View source for Nucla, Colorado

{{short description|Town in Colorado, United States}}
{{Use American English|date=June 2025}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{Infobox settlement
<!-- Basic info  ---------------->
 | name                     = Nucla, Colorado
 | nickname                 = 
 | settlement_type          = [[Town]]
 | motto                    = 
<!-- images and maps  ----------->
 | image_skyline            = Nucla, Colorado Town Hall.JPG
 | imagesize                = 275px
 | image_caption            = Town hall
 | image_flag               = 
 | flag_size                = 
 | image_seal               = 
 | seal_size                = 
 | image_shield             = 
 | shield_size              = 
 | image_blank_emblem       = 
 | blank_emblem_type        = 
 | blank_emblem_size        = 
<!-- Location ------------------>
 | image_map                = File:Montrose County Colorado Incorporated and Unincorporated areas Nucla Highlighted 0854935.svg
 | mapsize                  = 250px
 | map_caption              = Location in Montrose County, Colorado
 | image_map1               = 
 | mapsize1                 = 
 | map_caption1             = 
 | pushpin_map              = USA<!-- the name of a location map as per http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Location_map -->
 | pushpin_label            = Nucla
 | pushpin_label_position   = <!-- the position of the pushpin label: left, right, top, bottom, none -->
 | pushpin_map_caption      = Location in the United States
 | pushpin_mapsize          = 
 | subdivision_type         = Country
 | subdivision_name         = {{USA}}
 | subdivision_type1        = [[U.S. state|State]]
 | subdivision_name1        = {{flag|Colorado}}
 | subdivision_type2        = [[List of counties in Colorado|County]]<ref name=COMun>{{cite web | url = http://www.dola.state.co.us/dlg/local_governments/municipalities.html | title = Active Colorado Municipalities | publisher = [[Colorado|State of Colorado]], Department of Local Affairs | access-date = September 1, 2007 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20091212060308/http://www.dola.state.co.us/dlg/local_governments/municipalities.html | archive-date = December 12, 2009 }}</ref>
 | subdivision_name2        = [[Montrose County, Colorado|Montrose]]
 | subdivision_type3        = 
 | subdivision_name3        = 
 | subdivision_type4        = 
 | subdivision_name4        = 
<!-- Politics ----------------->
 | government_footnotes     = 
 | government_type          = [[Colorado municipalities#Statutory town|Statutory Town]]<ref name=COMun/>
 | leader_title             = 
 | leader_name              = 
 | leader_title1            = <!-- for places with, say, both a mayor and a city manager -->
 | leader_name1             = 
 | leader_title2            = 
 | leader_name2             = 
 | established_title        = <!-- Settled -->
 | established_date         = 
 | established_title2       = [[Municipal corporation|Incorporated (town)]]
 | established_date2        = March 14, 1915<ref name=MuniIncCO>{{cite web | url = http://www.colorado.gov/dpa/doit/archives/muninc.html | title = Colorado Municipal Incorporations | publisher = [[Colorado|State of Colorado]], Department of Personnel & Administration, Colorado State Archives | date = December 1, 2004 | access-date = September 2, 2007 | archive-date = August 23, 2003 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20030823045734/http://www.colorado.gov/dpa/doit/archives/muninc.html | url-status = dead }}</ref>
 | established_title3       = <!-- Incorporated (city) -->
 | established_date3        = 
<!-- Area    --------------------->
 | unit_pref                = Imperial
 | area_footnotes           = <ref name="CenPopGazetteer2022">{{cite web |title=2022 U.S. Gazetteer Files: Colorado |url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2022_Gazetteer/2022_gaz_place_08.txt |publisher=United States Census Bureau |accessdate=December 1, 2022 |archive-date=November 4, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221104230430/https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2022_Gazetteer/2022_gaz_place_08.txt |url-status=live }}</ref>
 | area_total_km2           = 1.80
 | area_land_km2            = 1.80
 | area_water_km2           = 0.00
 | area_total_sq_mi         = 0.69
 | area_land_sq_mi          = 0.69
 | area_water_sq_mi         = 0.00

