Gilpin observer., 1911-07-27
COAL PRODUCED
IN THE WEST.
COLORADO RANKS FIRST OF
STATES WEST OF THE
MISSISSIPPI.
SHOWS GOOD INCREASE
LAS ANIMAs COUNTY Is MOST
IMPORTANT PRODUCER
IN COLORADO.

In the production of coal Colorado
ranks first among the states west OF
the Mississippi and seventh among all
the coal-producing states, according to
statistics just completed by Edward
w. Parker of the United States Geolog-
ical Survey. Its position among the
Western states was strengthened by
the record made in 1910. for although
In some of the Rocky Mountain states
there were larger percentages Of in
crease in 1910 over 1909, Colorado's in
crease in tonnage was the largest and
was more than one-third of the total
increase made in the seven states COM
prising the Rocky Mountain and Great
Plains provinces. In the Mississippi
Valley states the production in 1910
was materially cut down by the min
ers' strike, which began on April
and was continued for nearly six
months. The cessation of operations
among the miners in the Southwestern
states created an unusual demand up
upon the mines of Colorado. New Mex
leo and Wyoming. the demand coming
principally from the railroad running
between the Rocky Mountains and the
Mississippi. There was also better
demand for domestic fuel and consid-
cradle quantities of coal for winter use
were stored in the cellars of house
holders.
The influence Of the strike on Colo
radios coal production was exhibited
in an increase of 11.73 per cent, from
10,716.936 short tons in 1909 to H..
973.736 tons in 1910. The value in
creased from $14,296,012 to 17.026.934.
gain of 1871 per cent. The average
price per ton advanced from $1.33 In
1909 to $1.42 in 1910.
Las Animas County Yields Nearly Half
Of the Total.
The Trinidad-Raton coal field, the
Colorado portion of which is located
N Las Animas county. is the most inl
portant producer in the state and was
credited with more than three-fourths
OF the total increase for the state III
1910. This county produces nearly 50
per cent of Colorado's total, contrib
uting 5,54S.OS5 short tons in 1910. The
county's increase in 1910 over 1909
was s55.121 short tons, or 20.79 per
cent. Huerfano county, the second in
production. with 20 per cent of the
states total increased its output All,
1sO tons. or 24.59 per cent.
Gain Of 1870 Per Cent In Routt County.
Routt county held to the promise
made in 1909 with an increase Of nearly
1s0 per cent, from 92.439 tons in 1909
to 25S.452 tons in 1910. This county
in 1908 was credited with an output
of $1,000 tons, the production in 1910
being about 20 times that quantity
The completion in 1909 Of the Denver.
Northwestern C Pacific railway has
afforded opportunity for the develop
ment of the coal resources in the
northwestern part of Colorado. AMI
Routt county is destined to be one of
the more important coal-producing
counties in the state. The only other
county whose production increased
more than 100000 tons in 1910 was
Fremont. which gained 11o.162 tons.
The increases in these counties were
partly offset by marked decrease in
Boulder county. the production o.
which in 1909 had been unhealthy
forced in a keen competition for the
Denver trade. The output OF this
county was increased from 1.067.94S
tons in 1908 to 1.332.322 tons in 1909.
but with a decided sacrifice in prices.
In 1910 the production fell off to S02.-
100 tons. a decrease OF 529,553 tons,
or 1877 per cent, anr prices we're re-
stored