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List of counties in Colorado

Coordinates: 38°59′50″N 105°32′52″W / 38.9972°N 105.5478°W / 38.9972; -105.5478 (State of Colorado)
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A map showing the location of the U.S. State of Colorado.
The location of the State of Colorado in the United States of America.

The U.S. State of Colorado is divided into 64 counties.[1] Two of these, the City and County of Denver, which serves as the state capital, and the City and County of Broomfield, have consolidated city and county governments. In addition to Denver and Broomfield, Pitkin County and Weld County operate as home rule counties with their own county charters.[2] The other 60 counties operate under state regulations per Dillon's Rule. Counties are important units of government in Colorado since there are no civil townships or other minor civil divisions.

The United States Census Bureau estimates that El Paso County remains the most populous county in Colorado with a population estimate of 752,772, as of July 1, 2024, while Hinsdale County with a population of 747 is now the least populous.[a] Five of the 64 Colorado counties now have more than 500,000 residents, while 12 counties have fewer than 5,000 residents.[a]

Las Animas County, 4,776 square miles (12,369 km2) in area, is the most extensive county, while the City and County of Broomfield, 34 square miles (87 km2) in area, is the least extensive. The City and County of Denver was the most densely populated Colorado county, with a 2024 population density of 4,918 residents per square mile of land area (1,899/km2), while Hinsdale County was the least densely populated county, with a 2024 population density of 0.67 resident per square mile of land area (0.26/km2).

Mount Elbert, the highest summit of Colorado and the entire Rocky Mountains at an elevation of 14,440 feet (4,401.2 m), is located in Lake County. The lowest point in Colorado is where the Arikaree River flows out of Yuma County and into Kansas, at 3,317 feet (1,011 m) elevation.[b] This point, which is the highest low point of any state, is higher than the highest points of 18 states and the District of Columbia.[4]

History

[edit]

On November 1, 1861, the new Territory of Colorado created 17 original counties: Arapahoe, Boulder, Clear Creek, Costilla, Douglas, El Paso, Fremont, Gilpin, Guadalupe, Huerfano, Jefferson, Lake, Larimer, Park, Pueblo, Summit, and Weld; plus the Cheyenne Reserve.[5][6] Six days later, the name of Guadelupe County was changed to Conejos County.

On February 9, 1866, the first new county, Las Animas, was created, followed by Saguache in December of that year. Bent County was created in February 1870, followed by Greenwood the following month. On February 2, 1874, Grand County and Elbert County were formed, and on February 10, La Plata, Hinsdale, and Rio Grande counties were created. Greenwood was absorbed into Bent on February 5. The last county to be created under the Colorado Territory name was San Juan County, created three months before statehood.

By the time Colorado became a state on August 1, 1876, it had only 26 counties. In January 1877, Routt and Ouray were formed, followed by Gunnison and Custer counties in March. In February 1879, Chaffee County was created. From February 8–10, 1879, Lake county was renamed Carbonate County. In 1881, Dolores County and Pitkin County were created. In 1883, Montrose, Mesa, Garfield, Eagle, Delta, and San Miguel counties were formed, leaving the total number of counties at 39. The number rose to 40 in 1885 with the creation of Archuleta County on April 14. Washington County and Logan County were both created in 1887. Between February 19 and April 16 in 1889, Morgan, Yuma, Cheyenne, Otero, Rio Blanco, Phillips, Sedgwick, Kiowa, Kit Carson, Lincoln, Prowers, Baca, and Montezuma counties were formed, bringing the total to 55. By 1900, Mineral County and Teller County had been added. On November 15, 1902, Arapahoe County was split into Adams and South Arapahoe Counties, and Denver was reconstituted as a consolidated city-county from portions of both newly formed counties on December 1, 1902.[7] By 1912, Jackson County, Moffat County, and Crowley County had been created. Alamosa was created in 1913. In 2001, Broomfield was reconstituted as a consolidated city-county from parts of Adams, Boulder, Jefferson and Weld counties, bringing the total to 64 counties.

Colorado counties

[edit]
Map this section's coordinates in "Population history of Colorado counties" using OpenStreetMap

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Select the OpenStreetMap link at the right to view the location of these 64 counties.

For Colorado counties by statistical area, see the List of statistical areas in Colorado.
For Colorado county seats, see the List of county seats in Colorado.
For Colorado county courthouses, see the List of Colorado county courthouses.
For Colorado county per capita income, see the List of Colorado counties by per capita income
For Colorado county socioeconomics, see the List of Colorado counties by socioeconomic factors.
For Colorado county highest elevation points, see the List of Colorado county high points.
For Colorado municipalities by county, see the List of Colorado municipalities by county.
For Colorado populated places by county, see the List of Colorado populated places by county.
For Colorado county maps, see the State of Colorado Map Viewer.
County
 FIPS code[8][c] County seat[9][10] Est.[11] Formed from[11] Etymology[11] Population[12] Area[9] Map
Adams County 001 Brighton Nov 15, 1902 Split from Arapahoe County. Named in honor of Alva Adams, the 5th, 10th, and 14th Governor of the State of Colorado. 542,973 1,182.29 sq mi
(3,062 km2)		 State map highlighting Adams County


Alamosa County 003 Alamosa Mar 8, 1913 Split from Costilla County and Conejos County. Named for the cottonwood trees which grow along the Rio Grande and its tributaries. Alamosa is a Spanish word for a cottonwood grove. 16,689 723.21 sq mi
(1,873 km2)		 State map highlighting Alamosa County


Arapahoe County 005 Littleton Nov 1, 1861 Created as one of the 17 original counties of the Territory of Colorado. Renamed South Arapahoe County for the five months from November 15, 1902 to April 11, 1903. Named for predecessor Arapahoe County, Kansas Territory, which in turn was named for the Arapaho Nation of Native Americans. 666,918 804.41 sq mi
(2,083 km2)		 State map highlighting Arapahoe County


Archuleta County 007 Pagosa Springs Apr 14, 1885 Split from Conejos County. Named in honor of Colorado State Senator Antonio D. Archuleta and his father, José Manuel Archuleta. 14,112 1,354.53 sq mi
(3,508 km2)		 State map highlighting Archuleta County


Baca County 009 Springfield Apr 16, 1889 Split from Las Animas County. Named in honor of pioneer and Colorado territorial legislator Felipe Baca. 3,367 2,558.48 sq mi
(6,626 km2)		 State map highlighting Baca County


Bent County 011 Las Animas Feb 11, 1870 Split from Huerfano County and former Cheyenne and Arapaho tribal land. Named in honor of frontier trader William Bent. 5,779 1,541.07 sq mi
(3,991 km2)		 State map highlighting Bent County


Boulder County 013 Boulder Nov 1, 1861 Created as one of the 17 original counties of the Territory of Colorado. Named for the abundance of granite boulders along Boulder Creek. 330,262 740.48 sq mi
(1,918 km2)		 State map highlighting Boulder County


City and County of Broomfield 014 Broomfield Nov 15, 2001 Split from Boulder, Adams, Jefferson, and Weld counties and reorganized as a consolidated city and county. Named for the broom corn that was formerly grown in the area. 78,323 33.57 sq mi
(87 km2)		 State map highlighting City and County of Broomfield


