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 64 counties of the U.S. State of Colorado

The U.S. State of Colorado is divided into 64 counties. 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. 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 ElPasoCounty remains the most populous county in Colorado with a population estimate of 757,040, as of July 1, 2025, while Hinsdale County with a population of 753 is now the least populous. Five of the 64 Colorado counties now have more than 500,000 residents, while 12 counties have fewer than 5,000 residents.

Las Animas County, 4,776 square miles (12,369km2) in area, is the most extensive county, while the City and County of Broomfield, 34 square miles (87km2) in area, is the least extensive. The City and County of Denver is the most densely populated Colorado county, with a 2025 population density of 4,758 residents per square mile of land area (1,838/km2), while Hinsdale County is the least densely populated county, with a 2025 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 (4,401.2m), 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 (1,011m) elevation. 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.

History

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. 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. 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

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 .

CountyFIPS codeCounty seatEst.Formed fromEtymologyPopulationAreaMap
AdamsCountyBrightonNov 15, 1902Split from Arapahoe County.Named in honor of Alva Adams, the 5th, 10th, and 14th Governor of the State of Colorado.554,6681,182.29sqmi (3,062km2)
AlamosaCountyAlamosaMar 8, 1913Split 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.16,688723.21sqmi (1,873km2)
ArapahoeCountyLittletonNov 1, 1861Created 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.673,820804.41sqmi (2,083km2)
ArchuletaCountyPagosa SpringsApr 14, 1885Split from Conejos County.Named in honor of Colorado State Senator Antonio D. Archuleta and his father, José Manuel Archuleta.14,3061,354.53sqmi (3,508km2)
BacaCountySpringfieldApr 16, 1889Split from Las Animas County.Named in honor of pioneer and Colorado territorial legislator Felipe Baca.3,3472,558.48sqmi (6,626km2)
BentCountyLas AnimasFeb 11, 1870Split from Huerfano County and former Cheyenne and Arapaho tribal land.Named in honor of frontier trader William Bent.5,7161,541.07sqmi (3,991km2)
BoulderCountyBoulderNov 1, 1861Created as one of the 17 original counties of the Territory of Colorado.Named for the abundance of granite boulders along Boulder Creek.328,560740.48sqmi (1,918km2)
City and County of BroomfieldBroomfieldNov 15, 2001Split 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.79,17433.57sqmi (87km2)
ChaffeeCountySalidaFeb 10, 1879Split from Carbonate County.Named in honor of Jerome Bunty Chaffee, one of Colorado's first two U.S. Senators from 1876 to 1879.20,8311,014.12sqmi (2,627km2)
CheyenneCountyCheyenne WellsMar 25, 1889Split from Elbert and Bent counties.Named for the Cheyenne Nation of Native Americans.1,7131,781.90sqmi (4,615km2)
Clear CreekCountyGeorgetownNov 1, 1861Created as one of the 17 original counties of the Territory of Colorado.Named for Clear Creek which originates in the county.8,994396.53sqmi (1,027km2)
