- Carbondale, Colorado
Infobox Settlement
official_name = Town of Carbondale, Colorado
other_name =
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nickname = The Ultimate Rocky Mountain Hideout
settlement_type = Town
motto =
imagesize = 250px
image_caption = Mount Sopris, south of town, as viewed fromColorado Rocky Mountain School
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mapsize = 250px
map_caption = Location in Garfield County and theState of Colorado
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subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = USA
subdivision_type1 = State
subdivision_name1 = flag|Colorado|name=State of Colorado
subdivision_type2 = County
subdivision_name2 = Garfield Countycite web | url = http://www.dola.state.co.us/dlg/local_governments/municipalities.html | title = Active Colorado Municipalities | format =HTML | publisher = State of Colorado, Department of Local Affairs | accessdate = 2007-09-01]
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government_type = Home Rule Municipality
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established_title2 = Incorporated (town)
established_date2 =April 26 ,1888 cite web | url = http://www.colorado.gov/dpa/doit/archives/muninc.html | title = Colorado Municipal Incorporations | format =HTML | publisher = State of Colorado, Department of Personnel & Administration, Colorado State Archives | date =2004-12-01 | accessdate = 2007-09-02]
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area_magnitude =
unit_pref = Imperial
area_footnotes =
area_total_km2 = 5.2
area_land_km2 = 5.2
area_water_km2 = 0
area_total_sq_mi = 2
area_land_sq_mi = 2
area_water_sq_mi = 0
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population_as_of = 2000
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population_total = 5196
population_density_km2 = 999.2
population_density_sq_mi = 2598
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timezone = MST
utc_offset = -7
timezone_DST = MDT
utc_offset_DST = -6
latd = 39 |latm = 23 |lats = 58 |latNS = N
longd = 107 |longm = 12 |longs = 53 |longEW = W
elevation_footnotes =
elevation_m = 1881
elevation_ft = 6181
postal_code_type =ZIP code
postal_code = 81623cite web | url = http://zip4.usps.com/zip4/citytown.jsp | title = ZIP Code Lookup| format =JavaScript /HTML | publisher =United States Postal Service | accessdate = September 4 | accessyear = 2007]
area_code = 970
blank_name = FIPS code
blank_info = 08-12045
blank1_name = GNIS feature ID
blank1_info = 0174841
website = [http://www.carbondalegov.org/ Town of Carbondale]
footnotes =Carbondale is a Home Rule Municipality in Garfield County,
Colorado ,United States . The population was 5,196 at the 2000 census. The town is located in the mid valley of theRoaring Fork River , downstream from Aspen and upstream from the mouth of the Roaring Fork at Glenwood Springs. The town proper sits on the south bank of the river, at the confluence of the Crystal River. Carbondale's horizon is dominated by the 12,953 ft. tallMount Sopris several miles to the south of town.Geography
Carbondale is located at coor dms|39|23|58|N|107|12|53|W|city (39.399352, -107.214820)GR|1.
According to the
United States Census Bureau , the town has a total area of 2.0 square miles (5.2 km²), all of it land.Demographics
As of the
census GR|2 of 2000, there were 5,196 people, 1,744 households, and 1,168 families residing in the town. Thepopulation density was 2,583.8 people per square mile (998.1/km²). There were 1,821 housing units at an average density of 905.5/sq mi (349.8/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 84.28% White, 0.65% African American, 0.54% Native American, 0.69% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 11.80% from other races, and 2.02% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 32.12% of the population.There were 1,744 households out of which 41.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.8% were married couples living together, 10.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.0% were non-families. 20.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 3.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.89 and the average family size was 3.32.