Chaffee County 015 Salida Feb 10, 1879 Split from Carbonate County. Named in honor of Jerome Bunty Chaffee, one of Colorado's first two U.S. Senators from 1876 to 1879. 20,780 1,014.12 sq mi
(2,627 km2)		 State map highlighting Chaffee County


Cheyenne County 017 Cheyenne Wells Mar 25, 1889 Split from Elbert and Bent counties. Named for the Cheyenne Nation of Native Americans. 1,712 1,781.90 sq mi
(4,615 km2)		 State map highlighting Cheyenne County


Clear Creek County 019 Georgetown Nov 1, 1861 Created as one of the 17 original counties of the Territory of Colorado. Named for Clear Creek which originates in the county. 9,076 396.53 sq mi
(1,027 km2)		 State map highlighting Clear Creek County


Conejos County 021 Conejos Nov 1, 1861 Guadalupe County, one of the 17 original counties of the Territory of Colorado, was renamed Conejos County after six days on November 7, 1861. Named for the cottontail rabbits in the area. Conejos is a Spanish word for rabbits. 7,549 1,290.22 sq mi
(3,342 km2)		 State map highlighting Conejos County


Costilla County 023 San Luis Nov 1, 1861 Created as one of the 17 original counties of the Territory of Colorado. Named for the Costilla River. Costilla is a Spanish word meaning either little rib or furring timber. 3,686 1,229.38 sq mi
(3,184 km2)		 State map highlighting Costilla County


Crowley County 025 Ordway May 29, 1911 Split from Otero County. Named in honor of Colorado State Senator John H. Crowley. 5,600 800.27 sq mi
(2,073 km2)		 State map highlighting Crowley County


Custer County 027 Westcliffe Mar 9, 1877 Split from Fremont County. Named in memory of George Armstrong Custer, (1839–1876), the U.S. Army colonel defeated and killed at the Battle of the Little Bighorn. 5,553 739.24 sq mi
(1,915 km2)		 State map highlighting Custer County


Delta County 029 Delta Feb 11, 1883 Split from Gunnison County. Named for the town of Delta located at the delta of the Uncompahgre River. 32,215 1,149.44 sq mi
(2,977 km2)		 State map highlighting Delta County


City and County of Denver 031 Denver Dec 1, 1902 The original Arapahoe County Seat was split from Arapahoe and the newly-created Adams Counties, and reorganized as a consolidated city and county. Named to curry favor with James W. Denver, Governor of the Territory of Kansas from 1857 to 1859. 729,019 155.66 sq mi
(403 km2)		 State map highlighting City and County of Denver


Dolores County 033 Dove Creek Mar 4, 1881 Split from Ouray County. Named for the Dolores River, which was originally named el Rio de Nuestra Senora de los Dolores, which is Spanish for the River of our Lady of Sorrows. 2,467 1,076.93 sq mi
(2,789 km2)		 State map highlighting Dolores County


Douglas County 035 Castle Rock Nov 1, 1861 Created as one of the 17 original counties of the Territory of Colorado. Named in honor of Stephen Arnold Douglas, (1813–1861), U.S. Senator from Illinois from 1847 to 1861. 393,995 842.30 sq mi
(2,182 km2)		 State map highlighting Douglas County


Eagle County 037 Eagle Feb 11, 1883 Split from Summit County. Named for the Eagle River which originates in the county. 54,330 1,700.76 sq mi
(4,405 km2)		 State map highlighting Eagle County


El Paso County 041 Colorado Springs Nov 1, 1861 Created as one of the 17 original counties of the Territory of Colorado. Named for Ute Pass, which connects the Great Plains to South Park and was formerly located within the county. El Paso means the pass in Spanish. 752,772 2,128.60 sq mi
(5,513 km2)		 State map highlighting El Paso County


Elbert County 039 Kiowa Feb 2, 1874 Split from Douglas County. Named in honor of Samuel Hitt Elbert, the sixth Governor of the Territory of Colorado. 29,382 1,849.08 sq mi
(4,789 km2)		 State map highlighting Elbert County


Fremont County 043 Cañon City Nov 1, 1861 Created as one of the 17 original counties of the Territory of Colorado. Named in honor of John Charles Frémont (1813–1890), the explorer, U.S. Army general, and U.S. Senator from California. 50,093 1,533.09 sq mi
(3,971 km2)		 State map highlighting Fremont County


Garfield County 045 Glenwood Springs Feb 10, 1883 Split from Summit County. Named in honor of James Abram Garfield (1831–1881), the twentieth President of the United States. 63,167 2,958.23 sq mi
(7,662 km2)		 State map highlighting Garfield County


Gilpin County 047 Central City Nov 1, 1861 Created as one of the 17 original counties of the Territory of Colorado. Named in honor of William Gilpin, the first Governor of the Territory of Colorado. 5,963 150.15 sq mi
(389 km2)		 State map highlighting Gilpin County


Grand County 049 Hot Sulphur Springs Feb 2, 1874 Split from Summit County. Named for the Grand River which originates in the county. The Grand River was renamed the Colorado River in 1921, but the county retains the original name. 16,154 1,868.53 sq mi
(4,839 km2)		 State map highlighting Grand County


Gunnison County 051 Gunnison Mar 9, 1877 Split from Lake County. Named in honor of John Williams Gunnison, the U.S. Army captain who explored the region. 17,310 3,259.22 sq mi
(8,441 km2)		 State map highlighting Gunnison County


Hinsdale County 053 Lake City Feb 10, 1874 Split from Lake, Conejos, and Costilla counties. Named in honor of George Aaron Hinsdale, a Lieutenant Governor of the Territory of Colorado. 747 1,123.35 sq mi
(2,909 km2)		 State map highlighting Hinsdale County


Huerfano County 055 Walsenburg Nov 1, 1861 Created as one of the 17 original counties of the Territory of Colorado. Named for Huerfano Butte, a solitary volcanic plug. Huérfano is a Spanish word meaning orphan. 6,988 1,592.37 sq mi
(4,124 km2)		 State map highlighting Huerfano County


Jackson County 057 Walden May 5, 1909 Split from Larimer County. Named in honor of Andrew Jackson (1767–1845), the seventh President of the United States. 1,273 1,619.75 sq mi
(4,195 km2)		 State map highlighting Jackson County


Jefferson County 059 Golden Nov 1, 1861 Created as one of the 17 original counties of the Territory of Colorado. Named for its extralegal predecessor county, Jefferson County, Jefferson Territory, which in turn was named in honor of Thomas Jefferson (1743–1826), the author of the Declaration of Independence and the third President of the United States. 578,533 772.85 sq mi
(2,002 km2)		 State map highlighting Jefferson County


Kiowa County 061 Eads Apr 11, 1889 Split from Bent County. Named for the Kiowa Nation of Native Americans. 1,392 1,785.90 sq mi
(4,625 km2)		 State map highlighting Kiowa County


Kit Carson County 063 Burlington Apr 11, 1889 Split from Elbert County. Named in honor of Christopher Houston "Kit" Carson, the famous frontier scout and soldier. 7,080 2,162.43 sq mi
(5,601 km2)		 State map highlighting Kit Carson County


La Plata County 067 Durango Feb 10, 1874 Split from Lake and Conejos counties. Named for the many silver deposits in the area. La plata is a Spanish expression for the silver. 56,823 1,700.44 sq mi
(4,404 km2)		 State map highlighting La Plata County


