Cemeteries in Bent County (County)

Colorado, United States
Bent County, located in southeastern Colorado, was established in 1874 and named after William Bent, a prominent 19th-century trader and founder of Bent’s Fort along the Santa Fe Trail.

The region was originally inhabited by the Cheyenne, Arapaho, and Comanche peoples, who used the Arkansas River corridor for trade and seasonal migration. During the Spanish and Mexican periods, the area was part of the frontier province of Nuevo México. After the U.S. acquired the territory in 1848, the region became part of the Colorado Territory in 1861 and was later organized as Bent County. Early Anglo-American settlers arrived via the Santa Fe Trail, drawn by trade and ranching opportunities. The arrival of the railroad in the late 19th century helped solidify Las Animas as the county seat. Settlers of German, Irish, and Hispanic descent contributed to the area’s development.

Cemeteries such as Las Animas Cemetery and Fort Lyon National Cemetery have served the county’s residents since the 1800s.

Cities in Bent County

Cemeteries & Memorials in Bent County and Sub-Regions