ConejosCountyConejosNov 1, 1861Guadalupe 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.7,5291,290.22sqmi (3,342km2)
CostillaCountySan LuisNov 1, 1861Created 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.3,6791,229.38sqmi (3,184km2)
CrowleyCountyOrdwayMay 29, 1911Split from Otero County.Named in honor of Colorado State Senator John H. Crowley.5,677800.27sqmi (2,073km2)
CusterCountyWestcliffeMar 9, 1877Split 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.5,590739.24sqmi (1,915km2)
DeltaCountyDeltaFeb 11, 1883Split from Gunnison County.Named for the town of Delta located at the delta of the Uncompahgre River.32,1781,149.44sqmi (2,977km2)
City and County of DenverDenverDec 1, 1902The 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 1859.740,613155.66sqmi (403km2)
DoloresCountyDove CreekMar 4, 1881Split 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.2,4661,076.93sqmi (2,789km2)
DouglasCountyCastle RockNov 1, 1861Created 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 1861.399,396842.30sqmi (2,182km2)
EagleCountyEagleFeb 11, 1883Split from Summit County.Named for the Eagle River which originates in the county.54,2911,700.76sqmi (4,405km2)
El PasoCountyColorado SpringsNov 1, 1861Created 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.757,0402,128.60sqmi (5,513km2)
ElbertCountyKiowaFeb 2, 1874Split from Douglas County.Named in honor of Samuel Hitt Elbert, the sixth Governor of the Territory of Colorado.30,5341,849.08sqmi (4,789km2)
FremontCountyCañon CityNov 1, 1861Created 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.50,0391,533.09sqmi (3,971km2)
GarfieldCountyGlenwood SpringsFeb 10, 1883Split from Summit County.Named in honor of James Abram Garfield (1831–1881), the twentieth President of the United States.63,4742,958.23sqmi (7,662km2)
GilpinCountyCentral CityNov 1, 1861Created 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.6,073150.15sqmi (389km2)
GrandCountyHot Sulphur SpringsFeb 2, 1874Split 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.16,4961,868.53sqmi (4,839km2)
GunnisonCountyGunnisonMar 9, 1877Split from Lake County.Named in honor of John Williams Gunnison, the U.S. Army captain who explored the region.17,4393,259.22sqmi (8,441km2)
HinsdaleCountyLake CityFeb 10, 1874Split from Lake, Conejos, and Costilla counties.Named in honor of George Aaron Hinsdale, a Lieutenant Governor of the Territory of Colorado.7531,123.35sqmi (2,909km2)
HuerfanoCountyWalsenburgNov 1, 1861Created 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.7,0111,592.37sqmi (4,124km2)
JacksonCountyWaldenMay 5, 1909Split from Larimer County.Named in honor of Andrew Jackson (1767–1845), the seventh President of the United States.1,2111,619.75sqmi (4,195km2)
JeffersonCountyGoldenNov 1, 1861Created 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.580,451772.85sqmi (2,002km2)
KiowaCountyEadsApr 11, 1889Split from Bent County.Named for the Kiowa Nation of Native Americans.1,4121,785.90sqmi (4,625km2)
Kit CarsonCountyBurlingtonApr 11, 1889Split from Elbert County.Named in honor of Christopher Houston "Kit" Carson, the famous frontier scout and soldier.7,0692,162.43sqmi (5,601km2)
La PlataCountyDurangoFeb 10, 1874Split from Lake and Conejos counties.Named for the many silver deposits in the area. La plata is a Spanish expression for the silver.56,8981,700.44sqmi (4,404km2)
