A "Special Edition" history book commemorating the Centennial for Crowley County is available. The book contains the history of the county beginning in the late 1890's. The book is divided by chapters of the early days of the area, our farming, industries, ranching, towns, churches, schools, the history of when and how we began as Crowley County and what we are in 2011. There are 320 historical pictures in the book with the history to go with them. The books are $30.00 plus a $5.00 charge for shipping and handling..Industry, Labor & Transportation
The county lies in a fertile farming and ranching region.
Its major industries are agriculture related, with a 55,000 head cattle feed lot and a large feed producing elevator that supplies livestock feed to a large part of the Southwestern United States. Another asset to the area's economy is the Arkansas Valley Correctional Facility, a State medium security prison that opened in 1988. This facility has over 300 employees.
The newest addition is the Crowley County Correctional Facility, a private medium security prison that opened in 1999. There are 264 employees.
Labor Structure
Crowley County like many rural areas throughout the nation, offers a truly outstanding work force. The area has virtually no history of labor disputes. The local work force has a reputation for loyalty, hard work, and low turnover. The area also offers a labor force that is relatively inexpensive. This is emphatically not a matter of "cheap, unskilled labor." Rather, it is a reflection of relatively low cost of living and the strong desire of local people to stay in the area.
According to data developed by the State of Colorado, this potential savings in labor cost is significant. For example, State average private sector employee wages are $18.00 per hour. For Pueblo County, the average private sector hourly rate is $11.50. For Crowley County this figure is $9.70. In specific sectors this potential savings carries through. State average hourly rates in the Transportation, Communication, and Public Utility sector, for example, are $26.30. For Pueblo County this figure is $17.50.
Transportation
Crowley County is served by an excellent transportation system. The site is located on Highway 96, which is within one hour of I- 25, the major north-south artery on the eastern slope of the Rocky Mountains. A connection to I-70 in Limon provides access to points east and west. The county is also immediately adjacent to U.S. Highway 50 and within a one hour drive west of the new Ports to Plains Trade Route corridor in Eads. If rail transportation is required a spur could be easily provided from the Colorado, Kansas and Pacific Railroad. Connections at Pueblo and La Junta also make the Burlington Northern, and Santa Fe railroad system available.
Commercial air service is available at the Pueblo Municipal Airport, only 45 minutes to the west. Great Lakes Airlines provides flights to Denver International Airport, which is serviced by United and Frontier Airlines, as well as other major airlines. The closest airport with national connections is located in Colorado Springs, approximately 90 minutes away.
