Otero Junior College - La Junta, CO
Posted by: condor1
N 37° 58.275 W 103° 32.628
13S E 627903 N 4203625
Otero Jr. College is located on the south central side of La Junta, which itself is located in the southeastern quadrant of Colorado.
Waymark Code: WMAR9M
Location: Colorado, United States
Date Posted: 02/16/2011
Views: 4
Here is some history about this Jr. College.......
In 1939, the residents of the La Junta School District Number 11 voted that bonds be used to partially finance a junior college building to be administered by the Board of Education. On September 15, 1941, "La Junta Junior College" opened its doors to the first class. The college was operated by the school district. By state statute, the college was classified as a continuation school.
In 1949 an election was held on a county-wide basis to consider the proposal that the college become an independent unit supported by the county rather than by the local school district. This proposal was approved by the voters and the college was renamed, "Otero County Junior College."
In 1967, the 46th General Assembly of the State of Colorado passed the Community College Act, a law creating a state system of junior colleges to be governed by the State Board for Community Colleges and Occupational Education (SBCCOE). Existing junior colleges were given the option of joining the system with the approval of qualified voters in their respective junior college district. That same year, the college received accreditation by the North Central Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools. On February 20, 1968, the voters of Otero County Junior College District voted overwhelmingly in favor of Otero Junior College joining the state system. The college officially became a state two-year college on July 1, 1968. With the creation of the state system of community colleges, funds for establishing and expanding occupational programs were increased, and Otero Junior College became a more comprehensive junior college.
Web Link to an Interactive
MAP of the campus.
Here are some driving directions if you want to visit this Jr. College.
Coming from the Denver, Colorado Springs, or Pueblo areas
Take I-25 SOUTH until you get to Pueblo.
About three miles into Pueblo, take the Hwy 50 EAST exit (Exit 100A).
Follow Hwy 50 East for 60 miles until you get to La Junta. You will travel through the towns of Fowler, Manzanola, Rocky Ford, and Swink.
Once you get to La Junta, turn right (south) at Colorado Ave (third stoplight).
Follow Colorado up to 18th street. The college is at 1802 Colorado Ave.