LakeCountyLeadvilleNov 1, 1861Created 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.7,552383.55sqmi (993km2)
LarimerCountyFort CollinsNov 1, 1861Created as one of the 17 original counties of the Territory of Colorado.Named in honor of William Larimer, a pioneer entrepreneur.377,2922,631.75sqmi (6,816km2)
Las AnimasCountyTrinidadFeb 9, 1866Split 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.14,3914,773.27sqmi (12,363km2)
LincolnCountyHugoApr 11, 1889Split from Elbert and Bent counties.Named in honor of Abraham Lincoln (1809–1865), the sixteenth President of the United States.5,6452,585.21sqmi (6,696km2)
LoganCountySterlingFeb 25, 1887Split from Weld County.Named in honor of John Alexander Logan (1826–1886), a U.S. Army general and U.S. Senator from Illinois.20,6541,845.31sqmi (4,779km2)
MesaCountyGrand JunctionFeb 14, 1883Split from Gunnison County.Named for the mesa formations which are widespread through the area.162,8453,345.69sqmi (8,665km2)
MineralCountyCreedeMar 27, 1893Split from Hinsdale, Rio Grande, and Saguache counties.Named from the plentiful mineral deposits found in the area.910878.16sqmi (2,274km2)
MoffatCountyCraigFeb 27, 1911Split from Routt County.Named in honor of railroad pioneer David H. Moffat.13,1224,755.86sqmi (12,318km2)
MontezumaCountyCortezApr 16, 1889Split from La Plata County.Named in honor of Aztec leader Moctezuma II. Ruins in the area were once thought to be Aztec.26,6782,035.80sqmi (5,273km2)
MontroseCountyMontroseFeb 11, 1883Split 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.44,5912,246.43sqmi (5,818km2)
MorganCountyFort MorganFeb 19, 1889Split from Weld County.Named for old Fort Morgan, which in turn was named in honor of U.S. Army Colonel Christopher A. Morgan.30,3061,293.83sqmi (3,351km2)
OteroCountyLa JuntaMar 25, 1889Split from Bent County.Named in honor of Miguel A. Otero of the prominent Otero family of the Southwest.17,6831,267.66sqmi (3,283km2)
OurayCountyOurayJan 18, 1877Split 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.5,265542.30sqmi (1,405km2)
ParkCountyFairplayNov 1, 1861Created as one of the 17 original counties of the Territory of Colorado.Named for South Park which occupies most of the county.18,3142,209.36sqmi (5,722km2)
PhillipsCountyHolyokeMar 27, 1889Split from Logan County.Named in honor of R.O. Phillips, secretary of the Lincoln Land Company, which sold farmsteads in the area.4,420688.30sqmi (1,783km2)
PitkinCountyAspenFeb 23, 1881Split from Gunnison County.Named in honor of Frederick Walker Pitkin, the second Governor of the State of Colorado.16,625970.37sqmi (2,513km2)
ProwersCountyLamarApr 11, 1889Split from Bent County.Named in honor of John W. Prowers, a pioneer of the Arkansas River valley.11,8841,645.37sqmi (4,261km2)
PuebloCountyPuebloNov 1, 1861Created 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.169,2772,396.77sqmi (6,208km2)
Rio BlancoCountyMeekerMar 25, 1889Split from Garfield County.Named for the White River, which was originally named Rio Blanco in Spanish.6,6833,226.24sqmi (8,356km2)
Rio GrandeCountyDel NorteFeb 10, 1874Split from Costilla County and Conejos County counties.Named for the Rio Grande, which flows through the area.11,087913.10sqmi (2,365km2)
