Nucla, Colorado 81424

The mining industry was a major draw for new residents, especially after the second world war, when the uranium boom was on. Following the closing of the uranium mines, Nucla settled back down into a small, close knit community, just as it had started.

Today, Nucla has a population of 734 people, 311 households, and many of the residents carry the family names of the earlier settlers.

It is a statutory town, whose local government consists of a mayor, and a board of six dedicated trustees; none of whom are financially compensated for their efforts. The local government officials volunteer their time and energy to making Nucla the most wonderful place on earth.

Nucla is a place where people really know and care about their neighbors. A community where one can always find a helping hand. There is no rat race in Nucla; no road rage, and the only traffic jam that happens in this little town happens when a rancher moves his cattle. This laid back community doesn't even have a single traffic light. No need.

The Nucla area also boasts some of the best hunting, hiking, mountain biking, and camping spots in the country. So come play in our backyard for a while. We'd love to have you.

Apothecary Shoppe
480 Main St, Nucla
970-864-2100

Basin Clinic
421 Adams St, Naturita
970-865-2665

Bruin Waste Management
31186 Hwy 145, Naturita
970-864-7531

Colorado Co-operative Company
505 Main St, Nucla
970-864-7131

Cotter Corporation
31423 DD19 Rd., Nucla
970-864-7347

Done Right Construction
440 Fox St., Nucla
970-864-7799

F&H Mine Supply
165 E. 10th Ave., Nucla
970-864-7952

5th Avenue Grill
502 Main St., Nucla
970-864-2369

Family Link Center
165 W. 10th Ave., Nucla
970-864-2245

Kenny's Tires
29492 Hwy 97, Nucla
970-864-2287

Montrose West Recreation (MWR)
165 W. 10th Ave., Nucla
970-864-7880

Nucla Co-Op
995 Main St., Nucla
970-864-7323

Redd's Mercantile
460 Main St., Nucla
970-864-7707

San Miguel Power Association
170 W. 10th Ave., Nucla
970-864-7311

Showtime Movie Rentals
490 Main St., Nucla
970-864-2222

Tri-State G&T Association
30739 DD30 Rd., Nucla
970-864-7316

U-Haul
29492 Hwy 97, Nucla
970-864-7344

Umetco Minerals
17860 Y11 Rd., Uravan
970-864-4301

Uncompahgre Medical Center
1350 Aspen St. Suite A, Norwood
970-327-4233

Uravan Supply
309 Hwy 97, Naturita
970-865-2588

Wellness Chiropractic
853 Main St., Nucla
970-864-7480

West End Auto Service
1010 Main St., Nucla
970-864-7433

Done Right Construction
Jeff Sonnenberg Owner

Done Right Construction has been in business since 1997, serving the Nucla area: Nucla, Naturita, Norwood, Redvale, Paradox...

Jeff Sonnenberg is a master drywaller, and can build anything that can be drawn. He has an eye for detail and doesn't quit until your project is perfect.

He has built or remodeled many homes in the area, including his own.

Done Right offers affordable rates; all work is done on a time and materials basis. From the ground up, we've got you covered.

If you want it done right the first time call DRC!

P.O. Box 481
Nucla, Colorado
81424-0481
970-864-7799

Photo: The House DRC Built for the Dillons

Naturita Lodge - 431 Hwy 97, Naturita, Colorado 970-865-2709
Ray Motel - 123 E. Main St., Naturita, Colorado 970-865-2700

Naturita is just 5 miles down the road from Nucla.

West End School District || Rimrocker Historical Society|| San Miguel Basin Forum Newspaper
Montrose County Government || West End Services || State of Colorado || Coloroado Travel & Tourism ||

Nucla, Colorado is located in the foothills of the San Juan Mountains, of southwestern Colorado. Nucla is 110 miles south of Grand Junction, 90 miles west of Montrose, 109 miles north of Cortez, and 100 miles east of Moab, Utah. Needlesstosay, Nucla is out in the middle of nowhere, or everywhere, depending on your point of view.



I love where I live and would not want to live any place else. (I've been other places.) I came here in 1997, from the mid-west, and have never, for a second, regretted the move.



Nucla is a quiet place, where everyone knows each other. If you were to ask someone here, what kind of truck my husband drives, they'd be able to tell you. Folks here wave at one another as they drive down the road. My son's fifth grade teacher lives across the street from me, and the school's super intendant is my next-door-neighbor.



I can see mountains in every direction. (And I live a block off of Main St.) Even in August, I can still see hints of snow on some of them. The sunsets are awesome! I live in the most beautiful place on earth.



