By Ron Goodman 

Editor’s Note: This carefully researched and fully documented article definitively establishes the existence of the illusive city of Vicinity, Colorado.

VICINITY, COLO. April 1, 2001 - The little town of Niwot was officially platted in the year 1875. It began as a small prairie town, one of hundreds of stops on the new railroad rolling west. Vicinity began several years later. "Vicinity just sort of grew up around Niwot." That is how local historian Ann T. Quarian describes the origins of Vicinity, Colo. "It kind of shifted around as Niwot expanded."

Acting Mayor Buell Hogwash has another take on the founding of Vicinity. "It was the Niwot Cemetery," he asserts. "Yep, that’s what did it. That cemetery was deeded to the citizens of Niwot and Vicinity." It gave the residents of Vicinity a place to go after living here." 

Inasmuch as we had never visited Vicinity, we asked Mayor Hogwash several questions to learn more 
about Niwot’s sister city.
What is traffic like in Vicinity?

"Not much. We are less than rural, none of them fancy traffic control devices. In an emergency we throw a log over the road to stop traffic."
Do you have a newspaper?

"Nope, never needed one. About once a month my wife, Emma Lou, writes a few notes on an old 3 x 5 recipe card and we pass it around town.
What is the chief recreational activity in Vicinity?

"Well mostly we spend our time trying to find it. We don’t have a ball field, not enough room. We did have a marbles and jax team a few years ago, but that ended when he graduated from high school."
What sort of community services does Vicinity provide?

"We were never big enough for a Grange of our own." Hogwash stated.

"We have a bathroom," Emma Lou reminded Hogwash from the kitchen. "Back in the 1920s we had a two hole public facility." Hogwash continued, "We were a lot closer to our neighbors back then. But the Health Department closed it. It was a tissue issue, I think. That did make for more community interaction. We knew a lot more about each other in those days."
Do you have community events?

"We have a parade every few years…but you gotta’ be real quick to catch it."
Are there politics in Vicinity?

"Not really. It’s dead quiet. Not even buzzing bees , quacking ducks or braying jackasses. You don’t even hear martins sing and the rabbits stay in their warren. It’s real quiet."

Exactly where is Vicinity?

"I don’t want to say exactly. We enjoy our anonymity. But please stop by. We always welcome visitors."

Photo by Buell Hogwash

Vicinity is an easy drive from either Niwot or Gunbarrel. To reach Vicinity, go either east or west. Going north or south works too.