Owen – Colorado Ghost Town

by local author & historian: John LaBorde

The Post Office of Owen was established in 1908. Being just a few miles south of Limon, it
was probably a ranch house serving the neighboring homes. Not many of the old timers know about Owen. It did not have a long life as a post office and for that reason many memories of it were lost.

Today Owen is undergoing a bit of a revival. A local Co-op is building a grain elevator in the vicinity where Owen was located. If there were any reminders of Owen, they are no more. The glistening steel grain bins cover most of the corner and the driveways have obliterated most of the rest. Then who knows, the granary may adopt the name of Owen.

The ghosts of this past century just may have a new home to hang out in. No longer do they have to sit in empty fields and watch the cars fly by on hiway 71. Owen is far enough south of Limon that a general store may of opened to serve the neighbors. Nearby were some one room country schools and the junction with CR 2W made a busy intersection.

Sitting on a ridge Owen looks out across the valley of the Big Sandy and on clear days, Pikes Peak is visible. It is a commanding view from the ridge.

Surrounding the junction are fields and pastures. Nearby are a few farm homes and ranches. Sleepy days for the ghosts will end. Out of the ashes a new era begins for the lost community of Owen.