Basalt, Colorado

The Town of Basalt is a statutory town in Eagle and Pitkin counties in the U.S. state of Colorado. The town population was 3,857 at the 2010 United States Census.

For other uses, see Basalt (disambiguation).
Town of Basalt, Colorado

Aspen Junction, Incorporated in 1901 as Basalt
Statutory Town
Motto(s): 
"The Heart of the Roaring Fork Valley"
Location of Basalt in Eagle County and Pitkin County, Colorado.
Town of Basalt, Colorado
Location in the contiguous United States
Coordinates: 39°21′29″N 107°01′07″W[1]
Country United States
State State of Colorado
CountyEagle County[2]
Pitkin County
IncorporatedAugust 26, 1901[3]
Government
 • TypeStatutory town[2]
 • MayorJacque Whitsitt
Area
 • Total2.01 sq mi (5.20 km2)
 • Land2.00 sq mi (5.18 km2)
 • Water0.01 sq mi (0.02 km2)
Elevation6,611 ft (2,015 m)
Population
 (2010)
 • Total3,857
 • Estimate 
(2018)[6]
4,166
 • Density1,961.48/sq mi (757.33/km2)
Time zoneUTC-7 (MST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC-6 (MDT)
ZIP code
81621[7]
Area code(s)970
FIPS code08-04935
GNIS feature ID0175038
Highways SH 82
SH 82
WebsiteOfficial website

History

Basalt was first named Aspen Junction, after the Junction it served which lead to present day Aspen, Colorado. Aspen Junction was a territory serving Aspen to Leadville Mining towns, with the Railroad Junction, also going West and South to Carbondale and Glenwood Springs. It was first served by the Colorado Midland Railroad, it was later bought out in 1901 by the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad.[8][9]

The town was named for the basaltic rock formation on Basalt Mountain, and began as a railroad town.[10] The town was incorporated in 1901.[11]

Geography

Basalt is located at 39°22′6″N 107°2′18″W (39.368382, -107.038263),[12] along State Highway 82, and at the confluence of the Fryingpan and Roaring Fork rivers. According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 1.9 square miles (4.9 km2), of which 1.9 square miles (4.9 km2) is land and 0.04 square miles (0.10 km2) (1.03%) is water.

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.%±
1900382—
1910235−38.5%
1920185−21.3%
1930148−20.0%
194021243.2%
1950173−18.4%
196021323.1%
197041996.7%
198052926.3%
19901,128113.2%
20002,681137.7%
20103,85743.9%
Est. 20184,166[6]8.0%
U.S. Decennial Census[13]

As of the census[14] of 2000, there were 2,681 people, 1,052 households, and 637 families residing in the town. The population density was 1,394.8 people per square mile (539.1/km²). There were 1,218 housing units at an average density of 633.7 per square mile (244.9/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 91.53% White, 0.48% African American, 0.52% Native American, 1.27% Asian, 0.11% Pacific Islander, 4.77% from other races, and 1.31% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 11.75% of the population.

There were 1,052 households out of which 34.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.1% were married couples living together, 7.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.4% were non-families. 24.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 2.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.55 and the average family size was 3.00.

In the town, the population was spread out with 23.6% under the age of 18, 6.8% from 18 to 24, 42.3% from 25 to 44, 24.4% from 45 to 64, and 3.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 108.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 110.6 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $67,200, and the median income for a family was $73,375. Males had a median income of $40,791 versus $30,532 for females. The per capita income for the town was $30,746. About 4.9% of families and 6.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.9% of those under age 18 and 6.8% of those age 65 or over.

Tourism
Ruedi Reservoir in July.

Basalt is well known for its Gold Medal trout fishing in the Frying Pan River. Ruedi Reservoir is also a popular regional destination for boating and other watersports. Basalt is a hub for mountain biking in the Roaring Fork valley. There are a dozen world class cross country trails as well as lift-accessed downhilling within 15 miles of Basalt, both up and down the valley.

Chamber of Commerce

The Basalt Chamber of Commerce, a 501(c)6 membership organization of business and professional men and women, was formed in 1983. The organization serves as a primary resource for area businesses cultivating alliances, encouraging community involvement and fostering economic opportunity and a favorable business climate. The Chamber is charged with business development, marketing, special events support and building tourism for this important center of support for the upvalley resort communities of Aspen and Snowmass Village - a beautiful destination in its own right. Chamber membership grew by more than 10 percent in 2015 to nearly 500 businesses and gross revenues were up 10 percent matching the revenue increase for the Town as a whole. The Chamber is housed in a caboose in the middle of historic downtown, with one full-time and one part-time staff member and a volunteer board of 15 members. Its executive director since July 2017 is Kris Mattera.[15] The Basalt Chamber of Commerce's website is www.BasaltChamber.com

Transportation

Notable people

See also

References
  1. "2014 U.S. Gazetteer Files: Places". United States Census Bureau. July 1, 2014. Retrieved January 5, 2015.
  2. "Active Colorado Municipalities". State of Colorado, Department of Local Affairs. Archived from the original on 2009-12-12. Retrieved 2007-08-27.
  3. "Colorado Municipal Incorporations". State of Colorado, Department of Personnel & Administration, Colorado State Archives. 2004-12-01. Archived from the original on 27 September 2007. Retrieved 2007-08-18.
  4. "2016 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved Jul 25, 2017.
  5. "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. 2007-10-25. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  6. "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". Retrieved October 29, 2019.
  7. "ZIP Code Lookup". United States Postal Service. August 19, 2007. Archived from the original (JavaScript/HTML) on 18 August 2007. Retrieved August 19, 2007.
  8. "History of Basalt | Basalt, CO - Official Website". www.basalt.net. Retrieved 2020-02-19.
  9. "History of Basalt, Colorado". Basalt Mountain Inn. Retrieved 2020-02-19.
  10. "Welcome to Basalt, Colorado". Town of Basalt. Archived from the original on 2012-03-09. Retrieved 2012-03-07.
  11. "Basalt, Colorado". City-Data.com. Retrieved 2012-03-07.
  12. "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
  13. "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  14. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  15. http://www.aspentimes.com/news/basalt-chambers-new-executive-director-says-she-is-looking-forward-to-challenges-and-opportunities/
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