Powderhorn, Colorado
Unincorporated community in Gunnison County · Not an incorporated municipality
About Powderhorn
Powderhorn is an unincorporated community and a U.S. Post Office in Gunnison County, Colorado, United States. The Powderhorn Post Office has the ZIP Code 81243.
Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How Powderhorn is governed
Powderhorn appears to be an unincorporated community or a census-designated place, so it may have no city government of its own — services usually come from Gunnison County and its elected officials. The chart below is a generic template; readers can correct it if Powderhorn does have local officials.
Form of government not yet listed.
0 of 14 positions listed. Gray dashed boxes are placeholders waiting for a name.
Residents of Powderhorn
Registered voters elect the officials below.
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Mayor
Executive
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The city's chief elected official. Presides over the executive branch, proposes the budget and represents the city.
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City Manager / Administrator
Executive
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The professional administrator who runs day-to-day operations (in some cities appointed by the council instead of the mayor).
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Police Chief
Administration & departments
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Leads the police department.
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Fire Chief
Administration & departments
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Leads the fire and emergency services department.
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Public Works Director
Administration & departments
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Streets, water, sewer, and city buildings.
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Finance Director
Administration & departments
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The budget, taxes, and city accounts.
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Planning & Zoning Director
Administration & departments
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Land use, zoning, building permits.
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Parks & Recreation Director
Administration & departments
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Parks, programs, and public facilities.
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City Council
Legislative
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The elected body that passes ordinances, sets the tax rate and approves the budget.
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City Clerk
Administration & departments
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Keeps the official records, runs meeting agendas and, often, local elections.
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City Attorney
Administration & departments
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The city's lawyer; advises officials and prosecutes ordinance violations.
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Boards & Commissions
Legislative
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Citizen advisory bodies, such as planning, zoning appeals and library boards.
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Municipal Court
Judicial
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Hears traffic, ordinance and other minor cases.
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Municipal Judge
Judicial
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Presides over the municipal court.
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History
In 1873, the Hayden Survey followed a well established Ute trail that passed through the future site of Powderhorn. They noted the well-watered valley and willow-lined creek, which the Utes called “The Stream with the White Banks.” Eventually the creek was to be named Cebolla Creek and the prominent tributary they noted emptying in from the south was named Powderhorn Creek. While the Utes used this region as summer hunting grounds and trappers and prospectors were in the area, the Survey made no note of settlement in the valley.
In 1874, road builder Otto Mears constructed the Saguache and San Juan Toll Road which ran from the town of Saguache west to the Los Pinos Indian Agency and then on through the Cebolla Valley to the Lake Fork of the Gunnison River and Lake City. The Cebolla and Powderhorn valleys then became accessible from Saguache to the east and Lake City to the southwest. One year later, in 1875, the Barlow and Sanderson stage line began its runs between Saguache and Lake City. A stage stop and toll gate on this road were located in the Cebolla Valley, and accommodating the travelers and freighters created business and brought proprietors and families. In 1876, a road was constructed between the Cebolla and Powderhorn valleys and Gunnison 26 miles (42 km) to the northeast, further promoting access, supply lines, and permanent settlement. A post office called White Earth was opened in 1876. It was located along Cebolla Creek 3 miles (4.8 km) upstream from the confluence with Powderhorn Creek. In 1880, the post office was moved nearer to the confluence of the two creeks and renamed Powderhorn. The first school was established in 1877.
While prospecting was common and several mines managed to produce marketable ore in the early days of Powderhorn, such efforts had largely ended by 1900. From the settlement’s beginning, ranching and hay production have driven the community’s economy.
Some say the community was named from a nearby landform in the shape of a powderhorn, while others believe an old powderhorn found near the town site caused the name to be selected.
Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.