crossroads town: a history |edition=1st |location=Walsenburg, Colorado |publisher=Nocturn Independent Publishing |isbn=9780984657216}}</ref> However, the water park has been closed since about 2020.<ref>{{cite web |author=<!-- not stated --> |date=n.d. |title=Parks Department |url=https://www.walsenburg.org/parks-department |website= |location=Walsenburg |publisher=City of Walsenburg |access-date=May 18, 2025}}</ref>

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|align=left
|1880= 377
|1890= 928
|1900= 1033
|1910= 2423
|1920= 3565
|1930= 5503
|1940= 5855
|1950= 5596
|1960= 5071
|1970= 4329
|1980= 3945
|1990= 3300
|2000= 4182
|2010= 3068
|2020= 3049
|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]]|access-date=January 31, 2008|title=U.S. Census website}}</ref> of 2000, there were 4,182 people, 1,497 households, and 881 families residing in the city. The population density was {{convert|1,795|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|0|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 1,723 housing units at an average density of {{convert|740|/sqmi|/km2|0|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of the city was 74.99% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 4.78% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 3.35% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.41% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.07% [[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 12.46% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 3.95% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 50.96% of the population.

There were 1,497 households, out of which 25.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 41.1% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 13.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 41.1% were non-families. 37.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 19.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.25 and the average family size was 2.95.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 20.9% under the age of 18, 9.3% from 18 to 24, 31.1% from 25 to 44, 21.2% from 45 to 64, and 17.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 133.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 141.1 males.-->
{{clear}}

== Education  ==
Walsenburg lies in Huerfano School District Re-1, one of two school districts in Huerfano County. The district operates two schools in Walsenburg. Peakview School offers [[Pre-K]] through [[sixth grade]], and Walsenburg Jr. Sr. High School (formerly John Mall High School) offers [[Seventh grade|seventh]] through [[Twelfth grade|twelfth]] grades.<ref>{{cite web |author=<!-- not stated --> |date=n.d. |title=About our schools |url=https://huerfano.k12.co.us/en-US/about-our-schools-fb1e21df |website= |location= |publisher=Huerfano School District Re-1 |access-date=May 18, 2025}}</ref> In the 2024-2025 school year, Walsenburg Jr. Sr. High School had 174 students and a student:teacher ratio of 29:1. Minority enrollment was 66%, with a majority Hispanic.<ref>{{cite web |author=<!-- not stated --> |date=2025 |title=Walsenburg Jr. Sr. High School |url=https://www.publicschoolreview.com/walsenburg-jr-sr-high-school-profile |website= |location=Winter Park, FL |publisher=Public School Review |access-date=May 18, 2025}}</ref>

==Infrastructure==

===Transportation===
[[Greyhound Lines]] serves Walsenburg on its route between Denver and Albuquerque.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://extranet.greyhound.com/Revsup/schedules2/pageset.html|title=Greyhound System Timetable}}</ref> Walsenburg is part of Colorado's [[Bustang]] network. It is on the Trinidad-Pueblo Outrider line.<ref>{{cite web |title=Bustang Schedule |url=https://ridebustang.com/schedules/ |website=RideBustang |publisher=CDOT}}</ref>

The [[Colorado Pacific Rio Grande Railroad]] interchanges in Walsenburg.

==Notable people==
Notable individuals who were born in or have lived in Walsenburg include:
* [[Xavier Atencio]] (1919–2017), animator<ref>{{cite book | last = Peri | first = Don | title = Working with Disney: Interviews with Animators, Producers, and Artists | publisher = University of Mississippi Press | location = Oxford, MS | year = 2011 | pages = 86–98}}</ref>
* [[Star Caywood]] (1915–1968), Colorado state representative
* [[Robert Ford (outlaw)|Robert Ford]] (1861–1892), murderer, saloon owner<ref>{{cite news | last = Mestas | first = Anthony A. | title = Man who shot Jesse James well-known in these parts | newspaper = The Pueblo Chieftain | date = November 26, 2014 | url = http://www.chieftain.com/news/3096291-120/ford-newman-james-walsenburg | access-date = June 17, 2016}}</ref>
* [[Debora Greger]] (born 1949), poet<ref>{{cite web | title = Debora Greger | publisher = Academy of American Poets | url = https://www.poets.org/poetsorg/poet/debora-greger | access-date = June 17, 2016}}</ref>
*Mary Harris "[[Mother Jones]]" (1837–1930), labor organizer<ref>{{Cite web |title=History - Mother Jones and the Wobblies {{!}} City of Walsenburg |url=https://cityofwalsenburg.colorado.gov/our-story/our-history/history-mother-jones-and-the-wobblies |access-date=August 7, 2023 |website=cityofwalsenburg.colorado.gov}}</ref>
* [[Matthew G. Martínez]] (1929–2011), [[U.S. Representative]] from [[California]]<ref>{{cite web | title = Martinez, Matthew Gilbert, (1929-2011) | work = Biographical Directory of the United States Congress | publisher = U.S. Congress | url = http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=M000206 | access-date = June 17, 2016}}</ref>
* [[Frank Olmstead]], mayor of [[Las Vegas, New Mexico]], and 18th [[State Auditor of New Mexico|Auditor of New Mexico]]
*[[John R. Petrus]] (1923–2013), [[Wisconsin]] state legislator<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9sNWAAAAYAAJ&q=Wisconsin+Blue+Book%2Bmembers+of+the+senate%2B1949&pg=PA18|title=Members of the Assembly|year=1954|publisher=Wisconsin Blue Book|access-date=March 18, 2014}}</ref>
*[[Roy Porter (drummer)|Roy Porter]] (1923–1998), jazz drummer<ref>{{cite web | title = Roy Porter | work = The Last Post | publisher = Jazzhouse.org | url = http://www.jazzhouse.org/gone/lastpost2.php3?edit=920543830 | access-date = June 17, 2016}}</ref>
*[[Sam T. Taylor]] (1903–1977), Colorado state senator
*[[Albert J. Tomsic]] (1925–2012), politician, attorney, and judge
*[[Fred Walsen]] (1841-1906), city founder and Colorado State Treasurer

==See also==
{{portal|Colorado}}
*[[Huerfano County, Colorado]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons category}}
*[https://www.colorado.gov/walsenburg City of Walsenburg official website]
*[http://dtdapps.coloradodot.info/staticdata/Downloads/CityMaps/Walsenburg.pdf CDOT map of the City of Walsenburg]
*{{Wikivoyage inline|Walsenburg}}

{{Huerfano County, Colorado}}
{{Colorado|collapse_state=collapsed}}
{{Colorado county seats}}
{{authority control}}

[[Category:Populated places established in 1873]]
[[Category:Hispanic and Latino American culture in Colorado]]
[[Category:Cities in Huerfano County, Colorado]]
[[Category:Cities in Colorado]]
[[Category:County seats in Colorado]]
[[Category:1873 establishments in Colorado Territory]]