Lake County 065 Leadville Nov 1, 1861 Created as one of the 17 original counties of the Territory of Colorado. Renamed Carbonate County for the two days from February 8–10, 1879. Named for the Twin Lakes in the county. 7,369 383.55 sq mi
(993 km2)		 State map highlighting Lake County


Larimer County 069 Fort Collins Nov 1, 1861 Created as one of the 17 original counties of the Territory of Colorado. Named in honor of William Larimer, a pioneer entrepreneur. 374,574 2,631.75 sq mi
(6,816 km2)		 State map highlighting Larimer County


Las Animas County 071 Trinidad Feb 9, 1866 Split from Huerfano County. Named for the Purgatoire River, which was originally named el Rio de las Animas Perdidas, which is Spanish for the River of the Souls in Purgatory. 14,518 4,773.27 sq mi
(12,363 km2)		 State map highlighting Las Animas County


Lincoln County 073 Hugo Apr 11, 1889 Split from Elbert and Bent counties. Named in honor of Abraham Lincoln (1809–1865), the sixteenth President of the United States. 5,598 2,585.21 sq mi
(6,696 km2)		 State map highlighting Lincoln County


Logan County 075 Sterling Feb 25, 1887 Split from Weld County. Named in honor of John Alexander Logan (1826–1886), a U.S. Army general and U.S. Senator from Illinois. 20,755 1,845.31 sq mi
(4,779 km2)		 State map highlighting Logan County


Mesa County 077 Grand Junction Feb 14, 1883 Split from Gunnison County. Named for the mesa formations which are widespread through the area. 161,260 3,345.69 sq mi
(8,665 km2)		 State map highlighting Mesa County


Mineral County 079 Creede Mar 27, 1893 Split from Hinsdale, Rio Grande, and Saguache counties. Named from the plentiful mineral deposits found in the area. 933 878.16 sq mi
(2,274 km2)		 State map highlighting Mineral County


Moffat County 081 Craig Feb 27, 1911 Split from Routt County. Named in honor of railroad pioneer David H. Moffat. 13,142 4,755.86 sq mi
(12,318 km2)		 State map highlighting Moffat County


Montezuma County 083 Cortez Apr 16, 1889 Split from La Plata County. Named in honor of Aztec leader Moctezuma II. Ruins in the area were once thought to be Aztec. 26,841 2,035.80 sq mi
(5,273 km2)		 State map highlighting Montezuma County


Montrose County 085 Montrose Feb 11, 1883 Split from Gunnison County. Named for the town of Montrose, which in turn was probably named from the novel A Legend of Montrose, published in 1819 by Walter Scott. 44,806 2,246.43 sq mi
(5,818 km2)		 State map highlighting Montrose County


Morgan County 087 Fort Morgan Feb 19, 1889 Split from Weld County. Named for old Fort Morgan, which in turn was named in honor of U.S. Army Colonel Christopher A. Morgan. 30,300 1,293.83 sq mi
(3,351 km2)		 State map highlighting Morgan County


Otero County 089 La Junta Mar 25, 1889 Split from Bent County. Named in honor of Miguel A. Otero of the prominent Otero family of the Southwest. 17,991 1,267.66 sq mi
(3,283 km2)		 State map highlighting Otero County


Ouray County 091 Ouray Jan 18, 1877 Split from Hinsdale and Lake counties. Renamed Uncompaghre County for four days from 1883-02-27, to 1883-03-02. Named in honor of Ouray, a Ute Native American leader. 5,197 542.30 sq mi
(1,405 km2)		 State map highlighting Ouray County


Park County 093 Fairplay Nov 1, 1861 Created as one of the 17 original counties of the Territory of Colorado. Named for South Park which occupies most of the county. 18,316 2,209.36 sq mi
(5,722 km2)		 State map highlighting Park County


Phillips County 095 Holyoke Mar 27, 1889 Split from Logan County. Named in honor of R.O. Phillips, secretary of the Lincoln Land Company, which sold farmsteads in the area. 4,488 688.30 sq mi
(1,783 km2)		 State map highlighting Phillips County


Pitkin County 097 Aspen Feb 23, 1881 Split from Gunnison County. Named in honor of Frederick Walker Pitkin, the second Governor of the State of Colorado. 16,643 970.37 sq mi
(2,513 km2)		 State map highlighting Pitkin County


Prowers County 099 Lamar Apr 11, 1889 Split from Bent County. Named in honor of John W. Prowers, a pioneer of the Arkansas River valley. 11,957 1,645.37 sq mi
(4,261 km2)		 State map highlighting Prowers County


Pueblo County 101 Pueblo Nov 1, 1861 Created as one of the 17 original counties of the Territory of Colorado. Named for historic town of Pueblo. Pueblo is a Spanish word meaning village or people. 169,866 2,396.77 sq mi
(6,208 km2)		 State map highlighting Pueblo County


Rio Blanco County 103 Meeker Mar 25, 1889 Split from Garfield County. Named for the White River, which was originally named Rio Blanco in Spanish. 6,607 3,226.24 sq mi
(8,356 km2)		 State map highlighting Rio Blanco County


Rio Grande County 105 Del Norte Feb 10, 1874 Split from Costilla County and Conejos County counties. Named for the Rio Grande, which flows through the area. 11,132 913.10 sq mi
(2,365 km2)		 State map highlighting Rio Grande County


Routt County 107 Steamboat Springs Jan 29, 1877 Split from Grand County. Named in honor of John Long Routt, the first Governor of the State of Colorado. 25,243 2,362.11 sq mi
(6,118 km2)		 State map highlighting Routt County


Saguache County 109 Saguache Dec 29, 1866 Split from Lake and Costilla counties. Name comes from a Ute language noun meaning "sand dunes".[d][13] 6,670 3,168.32 sq mi
(8,206 km2)		 State map highlighting Saguache County


San Juan County 111 Silverton Jan 31, 1876 Split from Lake County. Named for the San Juan River and San Juan Mountains, which in turn were named for Saint John the Evangelist. 821 388.99 sq mi
(1,007 km2)		 State map highlighting San Juan County


San Miguel County 113 Telluride Mar 2, 1883 Split from San Juan County. Named for the San Miguel River and San Miguel Mountains, which in turn were named for Saint Michael the Archangel. 7,819 1,290.76 sq mi
(3,343 km2)		 State map highlighting San Miguel County


Sedgwick County 115 Julesburg Apr 9, 1889 Split from Logan County. Named for Fort Sedgwick, which, in turn, was named for U.S. Army General John Sedgwick (1813–1864). 2,257 548.83 sq mi
(1,421 km2)		 State map highlighting Sedgwick County


Summit County 117 Breckenridge Nov 1, 1861 Created as one of the 17 original counties of the Territory of Colorado. Named for the many high mountain summits in the area. 30,882 618.92 sq mi
(1,603 km2)		 State map highlighting Summit County


Teller County 119 Cripple Creek Mar 23, 1899 Split from El Paso and Fremont counties. Named in honor of Henry Moore Teller, a U.S. Senator from Colorado and United States Secretary of the Interior. 24,862 558.58 sq mi
(1,447 km2)		 State map highlighting Teller County


Washington County 121 Akron Feb 9, 1887 Split from Weld County. Named in honor of George Washington (1732–1799), the first President of the United States. 4,771 2,522.90 sq mi
(6,534 km2)		 State map highlighting Washington County


