SPOTLIGHT ON GULNARE
County: Las Animas
Elevation: 6,975 feet
Location: An unincorporated town, it is near the Apishapa River about 30 miles from Trinidad and about 9 miles from Aguilar.
Established: 1884; post office established Dec. 16, 1890
Name: Legend has it that when residents were trying to decide what to call the town, various names were submitted to the Postal Service. On the envelope in which the suggestions were mailed was the picture of a Holstein named “Gulnare.” It was decided to use the cow’s name and disregard the others.
Brief history: The post office moved out several years ago when population declined, but the town still has a grill, a recreational vehicle park, a liquor store and the Colorado Metal Spinning business. There are methane-gas wells in the nearby Spanish Peaks area.
Gulnare has new subdivisions that offer 35-acre plots where many retirees are moving. Originally an agricultural and ranching community, Gulnare has seen its economy shift to ranching, methane gas and some logging.
Sources: “Colorado Place Names,” by William Bright; “1001 Colorado Place Names,” by Maxine Benson; “Colorado Post Offices 1859-1989” by William H. Bauer, James L. Ozment and John H. Willard; June Valentine, local Gulnare historian and sixth-generation rancher; USGS
REGIONAL NOTES
GOLDEN
Ex-City Manager Bennetts dies
Sharon Bennetts, who served as Golden city manager from January 1989 to May 1993, died Thursday.
Bennetts, who was appointed city clerk in 1969 and served in that post until she was appointed city manager, “was a wonderful lady who will be missed by all who knew her,” City Manager Mike Bestor said.
Services will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday at Olinger- Woods Mortuary, 1100 Washington Ave. A reception will follow at the Golden Hotel.
LONE TREE
Library offers driver safety course
The Neighborhood Library will offer a two-part AARP driver’s safety and refresher course from 1 to 5 p.m. Jan. 18 and Jan. 19.
Attendance is required both days to complete the class and to qualify for insurance rate discounts. The cost is $10, and registration is required. For more information, visit the library at 8827 Lone Tree Parkway or call 303-791-7323.
CASTLE ROCK
Blood drive scheduled for Jan. 21
A blood drive is scheduled at the Philip S. Miller Library from 1 to 4 p.m. Jan. 21. Bonfils Blood Center needs 4,200 blood donations weekly to meet needs and for unexpected demand. Bonfils supplies blood to more than 115 hospitals and health care facilities.
The library is at 100 S. Wilcox St. Donors should call Bonfils at 303-363-2300 to register.
DENVER POST STAFF REPORTS
