This article examines schooling in the western American state of Colorado during the early twentieth century. Conditions of youth and education are examined at the Walsen coal-mining camp near the town of Walsenburg in the southern region of the state. The experiences of children in the camp are compared to with those living in the town, with a focus on educational opportunities. While provision of elementary schooling in both settings was generally similar, important differences distinguished opportunities for secondary education. Variation in youth experiences in these settings is examined through census data, camp records and other sources. Ethnic and social class differences were linked to significant disparities in the ability of local youth to take advantage of schooling options that otherwise may have been available to them. Even in the West, background characteristics such as these played major roles in the educational experiences of area children and youth.