15 Years Ago No One Would Have Expected This to be Built in Colorado City

Big changes have come to Hilldale and Colorado City, the two towns that look like one on the border of Utah and Arizona. What used to be a quiet place run by the Fundamentalist LDS Church and Warren Jeffs has changed a lot. 

This Church Building Reveals New Demographics in Border Towns 

In June the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints will dedicate a new meetinghouse in Colorado City. The idea that there would be a need for a meetinghouse would have been laughable not that long ago. 

In 2011 Warren Jeffs was convicted of sexual assault and sentenced to prison. Since then, the fundamentalist leader has continued to oversee the church, but when Utah courts rested control of the trust that held all the property, the town began to change quickly. 

Read More: Look Utah: Breakthrough Church Trend Nobody is Talking About

The land was subdivided and privatized, and new city officials were elected. Now both Hildale and Colorado City are working together and are experiencing a building boom. Apartments and smaller homes are springing up with many new businesses. 

People Moving in Bring Diversity 

There are other churches moving into the area, including the Community of Grace Church, along with a new thrift store. It’s not just churches. There are also new restaurants popping up including a winery, craft distillery, brewery, and a new bar. 

Mcrae Heppler always does a great job updating new growth in Southern Utah. You should follow his videos on YouTube to keep up to date on the county's growth. The next time you drive through Hildale and Colorado City, you may not recognize the place.