Canyons & Plains to Hold Regional Meeting at Las Animas

Photo courtesy of Patti Nickell

Canyons & Plains of Southeast Colorado will hold its regional meeting at the Bent County Courthouse, Las Animas, CO on Thursday, October 2, 2014, 9 a.m. to 11 am. The topic of the meeting will be “Bent County Successes in Preservation,” presented by Bent County Commissioner, Bill Long. Commissioner Long has been very involved in successfully completing the Bent County Courthouse project and the effort to keep Ft. Lyon open as a facility for homeless veterans.

Recent Washington Post articles paint a very bleak picture of the Town of Las Animas. However, the preservation work that has been completed and in work in progress belies the gloom and doom of the articles. The Bent County Courthouse stands among the finest Courthouses in the State. The Rawlings Museum, operated by the Pioneer Historical Society, also a restored building, offers excellent exhibits and boasts a very credible collection. Bent County and Pioneer Historical Society also have drawn attention recently to historic Boggsville, just a few miles south of town. Recent meetings drew 25 people from within the community and officials of the National Trust and History Colorado. The group is involved in developing an interpretive, economic, and preservation plan for the site. Bent County is not lacking for enthusiasm when it comes to the vitality of their communities. Commissioner Long will give a history of the efforts, updates on current efforts and challenges facing the community.

Canyons & Plains (formerly known as Southeast Regional Heritage Task Force) is a heritage tourism development organization. Formed in 2003, C&P serves seven counties – Baca, Bent, Crowley, Kiowa, Otero, Prowers and eastern Las Animas. The non-profit group promotes visitation to and stewardship of the unique historical, natural and cultural assets of southeastern Colorado among residents, state, national and international audiences. Since its formation, C&P has garnered over $1 million in funding for projects in this area.