La Junta

Organization 17

Departments

• City Administration Administration

  La Junta has a council-manager form of government; the City Council appoints a City Manager who carries out the council's policies and directives, oversees daily affairs, develops the budget and appoints department heads. The City Attorney, appointed by the City Council, provides legal advice to the Council, staff, and boards and commissions, and does not provide legal services to the public. Municipal Building, 601 Colorado; hours Monday-Thursday 7:30 am to 5 pm, Friday 7:30 am to 11:30 am.

  719-384-5991 www.lajuntacolorado.org
• City Clerk Clerk

  Responsible for City elections, City meetings, licensing (including special event permits and liquor licenses), cemetery records, animal registrations and more. Manages City Council, Utility Board, La Junta Urban Renewal and La Junta Certified Local Government meeting minutes, and maintains municipal codes, ordinances and resolutions. Municipal Building, 601 Colorado.

  719-384-5991 www.lajuntacolorado.org
• Economic Development Economic Development

  La Junta Economic Development fosters retention and expansion of La Junta businesses, industrial recruitment and trade, and helps companies relocate to La Junta. Also supports La Junta Creative Main Street, combining the certified Main Street La Junta program (since 2018) and the Colorado Creative District. 601 Colorado.

  www.lajuntacolorado.org
• Electric Department Utilities

  Responsible for organization and field management of electrical projects and for maintaining all power lines and transformers within the City of La Junta. The City is a member of the Arkansas River Power Authority (ARPA) and purchases power from ARPA. Mailing address P.O. Box 489, La Junta, CO 81050.

  719-384-2611 www.lajuntacolorado.org
• Engineering Department Planning

  Three full-time staff (Director of Engineering, Building Official and Office Manager) manage building code compliance, permitting and reviews, GIS mapping, street layout and additions, engineering of new City projects, maintenance and repair of existing infrastructure, and all planning, zoning and variances for the City. The City operates under IBC 2018 and IRC 2018. Municipal Building, 601 Colorado.

  719-384-5991 www.lajuntacolorado.org
• Finance Department Finance

  Responsible for financial planning, budgeting, accounting, utility billing and payments, accounts payable and receivable, and employee payroll, plus fiscal and trend analysis, revenue forecasting and financial reporting. The fiscal year runs January 1 to December 31. Administers the city lodging tax (4.5%) and use tax (3%). Municipal Building, 601 Colorado.

  719-384-5991 www.lajuntacolorado.org
• La Junta Fire Department Fire

  Organized in 1883 as the John Fisher Hose Company and better known as the La Junta Volunteer Fire Department. Works with the La Junta Rural Fire Protection District (formed 1953) to provide 24/7 Fire and EMS coverage across about 350 square miles, including the City of La Junta and Town of Swink, with EMS and auto aid fire response to the Town of Cheraw. Responsible for fire protection, code enforcement and prevention, all-hazards disaster preparedness, emergency paramedic service, and fire investigation. Emergency 911.

  www.lajuntacolorado.org
• La Junta Municipal Airport Transportation

  Uncontrolled airport (code LHX) 3 miles north of La Junta in the La Junta Industrial Park off State Highway 109; the largest airport in Southeast Colorado, with two runways, 24-hour self-serve fuel, pilot's lounge, courtesy car and helipad. Operated by the City's Property Management Department. FBO hours 7 am to 4 pm, seven days a week except major holidays.

  719-384-8407 www.lajuntacolorado.org
• La Junta Municipal Court Courts

  Processes citations issued by the La Junta Police Department for violations of City ordinances, including traffic offenses within city limits, criminal misdemeanors and municipal code violations. Does not handle Otero County Court summonses. Located in the Municipal Building, 601 Colorado; court hours Monday-Thursday 8 am to 5 pm, Friday 8 am to noon.

  719-363-1246 www.lajuntacolorado.org
• La Junta Police Department Police

  Responds to calls for police service, enforces state and local laws, conducts preventative patrol, performs criminal investigations, promotes traffic safety and apprehends offenders. Has 16 positions, including one patrol officer II/Code Enforcement Officer who enforces the municipal code (weeds, rubbish, trash, animal complaints, junk vehicles and parking). Runs a records bureau and a Citizens Police Academy.

  719-384-2525 www.lajuntacolorado.org
• Parks & Recreation Department Parks & Recreation

  Manages the City's parks, trails, swimming pool, open spaces, recreation activities and municipal golf course, and maintains the Calvary and Fairview Cemeteries. Offers recreation programs for all ages including basketball, soccer, football, baseball and volleyball, and handles park space and ball field reservations. Municipal Building, 601 Colorado.

  719-384-5991 www.lajuntacolorado.org
• Sanitation Department Utilities

  Collects refuse for 3,200 residential and commercial customers with six full-time and one part-time employee, provides roll-off service (20 and 40 yard) by request, and operates the Refuse Transfer Station, free for residential customers with proof of residency (a utility bill). Hosts a month-long City Clean-Up event each October.

  www.lajuntacolorado.org
• Senior Center & Transit Human Services

  The La Junta Senior Center, 102 East 2nd Street, provides social activities, meals, classes and educational opportunities, and the community's Meals on Wheels program operates from it; it has more than 500 members. La Junta Transit provides shared-ride, curb-to-curb demand response service within city limits and up to four miles outside, with lift-equipped buses and a $1 one-way fare. Both are led by the Director of Senior Center & Transit.

  719-384-5486 www.lajuntacolorado.org
• Streets Department Public Works

  Responsible for 53 miles of City streets and about 35 miles of alleys, plus municipally owned property, floodways and easements. Maintains traffic signage, municipal parking lots, school crossing markings, street maintenance, sweeping and snow plowing, and sprays for mosquitoes. Four full-time employees and one Streets / Sanitation manager; on call 24/7.

  719-384-5991 www.lajuntacolorado.org
• Utilities Office Utilities

  Handles City utility billing, rates and payments; located on the south end of the first floor of the Municipal Building, 601 Colorado. Accepts credit/debit cards and e-check through a third-party vendor that charges a transaction fee. Office hours Monday-Friday 7:30 am to 4:30 pm (Friday 7:30 am to 11 am). Mailing address P.O. Box 630, La Junta, CO 81050.

  719-384-2546 www.lajuntacolorado.org
• Water & Wastewater Department Utilities

  Fourteen certified water professionals operate the reverse osmosis water treatment plant (online 2004, drawing on Arkansas River alluvial wells) and distribution system; nine certified wastewater professionals operate sewers, lift stations, the wastewater treatment plant (completed 2019) and an industrial pretreatment program. Responds to water and sewer problems 24 hours a day; after hours call the Power Plant at 719-384-2611. Based at the Utility and Purchasing Warehouse, 515 Lacey Avenue.

  719-384-7358 www.lajuntacolorado.org
• Woodruff Memorial Library Library

  La Junta's public library, in a 10,000 square foot facility at 522 Colorado opened March 1, 1997. Offers adult and children's materials, information services, children's programs, Internet access, a 36-person meeting room, a study room and a covered patio. Hours: Monday-Friday 9 am to 6 pm, Saturday noon to 4 pm, Sunday closed.

  719-384-4612 www.lajuntacolorado.org