Weld County 123 Greeley Nov 1, 1861 Created as one of the 17 original counties of the Territory of Colorado. Named in honor of Lewis Ledyard Weld, the first Secretary of the Territory of Colorado. 369,745 4,013.84 sq mi
(10,396 km2)		 State map highlighting Weld County


Yuma County 125 Wray Mar 15, 1889 Split from Washington County. Named for the Quechan (Yuma) Nation of Native Americans. 10,048 2,369.61 sq mi
(6,137 km2)		 State map highlighting Yuma County

County population

[edit]
The 64 Counties of the State of Colorado Ranked by Population
County[1] Population[14] County website Coordinates[e]
2024 rank 2024 estimates[a] Change 2020 Census Change 2010 Census Change 2000 Census
El Paso County 1 752,772 +3.06% 730,395 +17.38% 622,263 +20.38% 516,934 El Paso County 38°49′55″N 104°31′31″W / 38.8320°N 104.5254°W / 38.8320; -104.5254 (El Paso County, Colorado)
City and County of Denver 2 729,019 +1.89% 715,522 +19.22% 600,158 +8.37% 553,805 City and County of Denver 39°45′43″N 104°52′34″W / 39.7620°N 104.8760°W / 39.7620; -104.8760 (City and County of Denver, Colorado)
Arapahoe County 3 666,918 +1.81% 655,070 +14.52% 572,003 +17.01% 488,829 Arapahoe County 39°39′01″N 104°20′21″W / 39.6503°N 104.3393°W / 39.6503; -104.3393 (Arapahoe County, Colorado)
Jefferson County 4 578,533 −0.75% 582,910 +9.05% 534,543 +1.73% 525,449 Jefferson County 39°35′09″N 105°15′02″W / 39.5859°N 105.2506°W / 39.5859; -105.2506 (Jefferson County, Colorado)
Adams County 5 542,973 +4.50% 519,572 +17.66% 441,603 +26.87% 348,076 Adams County 39°52′27″N 104°20′16″W / 39.8742°N 104.3378°W / 39.8742; -104.3378 (Adams County, Colorado)
Douglas County 6 393,995 +10.06% 357,978 +25.40% 285,465 +62.44% 175,732 Douglas County 39°19′47″N 104°55′47″W / 39.3296°N 104.9297°W / 39.3296; -104.9297 (Douglas County, Colorado)
Larimer County 7 374,574 +4.32% 359,066 +19.84% 299,630 +19.14% 251,494 Larimer County 40°39′58″N 105°27′39″W / 40.6662°N 105.4607°W / 40.6662; -105.4607 (Larimer County, Colorado)
Weld County 8 369,745 +12.39% 328,981 +30.12% 252,825 +39.86% 180,766 Weld County 40°33′15″N 104°23′38″W / 40.5542°N 104.3938°W / 40.5542; -104.3938 (Weld County, Colorado)
Boulder County 9 330,262 −0.15% 330,758 +12.29% 294,567 +9.19% 269,784 Boulder County 40°05′33″N 105°21′28″W / 40.0925°N 105.3577°W / 40.0925; -105.3577 (Boulder County, Colorado)
Pueblo County 10 169,866 +1.01% 168,162 +5.72% 159,063 +12.42% 141,490 Pueblo County 38°10′24″N 104°30′46″W / 38.1732°N 104.5128°W / 38.1732; -104.5128 (Pueblo County, Colorado)
Mesa County 11 161,260 +3.57% 155,703 +6.12% 146,723 +25.47% 116,939 Mesa County 39°01′06″N 108°28′04″W / 39.0182°N 108.4677°W / 39.0182; -108.4677 (Mesa County, Colorado)
City and County of Broomfield 12 78,323 +5.68% 74,112 +32.61% 55,889 +42.57% 39,202 City and County of Broomfield 39°57′15″N 105°03′10″W / 39.9541°N 105.0527°W / 39.9541; -105.0527 (City and County of Broomfield, Colorado)
Garfield County 13 63,167 +2.40% 61,685 +9.39% 56,389 +28.78% 43,786 Garfield County 39°36′01″N 107°54′19″W / 39.6003°N 107.9052°W / 39.6003; -107.9052 (Garfield County, Colorado)
La Plata County 14 56,823 +2.13% 55,638 +8.38% 51,334 +16.78% 43,957 La Plata County 37°17′11″N 107°50′37″W / 37.2864°N 107.8436°W / 37.2864; -107.8436 (La Plata County, Colorado)
Eagle County 15 54,330 −2.51% 55,731 +6.77% 52,197 +25.40% 41,623 Eagle County 39°37′40″N 106°41′42″W / 39.6277°N 106.6951°W / 39.6277; -106.6951 (Eagle County, Colorado)
Fremont County 16 50,093 +2.36% 48,939 +4.52% 46,824 +1.48% 46,140 Fremont County 38°28′24″N 105°26′22″W / 38.4732°N 105.4394°W / 38.4732; -105.4394 (Fremont County, Colorado)
Montrose County 17 44,806 +4.98% 42,679 +3.40% 41,276 +23.44% 33,438 Montrose County 38°24′10″N 108°16′13″W / 38.4027°N 108.2702°W / 38.4027; -108.2702 (Montrose County, Colorado)
Delta County 18 32,215 +3.27% 31,196 +0.79% 30,952 +11.24% 27,824 Delta County 38°51′41″N 107°51′48″W / 38.8614°N 107.8632°W / 38.8614; -107.8632 (Delta County, Colorado)
Summit County 19 30,882 −0.56% 31,055 +10.93% 27,994 +18.82% 23,560 Summit County 39°38′02″N 106°06′58″W / 39.6340°N 106.1160°W / 39.6340; -106.1160 (Summit County, Colorado)
Morgan County 20 30,300 +4.08% 29,111 +3.38% 28,159 +3.63% 27,172 Morgan County 40°15′45″N 103°48′35″W / 40.2626°N 103.8098°W / 40.2626; -103.8098 (Morgan County, Colorado)
Elbert County 21 29,382 +12.74% 26,062 +12.89% 23,086 +16.27% 19,855 Elbert County 39°17′11″N 104°08′08″W / 39.2864°N 104.1355°W / 39.2864; -104.1355 (Elbert County, Colorado)
Montezuma County 22 26,841 +3.84% 25,849 +1.23% 25,535 +7.19% 23,822 Montezuma County 37°20′18″N 108°35′49″W / 37.3383°N 108.5970°W / 37.3383; -108.5970 (Montezuma County, Colorado)
Routt County 23 25,243 +1.67% 24,829 +5.61% 23,509 +19.46% 19,679 Routt County 40°29′03″N 106°59′27″W / 40.4841°N 106.9908°W / 40.4841; -106.9908 (Routt County, Colorado)
Teller County 24 24,862 +0.62% 24,710 +5.82% 23,350 +13.68% 20,541 Teller County 38°52′56″N 105°09′42″W / 38.8822°N 105.1617°W / 38.8822; -105.1617 (Teller County, Colorado)
Chaffee County 25 20,780 +6.70% 19,476 +9.36% 17,809 +9.59% 16,250 Chaffee County 38°44′48″N 106°11′38″W / 38.7466°N 106.1938°W / 38.7466; -106.1938 (Chaffee County, Colorado)
Logan County 26 20,755 −3.59% 21,528 −5.20% 22,709 +10.42% 20,566 Logan County 40°43′29″N 103°06′36″W / 40.7246°N 103.1101°W / 40.7246; -103.1101 (Logan County, Colorado)
Park County 27 18,316 +5.32% 17,390 +7.31% 16,206 +11.62% 14,519 Park County 39°07′08″N 105°43′02″W / 39.1188°N 105.7171°W / 39.1188; -105.7171 (Park County, Colorado)
Otero County 28 17,991 −3.74% 18,690 −0.75% 18,831 −7.29% 20,311 Otero County 37°54′09″N 103°43′00″W / 37.9026°N 103.7166°W / 37.9026; -103.7166 (Otero County, Colorado)
Gunnison County 29 17,310 +2.32% 16,918 +10.40% 15,324 +9.46% 14,000 Gunnison County 38°39′59″N 107°01′55″W / 38.6664°N 107.0319°W / 38.6664; -107.0319 (Gunnison County, Colorado)
Alamosa County 30 16,689 +1.91% 16,376 +6.03% 15,445 +3.21% 14,965 Alamosa County 37°34′22″N 105°47′18″W / 37.5728°N 105.7884°W / 37.5728; -105.7884 (Alamosa County, Colorado)
