Crowley

Crowley, is located in Crowley County in south east Colorado.

History

Crowley, Colorado, located in Crowley County, was established in the early 20th century and incorporated in 1911. The town was named for John H. Crowley, a local pioneer and early promoter of the area. Like much of the Arkansas Valley, Crowley’s growth was fueled by irrigated agriculture, particularly alfalfa, sugar beets, and melons, which thrived after water projects brought reliable irrigation. During its prime in the 1920s–1940s, the town supported grain elevators, a few small businesses, and served as a service point for nearby farms and ranches. The coming of the Missouri Pacific Railroad line through the area provided essential shipping access for crops and livestock. As agricultural practices modernized and populations shifted to larger towns, Crowley’s economy and population gradually declined, leaving it today as one of the smaller incorporated towns in Colorado. • The town sits within Crowley County, one of Colorado’s least populated counties, which ironically has a larger prison population than civilian population due to correctional facilities in the area. • Crowley once had its own school system, but like many small towns, its schools were consolidated over the years.

Geography

Geographically, Crowley is situated at 38.1953° N, 103.8577° W, at an elevation of about 4,308 feet (1,313 m). The town covers 0.33 square miles (0.85 km²), all land. According to the 2020 U.S. Census, Crowley had a population of just 166 residents, giving it a very low density compared to urban centers. The community is majority White, with a notable Hispanic/Latino minority, reflecting the agricultural labor history of the valley.

Comment

Driving past the large prison complexes around Crowley makes you wonder if in fact the major industry that keeps the town alive is ironically the prison system.