Colo, IA
- Elevation
- 1,041 ft USGS GNIS community points and 3DEP elevation · GNIS 2026-07-06; USGS 3DEP sampled 2026-07-23
- General Quality Overall rating out of 100
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About Colo
Located about fifteen minutes east of Ames, Colo is a quiet, friendly small town of around 850 residents. The community is best known for its spot at the historic crossroads of the Lincoln and Jefferson Highways, anchored by the restored Reed/Niland Corner with its vintage cafe, motel, and gas station. It offers a relaxed rural atmosphere while still giving commuters quick highway access to jobs, shopping, and campus events in Ames.
Outdoor recreation is right down the road at Hickory Grove Park, a favorite local spot with a scenic lake, walking trails, a swimming beach, and peaceful campgrounds. Film fans might even recognize the lake from its brief cameo in the 1996 movie Twister. Families are served by the Colo-NESCO School District, and community spots like the public library and local parks help keep neighbors connected.
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