Otero County is a county in Colorado, United States, on the Arkansas River in the southeastern plains. It had a population of 18,690 at the 2020 census and covers 1,270 square miles (3,300 km2) centred near 37°54′N 103°43′W.
La Junta is the county seat and its postal code is 81050. The county has two incorporated cities, four incorporated towns, and several unincorporated communities, all in the Mountain time zone.
Towns & Villages in Otero County
Otero County has six USPS-recognized places and a handful of smaller unincorporated communities along US 50 and the Arkansas River. La Junta and Rocky Ford are cities; Cheraw, Fowler, Manzanola, and Swink are incorporated towns; the rest are unincorporated or census-designated.
| Place | Type | Pop. | ZIP |
|---|---|---|---|
| La Junta | City · seat | 6,685 | 81050 |
| Rocky Ford | City | 3,706 | 81067 |
| Swink | Town | 717 | 81077 |
| Manzanola | Town | 422 | 81058 |
| Fowler | Town | 1,183 | 81039 |
| Cheraw | Town | 209 | 81030 |
| La Junta Gardens | CDP | — | 81050 |
| North La Junta | CDP | — | 81050 |
La Junta Gardens and North La Junta are unincorporated CDPs on the edge of La Junta and share its 81050 ZIP code. Several names on older county lists — Ayer, Benton, Bloom, Casa, Castiel, Elder, Hadley, Hawley, Hays, Higbee, La Junta Village, Mindeman, Ormega, Orr, Randall, Roberta, Shelton, Timpas, and Vroman — are historic railroad sidings or rural post office names along the Santa Fe line rather than present-day towns; they are not carried over here for lack of a verifiable current population or address.
ZIP Codes
- 81050 — La Junta (also serves La Junta Gardens and North La Junta)
- 81067 — Rocky Ford
- 81039 — Fowler
- 81058 — Manzanola
- 81077 — Swink (PO Box only)
- 81030 — Cheraw (PO Box only)
Geography
Otero County sits in the Arkansas River valley on Colorado’s southeastern plains, where irrigated farmland along the river gives way to dry shortgrass prairie away from it. The Arkansas River runs the length of the county west to east through La Junta and Rocky Ford. Otero borders Crowley County to the north, Kiowa County to the east, Bent County to the southeast, Las Animas County to the south, and Pueblo County to the west. Only Crowley County has a live page on this site; the others are named without a link.
Demographics
Otero County had 18,690 residents at the 2020 census. La Junta and Rocky Ford are its two largest communities, together holding well over half the county’s population. Median household income in the county runs below the Colorado median of $92,911, reflecting its agricultural economic base. Population density is roughly 15 people per square mile.
Economy & Local Life
Agriculture anchors the local economy — Rocky Ford is nationally known for its cantaloupes and melons, and the surrounding valley grows onions, alfalfa, and other irrigated crops fed by canals off the Arkansas River. La Junta serves as the county’s retail and government center and is home to Otero College, a two-year public college. The Koshare Indian Museum, run by a local Boy Scout troop, is a longstanding La Junta institution and draws regional visitors.
History
Otero County was organized on March 25, 1889, carved from Bent County. It is named for Miguel Antonio Otero, a prominent Hispanic New Mexico Territory figure who helped found La Junta as a railroad town on the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe line. The county’s growth followed the railroad and, later, large-scale irrigation projects that turned the river valley into productive farmland.
Getting There
US 50 runs east–west through the county and US 350 branches southeast from La Junta toward Trinidad. Nearby anchors:
- Pueblo — 65 miles west
- Lamar — 45 miles east
- Trinidad — 65 miles south
- Colorado Springs — 110 miles northwest
The nearest commercial airport is Southern Colorado Regional Airport in Pueblo; La Junta Municipal Airport handles general aviation only.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Otero County?
It is in southeastern Colorado, along the Arkansas River between Pueblo and the Kansas border.
What is the population of Otero County?
18,690 at the 2020 census.
How big is Otero County?
1,270 square miles (3,300 km2), including about 1,262 square miles of land.
What is the county seat of Otero County?
La Junta is the county seat.
How many towns are in Otero County?
Two cities (La Junta, Rocky Ford) and four incorporated towns (Cheraw, Fowler, Manzanola, Swink), plus two unincorporated CDPs.
What ZIP codes are in Otero County?
81050, 81067, 81039, 81058, 81077, and 81030.
What is Rocky Ford known for?
Its cantaloupes and melons, grown in the irrigated Arkansas River valley since the late 1800s.
More counties in this state: Towns and villages in Colorado.