Walsenburg is the county seat of Huerfano County. Located between exits 49 and 52 on the I-25, Walsenburg also sits astride US 160, the primary east-west route in Southern Colorado. The town is just east of La Veta Pass, gateway to the San Luis Valley.

Walsenburg was originally settled as Plaza de los Leones in 1862 but is named after Fred Walsen, a businessman who settled here about 1870. It was Fred who opened the first coal mine in the county just west of town in 1876. Walsen Mine was the largest and most productive coal mine in Huerfano County.

Main Street Walsenburg has two museums, a municipal swimming pool and a nine hole municipal golf course. Just west of the golf course is Lathrop State Park, which has lakes for swimming, boating, windsurfing, and fishing.

The county Medical Center and VA Nursing Home are right across the road from Lathrop SP. The San Isabel National Forest is south and west of town, around the Spanish Peaks and the Sangre de Cristos.

North of town, Greenhorn Mountain and most of the Wet Mountains are also part of the National Forest. Huerfano County Courthouse Huerfano County Courthouse the Spanish Peaks The Spanish Peaks from Walsenburg

Walsenburg at a glance...

• Elevation: 6,126 feet
• Average annual precipitation: 15.8 inches
• Terrain: An irregular plateau broken by numerous narrow fertile valleys in the east, rising to the Culebra Range of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains in the west and the Spanish Peaks in the south
• January temperature: High: 48 Low: 19
• July temperature: High: 91 Low 58
• Days of Sunshine per year: 300+
• Walsenburg Population 2000 census: 4,182
• Huerfano County Population 2000 census: 7,862

Restaurants

Alpine Rose Cafe. 522 Main St. . Phone: 719-738-1157.
A & W Drive Inn. I-25 exit 52. Phone: 719-738-3960 .
Carl's Jr.. 700 Main St.. Phone: 719-738-1002.
Corines Drive Inn. 822 South Main St.. Phone: 719-738-1231.
George's Drive Inn. I-25 exit 52. Phone: 719-738-3030.
Iron Horse Restaurant. 503 West 7th. Phone: 719-738-9966.
Pizza Hut. 973 Hwy U.S. 85/87 N. Phone: 719-738-3783.
Rambler Restaurant. I-25 exit 52. Phone: 719-738-6150.
Rosa's Cantina. 620 Main Street. Phone: 719-738-1833.
Subway. 228 Main Stree. Phone: 719-738-1332.

Hotels and Motels

Alpha Motel. 715 Walsen Ave.. Phone: 719-738-2890.
Anchor Motel. 1001 South Main Street. Phone: 719-738-2800.
Best Western Rambler. 457 U.S. Hwy 85/87. Phone: 719-738-1121.
Budget Host Motel & RV Park. 553 U.S. Hwy 85/87. Phone: 719-738-3800.
Knights Inn. 22808 U.S. Hwy 160. Phone: 719-738-2167.
Rio Cucharas Inn. 77 County Road 504. Phone: 719-738-1282.
Sands Motel. 533 West 7th Street. Phone: 719-738-3827.

Bed and Breakfasts

La Plaza Inn B&B. 118 West 6th Street. Phone: 719-738-5700.

Campgrounds and RV Parks

Dakota Campground RV Park. 1079 U.S. Hwy 85/87. Phone: 719-738-9912.