Fraser, Colorado

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Fraser is a Statutory Town in Grand County, Colorado, United States. The population was 910 at the 2000 census. The town is in Middle Park in the valley of the Fraser River along U.S. Highway 40. Its location northwest of Winter Park, the location of several popular ski resorts, has provided growth in recent years with new condominium and other real estate developments. This town is at an elevation of 8550 feet (2601 m) and was established in 1904 in anticipation of the arrival of the Moffat Railroad. It was laid out on the western high bank of the Fraser River by George Eastom and originally named for him, but this name did not stick, for the town soon resorted to the name given the original rural post office: Fraser. The origin of the name Fraser cannot be confirmed. Rueben Frazier, an early settler in the area, was well known by most of the locals and it wasn't long before people started calling the town Frazier. When the US Postal Authority granted a post office they wanted an easier spelling so took the name of the nearby Fraser River. It was the center of the timber industry until the Forest Service headquarters was moved to Hot Sulphur Springs in 1915, and the Ranger Station to Idlewild. The town was incorporated in 1953. Fraser, with an annual mean temperature of 32.5 °F (or 34.8 °F based on another station in town) is the coldest incorporated town in the lower 48 states. It also has the shortest growing season with an average of only 47 days, depending on the station and can get frost year-round. Both Fraser and International Falls, Minnesota have claimed the title "Icebox of the Nation," which has caused conflict between the two towns over the years.