Scenes from a potential 51st state

In Colorado, 11 rural counties are deciding whether to break away and form a new state. America Tonight’s Chris Bury traveled to the eastern part of the state to speak with some of Cheyenne Wells’ 864 residents about the 51st State Initiative. America Tonight

A 51st State Initiative sign stands in Cheyenne Wells, Colo. The results of the mail-in ballot are beginning to be counted.

At Nan’s coffee shop in Cheyenne Wells, locals meet every day to discuss the 51st State Initiative. America Tonight

Chris Bury, left, speaks with Cheyenne County Commissioner Rod Pelton and his daughter Jamie during a debate over secession with some other locals at Nan’s. Pelton is one of the leaders of the secession movement. He said if the initiative passes, it will take some heavy lifting to start a new state, but he says residents will “eat that elephant one bite at a time” to make it happen. America Tonight

Cheyenne County Sheriff Ken Putnam and Republican County Chairwoman Pat Daugherty listen as their neighbors discuss pros and cons of forming another state. "America would not be here if we had not had the Founding Fathers who were willing to do hard things," Daugherty said. "And we’re willing." America Tonight

Lyle Miller, left, who owns Nan’s coffee shop, favors seceding, while George Kemp, a water well driller, is opposed. "The logistics of it are mind boggling, when you start thinking about setting up a tax base, law enforcement, all the water rights and stuff that are established here," Kemp said. Miller said he hopes the initiative will send a message. America Tonight

The population density of Cheyenne County is slightly more than one person per square mile. America Tonight

Cheyenne County has suffered a drought for several consecutive years. Residents say the ground is so dry, there’s no moisture for clouds to absorb, causing them to hover ominously but rarely produce any rain. America Tonight

Rusty the steer was a birthday gift to Cheyenne County Commissioner Rod Pelton. The space between the tips of Rusty’s two anglers is 5 feet, he said. America Tonight

In Cheyenne Wells, it’s hard to avoid the tumbleweeds that blow across the road. America Tonight

Farmers here are in a race against the winter weather to harvest hay fields to feed their animals in the coming cold months. America Tonight

As the sun sets in Cheyenne Wells, a combine makes one last pass through a field. America Tonight