Earthquake hits southern Colorado

A magnitude 5.3 earthquake has shaken southern Colorado near the New Mexico border.

The National Earthquake Information Centre in Golden, Colorado, said the quake was recorded at about 11.46pm MDT on Monday, about five miles (8km) west of Cokedale, Colorado.

It followed two smaller quakes in the area earlier in the day.

A magnitude 4.6 quake was recorded at 5.30pm about 11 miles (18km) south-west of Cokedale, and a magnitude 2.9 quake was recorded shortly before 8am about 12 miles (19km) west-southwest of Cokedale.

Centre spokeswoman Jessica Sigala said the quake has the potential to cause minimal damage.

A dispatcher at the Las Animas County Sheriff’s Office said she has received many calls from residents who felt the shaking.

Cokedale is about 190 miles (306km) south of Denver.