La Junta is a central shopping hub in the Arkansas Valley
La Junta sits at the crossroads of U.S. Route 50 and the historic Santa Fe Trail and railroad. The county seat of Otero County, the city has about 7,100 residents and was once considered a meeting place between the railroad and farming culture. Today, located south of the Arkansas River, La Junta continues to thrive as a farming community, with museums, cultural landmarks and natural landscapes showcasing the area’s history. “La Junta is the central hub for the smaller communities in the Arkansas Valley,” says Tina Godfrey, who is a Realtor at Re/Max Advantage-The Murphy Group with over 25 years of experience. “There's lots of outdoor recreation, and we get 360 days of sunshine out of the year with mostly mild winters.”
Single-family homes in La Junta, Otero County
Homes in La Junta were built in the late 1800s to the 1900s, with a handful of new houses constructed since 2010. The median home price is approximately $175,000, which is less than half the national median. Compact, single-story shotgun and cottage-style houses under 1,500 square feet typically sell between $20,000 and $120,000. These houses tend to have small yards and sit close together. Larger ranch-style homes and split-levels around 1,500 to 2,500 square feet usually go from $150,000 to $350,000.
Outdoor recreation around La Junta
The city offers many recreational options, ranging from traditional and disc golf courses and public pools to parks, athletic fields and trails. La Junta City Park has basketball and tennis courts, a skate park, a playground and some walking paths around a small fishing lake. The city’s industrial park has a raceway, and people can explore the old trading post and hike in Bent's Old Fort National Historic Site. “We have probably seven lakes that are within an hour of La Junta, and people frequently go boating, fishing and camping,” Godfrey says. “There’s also Withers Canyon and the Dinosaur Tracks south of the city for people to go hiking, biking and horseback riding.”
Shopping and dining options in the city center
Much of the city’s commercial activities are concentrated along First Street through Third Street. Here, residents can find Safeway, Family Dollar, Walgreens and many local and chain restaurants. Popular eateries include Lucy's Tacos and Boss Hogg's Saloon & Restaurant, which serves classic American fare. Walmart is at the western tip of the city along Conley Road. In summertime, many area farms have produce markets for residents to shop locally. “These farm markets are very big for us,” Godfrey says. “Lots of farmers set up their own markets throughout the entire Arkansas Valley area, and there are so many varieties of produce.”
East Otero School District serves the city
The town is served by East Otero School District, which has an overall C-minus grade from Niche and a student-teacher ratio of 14-to-1. Students may attend La Junta Primary School, which gets a B, and then continue to the C-minus La Junta Intermediate School. La Junta Jr/Sr High School gets a C, offering sports as well as programs for English learners. The district is also home to Tiger Trade Academy, which offers a range of courses to high school students, including mechanical design, construction, animal science and computer systems. Located along Colorado Avenue, Otero College offers nearly 40 degrees and certificate programs.
Agricultural fairs and the Tarantula Fest
Celebrating the tarantula trek each fall, which is when large numbers of tarantulas skitter through La Junta, the city has an annual Tarantula Fest in September. The event features tours to see the tarantulas, a parade and family-friendly activities like face painting and movie screenings. “We also have lots of agricultural-based events,” Godfrey says. “There are small town fairs and festivals like the Arkansas Valley Fair, and they are one of our big attractions for tourists.” People can also see exhibits at Otero Museum or Koshare Museum, go bowling at Eagle Lanes, or catch a screening at The Fox Theatre, which has been open since 1912.
Getting to Pueblo and other Arkansas Valley communities
U.S. Route 50, also known as Coast to Coast Highway, passes through La Junta, and state Highway 109 cuts through the east side of town. The city of Pueblo and the Pueblo Memorial Airport are both about 60 miles west. Arkansas Valley Regional Medical Center is right in La Junta. People can also take a Bustang Outrider bus to get from La Junta to Pueblo.
