The Heart of Colorado has mountains, pastures, wildlife and buffalo ranches.   Hartsel, Colorado is near the geographic center of our state.   Hartsel, founded in 1880 sits at the intersection of Hwy 24 and Hwy 9 on the banks of the South Platte River.    Approaching Hartsel we watched the buffalo on this ranch.

Buffalo Ranch

A number of ranchers are raising buffalo in the area.   I, Zeb the Duck, am now in Hartsel, Colorado.

Welcome to Hartsel

This antique shop, or barn, certainly has a lot of stuff.

Barn is antique store

We loved this weather vane on the barn.

Love the weather vane

When you are in Hartsel be sure to stop at Bayou Salado Trading Post.

Bayou Salado Trading Post

You will find a great selection of rocks and jewelry.   The source of their Aquamarine crystals is Mount Antero, visible from town.   Local Blue Agate is also used in the handcrafted jewelry.    This shop also offers coffee, ice cream and grass fed beef.    A good place for browsing, but a better place for shopping.   This library

Hartsel library

is conveniently located near the school.

Hartsel school

We think it is great that the school and library are so close together.   While Hartsel has a modern fire station and fire trucks, we loved this old fire tanker sitting by the side of the fire station.

Old fire tank by fire station

Nearby, you can enjoy all outdoor activities.   Rafting, skiing, hunting, game viewing, and fishing are all here.   Enjoy the outdoors, and then return to Hartsel for a meal.

Highline Cafe and Saloon

Everything was good at Highline Cafe and Saloon, but mom really liked the hamburgers.    Hartsel, being at or near the geographic center of Colorado, is often referred to as  “the heart of Colorado”.   Stop in and experience Colorado’s heart.