Bayfield, CO

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The Town of Bayfield is a statutory Town located in La Plata County, southwest Colorado, not far from the Four Corners of Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, and Utah. We sit at an elevation of about 6900 feet, in the beautiful Pine River Valley, with spectacular vistas in all directions.

Bayfield is home to over 1800 residents and acts as the commercial and cultural center for eastern La Plata County. Bayfield prides itself on our small town atmosphere and long-standing sense of community. Our Bayfield School District has long been recognized as one of Colorado’s finest and was awarded “Colorado School Board of the Year” in 2007.

The Town of Bayfield was incorporated in 1906 when the Bay family and the Schiller family each donated land to create a supply Town near the Pine River. Bayfield was named after Mr. William Bay when he won a coin toss between himself and Mr. Schiller. Had the toss gone the other way, it is said the Town would have been named “Schillerville”.

Modern-day Bayfield residents enjoy an ideal four-season climate that averages some 300 days of sunshine every year, together with moderate temperatures and low humidity, year-round. This ideal recreational climate promotes all sorts of outdoor family activities while any type of enthusiast can find what they’re looking for. Whether hiking or biking, hunting or fishing, winter skiing or summer water sports, or exploring the cultural histories of Native American ruins and early Pioneer life, all are available within a short drive, and in almost any direction.

The historic steam train town of Durango is 20 short miles to the west, the world-class hot springs of Pagosa Springs are just 40 miles to the east, and our very own Pine River flows out of the majestic San Juan Mountains, through gorgeous Vallecito Lake (Vi - a - cito), 15 scenic miles to our north. The high deserts of northern New Mexico fall away immediately to our south, while the red-rock beauty of Arizona and Utah are little more than an hour to our west. All come together in the heart of the Pine River Valley, Bayfield, Colorado.

History of Bayfield

The original settlement in the Pine River Valley was named Los Pinos. It consisted of approximately fifteen families.
The first early settler who had claimed to be in the Pine River Valley was John Taylor, who arrived between 1871
and 1873.

Bayfield, a ranching community, was homesteaded by George Morrison and later sold to R.C. and Clarence Hensley.
In 1894 it was sold to William A. and Laura E. Bay, whom in April of 1898, donated eighty acres of land to be laid out for the Town, which was later incorporated. It was started as a trading and social center for the farmers and ranchers of the Pine River Valley. The Schiller family also donated land in April of 1898. The Town received its name after a flip of a coin between Mr. Bay and Mr. Schiller. Mr. Bay won the honor of naming the community. If Mr. Schiller would have won the coin toss, the Town of Bayfield would have been name Schillerville.

The first business was a trading post and general store. The first bank was the Farmers and Merchants Bank. The
safe from the bank can be found at Mill Street Drug Store. The first doctor opened an office in 1904 and the first State of Colorado Approved Standard School in Bayfield was founded in 1923. It was a two-story building with two classrooms
on each floor. The high school was located at the top with the lower level being used for elementary grades. This area
is now included in the Bayfield School District 10JT-R. The first post office was named Los Pinos and later became the Bayfield post office. The mail was delivered by the Pony Express.

The Town was incorporated August 18, 1906 with George Wheeler as the first mayor. The first newspaper, the Bayfield Blade was published by Dan Eggar.

After more than 100 years, Bayfield still has at its heart a traditional neighborhood with a strong sense of community. Today, Bayfield is a growing community with a current population of around 1,800 residents. As the Town continues
to grow the citizens and the Town officials are committed to maintaining the close-knit feel of a small town.

Bayfield Today

The Town of Bayfield has experienced a huge population increase since the beginning of 2000. In 2001, the Town agreed to form a special improvement district to build a business park which has 38 commercial parcels on 56 acres. There are a number of substantial businesses located in this Business Park. Lewis True Value, First National Bank of Durango, Alert Signs, Autocrafters, the Lavenia McCoy Public Library. Steamworks Brewing Company , Radio Shack, Babo’s Bar & Grill, Hongs Garden Grill & many other businesses are all located in this area of Town.

Since 2000, the Town has also added several new residential subdivisions. There is the Dove Ranch Subdivision which is located on the north end of Town off of County Road 501. This subdivision offers an array of different sized lots ranging from 4,000 square feet near County Road 501 to larger three acre lots farther up in the development. The final build out of this subdivision will be approximately 231 lots according to the Master Plan submitted by the developer.

The Mesa Meadows Subdivision is located across the street from the Bayfield Elementary School. It is comprised of 138 Single Family Residential Lots that are all approximately 10,000 square feet.

Fox Farm Village is a Planned Unit Development located off of Mars Avenue near the Bayfield Elementary School. It is an affordable housing subdivision and is platted for 50 Multi-Family Dwelling Units & 8 Fair Market Lots.

The Sunrise Estates Subdivision is located on the east end of Town. It is comprised of 52 lots and has both Single Family & Multi Family zoning.

The Cinnamon Heights Subdivision is a Planned Unit Development which is also located on the east end of Town behind the Shell Gas Station. This subdivision is platted for 49 Multi-Family Dwelling Units.

The Town’s population is approximately 1800 residents with 900 rooftops currently being served by Town Utilities.

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