The charming community of Colby, KS is located on Interstate 70 in Northwest Kansas. Colby is known as “The Oasis on the Plains,” an image reflective of its educational, commercial, medical, cultural, shopping and hospitality facilities. Colby’s warm, friendly residents contribute to Colby being an ideal place to live, work, shop and visit. Colby offers a quality lifestyle with affordable housing and an outstanding public, parochial, and junior college school system. Colby is a rural community with a population of approximately 5,000. Colby is the county seat of Thomas County with a total population of 7,500.

Long before Colby became an overnight spot for interstate travelers, this town was a hub for wheat-growing, ranching, and a variety of agribusiness. The contemporary design of the Colby Visitor Center incorporates a real grain bin recognizing the importance of grain and agriculture to the area.

The Smithsonian quality, Prairie Museum of Art and History is on 24 acres and pays tribute to the area’s heritage. There are changing art exhibits at the Cultural Arts Center and the Western Plains Arts Association offers a variety of cultural art experiences including ballet, musical bands and groups, opera, theater, and acrobatics. Situated in Colby are several buildings on the National Register of Historic Places. The romanesque Courthouse is in the heart of Colby and was constructed in 1907. The public pool’s bath house, Colby Community High School (which is now used as an elementary/junior high school), and the art-deco sand-colored 1920’s Colby City Hall are also part of Colby’s great heritage.

A wide variety of outdoor sports and recreational attractions are available locally and within the area. The Northwest Kansas Extension-Research Center is a quiet oasis for photographers with over 720 acres of trees, flowers and grains all labeled for easy identification. Recreation opportunities abound at the Colby Bowl and Fun Center, nine hole golf course, public or indoor collegiate pool, twin theater Cinema, and handball and racquetball courts. The Colby Recreation Department provides swimming lessons, aerobics, summer youth programs, basketball and softball leagues and volleyball.

For outdoor entertainment and family outings, one of Colby’s eight parks is sure to please. Most parks have picnic areas and playground equipment for the children to enjoy. In downtown Colby, Fike Park has two gazebos, tennis courts, horseshoe pits, volleyball area and basketball courts. The park is also home of the Fun Zone which has colorful playground equipment and is handicapped accessible. This park is used for many events and family reunions throughout the year including Santa City, a forested winter wonderland with animated woodland animals, complete with Mr. and Mrs. Clause. Villa High Lake and Park features a picturesque city-made reservoir where fishing is enjoyed by all.

The spirit of community is evident through Colby’s various events throughout the year including the annual events like the Plains Blue Grass/Folk Festival, Chamber Golf and Poker Tournament, the Gun, Coin, & Artifact Show, Thomas County Fair, and many more.

We invite you to come and discover why Colby and Thomas County are truly the “Oasis on the Plains.” It may just be the oasis you’d like to call home.



To learn more about health care career opportunities in rural Kansas, contact the Kansas Recruitment Center, Rural Health Education and Services, at 888-503-4221.


Family Center for Health Care offers a full range of OB services, GYN services endoscopic procedures, dermatology, and any other expanded services that you or your loved one may need. In providing OB services for the surrounding region, the clinic actually draws patients from a nine county area. Family Center for Health Care has been newly expanded and renovated.


In 2005 the clinic more than doubled in size to accommodate not only our growing patient base, but health care provider’s needs as well. In 2009 we completed the lower level renovation to further meet the needs of our 7 providers with an additional doctor coming in August of 2010. We know you will find Family Center for Health Care a very modern, quality, and spacious facility.

Family Center for Health Care believes in our slogan, “Our Family Taking Care of Your Family”. As a group we care for each other, our patients and our community. Our patients have come to expect friendly faces and a staff that knows their patients and cares for their well-being. We are proud to be located in rural Northwest Kansas serving the health care needs of some of the finest people you will find anywhere.

The area medical facility, Citizens Medical Center, Inc. is a community based, private, not-for-profit 25 bed financially sound hospital that is not on the public tax rolls. Citizens Medical Center is known in the area as a leader in technology and excellent care. Services offered at the hospital include: a new 16-slice CT scanner and newly installed MRI, nuclear medicine, orthopeadic surgery, general surgery, and ancillary services staffed by talented and skilled health care professionals who are superbly equipped and trained.

Citizens Medical Center continues to grow to meet the expectations of patients in the 21st Century. This is evident by current and future expansions of a modern, well maintained hospital, a staff of nearly 300 available 24/7 to meet your needs. Citizens Medical Center supports a Specialty Clinic visited by 35 physicians who practice everything from asthma to oncology.

We look forward to meeting you in Colby.