Bent County

Bent County

Bent County is located in the Southeastern corner of Colorado along the Arkansas River.  The county is 1,541 square miles with a population density of 4.4 per square mile.  The average elevation is 3,900 feet. 

The southern portion of the county contains bluffs, mesas and canyons that open to the rolling plains of the Arkansas River Valley and the northern portion is a series of rolling plains sloping south to the Arkansas River.  The Arkansas River provides water for irrigation, recreation and wildlife.  The Santa Fe Trail traverses the north side of the Arkansas River and lies parallel to Highway 50.  Bent’s Old Fort served as a major trading post on the Santa Fe Trail.  Bent County houses two correctional facilities.  Agriculture is the main economic driver in the county, encompassing approximately 91% of the County.

Current Projects

Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy

2021 - 2026 CEDS Our 2021 - 2026 Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) has been approved by the Economic Development Administration (EDA). CEDS FINAL with Appendix F The Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) contributes to effective economic development in our communities and regions through a locally based, regionally driven economic development planning process.  Economic development

Shop Local in South-East Colorado

Our friends on the Eastern Plains have developed a one stop shop and web presence for small businesses there. Click on the images to purchase gift certificates from a range of boutique clothing, food, décor, and personal services businesses.

Salute to these organization for making www.secostrong.org happen:

Bent County Development Foundation
BCEDS (Baca County Economic Development Foundation)
KCEDF (Kiowa County Economic Development Foundation)
Prowers Economic Prosperity
Otero County
Crowley County
The cities of Rocky Ford and La Junta
La Junta Main Street
SEBREA (Southeast Colorado Business Retention, Expansion, Attraction Program)
SBDC of Southeast Colorado (Small Business Development Center)
SECED (Southeast Colorado Enterprise Development)

The Southern Colorado Economic Development District (SCEDD)