Pitkin County 31 16,643 −4.12% 17,358 +1.22% 17,148 +15.17% 14,889 Pitkin County 39°13′02″N 106°54′59″W / 39.2172°N 106.9165°W / 39.2172; -106.9165 (Pitkin County, Colorado)
Grand County 32 16,154 +2.78% 15,717 +5.89% 14,843 +19.38% 12,433 Grand County 40°06′09″N 106°07′05″W / 40.1025°N 106.1181°W / 40.1025; -106.1181 (Grand County, Colorado)
Las Animas County 33 14,518 −0.25% 14,555 −6.14% 15,507 +1.94% 15,212 Las Animas County 37°19′00″N 104°02′21″W / 37.3166°N 104.0391°W / 37.3166; -104.0391 (Las Animas County, Colorado)
Archuleta County 34 14,112 +5.64% 13,359 +10.55% 12,084 +22.13% 9,894 Archuleta County 37°11′37″N 107°02′53″W / 37.1937°N 107.0481°W / 37.1937; -107.0481 (Archuleta County, Colorado)
Moffat County 35 13,142 −1.13% 13,292 −3.65% 13,795 +4.68% 13,178 Moffat County 40°37′07″N 108°12′27″W / 40.6187°N 108.2075°W / 40.6187; -108.2075 (Moffat County, Colorado)
Prowers County 36 11,957 −0.35% 11,999 −4.40% 12,551 −13.34% 14,483 Prowers County 37°57′18″N 102°23′36″W / 37.9549°N 102.3934°W / 37.9549; -102.3934 (Prowers County, Colorado)
Rio Grande County 37 11,132 −3.53% 11,539 −3.70% 11,982 −3.57% 12,425 Rio Grande County 37°34′57″N 106°23′00″W / 37.5825°N 106.3832°W / 37.5825; -106.3832 (Rio Grande County, Colorado)
Yuma County 38 10,048 +0.60% 9,988 −0.55% 10,043 +2.00% 9,846 Yuma County 40°00′08″N 102°25′27″W / 40.0022°N 102.4243°W / 40.0022; -102.4243 (Yuma County, Colorado)
Clear Creek County 39 9,076 −3.42% 9,397 +3.40% 9,088 −1.89% 9,263 Clear Creek County 39°41′21″N 105°38′39″W / 39.6891°N 105.6443°W / 39.6891; -105.6443 (Clear Creek County, Colorado)
San Miguel County 40 7,819 −3.13% 8,072 +9.69% 7,359 +11.62% 6,593 San Miguel County 38°00′15″N 108°24′21″W / 38.0042°N 108.4057°W / 38.0042; -108.4057 (San Miguel County, Colorado)
Conejos County 41 7,549 +1.18% 7,461 −9.63% 8,256 −1.71% 8,400 Conejos County 37°12′03″N 106°11′29″W / 37.2008°N 106.1915°W / 37.2008; -106.1915 (Conejos County, Colorado)
Lake County 42 7,369 −0.90% 7,436 +1.72% 7,310 −6.45% 7,814 Lake County 39°12′08″N 106°20′42″W / 39.2023°N 106.3449°W / 39.2023; -106.3449 (Lake County, Colorado)
Kit Carson County 43 7,080 −0.10% 7,087 −14.30% 8,270 +3.21% 8,013 Kit Carson County 39°18′20″N 102°36′10″W / 39.3056°N 102.6029°W / 39.3056; -102.6029 (Kit Carson County, Colorado)
Huerfano County 44 6,988 +2.46% 6,820 +1.62% 6,711 −14.61% 7,859 Huerfano County 37°41′05″N 104°57′38″W / 37.6847°N 104.9605°W / 37.6847; -104.9605 (Huerfano County, Colorado)
Saguache County 45 6,670 +4.74% 6,368 +4.26% 6,108 +3.46% 5,904 Saguache County 38°04′51″N 106°16′51″W / 38.0807°N 106.2809°W / 38.0807; -106.2809 (Saguache County, Colorado)
Rio Blanco County 46 6,607 +1.19% 6,529 −2.06% 6,666 +11.25% 5,992 Rio Blanco County 39°58′51″N 108°13′04″W / 39.9807°N 108.2179°W / 39.9807; -108.2179 (Rio Blanco County, Colorado)
Gilpin County 47 5,963 +2.67% 5,808 +6.75% 5,441 +14.64% 4,746 Gilpin County 39°51′27″N 105°31′21″W / 39.8575°N 105.5226°W / 39.8575; -105.5226 (Gilpin County, Colorado)
Bent County 48 5,779 +2.28% 5,650 −13.06% 6,499 +8.39% 5,996 Bent County 37°57′17″N 103°04′18″W / 37.9548°N 103.0717°W / 37.9548; -103.0717 (Bent County, Colorado)
Crowley County 49 5,600 −5.44% 5,922 +1.70% 5,823 +5.60% 5,514 Crowley County 38°19′36″N 103°47′05″W / 38.3266°N 103.7848°W / 38.3266; -103.7848 (Crowley County, Colorado)
Lincoln County 50 5,598 −1.36% 5,675 +3.80% 5,467 −10.22% 6,089 Lincoln County 38°59′13″N 103°30′53″W / 38.9870°N 103.5146°W / 38.9870; -103.5146 (Lincoln County, Colorado)
Custer County 51 5,553 +18.05% 4,704 +10.55% 4,255 +21.29% 3,508 Custer County 38°06′31″N 105°22′03″W / 38.1087°N 105.3674°W / 38.1087; -105.3674 (Custer County, Colorado)
Ouray County 52 5,197 +6.63% 4,874 +9.87% 4,436 +18.39% 3,747 Ouray County 38°09′19″N 107°46′09″W / 38.1554°N 107.7691°W / 38.1554; -107.7691 (Ouray County, Colorado)
Washington County 53 4,771 −0.95% 4,817 +0.06% 4,814 −2.19% 4,922 Washington County 39°58′13″N 103°12′06″W / 39.9704°N 103.2016°W / 39.9704; -103.2016 (Washington County, Colorado)
Phillips County 54 4,488 −0.93% 4,530 +1.98% 4,442 −0.96% 4,485 Phillips County 40°35′38″N 102°21′27″W / 40.5939°N 102.3576°W / 40.5939; -102.3576 (Phillips County, Colorado)
Costilla County 55 3,686 +5.34% 3,499 −0.71% 3,524 −3.74% 3,661 Costilla County 37°16′40″N 105°25′42″W / 37.2777°N 105.4284°W / 37.2777; -105.4284 (Costilla County, Colorado)
Baca County 56 3,367 −3.96% 3,506 −7.44% 3,788 −16.14% 4,517 Baca County 37°19′09″N 102°33′38″W / 37.3191°N 102.5605°W / 37.3191; -102.5605 (Baca County, Colorado)
Dolores County 57 2,467 +6.06% 2,326 +12.69% 2,064 +11.93% 1,844 Dolores County 37°45′07″N 108°31′02″W / 37.7520°N 108.5173°W / 37.7520; -108.5173 (Dolores County, Colorado)
Sedgwick County 58 2,257 −6.11% 2,404 +1.05% 2,379 −13.40% 2,747 Sedgwick County 40°52′34″N 102°21′06″W / 40.8760°N 102.3518°W / 40.8760; -102.3518 (Sedgwick County, Colorado)
Cheyenne County 59 1,712 −2.06% 1,748 −4.79% 1,836 −17.63% 2,229 Cheyenne County 38°49′42″N 102°36′12″W / 38.8282°N 102.6034°W / 38.8282; -102.6034 (Cheyenne County, Colorado)
Kiowa County 60 1,392 −3.73% 1,446 +3.43% 1,398 −13.81% 1,622 Kiowa County 38°26′00″N 102°44′26″W / 38.4333°N 102.7405°W / 38.4333; -102.7405 (Kiowa County, Colorado)
Jackson County 61 1,273 −7.69% 1,379 −1.08% 1,394 −11.60% 1,577 Jackson County 40°39′58″N 106°20′33″W / 40.6661°N 106.3424°W / 40.6661; -106.3424 (Jackson County, Colorado)
Mineral County 62 933 +7.86% 865 +21.49% 712 −14.32% 831 Mineral County 37°40′07″N 106°55′27″W / 37.6687°N 106.9241°W / 37.6687; -106.9241 (Mineral County, Colorado)
San Juan County 63 821 +16.45% 705 +0.86% 699 +25.27% 558 San Juan County 37°45′50″N 107°40′34″W / 37.7640°N 107.6762°W / 37.7640; -107.6762 (San Juan County, Colorado)
Hinsdale County 64 747 −5.20% 788 −6.52% 843 +6.44% 792 Hinsdale County 37°49′15″N 107°18′01″W / 37.8208°N 107.3004°W / 37.8208; -107.3004 (Hinsdale County, Colorado)
State of Colorado State 5,957,493 +3.18% 5,773,714 +14.80% 5,029,196 +16.92% 4,301,262 State of Colorado 38°59′50″N 105°32′52″W / 38.9972°N 105.5478°W / 38.9972; -105.5478 (State of Colorado)