RouttCountySteamboat SpringsJan 29, 1877Split from Grand County.Named in honor of John Long Routt, the first Governor of the State of Colorado.25,3292,362.11sqmi (6,118km2)
SaguacheCountySaguacheDec 29, 1866Split from Lake and Costilla counties.Name comes from a Ute language noun meaning "sand dunes".6,7323,168.32sqmi (8,206km2)
San JuanCountySilvertonJan 31, 1876Split from Lake County.Named for the San Juan River and San Juan Mountains, which in turn were named for Saint John the Evangelist.813388.99sqmi (1,007km2)
San MiguelCountyTellurideMar 2, 1883Split from San Juan County.Named for the San Miguel River and San Miguel Mountains, which in turn were named for Saint Michael the Archangel.7,7531,290.76sqmi (3,343km2)
SedgwickCountyJulesburgApr 9, 1889Split from Logan County.Named for Fort Sedgwick, which, in turn, was named for U.S. Army General John Sedgwick (1813–1864).2,247548.83sqmi (1,421km2)
SummitCountyBreckenridgeNov 1, 1861Created as one of the 17 original counties of the Territory of Colorado.Named for the many high mountain summits in the area.31,517618.92sqmi (1,603km2)
TellerCountyCripple CreekMar 23, 1899Split 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.24,756558.58sqmi (1,447km2)
WashingtonCountyAkronFeb 9, 1887Split from Weld County.Named in honor of George Washington (1732–1799), the first President of the United States.4,7322,522.90sqmi (6,534km2)
WeldCountyGreeleyNov 1, 1861Created 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.378,4264,013.84sqmi (10,396km2)
YumaCountyWrayMar 15, 1889Split from Washington County.Named for the Quechan (Yuma) Nation of Native Americans.9,8962,369.61sqmi (6,137km2)

County population

The 64 Counties of the State of Colorado Ranked by Population
CountyPopulationCounty websiteCoordinates
2025 rank2025 estimatesChange2020 CensusChange2010 CensusChange2000 Census
El Paso County1757,040+3.65%730,395+17.38%622,263+20.38%516,93438°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 Denver2740,613+3.51%715,522+19.22%600,158+8.37%553,80539°45′43″N 104°52′34″W/39.7620°N 104.8760°W/ 39.7620; -104.8760(City and County of Denver, Colorado)
Arapahoe County3673,820+2.86%655,070+14.52%572,003+17.01%488,82939°39′01″N 104°20′21″W/39.6503°N 104.3393°W/ 39.6503; -104.3393(Arapahoe County, Colorado)
Jefferson County4580,451−0.42%582,910+9.05%534,543+1.73%525,44939°35′09″N 105°15′02″W/39.5859°N 105.2506°W/ 39.5859; -105.2506(Jefferson County, Colorado)
Adams County5554,668+6.75%519,572+17.66%441,603+26.87%348,07639°52′27″N 104°20′16″W/39.8742°N 104.3378°W/ 39.8742; -104.3378(Adams County, Colorado)
Douglas County6399,396+11.57%357,978+25.40%285,465+62.44%175,73239°19′47″N 104°55′47″W/39.3296°N 104.9297°W/ 39.3296; -104.9297(Douglas County, Colorado)
Weld County7378,426+15.03%328,981+30.12%252,825+39.86%180,76640°33′15″N 104°23′38″W/40.5542°N 104.3938°W/ 40.5542; -104.3938(Weld County, Colorado)
Larimer County8377,292+5.08%359,066+19.84%299,630+19.14%251,49440°39′58″N 105°27′39″W/40.6662°N 105.4607°W/ 40.6662; -105.4607(Larimer County, Colorado)
Boulder County9328,560−0.66%330,758+12.29%294,567+9.19%269,78440°05′33″N 105°21′28″W/40.0925°N 105.3577°W/ 40.0925; -105.3577(Boulder County, Colorado)
Pueblo County10169,277+0.66%168,162+5.72%159,063+12.42%141,49038°10′24″N 104°30′46″W/38.1732°N 104.5128°W/ 38.1732; -104.5128(Pueblo County, Colorado)
