The Primero Community

Bridge near Valdez along Purgatoire River - August 2006

The Primero Reorganized School District RE-2 is located in south central Colorado, an easy 22 miles west of Trinidad, along Highway 12 in Las Animas County. Las Animas County is the largest county land-wise in the State of Colorado. At 4,773 square miles, Las Animas County is larger than the States of Rhode Island and Delaware combined! The population of Las Animas County is about 16,000 people, one of the least-densely populated counties in the state. The County Seat is the City of Trinidad, population about 10,000.

The Primero School District is situated in the western part of Las Animas County, in the foothills of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. The region is stunningly beautiful, with many varieties of wildlife and opportunities for outdoor activities, including hiking, hunting, fishing, boating, water-skiing, snowshoeing, and photography.

The Primero School District serves the small towns (and former coal-mining town areas) of Weston, Segundo, Primero, Torres, Tercio, Valdez, Vigil and Stonewall, and the surrounding rural area of 190 square miles. About one-third of our students commute from Cokedale and Trinidad, as well. The 2000 Census indicated Weston's population was 1,434 people.

A U.S. Post Office is located in Weston as is Weston General Supply Store. Gasoline and groceries are available in Segundo at Ringo's Market. The Big 4 Country Store in Valdez includes a restaurant, car-truck wash, gas station, and laundromat. Stonewall has two restaurants, the Shopping Bag and Legends Cafe. Further west along Highway 12, restaurants are located at Monument Lake and in Cuchara. Gas and supplies are also available at the Picketwire Lodge and Store just east of Stonewall.

For stocking up trips, a Super Wal-Mart, Safeway grocery store, Big-R farm supply, Sears, True Value Hardware, Big-O Tires, Chevrolet, Ford and Dodge car dealers, and other shops, restaurants and businesses are located in Trinidad. Trinidad's brick Main Street is a popular tourist spot.

A K-Mart, Ace Hardware, a Toyota car dealership, and other shops, restaurants and businesses are located in Raton, New Mexico.

Trinidad State Junior College is located just off I-25 in Trinidad. The college offers courses for our high school students and area residents. Adams State College in Alamosa, Colorado State University-Pueblo, and distance and online classes are also options for continuing education for staff members.

The historic roots of the district are in coal mining and ranching. These industries still function in the district today, including natural gas, petroleum, and coal mining, and beef, horse and sheep ranching.

The population of the region is about 50% Hispanic and 50% Caucasian. Many of the area's people call Mexico or Italy their ancestral home. Some residents are Native American descendants. There are small numbers of African American and Asian American residents in the region. The people of the district are very friendly, caring, and hard-working individuals.

Website updated and maintained by Primero RE-2 School District Webmaster

Website original design by Computer Cowboy