1973 Map of Cottonwood Valley South

About this map

Arapahoe Co and Elbert Co share a boundary line across this high plains terrain, captured during a 1973 field check by the Geological Survey. The landscape is defined by the winding drainages of Cottonwood Creek, Rattlesnake Creek, and Beaver Creek, which carve out the distinct valleys of the region. Human imprint on this vast rangeland is sparse, centered primarily on the Cross J Ranch and a network of selected fence lines. The topography reveals a series of ridgelines and draws that dictate the placement of ranch roads and livestock boundaries. This survey provides a clear view of land use and water distribution in this portion of Colorado before later development, showing the isolated homesteads and natural drainage patterns that characterized the area in the early 1970s.