Mesa County11162,845+4.59%155,703+6.12%146,723+25.47%116,93939°01′06″N 108°28′04″W/39.0182°N 108.4677°W/ 39.0182; -108.4677(Mesa County, Colorado)
City and County of Broomfield1279,174+6.83%74,112+32.61%55,889+42.57%39,20239°57′15″N 105°03′10″W/39.9541°N 105.0527°W/ 39.9541; -105.0527(City and County of Broomfield, Colorado)
Garfield County1363,474+2.90%61,685+9.39%56,389+28.78%43,78639°36′01″N 107°54′19″W/39.6003°N 107.9052°W/ 39.6003; -107.9052(Garfield County, Colorado)
La Plata County1456,898+2.26%55,638+8.38%51,334+16.78%43,95737°17′11″N 107°50′37″W/37.2864°N 107.8436°W/ 37.2864; -107.8436(La Plata County, Colorado)
Eagle County1554,291−2.58%55,731+6.77%52,197+25.40%41,62339°37′40″N 106°41′42″W/39.6277°N 106.6951°W/ 39.6277; -106.6951(Eagle County, Colorado)
Fremont County1650,039+2.25%48,939+4.52%46,824+1.48%46,14038°28′24″N 105°26′22″W/38.4732°N 105.4394°W/ 38.4732; -105.4394(Fremont County, Colorado)
Montrose County1744,591+4.48%42,679+3.40%41,276+23.44%33,43838°24′10″N 108°16′13″W/38.4027°N 108.2702°W/ 38.4027; -108.2702(Montrose County, Colorado)
Delta County1832,178+3.15%31,196+0.79%30,952+11.24%27,82438°51′41″N 107°51′48″W/38.8614°N 107.8632°W/ 38.8614; -107.8632(Delta County, Colorado)
Summit County1931,517+1.49%31,055+10.93%27,994+18.82%23,56039°38′02″N 106°06′58″W/39.6340°N 106.1160°W/ 39.6340; -106.1160(Summit County, Colorado)
Elbert County2030,534+17.16%26,062+12.89%23,086+16.27%19,85539°17′11″N 104°08′08″W/39.2864°N 104.1355°W/ 39.2864; -104.1355(Elbert County, Colorado)
Morgan County2130,306+4.10%29,111+3.38%28,159+3.63%27,17240°15′45″N 103°48′35″W/40.2626°N 103.8098°W/ 40.2626; -103.8098(Morgan County, Colorado)
Montezuma County2226,678+3.21%25,849+1.23%25,535+7.19%23,82237°20′18″N 108°35′49″W/37.3383°N 108.5970°W/ 37.3383; -108.5970(Montezuma County, Colorado)
Routt County2325,329+2.01%24,829+5.61%23,509+19.46%19,67940°29′03″N 106°59′27″W/40.4841°N 106.9908°W/ 40.4841; -106.9908(Routt County, Colorado)
Teller County2424,756+0.19%24,710+5.82%23,350+13.68%20,54138°52′56″N 105°09′42″W/38.8822°N 105.1617°W/ 38.8822; -105.1617(Teller County, Colorado)
Chaffee County2520,831+6.96%19,476+9.36%17,809+9.59%16,25038°44′48″N 106°11′38″W/38.7466°N 106.1938°W/ 38.7466; -106.1938(Chaffee County, Colorado)
Logan County2620,654−4.06%21,528−5.20%22,709+10.42%20,56640°43′29″N 103°06′36″W/40.7246°N 103.1101°W/ 40.7246; -103.1101(Logan County, Colorado)
Park County2718,314+5.31%17,390+7.31%16,206+11.62%14,51939°07′08″N 105°43′02″W/39.1188°N 105.7171°W/ 39.1188; -105.7171(Park County, Colorado)
Otero County2817,683−5.39%18,690−0.75%18,831−7.29%20,31137°54′09″N 103°43′00″W/37.9026°N 103.7166°W/ 37.9026; -103.7166(Otero County, Colorado)
Gunnison County2917,439+3.08%16,918+10.40%15,324+9.46%14,00038°39′59″N 107°01′55″W/38.6664°N 107.0319°W/ 38.6664; -107.0319(Gunnison County, Colorado)
Alamosa County3016,688+1.91%16,376+6.03%15,445+3.21%14,96537°34′22″N 105°47′18″W/37.5728°N 105.7884°W/ 37.5728; -105.7884(Alamosa County, Colorado)
Pitkin County3116,625−4.22%17,358+1.22%17,148+15.17%14,88939°13′02″N 106°54′59″W/39.2172°N 106.9165°W/ 39.2172; -106.9165(Pitkin County, Colorado)
Grand County3216,496+4.96%15,717+5.89%14,843+19.38%12,43340°06′09″N 106°07′05″W/40.1025°N 106.1181°W/ 40.1025; -106.1181(Grand County, Colorado)
Las Animas County3314,391−1.13%14,555−6.14%15,507+1.94%15,21237°19′00″N 104°02′21″W/37.3166°N 104.0391°W/ 37.3166; -104.0391(Las Animas County, Colorado)
