ORDWAY - Over the years this diminutive, agriculture-based community on the high plains of Southeast Colorado has proved it can take a punch and come back swinging.

The town, which is the seat of Crowley County, still bears scars from a wildfire that ravaged the land in 2008.

The fire burned swaths of land on April 15, 2008, leaving two volunteer firefighters dead and several homes damaged or destroyed.

Mayor Randy Haynes said that there are great people in Ordway.

"It's tough because we live in one of the poorest counties in Colorado, if not the poorest, so it's hard to be able to do a lot of things. But the people here get things done," Haynes said. Since the fire, the town has bounced back with most residents rebuilding their homes.

Town officials have several projects in the works to help it exude its

old-time charm and historic appeal on Main Street. Town Administrator Karen

Dietrich and council members are looking backward to find the key to the town's

future.

"We want the downtown area to look as it once did and bring back the original look of the building facades," Dietrich said during a recent walk through town. "This downtown has such a historical appeal."

Dietrich said the process has begun with the renovation and remodeling of the town hall. Construction on the aging building is under way.

"We started planning for this in 2005," Dietrich said.

Dietrich said that the building's foundation began slipping, creating cracks in the building.

The work on the project will include stabilizing the building, adding an elevator, replacing flooring, revamping the roof, replacing windows and doors and refurbishing the entire interior of the building.

"The project is being broken down into three phases. The cost, we are hoping, will be up to $1 million," Dietrich said.

Dietrich said that the work is being paid for through grants from the Colorado Department of Transportation, Department of Local Affairs and the State Historical Fund.

"If you look down Main Street the majority of these buildings were built at approximately the same time. That would be in the late 1800s and I think this can all become designated as a historic downtown," Dietrich said.

"Some of these buildings need to be completely revamped, but most just need work to their facades. I would just like to spiff up the downtown and make people feel like they are stepping back in time to a more peaceful and quiet time."

The town, which is home to about 1,250 people, has all-American sit-down eateries in addition to a bakery. A grocery, pharmacy and a few second-hand stores complete the mix of shops.

With two parks, one on the north side and the other on the south side, the town has the look of an everyday small town.

Dietrich said that another project in the works is to upgrade facilities at South Park.

The town has received a Great Outdoors Colorado grant to add bathrooms to the park.

"We are putting two bathrooms in and a shower because we are on the TransAmerican Bicycle Trail and a lot of bicyclists come and they stay in the park during their trips, so I want them to be able to have showers," Dietrich said.

Dietrich said that she also wants to purchase new playground equipment at South Park.

"This is kind of antiquated," Dietrich said pointing to the park's playground.

"I really want to bring some new things here that may be a little more challenging for the kids. There is much better equipment available now, so I am going to write a GOCo grant to apply for new playground equipment."

Dietrich said that she hopes to get new picnic tables and disabled access areas at the park. "We also want to get new barbecue pits and we also want to build a pavilion," Dietrich said.

Town council also is looking to harness the sun's energy to help with water and light projects. Dietrich said the town is going to convert its water wells, which provide the majority of the water to the town, to be run by solar energy.

"We also are looking at how feasible it would be to use solar energy to light the town. We are doing this because it is green (energy) and because it will help our energy costs," Dietrich said.

Future plans for the town include the addition of a police department. Currently, the Crowley County Sheriff's Department is the only law enforcement agency in town.

"We are hoping to partner with a community close by to utilize one of their police officers to work here. We want our own police car, too," Dietrich said.

The town was recently selected by the Denver Broncos for the organization's Broncos Country program. Representatives from the Denver Broncos will visit the town on Oct. 16 and declare Ordway as a part of Broncos Country.

"They (Broncos representatives) come out and do a big community deal and they bring out the Super Bowl trophies, a couple cheerleaders and a former Broncos player," Haynes said.

Haynes, also who is a high school football coach, said his team will play Rocky Ford the same day and that he has organized a fundraiser featuring a barbecue to help raise money to improve the football program's facilities.

Part of the goal is to get a new football facility with an all-weather track that the entire town can use.

"It's a big deal. We are excited to help our kids and to get the community to come out for a great time to help support our town," Haynes said.

Dietrich credits town council and city staff for working to make the town a better place to live.

"Our goal is to make this town a safe, comfortable community by providing quality water, quality police service and town services. We just want to take a step back and say this is a place worth admiring and a place where people would want to live," Dietrich said.

"We have an awesome school district and a really great population of people and we just want to give them something to be proud of."