<!-- Population   ----------------------->
 | population_as_of         = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
 | population_footnotes     = <ref name="Census 2020">{{Cite web| url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=&g=1600000US0854935&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P1| title=P1. Race – Nucla CDP, Colorado: 2020 DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171)| publisher=U.S. Census Bureau| access-date=December 1, 2022| archive-date=December 1, 2022| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221201145220/https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=&g=1600000US0854935&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P1| url-status=live}}</ref>
 | population_note          = 
 | population_total         = 585
 | pop_est_as_of            = 
 | pop_est_footnotes        = 
 | population_est           = 
 | population_density_km2   = 
 | population_density_sq_mi = 842.9
 | population_metro         = 
<!-- General information  --------------->
 | timezone                 = [[Mountain Time Zone|Mountain (MST)]]
 | utc_offset               = -7
 | timezone_DST             = [[Mountain Time Zone|MDT]]
 | utc_offset_DST           = -6
 | coordinates              = {{coord|38|16|00|N|108|32|55|W|region:US_type:city|display=inline,title}}
 | elevation_footnotes      = <ref name=gnis/>
 | elevation_ft             = 5752

<!-- Area/postal codes & others -------->
 | postal_code_type         = [[ZIP code]]<ref name=ZIPcode>{{cite web | url = http://zip4.usps.com/zip4/citytown.jsp | title = ZIP Code Lookup | format = [[JavaScript]]/[[HTML]] | publisher = [[United States Postal Service]] | access-date = November 26, 2007 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080101160345/http://zip4.usps.com/zip4/citytown.jsp | archive-date = January 1, 2008 }}</ref>
 | postal_code              = 81424
 | area_code                = [[Area code 970|970]]
 | blank_name               = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
 | blank_info               = 08-54935
 | blank1_name              = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
 | blank1_info              = 2413058<ref name=gnis>{{GNIS|2413058}}</ref>
 | website                  = {{URL|https://townofnucla.colorado.gov/}}
 | footnotes                = 
}}

'''Nucla''' is a [[Colorado municipalities#Statutory town|statutory town]] in [[Montrose County, Colorado|Montrose County]], [[Colorado]], United States. The population was 585 as of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]],<ref name="Census 2020"/> down from 711 in [[2010 United States census|2010]]. Its name comes from the town founders' intent that it serve as a "nucleus" for the surrounding farms and mines, although it has since come to be associated with the growth of [[uranium]] mining in the region.

==Geography==
[[File:Main Street in Nucla, Colorado.JPG|thumb|left|Looking south along Main Street]]
Nucla is located in southwestern Montrose County. It is at the northern terminus of [[Colorado State Highway 97]], which leads south {{convert|4|mi|0}} to [[Naturita, Colorado|Naturita]], the only other incorporated place in the area. The [[Uncompahgre Plateau]] rises to the northeast.

According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the town has a total area of {{convert|0.6|sqmi|1}}, all of it land.<ref name="CenPopGazetteer2022"/>

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1920= 217
|1930= 221
|1940= 361
|1950= 457
|1960= 906
|1970= 949
|1980= 1027
|1990= 656
|2000= 734
|2010= 711
|2020= 585
|estyear=
|estimate=
|estref=
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="DecennialCensus">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|publisher=Census.gov|access-date=June 4, 2015|archive-date=July 17, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220717060613/https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
}}
As of the [[census]]<ref name="GR2">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=January 31, 2008|title=U.S. Census website|archive-date=May 12, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150512074548/http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/08000.html|url-status=live}}</ref> of 2000, there were 734 people, 311 households, and 208 families residing in the town. The population density was {{convert|1,036.0|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 369 housing units at an average density of {{convert|520.8|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|units&nbsp;|units|}}. The racial makeup of the town was 94.69% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 1.09% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.14% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.54% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 3.54% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 3.68% of the population.

There were 311 households, out of which 31.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.8% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 11.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.8% were non-families. 30.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.36 and the average family size was 2.91.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 28.6% under the age of 18, 6.5% from 18 to 24, 24.3% from 25 to 44, 27.9% from 45 to 64, and 12.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.9 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $28,466, and the median income for a family was $33,636. Males had a median income of $32,417 versus $21,726 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the town was $12,982. About 14.4% of families and 17.0% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 23.4% of those under age 18 and 12.1% of those age 65 or over.

