Florence

Florence is a small town of about 3,880 residents. Many of the residents who live here work in law enforcement and work at the U.S. Penitentiary called ADX. ADX is home to some notorious criminals, such as members of the Gambino and Lucchese families (Mafia members) and men connected to Al-Qaeda, among others. The town itself is having economic problems, as is much of the US. The average household income in Florence is $34,276 and the median home price is $109,504. Both of these figures are well below state averages.

For people living in Florence who have children, the schools here rate just below average on state standardized tests.

The crime index for Florence is statistically lower than the national average, and in recent years it has been rather impressive. Although this is a small community, the people here seem to be pretty close knit.

Florence is a little town east of Canon City and west of Pueblo near HW 50. The town has about 3,500 people and is in a flat, dry region just before climbing into the high mountains to the west and before getting into the Arkansas River canyon.
I drive through Florence on my way to and from my aunt's home in Westcliffe. Florence is where my cousin would travel to play baseball or bring one of his horses to the vet. There is a federal Supermax prison called ADX Florence. It is huge and looks very ominous, I think it is one of the highest security prisons in the country. There are reportedly very high profile foreign and domestic prisoners kept there.
The town started in the late 1880's because of the railroad and oil was discovered there as well. The oil well found around 1861 is reportedly the second oldest field in the US.
There is a dusty, sparse feel to the area and the properties are spread out. There are lots of run down old trucks and tractors and pretty creeks and fields with horses and cattle. The Hispanic/Latino population is about 15% in the area which is typical of the Front Range towns in southern Colorado and higher in the city of Pueblo to the east. There is a wild west feel and a love of land and horse.