Craig, Colorado

History

Founded by William H. Tucker, Craig was incorporated as a city on April 24, 1908. The town was named for one of the town's financial backers, Reverend William Bayard Craig.

Craig became the county seat when Moffat County was created out of the western portion of Routt County on February 27, 1911. In the same area as Craig, at the confluence of the Yampa River (then known as the Bear River) and Fortification Creek, were previous towns known as Yampa (as early as 1885) and Windsor (as early as 1878). In 1878, the area consisted of a number of ranches and at least two businesses: Himley's Ferry (which allowed crossing of the Yampa River) and Peck's Store (a one-room trading post).

In the 1970s and early 1980s, the largest power generation plant in Colorado and several coal mines were constructed near Craig.

Geography

Craig is located at 40°31′1″N 107°33′1″W (40.516896, -107.550389).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 5.1 square miles (13.3 km²), all land.

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 9,189 people, 3,525 households, and 2,432 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,886.6 people per square mile (728.5/km²). There were 3,851 housing units at an average density of 790.6 per square mile (305.3/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 92.56% White, 0.30% African American, 0.96% Native American, 0.42% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 3.84% from other races, and 1.89% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 10.80% of the population.

There were 3,525 households out of which 38.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.3% were married couples living together, 9.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.0% were non-families. 25.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.53 and the average family size was 3.05.

In the city, the population was spread out with 28.5% under the age of 18, 9.6% from 18 to 24, 30.1% from 25 to 44, 21.9% from 45 to 64, and 9.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 106.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 103.4 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $41,091, and the median income for a family was $45,504. Males had a median income of $38,038 versus $21,806 for females. The per capita income for the city was $18,140. About 6.9% of families and 8.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.5% of those under age 18 and 6.5% of those age 65 or over.

Transportation

Craig was the terminus of the never-finished Denver and Salt Lake Railway. While the tracks still exist to Craig, the effort to finish this line was abandoned, and the tracks to Craig became a spur route.

U.S. 40 is the primary east-west highway serving Craig, while Colorado State Highway 13 runs south to Interstate 70 and north to Wyoming, where it becomes Wyoming State Highway 789, ending in the north at Interstate 80.

Craig-Moffat Airport serves as the local airfield. Scheduled passenger jet airline service is available at the Yampa Valley Airport located east of Craig on U.S. 40.

Hunting

Craig is known as the "Elk Hunting Capital of the World" by many sources. While this claim has also been made by other towns and areas, Craig certainly does make a strong claim. Hunters travel to Craig from all over the world to hunt the land of Moffat County for elk, and many of them stay in Craig. Craig's tourism relies heavily on hunting, and the town's economy relies on the heavy boost received each winter from travelers.

Things to Do

Juniper Hot Springs is located approximately 30 minutes southwest of Craig on the Yampa River. Juniper Hot Springs is a rustic hot springs that contains 24 different minerals.

Notable people