In the town the population was spread out with 26.1% under the age of 18, 11.7% from 18 to 24, 37.4% from 25 to 44, 18.7% from 45 to 64, and 6.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 31 years. For every 100 females there were 110.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 107.7 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $52,429, and the median income for a family was $55,726. Males had a median income of $33,025 versus $24,786 for females. The
per capita income for the town was $20,383. About 9.8% of families and 12.2% of the population were below thepoverty line , including 13.0% of those under age 18 and 5.0% of those age 65 or over.History
Carbondale takes its name from
Carbondale, Pennsylvania , hometown of some of Carbondale's early settlers. [http://www.postindependent.com/article/20070130/SPECIALA03/70129009&SearchID=73297239349982] Carbondale's economy was initially agriculturally based. Farmers and ranchers capitalized on open lands around Carbondale to supply food for miners in nearby Aspen, then a booming center of silver mining activity. Early in the 20th century, before the rise of industrial agriculture inIdaho , Carbondale's primary agricultural product was potatoes. The legacy lives on in Potato Day, an annual fall parade and cookout in Sopris Park. Despite the non-geologic origins of the town's name, the Carbondale area does in fact possess significantcoal resources. Until the late 1980s Cabondale's economy was primarily based on coal operations up the Crystal River Valley. The coal mined from the area was favored for its high burning temperature, low sulphur content, and density. However, the coal deposits also contained significant amounts ofmethane gas . In 1981, a methane gas explosion killed 15 miners [http://www.postindependent.com/article/20060416/VALLEYNEWS/104160006] and by 1991 the mines closed down permanently. The rise of Aspen as a skiing mecca and subsequent hyperinflation of its real estate prices has forced a majority of its workers downvalley to other towns like Carbondale. Thus, especially since the 1980s, Carbondale has partly served as abedroom community to Aspen. More recently Carbondale has seen a boom of second-home construction, arts and recreational amenities, and tourism as the area's wealth and renown has grown.Culture
Despite a struggle to balance economic development while maintaining affordability and rural charm, Carbondale has managed to maintain its own identity. The town hosts a broad range of community events and supports a strong artist community. With astronomical real estate prices in Aspen, many artists and hippies fled to Carbondale and have contributed to its rise as a hub of arts and culture. Myriad town events such as the Carbondale Mountain Fair, Dandelion Day, Potato Day, local rodeos, and popular road races highlight the town's cultural mix. Additionally, residents are attracted to abundant recreational opportunities such as mountain biking, hiking, camping, horseback riding, downhill skiing (Aspen & Glenwood Springs), Nordic skiing at
Spring Gulch , gold-medal fishing, world-class climbing (including ice climbing) and kayaking. Carbondale is employing the "new urbanism " development pattern to capitalize on the rich cultural assets in its old town core.As the expense of recreation in Aspen has increased, Carbondale has seen the influx of Aspen-quality nightlife and dining begin to encroach upon its downtown historical district. Several Main Street pubs and restaurants have opened and extended their hours in order to provide a more-affordable alternative to Aspen for middle and working class people supporting the ski community as well as a steady flow of rafters, rock-climbers, hikers, skiers and boarders.
Schools
Elementary and middle schools
*Crystal River Elementary School
*Carbondale Middle School
*Carbondale Community School
*Ross Montessori School
*Waldorf School on the Roaring ForkHigh schools
*Roaring Fork High School (RFHS)
*Colorado Rocky Mountain School (CRMS)Transportation
Roaring Fork Transportation Authority provides bus transit in Carbondale.ee also
*
Colorado municipalities References
External links
* [http://www.carbondalegov.org/ Town of Carbondale website]
** [http://www.dot.state.co.us/App_DTD_DataAccess/Downloads/CityMaps/Carbondale.pdf CDOT map of the Town of Carbondale]
* [http://www.carbondale.com/ Carbondale.com]
* [http://www.roaringfork.net/ RoaringFork.net]
* [http://www.postindependent.com/article/20070130/SPECIALA03/70129009&SearchID=73297239349982 Post Independent Carbondale FYI]
* [http://www.crms.org/ Colorado Rocky Mountain School]
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