PROJ00283

• Contract/PO #: FS0009X
• Contractor Name: Swink, Town of
• Contract Type: Loan
• Water District: 0
• County: Otero
• Loan Projects - Doc Type: Feasibility Study

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Freeze Data (3) - Temperature Mean Date tO,Mean Date = Mean No. of Frost Free Days
320F April 30 to Oct. 5 = 158
280F April 16 to Oct. 18 = 185
240F April 10 to Oct. 26 = 199
200F April 1 to Nov 6 = 219
l60F March 24 to Nov. 13 = 234

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From: (1) Climatography of the United States No. 81. (Colorado) - 1941 - 1970
(2) Climatic Summary of the United States, No. 86-5 Supplement for
1951-1960
(3) Climatography of the United States'No. 60.5, dated 1968

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Approximately 75% of the annual precipitation falls during the growing season
between April and September. This precipitation is largely from thunderstorm
activity and is sometimes extremely heavy. Strong winds occur frequently in
the winter and spring. During periods of drought, 'such winds cause severe
dust storms and damaging hail storms are not uncommon.

1.3 HISTORY OF TOWN

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The Town of Swink, located in the fertile Arkansas River Valley and along the
Atchinson Topeka, and Santa Fe railroad, functions primarily as a residential
community. The economy of the area has been dependent on agriculture and
agricultural related businesses. Located between the larger cities of La
Junta and Rocky Ford,' the town serves as a "bedroom" community with residents
commuting to the larger towns for employment.

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The population of the town has remained relatively stable from 1940 through 1970.
Typical of small agricultural communities, the town experienced a decade of
declining population from 1940 to 1950. Since 1950 the population has shown
moderate growth through 1970 when the population was 381. Since 1970, the
Town has had a surge in growth. New building permits are being issued at the
rate of 12-15 per year and several apartment units have been constructed in
recent years. The population was estimated by the City Council to exceed
600 P.E. in 1975. ' The occupancy ratio as determined by the 1970 census
data was 2.67 persons per unit. The Town currently has 235 dwelling units
consisting of 199 single family or duplex residences, 9 trailer units, and 27
apartment units. Assuming the same occupancy ratio as determined by the 1970
census data, the population for the Town would be 627 in 1976.

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1.4 LAWS UNDER WHICH THE TOWN IS ORGANIZED

The Town of Swink, Colorado is a municipal corporation existing under the
general Colorado State Statutes, Title 31, Article 1, Part 2.

1.5 POWERS AND AUTHORITY OF Tmm

Being organized under the general Colorado State Statutes, the Town of Swink
has all the General and Special Powers granted by the Statutes under Title
31, Articles 12 and 15. Title.3l grants the Town a total of 81 General and
Administrative Powers and 11 Special Powers. Included in these powers are:

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