Editor’s note: The Pueblo Chieftain is taking a detailed look at life along the Lower Arkansas Valley, both the big communities and the smaller towns that make up Southeastern Colorado.

LA JUNTA - This small, diversified hamlet nestled along the Arkansas River among a patchwork of dusty plains and sprawling farm fields is a proud town.

The mayor and city administrator said they believe the Lower Arkansas Valley is the best kept secret in Colorado, with La Junta being at the hub of the valley's economic activity.

In English, La Junta means "the junction," a place or point where two or more things are joined. Mayor Don Rizzuto said that the name of the town holds true and represents exactly what's going on here.

"We have drawn people in, and they join together to make our town one of the best small towns in the country," Rizzuto said, sitting behind his desk at the local bank where he works. "The best thing about living in a small town is knowing everyone. They wave to you on the streets, and when you are dealing with them you know the wife, the husband, the kids, the whole ball of wax," Rick Klein, the town's administrator, chimed in.

Through the years, Native Americans, Spanish explorers, trappers, gold seekers, immigrants and settlers, farmers and ranchers have all joined together to contribute something to the colorful mix of cultures that makes up the town's current population of about 8,000.

Rizzuto said he is fortunate to live in a place that has so much diversity and a place that offers everyone something to do.

"When you get down to it, things are going good in La Junta. We see where sales tax in Pueblo has dropped and that Colorado Springs and Denver are going to be short of making their budget this year," Rizzuto said.

"Our sales tax up through August was flat. We hadn't lost anything," Rizzuto said.

Klein said that since August the town's sales tax collections have dropped about $20,000.

"That's not much," Klein said.

Rizzuto said that although the national economy has been rough on the town, people have managed to rise to the top.

"It's difficult here like it is everywhere else, but I think things here

aren't as bad as they are in some parts of the country," he said.

Klein said that there seems to be a renewed spirit in the community.

"People are working on their places. They are making things better by trimming trees and taking care of blind intersections. There are a lot of things going on," Klein said.

Both Klein and Rizzuto stressed that the community has one of the most diversified economies among small towns in the state.

Rizzuto said that if someone needs a job, they can come to La Junta.

"There are plenty of jobs here. If someone needs a job they can get one today. Our manufacturing companies can't hire enough people," he said.

La Junta's industrial park north of town is home to several companies, including locker maker DeBourgh Manufacturing and the Lewis Bolt and Nut Company, which produces fasteners that are in wide use throughout several industries.

Other companies in La Junta include Coffee Holding Company, Oliver Manufacturing Company Inc., La Junta Trading and Falcon Industries.

Ron Davis, director of economic development, said the airport in La Junta is a huge draw to the Lower Arkansas Valley.

The town also is home to two livestock sale barns, which bring people in from across Colorado and surrounding states.

Klein said La Junta has amenities that are missing in much larger towns.

"We have Otero Junior College, a regional hospital and we are the (Otero) county seat. We have amenities such as Bent's Fort, the Koshare Indian Museum, Picketwire Canyonlands and the nearby dinosaur tracks," Klein said. "We have it all here and these things bring people in."

Rizzuto said that currently enrollment at OJC is up.

"That's bringing more college kids to the town. I think people are staying in town more," he said.

Rizzuto said he is making it a point to tell people to stay in La Junta - to shop and to eat at local restaurants

- instead of making the more than 60-mile trip to Pueblo.

"It's not that I have anything against Pueblo. It's just that if you can get something here, buy it here. It helps local merchants, it helps the sales tax and it helps the local economy," Rizzuto said.

Rizzuto said that higher gas prices that have plagued drivers across the country in recent years have actually helped the local economy.

"It used to be when fuel was cheap people would drive down to Pueblo just to drink a Coke or to go eat a hamburger. At $2.50 a gallon, that doesn't happen as much, and people are staying home more," Rizzuto said.

Recently, the town's bowling alley and movie theater have reopened, and that's another reason Rizzuto said people are staying home for entertainment purposes.

In November, voters passed a $4.3 million bond to replace historic Tiger Field.

"What does that say about the confidence that the people in this area have? If they thought that this place was going to dry up and blow away, do you think they would have devoted millions of dollars to build that facility?" Rizzuto asked.

The new Tiger Field is scheduled to open in October.

Klein and Rizzuto said that La Junta is a friendly town where people genuinely care about each other.

The friendly hometown appeal became evident during a recent interview with The Pueblo Chieftain, when power went out across town and Klein's phone began to buzz.

"Here it comes. Everybody calls me to see what is going on, but that's OK. I like it," he said pulling his cell phone from his side.

"It's the power grid, and we are going to get our power up through our power plant. Your lights will be on shortly," he said to a caller with a laugh.

Walking through the bank where Rizzuto works, several employees teased Klein as they sat at their desks in the dark.

"There you go pretending that you need power to work. I see how it is," he joked.

"That's what's so great about this town. Regular people call me or they stop me to see what the problem is because they know me," Klein said.

"That's something unique to small towns," he said answering another call.

As the power came up, Klein stopped the interview and leaned over a balcony, jokingly shouting, "Now get back to work."

Rizzuto boasted that the town is prepared for blackouts because it has its own power plant.

"Other towns may still be without power right now. The power we see right now is being produced in town and not too many other towns have that option."

"Having the ability to produce your own power is very invaluable," Klein said.

Davis said people who visit La Junta leave with a good feeling.

"It's a friendly community. We've had hard times, but the people here don't talk about that. The attitude is that things will turn around, and they will," Davis said.

"We've raised three kids here and two of them have come back so that says something," Davis said.

Rizzuto said that it's the defiant independence of the town that makes it different.

"It's a pride thing out here. This small town goes against the grain and does what's best, and the people make it what it is," Rizzuto said.