Map of Otero County, Colorado - Where is Located & List of Cities

Map of Otero County - Otero County is a county located in the U.S. state of Colorado. Otero County Map showing cities, highways, important places and water bodies. Get Where is Otero County located in the map, major cities in Otero county, population, areas, and places of interest.

Map of Otero County, Colorado

Map of Otero County, Colorado

Otero County is a county located in the U.S. state of Colorado. It's county seat is La Junta. As per 2020 census, the population of Otero County is 18594 people and population density is square miles. According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,267.66 sq mi (3,283 km2). Otero County was established on -3932.

Otero County Facts

ContinentNorth America
CountryUnited States
StateColorado
County SeatLa Junta
Largest City/TownLa Junta
Established1889
Total Area1,270 sq mi (3,289 sq km)
Land Area1,262 sq mi (3,269 sq km)
Water Area8 sq mi (20 sq km)
Population18,690 (Census 2020)
Population Density14.8 people per sq mi
Time ZoneMountain Time Zone (MST/MDT)
Major HighwaysUS Highway 50, US Highway 350, State Highway 71
Major RiversArkansas River, Purgatoire River
Neighboring CountiesCrowley County, Bent County, Las Animas County, Pueblo County, Kiowa County
Famous ForBent's Old Fort, agriculture, Arkansas River valley, and Santa Fe Trail history
Top AttractionsBent's Old Fort National Historic Site, Comanche National Grassland nearby, Koshare Museum
Official WebsiteOfficial Website

About Otero County, Colorado

Otero County is located in southeastern Colorado in the United States and was established in 1889. The county seat and largest city is La Junta. The county is known for agriculture, historic trade routes, Arkansas River valley communities, and attractions connected to the Santa Fe Trail and western frontier history.

Cities and Towns in Otero County, Colorado

City/TownPopulation (Census 2020)Latitude & Longitude
La Junta (county seat)6,72837.9850°N, 103.5438°W
Rocky Ford3,87638.0528°N, 103.7205°W
Manzanola43438.1103°N, 103.8630°W
Fowler1,25338.1292°N, 104.0236°W
Swink61638.0142°N, 103.6297°W
Cheraw (CDP)21538.1064°N, 103.5092°W
Timpas (historic community)Historic site37.8164°N, 103.7356°W
Delhi (community)Rural area37.9667°N, 103.6667°W

Golf Courses in Otero County, Colorado

Golf CourseLocationLatitude & Longitude
La Junta Municipal Golf CourseLa Junta37.9842°N, 103.5458°W
Rocky Ford Country ClubRocky Ford38.0483°N, 103.7178°W
Elmwood Golf CoursePueblo nearby38.2825°N, 104.6200°W

Roads and Highways in Otero County, Colorado

Major highways connect the county to southeastern Colorado communities and historic transportation routes.

  • US Highway 50 - major east-west route connecting La Junta with Pueblo and Kansas
  • US Highway 350 - highway linking La Junta with Trinidad and southern Colorado plains
  • Colorado State Highway 71 - north-south route through eastern Colorado agricultural regions

Neighboring Counties of Otero County

  • Crowley County (west)
  • Pueblo County (west and northwest)
  • Bent County (east)
  • Las Animas County (south)
  • Kiowa County (north and northeast)

Top Attractions in Otero County, Colorado

The county offers a mix of historical, cultural, and outdoor attractions.

  • Bent's Old Fort National Historic Site - reconstructed 1840s adobe fort on the Santa Fe Trail
  • Koshare Museum and Kiva - Native American art and cultural museum in La Junta
  • Comanche National Grassland nearby - prairie recreation and wildlife viewing area
  • Arkansas River recreation areas - fishing, birdwatching, and outdoor activities
  • Historic Downtown La Junta - local restaurants, museums, and preserved buildings
  • Rocky Ford agricultural region - famous for melons and farming heritage
  • Santa Fe Trail historic routes - historic wagon trail landmarks and interpretive sites
  • Vogel Canyon nearby - hiking and petroglyph viewing destination
  • Otero Museum Association exhibits - regional history and pioneer artifacts
  • John Martin Reservoir nearby - boating, fishing, and camping recreation area
  • Picketwire Canyonlands nearby - dinosaur tracks and canyon landscapes
  • La Junta trading and railroad history sites - transportation heritage attractions

Distance from Otero County to Nearby Cities

The following distances are measured by road (driving).

  • La Junta to Pueblo (Pueblo County), Colorado - 60 mi (97 km)
  • La Junta to Lamar (Prowers County), Colorado - 68 mi (109 km)
  • La Junta to Trinidad (Las Animas County), Colorado - 82 mi (132 km)
  • La Junta to Colorado Springs (El Paso County), Colorado - 116 mi (187 km)
  • La Junta to Denver (Denver County), Colorado - 177 mi (285 km)
  • La Junta to Rocky Ford (Otero County), Colorado - 7 mi (11 km)
  • La Junta to Dodge City (Ford County), Kansas - 170 mi (274 km)
  • La Junta to Amarillo (Potter County), Texas - 239 mi (385 km)
  • La Junta to Santa Fe (Santa Fe County), New Mexico - 233 mi (375 km)
  • La Junta to Wichita (Sedgwick County), Kansas - 285 mi (459 km)
  • La Junta to Albuquerque (Bernalillo County), New Mexico - 346 mi (557 km)
  • La Junta to Grand Junction (Mesa County), Colorado - 350 mi (563 km)

FAQs about Otero County

Where is Otero County located?

Otero County is located in southeastern Colorado along the Arkansas River valley in the United States.

What is the population of Otero County?

The population of Otero County was 18,690 according to the Census 2020.

What is Otero County known for?

Otero County is known for Bent's Old Fort, Santa Fe Trail history, agriculture, and Arkansas River valley communities.

What are the major highways in Otero County?

The county is served by US Highway 50, US Highway 350, and Colorado State Highway 71.

What are the top attractions in Otero County?

Popular attractions include Bent's Old Fort National Historic Site, the Koshare Museum, Comanche National Grassland nearby, and Arkansas River recreation areas.

References

  1. QuickFacts - U.S. Census Bureau
  2. United States Census Bureau
  3. United States Geological Survey (USGS)
  4. National Geodetic Survey
  5. Official Website