Otero County, Colorado

Otero County
Otero County Courthouse in La Junta
Location within the U.S. state of Colorado
Colorado's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 37°54′N 103°43′W / 37.9°N 103.71°W / 37.9; -103.71
Country United States
State Colorado
FoundedMarch 25, 1889
Named afterMiguel Antonio Otero
SeatLa Junta
Largest cityLa Junta
Area
  Total
1,270 sq mi (3,300 km2)
  Land1,262 sq mi (3,270 km2)
  Water7.7 sq mi (20 km2)  0.6%
Population
 (2020)
  Total
18,690
  Estimate 
(2024)
17,991
  Density15/sq mi (5.7/km2)
Time zoneUTC−7 (Mountain)
  Summer (DST)UTC−6 (MDT)
Congressional district3rd
Websiteoterocounty.colorado.gov

Otero County is a county located in the U.S. state of Colorado. As of the 2020 census, the population was 18,690. The county seat is La Junta. The county was named for Miguel Antonio Otero, one of the founders of the town of La Junta and a member of a prominent Hispanic family.