Former counties

[edit]
Main article: History of Colorado

The following sortable table lists all the historic counties of the Territory of New Mexico, the Territory of Utah, the Territory of Kansas, and the extralegal Territory of Jefferson[16] that previously existed within the boundaries of the present State of Colorado, as well as the three defunct counties of the Territory of Colorado and the three defunct counties of the State of Colorado.[f]

Counties formerly within the area of the State of Colorado
County Territory or State Date created Date superseded History
Taos County Territory of New Mexico Jan 09, 1852 Feb 28, 1861 Originally one of the seven partidos of the Spanish, and later Mexican, province of Santa Fe de Nuevo México. One of the nine original counties created by the Territory of New Mexico in 1852. Excluded from the new Territory of Colorado in 1861.
Great Salt Lake County Territory of Utah Mar 03, 1852 Feb 28, 1861 Created in 1852. Excluded from the new Territory of Colorado in 1861.
Green River County Territory of Utah Mar 03, 1852 Feb 28, 1861 Created in 1852, but never organized. Dissolved in 1857, but recreated in 1859. Excluded from the new Territory of Colorado in 1861, and the Territory of Wyoming in 1868. Finally dissolved in 1872.
Iron County Territory of Utah Mar 03, 1852 Feb 28, 1861 Created in 1852. Excluded from the new Territory of Colorado in 1861.
Sanpete County Territory of Utah Mar 03, 1852 Feb 28, 1861 Created in 1852. Excluded from the new Territory of Colorado in 1861.
Utah County Territory of Utah Mar 03, 1852 Feb 28, 1861 Created in 1852. Excluded from the new Territory of Colorado in 1861.
Washington County Territory of Utah Mar 03, 1852 Feb 28, 1861 Created in 1852. Excluded from the new Territory of Colorado in 1861.
Arapahoe County Territory of Kansas Aug 25, 1855 Feb 28, 1861 Created in 1855, but never organized. Reverted to unorganized territory when Kansas joined the Union in 1861.
Beaver County Territory of Utah Jan 05, 1856 Feb 28, 1861 Split from Iron and Millard counties in 1856. Excluded from the new Territory of Colorado in 1861.
Broderick County Territory of Kansas Feb 07, 1859 Jan 29, 1861 Split from Arapahoe County in 1859, but never organized. Reverted to unorganized territory when Kansas joined the Union in 1861.
El Paso County Territory of Kansas Feb 07, 1859 Jan 29, 1861 Split from Arapahoe County in 1859, but never organized. Reverted to unorganized territory when Kansas joined the Union in 1861.
Fremont County Territory of Kansas Feb 07, 1859 Jan 29, 1861 Split from Arapahoe County in 1859, but never organized. Reverted to unorganized territory when Kansas joined the Union in 1861.
Montana County Territory of Kansas Feb 07, 1859 Jan 29, 1861 Split from Arapahoe County in 1859, but never organized. Reverted to unorganized territory when Kansas joined the Union in 1861.
Oro County Territory of Kansas Feb 07, 1859 Jan 29, 1861 Split from Arapahoe County in 1859, but never organized. Reverted to unorganized territory when Kansas joined the Union in 1861.
Peketon County Territory of Kansas Feb 07, 1859 Jan 29, 1861 Created in 1859, but never organized. Reverted to unorganized territory when Kansas joined the Union in 1861.
Arapahoe County Territory of Jefferson Nov 28, 1859 Feb 28, 1861 One of the 12 counties created by the extralegal Territory of Jefferson in 1859.
Cheyenne County Territory of Jefferson Nov 28, 1859 Feb 28, 1861 One of the 12 counties created by the extralegal Territory of Jefferson in 1859.
El Paso County Territory of Jefferson Nov 28, 1859 Feb 28, 1861 One of the 12 counties created by the extralegal Territory of Jefferson in 1859.
Fountain County Territory of Jefferson Nov 28, 1859 Feb 28, 1861 One of the 12 counties created by the extralegal Territory of Jefferson in 1859.
Heele County Territory of Jefferson Nov 28, 1859 Feb 28, 1861 One of the 12 counties created by the extralegal Territory of Jefferson in 1859.
Jackson County Territory of Jefferson Nov 28, 1859 Feb 28, 1861 One of the 12 counties created by the extralegal Territory of Jefferson in 1859.
Jefferson County Territory of Jefferson Nov 28, 1859 Feb 28, 1861 One of the 12 counties created by the extralegal Territory of Jefferson in 1859.
Mountain County Territory of Jefferson Nov 28, 1859 Feb 28, 1861 One of the 12 counties created by the extralegal Territory of Jefferson in 1859.
North County Territory of Jefferson Nov 28, 1859 Feb 28, 1861 One of the 12 counties created by the extralegal Territory of Jefferson in 1859.
Park County Territory of Jefferson Nov 28, 1859 Feb 28, 1861 One of the 12 counties created by the extralegal Territory of Jefferson in 1859.
St. Vrain County Territory of Jefferson Nov 28, 1859 Feb 28, 1861 One of the 12 counties created by the extralegal Territory of Jefferson in 1859.
Saratoga County Territory of Jefferson Nov 28, 1859 Feb 28, 1861 One of the 12 counties created by the extralegal Territory of Jefferson in 1859.
Mora County Territory of New Mexico Feb 01, 1860 Feb 28, 1861 Split from Taos County and San Miguel County in 1860. Excluded from the new Territory of Colorado in 1861.
Guadalupe County Territory of Colorado Nov 01, 1861 Nov 07, 1861 One of the 17 original counties created by the Territory of Colorado in 1861. The county was renamed Conejos County after only six days.
Greenwood County Territory of Colorado Feb 11, 1870 Feb 02, 1874 Created from expropriated Cheyenne and Arapaho tribal land and the eastern portion of Huerfano County in 1870. The county was abolished in 1874 and its territory split between Elbert County and Bent County.
Platte County Territory of Colorado Feb 09, 1872 Feb 09, 1874 Created from the eastern portion of Weld County in 1872. The county was abolished in 1874 after organizers failed to secure voter approval. The territory of the county was returned to Weld County.
Carbonate County State of Colorado Feb 08, 1879 Feb 10, 1879 Lake County was renamed Carbonate County in 1879. Only two days later, Carbonate County was split into the new Chaffee County and a recreated Lake County.
Uncompahgre County State of Colorado Feb 27, 1883 Mar 02, 1883 Ouray County was renamed Uncompahgre County for only four days in 1883.
South Arapahoe County State of Colorado Nov 15, 1902 Apr 11, 1903 One of three counties created from Arapahoe County in 1902. The name was changed back to Arapahoe County after five months.

