by Joy Gipson
SOPRIS — On July 4th, a beautiful Colorado sky with billowing white clouds topped off the Sopris reunion of approximately 300 to 400 people and their dogs. High on a bluff overlooking Trinidad Lake, the town of Sopris (until 1972) was the appropriate setting for this reunion that takes place every five years. The first reunion was held in 1970.
This year, Sopris residents and their descendents gathered to honor their home town and their ancestors with friendship, handshakes, hugs and lots of food. They reminisced with stories and memorabilia of a place that became engulfed in a watery grave.
Sopris was a town that developed in a valley below the Sopris mine which opened in 1888. It was mainly inhabited by miners and their families. Approximately 350 families lived there until government officials decided it was the perfect place to dam up the Purgatoire river.
Residents started moving out of the town in 1968. Some stayed there as long as they possibly could. Mike Ferrero said, “My father was the last one to move out. He stayed until 1971 when the bulldozers were busy knocking things down all around us.”
Tom Ferrero owned a coal delivery business in Sopris. He and his son Mike delivered coal all over the Trinidad area. Mike spoke with fond memories of his connection to Sopris and the mining community. Ferrero’s tent at the reunion was lovingly adorned with momentos of life in Sopris and signs that were once on his father’s delivery trucks.
Trinidad Lake honored this occasion by looking glorious with her high water lines encircled by a carpet of green foliage. The lake was dotted with many boats leaving white trails in their wake across the brilliant blue water. Campgrounds were full to capacity and fishermen were taking advantage of a beautiful 4th of July. The sacrifice of the town of Sopris was not in vain. It lives on in history in the hearts and minds of past residents who are dedicated to keeping the spirit of Sopris alive.
