Walsen Power Plant

Year Listed: 2009
County: Huerfano County
Construction Date: Early 20th Century
Threat When Listed: Demolition by Neglect – Vacant
Status: ALERT
 
 

Built to provide energy to the Walsen Mine, Walsen Camp, and the town of Walsenburg, the power plant is the last remaining structure of the once bustling Walsen Camp, a coal mining settlement dating from the late 1870s. At its peak the Walsen Camp boasted over 200 homes and a population of 1,200.

The building suffers from years of neglect, vandalism, and scrap metal scavenging. It has an eight-foot chain link and barbwire fence surrounding the perimeter of the building, but vandalism and scavenging continues. With the high value of scrap metal the building will continue to be a prime target.

In 2015, a preservation-minded buyer purchased the property and has plans to rebuild the lost wall. A group of CU Denver graduate engineering students were able to adopt the site as a semester project and completed an engineering assessment in 2018. 

Additional Links:

Walsenburg Power Plant Facebook Page

 

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