Moffat

The Town of Moffat is a statutory town in Saguache County, Colorado, United States. The town population was 108 at the 2020 United States Census.

History

Moffat, Colorado, has a rich history dating back to its establishment in 1890 by the San Luis Town and Improvement Company. The town was named after David H. Moffat, a prominent railroad official. Initially, Moffat attracted many settlers and became a major cattle-shipping point on the narrow gauge Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad1.

During its early years, Moffat was at the center of a bustling mining and ranching industry. It was even considered as a potential site for Colorado’s state capital due to its strategic location and thriving community. At its peak, Moffat was home to around 2,500 residents and had passenger trains running twice a day.

However, the town faced challenges, including a devastating fire and the rise of the trucking industry, which led to a decline in its population and prominence. Despite these setbacks, Moffat transitioned to an agricultural town, focusing on cattle ranching and hay production.

Today, Moffat continues to uphold its agricultural heritage, with many original ranching and farming families still residing in the area. The town remains a small but proud community, reflecting its historical roots and resilience.

Geography

Moffat is located at 37°59′56″N 105°54′22″W (37.998855, -105.905973).[7] According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 1.4 square miles, all of it land.

Comments

While David Moffat was well known throughout Colorado during the major expansion of the railroad, the towns fame never quite matched that of Mr. Moffat, as its population is currently that of about 3 passenger cars on one of the trains of the day.