Everybody knows about Loveland. But Colorado has quite a few romantically named towns – if you choose to interpret them that way, at least. We get to the heart of the matter.
With Valentine’s Day upon us, every Coloradan knows the place to be for romance is Loveland. Love-land. But what about other love-struck towns across the state that don’t get the attention? We’ve compiled a list of lesser-known Colorado towns that are feeling the love – or something akin to it – in their names. – Jenny Deam, Denver Post staff writer
ROMEO Population 375
Wherefore art thou? In Conejos County, near the New Mexico border in south-central Colorado. The story goes that the name was actually shortened from Romero. This farming and meatpacking town’s population is 71 percent Latino, after all. At one time the place to see and be seen in Romeo was Little Joe’s Chuckwagon Cafe. Alas, the restaurant portion has now closed, leaving only a bar. But don’t go looking for love there on Valentine’s Day. Owner Joe Duran will close for the evening so he can take his wife out in nearby Manassa.
COPE Population 200
Who hasn’t had to do a bit of coping on the road to love? Valentine’s Day is one of the busiest nights of the year at Kelly Western Steakhouse. With seating for 40, this spot in Washington County pulls lovebirds in from 50 miles away, as it is one of the few restaurants around. Co-owner Linda Klassen has a $10.95 steak-and-shrimp dinner special planned. But if you want a movie to go with dinner, you’ll have to drive about 20 miles to Kirk to rent one.
HYGIENE Population 200
It’s always a good idea when wooing someone to clean up a bit. Actually, the name of this Boulder County town comes from the clean, fresh air people once sought for its recuperative powers.
The big gathering spot for Valentine’s Day – and every other day, for that matter – is the Coffee Stop, a 16-seat restaurant open for breakfast and lunch.
“All our local farmers gather here,” says manager Barbara Harvey. “They say they’re discussing the business of the day but I think they’re discussing everyone else’s business.”
Plans are not yet finalized for V-Day, but Harvey figures she’ll bake some special cupcakes and cookies and offer a buy-one-and-get-your-sweetheart’s- treat-for-free special. “Love is definitely in the air in Hygiene,” declares postal clerk Sandy Dotson.
FAIRPLAY Population 610
All’s fair in love and war, right? Actually, there are several versions of how this former mining town in Park County got its name. Some say it comes from giving miners an equal chance to stake claims. The more colorful version goes like this: When people wanted to settle a beef with firearms they were cautioned to be fair. How civilized.
This Valentine’s Day, the very civilized and completely renovated Fairplay Hotel, will offer a special four-course dinner and dance. There will be seatings at 6 p.m. and 8 p.m., with prices ranging from $19 to $27. Owner David Meredith says those who dine at the hotel that night will also be offered a 30 percent discount on a room.
HEARTSTRONG Pop. unknown
This little enclave two miles west of Happyville in Yuma County was homesteaded in 1920 by Cleve Mason. The story goes that Mason built a store in Happyville, but had a falling out with the local co-op. He opened a bigger store in Heartstrong and operated the post office out of that store without the official blessing of the postmaster general. In 1921, a new Happyville postmaster was appointed, but the building later burned and was closed in 1922. The Heartstrong post office operated until 1940 and gradually the Happyville name was lost. These days, Heartstrong is just a corner in the road, with locals spending time in nearby Eckley.
LAST CHANCE Population 14
The name really says it all, doesn’t it? Unfortunately not much will be doing in Last Chance on Valentine’s Day. The tiny town in Washington County got its name in the 1920s when a gas pump was installed and it became known as the last chance for food and fuel before heading out onto the Eastern Plains.
At one time there was a mechanic’s shop, a Dairy King, a motel, two gas stations and a cafe. All have closed.
“The only thing we have left is the Methodist church,” says Evelyn Everhart, 63, a resident since 1970. The running joke in these parts is the church should market itself as the perfect wedding spot for anyone determined to take one last chance on love.
NEED MORE LOVE?
Find other towns at rootsweb.com/~coplaces/index.html, then turn to Page 26A and see if you can locate these names in our word search puzzle.
Bachelor (Mineral County)
Bountiful (Conejos County)
Camp Hope (Saguache County)
Chance (Gunnison County)
Chase (Park County)
Defiance (Garfield County)
Disappointment (Dolores County)
Eden (Pueblo County)
Fort Misery (Moffat County)
Fort Wicked (Logan County)
Freedom (Conejos County)
Freeman (Rio Grande County)
Friend (Yuma County)
Ideal (Huerfano County)
Jackpot (Teller County)
Liberty (Saguache, Weld and
Rio Grande counties)
Loco (Kit Carson County)
Lolita (Crowley County)
Love (El Paso County)
Quandry City (Summit County)
