Quick Facts - Bent County
| Bent County’s 984,960 acres is in the Mountain Time Zone. Predominantly rural, it encompasses the communities of Las Animas, McClave, Hasty and Caddoa. |
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| 2004 Taxes |
| County Mill Levy | 30.855 |
| Las Animas Mill Levy | 39.000 |
| County Sales Tax | 1.00% |
| Las Animas Sales Tax | 3.00% |
| Sources: Colorado DOLA web site 2005, Bent County Abstract of Assessment |
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| TRANSPORTATION |
| Highways: US 50, CO 101 |
| Rail Service: BNSF |
| Bus: TNM&O Coaches, GATS |
| Air Travel: |
| Las Animas Airport |
| Lamar Flying Service (36 miles east) |
Colorado Springs International Airport
(120 miles northwest) |
Denver International Airport
(210 miles northwest) |
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| POPULATION |
| Population (2003) |
| Bent County | 6,397 |
| Las Animas | 2,765 |
| Population by age (2000) |
| 0 to 14 – | 19.1% |
| 15 – 34 – | 27.4% |
| 35 – 64 - | 37.6% |
| 65 and older – | 15.9% |
| Source: Colorado DOLA Website 2005 |
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| LABOR FORCE |
| Annual Average Wage 2003 | $24,856 |
| Unemployment Rate, 2004 | 5.3% |
| Per Capita Income, 2004 | $13,567 |
| WORKFORCE BY OCCUPATION |
| Management, professional & related | 33.5% |
| Service | 16.9% |
| Sales & office | 24.0% |
| Farming, fishing & forestry | 10.1% |
| Construction, extractions & maintenance | 7.6% |
| Production, transportation & material moving | 8.0% |
| Source: MCDC Demographic Profile 3, 2000 Census, Colorado OED&IT Website, 2005 |
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Climate
At an elevation of 3,901 ft., Bent County boasts an average of 315 days of sunshine, with mean temperatures of 30° F in winter and 80° F in the summer. Precipitation averages 12.8 inches annually. The pleasant climate in Bent County is a key element in the area=s quality of life.
Hunting, Fishing & Wildlife
Some of Colorado=s best fishing can be found at John Martin Reservoir State Park, with 11,647 water acres when full, and Lake Hasty, located just below the dam. Hunting includes fowl and large and small game that thrive in the county.
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Bent County is home to a number of wildlife  areas that provide habitat for endangered and threatened species including the blackfooted ferret and the swift fox. Part of the designated IBA (Important Birding Area) of Southeast Colorado, Bent County boasts a whopping 373 species of birds. |
Historical and Cultural Attractions
Bent County is home to a number of State and Nationally  registered historic sites associated with the Santa Fe Trail and post 1800s plains architecture. Petroglyphs and dinosaur tracks can be found in the canyons south of the Purgatoire River. |
| Source: MCDC Demographic Profile 3, 2000 Census |
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| COST OF LIVING INDEX |
| Pueblo County | 0.906 |
| Otero County | 0.861 |
| Bent County | 0.849 |
| Baca County | 0.834 |
| Source: Cost of Living Differentials in Colorado: 2002, by CSU Coop. Ext |
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