==History==
[[File:SOFT COAL-BURNING POWER PLANT - NARA - 543764.jpg|thumb|right|A 1972 photograph of a coal-burning power plant in Nucla]]
There are several prehistoric sites near Nucla on the [[Colorado State Register of Historic Properties]]:<ref>[http://oahp.historycolorado.org/programareas/register/1503/cty/mn.htm National & State Registers.] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120424231018/http://oahp.historycolorado.org/programareas/register/1503/cty/mn.htm |date=April 24, 2012 }} Colorado Historical Society, Office of Archaeology and Historic Preservation. Retrieved August 10, 2011.</ref>
* Cottonwood Cave is a large [[rock shelter]] inhabited by 270 BC and the earliest date at which corn was found in the state of Colorado.
* Tabeguache Cave is another prehistoric rock shelter.
* Tabeguache Pueblo is an example of an early, dispersed [[Ancient Pueblo People|Ancient Pueblo]] settlement, inhabited about AD 1100 and later abandoned.

The town was established by [[socialists]], who emphasized the sharing of things. The name of the town comes from the word ''nucleus''.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/storyline/wp/2014/08/28/less-than-700-residents-no-stoplights-and-a-law-requiring-a-gun-in-every-household/ |title=Life in the small Colorado town that requires a gun in every household |date=August 28, 2014 |author1=Lauren Loftus |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |place=Washington, D.C. |issn=0190-8286 |oclc=1330888409 |access-date=September 6, 2017 |archive-date=February 12, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180212085318/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/storyline/wp/2014/08/28/less-than-700-residents-no-stoplights-and-a-law-requiring-a-gun-in-every-household/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 1990, residents of Nucla hosted the first Top Dog World Championship Prairie Dog Shoot competition, which resulted in killing nearly 3,000 [[prairie dog]]s.<ref>{{Cite magazine |url=http://content.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,970735,00.html |title=Colorado: High Noon in Nucla |date=July 30, 1990 |magazine=Time |access-date=December 11, 2017 |language=en-US |issn=0040-781X |archive-date=January 7, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150107014921/http://content.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,970735,00.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

In May 2013, the Nucla Town Board passed an ordinance that required every non-exempted head of household in the town to own a [[firearm]].<ref>{{Cite web |url = https://www.nbcnews.com/news/investigations/colorado-town-requires-gun-every-home-fights-its-life-n186261 |title = Colorado Town That Requires a Gun in Every Home Fights for its Life |date = August 21, 2014 |access-date = August 23, 2014 |publisher = NBC |last = Loftus |first = Lauren |archive-date = August 22, 2014 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140822213213/http://www.nbcnews.com/news/investigations/colorado-town-requires-gun-every-home-fights-its-life-n186261 |url-status = live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.denverpost.com/2013/05/24/nucla-becomes-colorados-first-and-only-town-mandating-gun-ownership/ |title=Nucla becomes Colorado's first and only town mandating gun ownership |date=May 24, 2013 |work=The Denver Post |access-date=December 11, 2017 |language=en-US |archive-date=December 11, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171211160817/http://www.denverpost.com/2013/05/24/nucla-becomes-colorados-first-and-only-town-mandating-gun-ownership/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Notable people==
* [[W. A. Draves]] (1912–1994), founder and an [[apostle]] of the [[Church of Christ with the Elijah Message]], now headquartered in [[Independence, Missouri]].
* [[Bill Symons]] (born 1943), Canadian Football Hall of Famer

==See also==
{{portal|Colorado}}
*[[Montrose, CO Micropolitan Statistical Area]]
{{clear}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* {{Official website|https://townofnucla.colorado.gov/}}
* [http://nucla-naturita.com/ Nucla Naturita Area Chamber of Commerce]
* [http://nuclapl.colibraries.org/ Nucla Public Library]

{{Montrose County, Colorado}}
{{Colorado|collapse_state=collapsed}}
{{authority control}}

[[Category:Towns in Montrose County, Colorado]]
[[Category:Towns in Colorado]]