County high points

[edit]
Main article: List of Colorado county high points
See also: List of highest U.S. county high points

Of the 64 Colorado counties, 20 counties extend above 14,000 feet (4,267 m) elevation, 32 counties extend above 13,000 feet (3,962 m), 42 counties extend above 10,000 feet (3,048 m), and all 64 Colorado counties extend above 4,116 feet (1,255 m).

County mean elevation

[edit]
Main article: List of highest counties in the United States

Of Colorado's 64 counties, 4 counties have a mean elevation[g] above 11,000 feet (3,353 m) elevation, 22 counties have a mean elevation above 10,000 feet (3,048 m), 32 counties have a mean elevation above 9,000 feet (2,743 m), and all 64 counties have a mean elevation above 3,880 feet (1,183 m).

The following 13 Colorado counties have highest mean elevation of any county in the United States, exceeding even the Denali Borough of Alaska.

The 13 highest mean elevation counties in the United States
Rank[h] County Mean elevation[g] High point[17] Highest elevation[18][17][19] Low point[19] Lowest elevation[19] Elevation range[i]
1 Lake County 11,702.5 feet
3,567 m 		Mount Elbert 14,440 feet
4,401 m 		Arkansas River[j] 8,965 feet
2,733 m 		5,475 feet
1,669 m
2 Hinsdale County 11,300 feet
3,444 m 		Uncompahgre Peak 14,315 feet
4,363 m 		Lake Fork Gunnison River 8,285 feet
2,525 m 		6,030 feet
1,838 m
3 Mineral County 11,116 feet
3,388 m 		Phoenix Peak 13,902 feet
4,237 m 		Rio Grande 8,330 feet
2,539 m 		5,572 feet
1,698 m
4 San Juan County 11,085 feet
3,379 m 		Vermilion Peak 13,900 feet
4,237 m 		Animas River 8,270 feet
2,521 m 		5,630 feet
1,716 m
5 Summit County 10,935.5 feet
3,333 m 		Grays Peak 14,276 feet
4,351 m 		Blue River 7,595 feet
2,315 m 		6,681 feet
2,036 m
6 Alamosa County 10,928.5 feet
3,331 m 		Blanca Peak 14,351 feet
4,374 m 		Rio Grande 7,506 feet
2,288 m 		6,845 feet
2,086 m
7 Saguache County 10,915 feet
3,327 m 		Crestone Peak 14,300 feet
4,359 m 		San Luis Creek 7,530 feet
2,295 m 		6,770 feet
2,063 m
8 Costilla County 10,865.5 feet
3,312 m 		Blanca Peak 14,351 feet
4,374 m 		Rio Grande 7,380 feet
2,249 m 		6,971 feet
2,125 m
9 Park County 10,705.5 feet
3,263 m 		Mount Lincoln 14,293 feet
4,357 m 		South Platte River 7,118 feet
2,170 m 		7,175 feet
2,187 m
10 Chaffee County 10,661 feet
3,249 m 		Mount Harvard 14,427 feet
4,397 m 		Arkansas River 6,895 feet
2,102 m 		7,532 feet
2,296 m
11 Clear Creek County 10,608 feet
3,233 m 		Grays Peak 14,276 feet
4,351 m 		Clear Creek 6,940 feet
2,115 m 		7,336 feet
2,236 m
12 Rio Grande County 10,402 feet
3,171 m 		Bennett Peak 13,209 feet
4,026 m 		Rock Creek 7,595 feet
2,315 m 		5,614 feet
1,711 m
13 Jackson County 10,353 feet
3,156 m 		Clark Peak 12,956 feet
3,949 m 		North Platte River 7,750 feet
2,362 m 		5,206 feet
1,587 m

County firsts

[edit]
1. Costilla County was the first area within the present State of Colorado to be settled by Europeans in 1851.
2. Taos County, created by the Territory of New Mexico in 1852, was the first organized county to extend into the area of the present State of Colorado.
3. Arapahoe County, created by the Territory of Kansas in 1855, was the first county created exclusively within the area of the present State of Colorado.
4. On November 28, 1859, the extralegal Territory of Jefferson created 12 counties:[16]
The 12 counties of the
Territory of Jefferson
County County Seat
Arapahoe County Denver City
Cheyenne County
El Paso County Colorado City
Fountain County Pueblo
Heele County La Porte
Jackson County Boulder City
Jefferson County Arapahoe City
Golden City
Mountain County Central City
North County
Park County Tarryall City
Saint Vrain's CountySt. Vrain's County Saint VrainSt. Vrain
Saratoga County Breckinridge
5. On November 1, 1861, the Territory of Colorado created the 17 original Colorado counties:
The 17 original counties of the
Territory of Colorado
County First County Seat
Arapahoe County Denver City
Boulder County Boulder City
Clear Creek County Idaho
Costilla County San Miguel[k]
Douglas County Frankstown
El Paso County Colorado City
Fremont County Cañon City
Gilpin County Central City
Guadaloupe County Guadaloupe
Huerfano County Autobees Plaza
Jefferson County Golden City
Lake County Oro City
Larimer County La Porte
Park County Tarryall City
Pueblo County Pueblo
Summit County Parkville
Weld County Saint VrainSt. Vrain
6. Of the 17 original Colorado counties created in 1861, only Gilpin County and Clear Creek County have retained their original boundaries with only minor survey changes.
7. Guadaloupe County was the first Colorado county to be renamed after only six days in 1861.
8. Las Animas County was the first new Colorado county to be created (in 1866) after the original 17 counties.
9. Greenwood County was the longest lived former Colorado county, existing four years from 1870 to 1874.
10. In 1876, San Juan County became the last county created by the Territory of Colorado, bringing the total number of territorial counties to 26.
11. In 1877, Ouray County became the first county created by the new State of Colorado.
12. Carbonate County was the shortest lived former Colorado county, existing only two days in 1879 before being dissolved.
13. The City and County of Broomfield became the newest Colorado county in 2001, bring the total number of counties to 64.

