PROJ00464

• Contract/PO #: FS0001X
• Contractor Name: Bennett, Town of
• Contract Type: Loan
• Water District: 0
• County: Adams
• Loan Projects - Doc Type: Feasibility Study

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Approximately 70% to 80% 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

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occur frequently in the winter and spring,and damaging hail storms are

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not uncommon. During periods of drought such winds give rise to dust

storms.

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C. HISTORY OF TOWN

The Town of Bennett,originally a settlement on the Union Pacific

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Railroad, was initially called Kiowa after nearby Kiowa Creek. It was

renamed Bennett in 1878. The settlement gradually increased in size

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until it became incorporated as the Town of Bennett, Colorado on January

22, 1939 with a population of 211. Until recent years, the economy of

the area has been depende~t on agriculture and agricultural related bus i-

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nesses. Crops and livestock were shipped via the Union Pacific Railroad

and the 35 mile separation from the metropolitan Denver area was sufficient

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to keep the impact of metropolitan growth from reaching the community.

Like most agricultural communities, Bennett experienced a very slow growth

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rate from 1930 to 1960. Population increased from 211 in 1930 to 287 in

1960 with a decade of decline from 1930 to 1940 which was typical of small

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agricultural communities at that time.

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While the area is still active in agriculture and retains its rural

character, there have been some very pronounced changes in the economy,

life-style and population since 1960. The Town has grown from a population

of 287 in 1960 to 613 in 1970 and now exceeds 900 population in 1975. The

easy access and short travel time via Interstate 70, the high growth rate

of metropolitan Denver with its sprawling urbanization, and the vivacious

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