About Craig and Moffat County...

Wide-open spaces are a thing of the present in Moffat County. From Black Mountain's golden aspens to rugged canyons in legendary Brown's Park, the region offers diversity in landscape and is home to some of the largest deer and elk herds in North America. The Yampa and Snake River valleys, mountains, and high plains desert cover an area 93 miles long and 52 miles wide, bordering Wyoming and Utah. Centrally located, the city of Craig is the shopping, family recreation, and entertainment center for the area. Newcomers and visitors to Northwest Colorado enjoy western hospitality and a friendly way of life. Moffat County is a lifetime experience, a great place to grow-up and to be a grown-up!

History and Introduction

The Utes were the last Native American tribe inhabiting the Yampa Valley before settlers moved into the area in the 1800's. Earlier tribes left records of their existence with petroglyphs in various sites. Cattle and sheep men carved out their niche, leaving a colorful western history complete with range wars and gunfights. Grand Old West Days (Memorial Day Weekend), little Britches Rodeo (4th of July Weekend), Ride-n-Tie Rodeo (part of the Moffat County Fair held in August), and Sheep Wagon Days (early fall), share Moffat County's western culture with children, community members, and visitors to Craig.

Location and Transportation

Moffat County, located in the northwest corner of Colorado, lies midway between Denver, Colorado, and Salt Lake City, Utah. Grand Junction is 150 miles south of Craig, and the Wyoming border is less than an hour's drive to the north. Visitors and local businesses use Yampa Valley Airport, a mere 20 miles from Craig, to commute to Denver for direct flights to major cities and for connections to overseas destinations. The Moffat railroad provides transportation for locally mined coal, which is shipped throughout the United States.

Business and Industry

Agriculture and mining are a vital part of the local economy; oil, natural gas, coal and other minerals abound. Energy producers have joined the historical ranching and agricultural economy and are now the largest group of Moffat County employers. Northwest Colorado welcomes relocating businesses and new industries. The Chamber of Commerce is the primary information center, providing comprehensive information for businesses and individuals interested in visiting or relocating to the area. Business training and start-up services are provided by Colorado Northwestern Community College, a member of the state community college system.

Tourism and Recreation

Elkhead Reservoir, minutes from town, is a favorite destination for water skiing, fishing, swimming and after-work picnics. A miniature golf course, a movie theater, a skateboard park and a bowling alley are located in Craig. Locals ice-skate at the Olympic-sized rink, walk and bike nature trails, and attend baseball games at the spacious Loudy Sompson recreation complex. Developed parks totaling 120 acres are within walking distance from Craig. Swimming and wave pools, basketball, tennis, and volleyball courts are located in the centralized city park. Racquetball courts and a climbing wall are housed in community-used, college-owned Trapper Health Club. Youth and adults play baseball, soccer, volleyball, football and basketball organized by the local parks and recreation department. Youngsters raise animals of all kinds and learn vocational skills and crafts through 4-H and FFA. Visitors and locals frequent the beautiful 18-hole Yampa Valley Golf Course, not only to golf, but to dine and view resident bald eagles and other wildlife. Rafting, fly-fishing, and fishing for pike, trout and catfish abound. This region has attracted hunters for over 200 years and is a favorite for bow, muzzleloading and rifle hunting for elk, deer, antelope, bear, and mountain lion. Fun in the snow includes sledding, snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing. World class downhill skiing is available at world class Steamboat Springs, 45 miles east of Craig. Dinosaur National Monument, Routt National Forest and vast Bureau of Land Management acreage provide campers, hikers, photographers and day-trippers access to wilderness, wild horses, scenic landscapes and pre-historic dinosaurs.

Homes

Affordable in-town and country living provides a number of home options. Established residential areas in Craig support a hometown atmosphere and acreage is available within a short drive from the city. Residential loans in 1999 averaged $97,805. Town homes, apartments and mobile home parks provide additional housing possibilities. Residents of the two senior citizen complexes have access to a variety of support services including transportation and meals.

Shopping, Dining and Entertainment

Quaint shops line Craig's historic downtown. Shoppers, visitors and business people gather at the downtown park and restaurants. Over 30 retail stores are housed in Craig's shopping mall, and ethnic restaurants offering a variety of foods from Western Barbecue to Chinese entrees are located throughout the city. Franchise restaurants and catering services are available, and locals frequent "mom and pop" cafes or drive to the nearby villages of Maybell and Hamilton for a relaxing meal.

Moffat County's talented and unique artist display their creations ranging from metal art, painting, photography, sculpture and dirt painting at the annual art walk and local museum. Concerts and other entertainment featuring diverse range of national, international, and excellent local talent are provided through the efforts of the local Community Concert Association, Colorado Northwestern Community College and the local arts council.

Education

The Moffat County School system is made up of nine schools including the only remaining "one room" school in Colorado, located in Maybell. The Early Childhood Center preschool serves three and four-year old children. Moffat County High School and Colorado Northwestern Community College (CNCC) work together to provide students a high-quality educational experience. Students pursue upper-level studies at the college through dual-enrollment while attending high school, and many continue their studies at CNCC after graduation. Students of all ages attend the college to learn job skills and enjoy life-long learning. Craig-Moffat County Library provides additional educational resources. The library offers a summer reading program for children, and CNCC's College for Kids present special classes ranging from horsemanship to foreign language.

Health Care

Memorial Hospital is owned by the people of Moffat County and operates as a not-for-profit organization. The hospital is equipped with state-of-the art cardiac monitoring and resuscitation equipment. Laboratory and radiology departments, obstetrics, and surgical capabilities allow patients to complete routine procedures, same day surgery and also receive emergency services within a wide geographic area. Relationships with metropolitan hospitals allow for rapid transfer of patients requiring more specialized care. A variety of medical and sports medicine clinics, dental and alternative healthcare offices are located in town. Rehabilitation therapy is abailableavailablelocal agencies, the college's health club, and a residentaresidentialenter. The living center includes special programs for Alzheimer's patients. The Visiting Nurse Association provides assisted living services.

Museum of Northwest Colorado

One of the world's outstanding collections of Western Americana is housed in the Museum of Northwest Colorado. The museum facilitates the preservation of historical structures and artifacts, education of citizens and sponsorship of individuals and groups interested in family and historical research. Cowboy gear dating to the early 1800's includes guns, gun leather, chaps, spurs, saddles, and other accoutrements. Parts of the collection have been featured in numerous publications, including "Cowboy and Gunfighter Collectibles." Global visitors, school children and community members view an array of displays depicting the reality of western life in Moffat County. Museum staff members, including serior cisenior from the Yampa Valley, are on hand to provide visitors with information and personal accounts of local history.