County distinctions

[edit]
1. El Paso County (88) and the City and County of Denver (93) and are among the 100 most populous counties of the United States.
2. San Juan County (16), Hinsdale County (25), Mineral County (32), Jackson County (55), Kiowa County (59), and Cheyenne County (80) are among the 100 least populous counties of the United States.
3. Jefferson County borders ten adjacent counties, the most of any Colorado county.[l]
4. Delta County and the City and County of Denver each border only three adjacent counties, the fewest of Colorado counties.[m]
5. Weld County has the most incorporated municipalities of any Colorado county with 31.
6. The following nine Colorado counties have no incorporated municipalities other than their county seat:
County County Seat
Archuleta County Town of Pagosa Springs
Bent County City of Las Animas
City and County of Broomfield
City and County of Denver
Hinsdale County Town of Lake City
Jackson County Town of Walden
Lake County City of Leadville
Mineral County Town of Creede
San Juan County Town of Silverton
7. Of all 64 Colorado counties, only Conejos County has a county seat that is not an incorporated municipality.
8. The City and County of Denver and the City and County of Broomfield are the only two Colorado counties with enclaves. Arapahoe County, Boulder County, and Jefferson County are the only three Colorado counties with exclaves.
9. Pitkin and Weld are the only home rule counties.
[edit]

See also

[edit]

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c United States Census Bureau estimates of county population as of July 1, 2024,[3]
  2. ^ Elevations are adjusted to the North American Vertical Datum of 1988 (NAVD 88).
  3. ^ The ANSI INCITS 31:2009 county code is the five-digit code which uniquely identifies counties and county equivalents in the United States. The three-digit number is unique to each individual county within a state, but to be unique within the entire United States, it must be prefixed by the two-digit ANSI INCITS 31:2009 state code. This means that, for example, while Adams County, Colorado is 001, Belknap County, New Hampshire and Alachua County, Florida are also 001. To uniquely identify Adams County, Colorado, one must use the state code of 08 plus the county code of 001; therefore, the unique nationwide identifier for Adams County, Colorado is 08001. The links in the column INCITS are to the Census Bureau Info page for that county.
  4. ^ The name "Saguache" is pronounced /səˈwætʃ/. This name comes from the Ute language noun "sawup" /səˈwʌp/ meaning "sand dunes". The Spanish language version of this name is usually spelled "Saguache", while the English language version is usually spelled "Sawatch".
  5. ^ The centroid geographic coordinates of the county as determined by the United States Census Bureau.[15]
  6. ^ No organized counties of the District of Louisiana, the Territory of Missouri, the extralegal State of Deseret, or the Territory of Nebraska existed within the present boundaries of the State of Colorado.
  7. ^ a b The "mean of extremes" elevation is the arithmetic mean of the highest and lowest elevations.
  8. ^ Rank among United States counties and county-equivalents by mean elevation.
  9. ^ The elevation range is the arithmetic difference between the highest and lowest elevations.
  10. ^ The point where the Arkansas River flows out of Lake County and into Chaffee County, Colorado, is the highest county low point in the United States at 8,965 feet (2,733 m) elevation.
  11. ^ San Miguel was the original seat of Costilla County. In 1863, the Costilla County seat was moved 17 miles (27 km) north to San Luis. It was not until 1869, that surveys revealed that San Miguel, now renamed Costilla, was actually located in the New Mexico Territory.
  12. ^ Jefferson County, Colorado borders Boulder County, the City and County of Broomfield, Adams County, the City and County of Denver, Arapahoe County, Douglas County, Teller County, Park County, Clear Creek County, and Gilpin County, Colorado.
  13. ^ Delta County, Colorado borders Gunnison County, Montrose County, and Mesa County, Colorado. The City and County of Denver, Colorado borders Adams County, Arapahoe County, and Jefferson County, Colorado.

References

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  1. ^ a b "Colorado Counties (64 counties)". Colorado Department of Local Affairs. 2025. Retrieved March 21, 2025.
  2. ^ "Colorado County Government Overview" (PDF). National Association of Counties. Retrieved May 31, 2025.
  3. ^ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties in Colorado: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2024 (CO-EST2024-POP-08)". United States Census Bureau, United States Department of Commerce. March 2025. Retrieved June 4, 2025.
  4. ^ "Highest and Lowest Elevations". United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior. Retrieved August 27, 2022.
  5. ^ "Colorado County History". COGenWeb Project. April 29, 2011. Retrieved July 21, 2021.
  6. ^ Stanwyck, Don (2003). "Colorado County Evolution". COGenWeb Project. Archived from the original on February 5, 2007. Retrieved July 21, 2021.
  7. ^ City Council of the City and County of Denver v. Board of Commissioners of Adams County, 77 P. 858, 861 (1904).
  8. ^ "EPA County FIPS Code Listing". EPA.gov. Retrieved 2008-02-23.
  9. ^ a b National Association of Counties. "NACo – Find a county". Archived from the original on September 27, 2007. Retrieved 2008-04-30.
  10. ^ "Colorado County Seats". State of Colorado, Department of Public Health and Environment. 2007-01-30. Retrieved 2007-01-30.
  11. ^ a b c "Colorado Government History". State of Colorado, Department of Personnel & Administration, Colorado State Archives. 2001-04-18. Retrieved 2008-09-25.
  12. ^ "Census QuickFacts: Colorado". United States Census Bureau, Population Division. Retrieved March 15, 2025.
  13. ^ Merkl, Dameon (February 26, 2013), "What's in a Colorado name pronunciation?", The Denver Post, retrieved March 7, 2013
  14. ^ "QuickFacts for Colorado". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 4, 2025.
  15. ^ "State of Colorado Counties – Current/TAB20 – Data as of January 1, 2020". United States Census Bureau. January 1, 2020. Retrieved September 29, 2022.
  16. ^ a b Provisional Laws and Joint Resolutions of the General Assembly of Jefferson Territory. General Assembly of the Territory of Jefferson. 1859–1860. Retrieved 2011-05-05.
  17. ^ a b "Peak List". Peakbagger.com. Retrieved June 20, 2022.
  18. ^ "Elevation Point Query Service". United States Geological Survey. Retrieved June 20, 2022.
  19. ^ a b c "National Map Search". United States Geological Survey. Retrieved June 20, 2022.

Further reading

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38°59′50″N 105°32′52″W / 38.9972°N 105.5478°W / 38.9972; -105.5478 (State of Colorado)

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