Hermosa is an
unincorporated community
An unincorporated area is a region that is not governed by a local municipal corporation. Widespread unincorporated communities and areas are a distinguishing feature of the United States and Canada. Most other countries of the world either have ...
in
La Plata County,
Colorado
Colorado (, other variants) is a state in the Mountain states, Mountain West subregion of the Western United States. It encompasses most of the Southern Rocky Mountains, as well as the northeastern portion of the Colorado Plateau and the wes ...
, United States. It is located north of
Durango along
U.S. Highway 550.
History
The community was established around 1874
and had a post office from 1876 to 1900. Residents are now served by post offices in Durango.
In 2018, the
416 Fire burned northwest of Hermosa, prompting evacuations.
Attractions
The
Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad has a
water stop
A water stop or water station on a railroad is a place where steam trains stop to replenish water. The stopping of the train itself is also referred to as a "water stop". The term originates from the times of steam engines when large amounts of ...
in Hermosa, and the railroad maintains a maintenance yard and a siding there, which is sometimes called the Hermosa Depot. The yard has a prominent railroad
water tank
A water tank is a container for storing water.
Water tanks are used to provide storage of water for use in many applications, drinking water, irrigation agriculture, fire suppression, agricultural farming, both for plants and livestock, chemi ...
that is easily seen by motorists passing through Hermosa on Highway 550.
Hermosa Creek
Hermosa Creek is a tributary of the Animas River in San Juan and La Plata counties in Colorado. The creek rises near Hermosa Peak in San Juan County, Colorado and then flows generally south to La Plata County and to its confluence with the Anim ...
passes through the community from west to east and has its confluence with the
Animas River
Animas River (''On-e-mas''; es, Río de las Ánimas) is a river in the western United States, a tributary of the San Juan River, part of the Colorado River System.
The Animas-La Plata Water Project was completed in 2015. The project pumps w ...
nearby.
The Hermosa Cliffs,
formed of red sandstone, line the river valley in Hermosa.
See also
*
Durango Micropolitan Statistical Area The Durango Micropolitan Statistical Area is a United States Census Bureau defined Micropolitan Statistical Area located in the Durango area of the State of Colorado. The Durango Micropolitan Statistical Area is defined as La Plata County, Color ...
References
External links
{{authority control
Unincorporated communities in La Plata County, Colorado
Unincorporated communities in Colorado