Hopkins County vs. Mitchell County
Dairy Stars & Colorado City
This match-up pairs the Dairy Capital of Texas with a historic West Texas railroad town. Hopkins County, in Northeast Texas, is famous for its dairy industry and the stunning courthouse in Sulphur Springs. Mitchell County, on the Colorado River, is a land of cotton, oil, and history. One is lush and grassy; the other is rugged and red.
Hopkins County (Population Approx. 37,000)
Hopkins County is the "Dairy Capital of Texas." Sulphur Springs is a vibrant town with a glass-walled public restroom on the square (yes, really) and a thriving economy built on milk production and manufacturing. The community is family-oriented and proud of its agricultural dominance. Challenges include managing the environmental impact of large dairies and revitalizing rural housing.
Mitchell County (Population Approx. 9,000)
Mitchell County sits where the rolling plains meet the Permian Basin. Colorado City was once a booming cattle town and rail hub. Today, the economy relies on cotton, oil, and the prison system. The landscape is defined by the Colorado River and Lake Colorado City. Residents are resilient, facing the boom-bust cycles of oil and the need for water conservation.
Why It Matters
Hopkins County feeds the state with dairy. Mitchell County clothes it with cotton and fuels it with oil. Both counties rely on rural infrastructure: roads, rail, and water; to get their goods to market.
Why Forward
Forward believes that the dairy farmer in Sulphur Springs and the cotton ginner in Colorado City both deserve a government that works.
In Hopkins County, the community is growing. Open Primaries would allow the diverse agricultural and industrial workforce to elect leaders who focus on practical solutions like road maintenance, rather than partisan ideology. Ranked Choice Voting would help the community find consensus on development.
In Mitchell County, rural revitalization is key. Ranked Choice Voting empowers the community to support candidates who prioritize rural healthcare and economic diversification. It ensures that Colorado City has a voice in Austin.
Did You Know…
Sulphur Springs (Hopkins) features the only glass-walled public restrooms in the U.S. on its town square (you can see out, they can't see in).
Colorado City (Mitchell) was once known as the "Mother City of West Texas" due to its early prominence as a cattle shipping point.
Hopkins County has over 400 dairies and is a top milk producer.
Lake Colorado City State Park offers water recreation in a semi-arid landscape.
Southwest Dairy Museum in Sulphur Springs preserves the history of the industry.
Why Texans Love Living Here
Hopkins residents love the "Celebration City" vibe, the ice cream, and the beautiful courthouse square. Mitchell locals love the history of the railhead, the weekends at the lake, and the deep roots of the ranching families.
Key Events That Bring Neighbors Together
Hopkins County Dairy Festival (Sulphur Springs): A June tradition celebrating the milk industry with a pageant and hot air balloons.
Railhead Arts & Music Festival (Colorado City): Celebrating the arts and history of the region.
World Champion Hopkins County Stew Contest: A massive cooking competition held every fall.
Mitchell County Stock Show: Supporting local youth agriculture.
People & Tech Created This
The profiles and shared challenges were gathered from Texas Forward Party supporters and written using ChatGPT and Gemini models to combine verified public data, official county/state sources, and general knowledge from Texas historical and government records:
