Bent County Courthouse

Built in 1886-89, this striking two-story red brick building is the oldest courthouse in continuous use in Colorado. The exuberance of the corner towers, open Romanesque arches, sandstone trim, and overall architectural rhythm are a stunning local expression of Victorian institutional style architecture. Many of the original courthouse furnishings are still in use today. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1976, the building is being preserved with grant assistance from the Colorado Historical Society's State Historical Fund. The neighboring 1902 jail served as the county's processing and holding facility for 98 years until 2000.