Colby, Kansas is located on the High Plains in the northwest section of Kansas. Colby is named in honor of J.R. Colby, who was the settler responsible for publishing the county's first newspaper. Colby is the largest city in Thomas County. As of the 2000 Census, the population was reported to be 5,450 residents.

The High Plains is a scenic region spanning twelve Kansas counties. Spectacular rolling prairies, carved by fields of golden wheat and sparkling rivers grace this beautiful region. The area was historically the hunting grounds of wandering Cheyenne and Arapaho Indian tribes.

Colby serves as the seat of Thomas County and is the service center for the entire Tri-State area including Kansas, Colorado and Nebraska. Colby is often referred to as "The Oasis on the Plains" due to its progressive commercial, medical, cultural and educational facilities. Agricultural products such as wheat, soybeans, milo, corn and sunflowers are the primary contributions to the local economy, with livestock production also playing a major role. Colby is strategically located 220-miles east of Denver and 375-miles west of Kansas City along Interstate-70, making it an ideal location for businesses to thrive. The Thomas County Economic Development Alliance is a valuable resource available for local business expansion and development.

Colby's residents are privy to an enviable quality of life. The rate of crime in the area is quite low and the cost of living is below the national average. In winter, the average temperature is 27º, in spring 44º; summer is 96º and 52º in the fall. Colby amenities include a modern airport, a variety of churches and excellent medical care, with two care centers and a hospital. There are quality public schools and private parochial schools as well as Colby Community College to serve the area's educational needs. Another outstanding option is Fort Hays State University. It is a virtual university located in Hays, which is an hour and a half drive away.

The area offers a variety of recreational activities and interesting historical attractions such as the Prairie Museum of Art and History. The museum occupies twenty-four acres and features a country church, a one-room school, a sod house, the stunning Kuska Collection, a 1930's farmstead and the Cooper Barn. The Cooper Barn is one of the largest barns in Kansas and stores a wealth of the area's history. The beautiful Thomas County Courthouse, built in 1906, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Courthouse is home to the "Spirit of the Prairie" statue and war memorial for local serviceman who lost their lives. Visitors and residents alike enjoy identifying and photographing the array of flowers and trees at the Northwest Research Center. The Center is an extension of Kansas State University that focuses its research on the locally specific agricultural production challenges. In addition, Colby has an abundance of parks, community events, fine dining and shopping.

The delightful Colby, Kansas community offers an excellent quality of life complemented by progressive amenities uncommon for a town its size.

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