Fort Garland, Colorado

Fort Garland was established by the United States Army in June 1858 to protect white settlers from the Ute people in the San Luis Valley, which was then part of the New Mexico Territory. Fort Garland was built to replace the earlier Fort Massachusetts. The new Territory of Colorado was organized on February 28, 1861, and the Fort Garland, Colorado Territory, post office opened on February 25, 1862. The fort was abandoned in 1883 following the confinement of the tribes to Indian reservations in the Territory of Utah and the State of Colorado. The Fort Garland Museum preserves some of the historic buildings from the fort. ==Geography==

, taken from along C-159, about five miles south of Fort Garland Fort Garland is located in northern Costilla County at coordinates and elevation . Fort Garland is located at the crossroads of U.S. Route 160 and Colorado State Highway 159, which leads south towards Taos and Santa Fe, New Mexico. The town of Blanca is west on U.S. Route 160. Walsenburg is to the east, across the Sangre de Cristo Range. At the 2020 United States Census, the Fort Garland CDP had an area of , all land. ==Demographics==

The United States Census Bureau initially defined the for the ==Economy==

Fort Garland is referred to as the "Gateway to the San Luis Valley", as it is the first town one encounters when traveling west having crossed over La Veta Pass in the Sangre de Cristo Range. Fort Garland is home to many artists, painters, crafters and internationally known musicians. Fort Garland has a business district with two motels, several restaurants, the Old Fort Market grocery store, the Fort Garland Museum, two gas stations, two recreational marijuana shops, a car wash, hair salon, campgrounds, hardware store, liquor store, and multiple shops featuring collectibles and antiquities as well as a Wild West show. ==Arts and culture==

The Annual Fort Garland Band Jam Music Festival features local and regional musicians, as well as nationally and internationally recognized musical talent. This summer event, usually held in mid-July, includes an open-air market, local food vendors offering up traditional and regional cuisine, a beer garden, and children's activities. The music offered covers numerous styles, from traditional Spanish guitar to R&B to rock and roll. The Blanca/Fort Garland Community Center is open to residents and the public on daily, monthly or annual fees. The Entrada Visitor Center offers information on local and regional points of interest, such as the Great Sand Dunes, the Colorado 'Gator farm, UFO Watchtower and other activities located within the San Luis Valley. ==Infrastructure==

The Fort Garland Water and Sanitation District provides services to residents. It has also provided water to the surrounding community who have cisterns. ==See also==