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~:; '{ 15 sites were expected to be located within local drainages, with more localities in the larger drainages. ~:~ The projected number of prehistoric sites in the area was calculated using the results of the sample-oriented survey completed by the University of Northern Colorado (Lutz and Hunt 1979). using site location data collected from eight sample ~` units, it was estimated within a 95 percent confidence interval that the block area contains between 513 and 1,287 prehistoric sites. These figures translate to site densities that range f between one site per 20 acres and one site per 50 acres. Quantitative analyses of the physical locations and internal characteristics of all recorded prehistoric sites determined zones of lesser to greater site density. Areas of low site density are expected to be found on steep slopes and within drainage floodplains. Medium density zones are found on high, relatively level mesatops at some distance from water sources on westerly facing slopes. The areas of high site density are located on flatter, east-facing slopes between the lower margins ~. of steep slopes and the outer edges of drainage channels. The most recent work completed near the project area was a cultural resources survey of Colorado State Highway 12 in Las Animas and Huerfano Counties in southern Colorado, a joint ~'~ venture among the Colorado Department of Highways, the Colorado Historical Society, and the Mined Land Reclamation Division (Pearce 1988). The purpose of the project was to develop a guide to the points of interest along the route and to enhance the economic development of the region through tourism. The project area encompassed approximately 55,000 acres, contained within a corridor that was one mile wide and 80 miles long.followinq State Highway 12 and U. S. Highway 160 between Trinidad and Walsanburg. The focus of this inventory was historic: only historic sites and building that are 40 years and older were recorded; isolated artifacts, foundations, and resources without historic integrity were excluded. _. ~'~ Pearce (1988) first compiled a historic overview of her project area, so as to help identify potential site types. The area is included within the Colorado Southern Frontier Historic Contest ~. (Mehls and Carter 1984). At least seven of the socioeconomic themes developed for this context were determined to be applicable to the project area: Mexican Land Grants and Hispanic Settlement (1830-1870), Early Farming and Ranching Southeastern ~_ Colorado (1840-1900), the Railroad Era (1870-1945), Coal Mining and the Steel Industry (1880-1945), the Ethnic Diversity of Southeastern Colorado (1880-1945), Colony and Group Settlements ~. in Southeastern Colorado (1862-1945), and Post-1900 Agriculture- .;; Dryland Farming/Ranching. Next, ahe photographed 31 sites in Las Animas County and ~.'= completed inventory forms for 27 of those sites. No new sites were identified in Huerfano County. The Las Animas County sites included rural farming and ranching homesteads, small mining