This year, Tim and Kim Cooper have the honor of serving as the 2025 Water Days King and Queen. The couple have been celebrating Nucla’s holiday for as long as they can both remember.
Kim Cooper was a Girl Scout who participated in the parade, and later in life she played in the school band during it. In high school, she remembers driving a float for different reasons. Over the years, the husband and wife together have done family floats in the parade too.
The Coopers sat down with the Forum last week and shared their love for the annual holiday. They love Water Days, and often invite people over after the days’ festivities in the park — especially singles, like bachelors — and they feed them a home-cooked meal.
Both the Coopers have quite a history in the area. Tim Cooper’s family settled Ute in the late 1800s. Kim Cooper’s family, the Talberts, settled in Paradox in the late 1800s. Tim Marion Cooper was born in Uravan in 1955. He grew up in Nucla and graduated Nucla High School in 1973. He had various jobs after high school and finally settled on the family ranch, raising cattle and hay with his father. He eventually took over the operation.
Kim Louanne Cooper was born in Encino, California in 1960. She grew up in Nucla and graduated in 1978. She became an LPN, licensed practical nurse, in 1980 and has been in nursing most of her life. She’s done everything from labor and delivery to hospice. Currently, she she does special pedicures for some folks, helping friends when they call.
The couple married in Mesquite, Nevada in 2001.
Tim Cooper retired a few years ago, and Kim Cooper only works one week per month now.
While they have no children, there are a whole lot of children that call them “Uncle Tim” and “Aunt Kim,” and some of those folks are relation. They also have cats, one indoors who thinks the Coopers are mom and dad; they have several mousers outdoors too.
The Coopers live a quiet life, one they love. The told the Forum it’s sort of secluded, but perfect. And, when they get the urge, they head to Las Vegas. They love their travel trailer too, and exploring new parts of Colorado together is bringing them joy.
“There’s so much we haven’t seen,” Kim Cooper said.
It’s their fifth season with their camper, and they’ve fallen in love with quiet places like Marble and Owl Creek Pass. They said there’s more to see, and they don’t want to let the tourists have all the fun.
After their travels, they’re always happy to return to their quiet life at home in the West End.
“Nucla is home and one big family to us,” Kim Cooper said. “We love it here. Being chosen for Water Days King and Queen is a true honor.”
After all their years of participating in or spectating the parade, this year, they’ll wear the crown. Cory Columbo will drive their truck, and they’ll sit in the back. They’ve got special outfits planned. Many know that Tim Cooper will have a super-soaker water gun in hand. Kim Cooper will be throwing candy.