Nucla has no traffic lights, or traffic jams; no rush hour. As I have become quite fond of saying, 'the only time there is a traffic jam is when a rancher is moving his cattle'. You never have to wait for a table at the local restaurant, but parking can sometimes be a challenge.



Sure, one must drive at least 100 miles to shop at a mall, Wal-Mart, or eat at McDonald's, but who cares? The drive is beautiful. Many times wildlife, such as big horn sheep, black bear, deer, elk and golden eagle can be seen along the way. The canyons are breath-taking and the sound of the San Miguel river is quite soothing. Who needs McDonald's any way? That stuff will kill ya.



The road to Grand Junction is extremely windy, and it can be a challenge in the winter, but those of us who have driven it a million times know how to deal with it. That's what studded tires are for.



Crime? What crime would that be? Oh sure, we may have an occasional break-in, or something teenager related, but I can go to bed at night without worrying about locking the front door. I can walk the street at 2 A.M. and the worst thing I may encounter is a skunk.



Deer visit my yard regularly, and keep my trees trimmed. One morning I woke to discover a family of raccoons up in my apple tree. Poor things... they were afraid to come down because my dogs were barking at them.



I would not trade where I live to be anywhere else on the planet.



Nucla is a great place to raise a family. If you're just passing through, it is a place worth writing home about.




Copyright &copy 2008

The Trii-Zine Ezine

Trina L.C. Sonnenberg
Publisher - The Trii-Zine Ezine - Your Trusted Source for Internet Business and Marketing Information. Serving online professionals since 2001. ISSN# 1555-2276

Living and Working In The Middle of Nowhere...

One of the first questions I am often asked, after someone has taken note of where I live, is, "What do you do for a living?" This question never surprises me, considering that the town of Nucla, Colorado, population 700ish, is not what you'd call a booming metropolis, filled with employment opportunities. However, my answer always brings rise to surprise, in the asker.


I suppose that most people expect to hear that I am a waitress, or clerk in a local store, so when I state that I am a publisher and home business consultant, the eyebrows go up. I imagine that those types of titles are usually associated with people living in big cities, where life is busier and contains more diversity. I must admit, I do enjoy the shocked response I receive.

How is it possible that I can enjoy such a career while living in such a secluded location?

The Internet.


The story is quite ironic... I spent the first 30 years of my life in a large metropolitan area. A place where there is public transportation, a huge university, several hospitals, and a major highway connecting the east side of town to the west. I do beleive that the current population of my home town is 500,000 strong, and growing.


While living there, I was not trying to climb any corporate ladders; I was nowhere near being the executive type at all. I had worked in restaurants and retail for 15 years. I had been everything from a bartender to a waitress, a clerk to a manager, never making more than $10/hour.


In 1997, I decided to make a major lifestyle change, and move to this sleepy little mountain town, with my high school sweetheart, buy a house and have a second child. I also decided that I would be a stay-at-home mom.


For the first time in my adult life, I had no paycheck coming in, with my name on it. My husband was the sole bread winner, and I felt, well... awkward. It felt strange to not have to wake up early each day, leave home and punch a time clock.


Since I was taking care of my husband's bookkeeping, I thought I could use a computer, to streamline things. Once I got online, it was all over for me. I was hooked! I had to learn, and I wanted to earn my own money again. I saw the Internet as my golden opportunity to, once again, contribute financially, to my household. But, it was more than that. Way more!


In the process of searching for, starting and running a home business, I found that I was meeting more people from my kitchen, in Nucla, than I had ever met during 30 years in the city.It was amazing! The more people I came into contact with, the more knowledge I amassed.


All of this allowed me to to establish a career, as a professional, without a college education, rising above the service jobs I had been trapped in, as a city dweller.


Pretty amazing isn't it?


Because of the Internet, I was able to get an education, without tuition, meet many really awesome people, and establish a career that allows me to follow my passions. One of the things I love most about what I do is that I am able to return what I have received, by helping others achieve their own goals. I really dig that part.


You are your only limitation in life. If you want it, work it!


I am not rich and famous. I am not exceptionally talented. I don't live in a big city, with a fancy office. Shoot, my office is a 12' x 18', unfinished room, with a plywood floor. I am an ordinary person who wants to live my dreams. Watching them materialize is exhilerating!


I am a wife, mother, daughter, writer and advocate.


Finally, to give credit where it is due, my 15 year stint in services did provide me with some benefit, I did learn how to talk to people. You can't be shy if you're in customer service.

Copyright &copy 2004-2008

Trina L.C. Sonnenberg

The Trii-Zine Ezine

Summertime in Colorado Camping 07/08

Hiking the Tabeguache Sewemup Mesa October 2007