SCHOOLS:
Pueblo County School District 70 provides the primary and secondary education services for residents of the District. Pueblo West Elementary School opened in September 1974 and Pueblo West Middle School opened in April 1982. Sierra Vista Elementary opened in September 1996, and Pueblo West High School opened in September 1997. Desert Sage Elementary School and Skyview Middle School opened in September, 2001. All of these Elementary Schools serve children in grades K through 5 and Middle Schools serve those in grades 6, 7, and 8. Swallows Charter Academy serves Pueblo West children, grades K through 8.

LOCATION:
The area of the District, with inclusions, contains about 26,830 acres or 49.10 square miles of contiguous lands extending west by northwest from points approximately 1.5 miles west of the limits of the City of Pueblo. The District is located immediately north of the Pueblo Dam and Reservoir, which is a part of the Fryingpan-Arkansas Water Project. The United States Bureau of Reclamation constructed the dam in 1975.

Pueblo West is located along the southern edge of the State’s major growth corridor. It is situated approximately 7 miles west of Pueblo and 38 miles from Canon City on Highway 50. Pueblo West is bisected by east-west U.S. Highway 50 and its eastern border is touched by north-south Interstate 25, which is the major route North to Colorado Springs, Denver and South to Santa Fe New Mexico. The Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroads have tracks conveniently located in areas adjacent to Pueblo West with a rail spur into the Industrial Park located in the Northeast Quadrant.

POPULATION:
On the date of its creation, the area of the District was uninhabited; however, as of October 2002, the population was estimated at between 20,591 and 22,011.

CLIMATE:
The average annual precipitation in Pueblo West is 11.91 inches. The average daily high is 68 degrees with an average daily low of 37. Although Pueblo West receives an annual snowfall of 31 inches, the moderate temperatures do not allow snow to stay on the ground for long.

RECREATION:
In addition to the availability of recreation land and facilities around the Pueblo Dam and Reservoir, Pueblo West itself features a wide variety of outdoor activities. Approximately 4,600 acres have been reserved for equestrian trails, neighborhood parks, playgrounds and open greenbelt areas. Based upon current land utilization studies, the natural terrain of Pueblo West will accommodate about 65 miles of equestrian trails. 21-acre Lovell Park on Hahns Peak and Hanover Drive includes a 25-meter-long, 13-meter-wide heated outdoor swimming pool, 2 lighted ball fields, soccer fields, horseshoe pits, a paved basketball court, a sand volleyball court, an equipped playground for children, two lighted tennis courts, and picnic pavilion with stage, barbecue facilities and public restrooms.

Desert Hawk Golf Course at Pueblo West is a top attraction, and includes a driving range and pro-shop.

An equestrian center is located on a 30-acre site with stables, hay storage and barn facilities, and is privately owned. North of Highway 50 there is the National Horseman’s arena with 49 acres, also offering stables, hay storage and barn facilities. This facility also has a campground and tavern, and is privately owned.