Archuleta County3414,306+7.09%13,359+10.55%12,084+22.13%9,89437°11′37″N 107°02′53″W/37.1937°N 107.0481°W/ 37.1937; -107.0481(Archuleta County, Colorado)
Moffat County3513,122−1.28%13,292−3.65%13,795+4.68%13,17840°37′07″N 108°12′27″W/40.6187°N 108.2075°W/ 40.6187; -108.2075(Moffat County, Colorado)
Prowers County3611,884−0.96%11,999−4.40%12,551−13.34%14,48337°57′18″N 102°23′36″W/37.9549°N 102.3934°W/ 37.9549; -102.3934(Prowers County, Colorado)
Rio Grande County3711,087−3.92%11,539−3.70%11,982−3.57%12,42537°34′57″N 106°23′00″W/37.5825°N 106.3832°W/ 37.5825; -106.3832(Rio Grande County, Colorado)
Yuma County389,896−0.92%9,988−0.55%10,043+2.00%9,84640°00′08″N 102°25′27″W/40.0022°N 102.4243°W/ 40.0022; -102.4243(Yuma County, Colorado)
Clear Creek County398,994−4.29%9,397+3.40%9,088−1.89%9,26339°41′21″N 105°38′39″W/39.6891°N 105.6443°W/ 39.6891; -105.6443(Clear Creek County, Colorado)
San Miguel County407,753−3.95%8,072+9.69%7,359+11.62%6,59338°00′15″N 108°24′21″W/38.0042°N 108.4057°W/ 38.0042; -108.4057(San Miguel County, Colorado)
Lake County417,552+1.56%7,436+1.72%7,310−6.45%7,81439°12′08″N 106°20′42″W/39.2023°N 106.3449°W/ 39.2023; -106.3449(Lake County, Colorado)
Conejos County427,529+0.91%7,461−9.63%8,256−1.71%8,40037°12′03″N 106°11′29″W/37.2008°N 106.1915°W/ 37.2008; -106.1915(Conejos County, Colorado)
Kit Carson County437,069−0.25%7,087−14.30%8,270+3.21%8,01339°18′20″N 102°36′10″W/39.3056°N 102.6029°W/ 39.3056; -102.6029(Kit Carson County, Colorado)
Huerfano County447,011+2.80%6,820+1.62%6,711−14.61%7,85937°41′05″N 104°57′38″W/37.6847°N 104.9605°W/ 37.6847; -104.9605(Huerfano County, Colorado)
Saguache County456,732+5.72%6,368+4.26%6,108+3.46%5,90438°04′51″N 106°16′51″W/38.0807°N 106.2809°W/ 38.0807; -106.2809(Saguache County, Colorado)
Rio Blanco County466,683+2.36%6,529−2.06%6,666+11.25%5,99239°58′51″N 108°13′04″W/39.9807°N 108.2179°W/ 39.9807; -108.2179(Rio Blanco County, Colorado)
Gilpin County476,073+4.56%5,808+6.75%5,441+14.64%4,74639°51′27″N 105°31′21″W/39.8575°N 105.5226°W/ 39.8575; -105.5226(Gilpin County, Colorado)
Bent County485,716+1.17%5,650−13.06%6,499+8.39%5,99637°57′17″N 103°04′18″W/37.9548°N 103.0717°W/ 37.9548; -103.0717(Bent County, Colorado)
Crowley County495,677−4.14%5,922+1.70%5,823+5.60%5,51438°19′36″N 103°47′05″W/38.3266°N 103.7848°W/ 38.3266; -103.7848(Crowley County, Colorado)
Lincoln County505,645−0.53%5,675+3.80%5,467−10.22%6,08938°59′13″N 103°30′53″W/38.9870°N 103.5146°W/ 38.9870; -103.5146(Lincoln County, Colorado)
Custer County515,590+18.84%4,704+10.55%4,255+21.29%3,50838°06′31″N 105°22′03″W/38.1087°N 105.3674°W/ 38.1087; -105.3674(Custer County, Colorado)
Ouray County525,265+8.02%4,874+9.87%4,436+18.39%3,74738°09′19″N 107°46′09″W/38.1554°N 107.7691°W/ 38.1554; -107.7691(Ouray County, Colorado)
Washington County534,732−1.76%4,817+0.06%4,814−2.19%4,92239°58′13″N 103°12′06″W/39.9704°N 103.2016°W/ 39.9704; -103.2016(Washington County, Colorado)
Phillips County544,420−2.43%4,530+1.98%4,442−0.96%4,48540°35′38″N 102°21′27″W/40.5939°N 102.3576°W/ 40.5939; -102.3576(Phillips County, Colorado)
Costilla County553,679+5.14%3,499−0.71%3,524−3.74%3,66137°16′40″N 105°25′42″W/37.2777°N 105.4284°W/ 37.2777; -105.4284(Costilla County, Colorado)
Baca County563,347−4.54%3,506−7.44%3,788−16.14%4,51737°19′09″N 102°33′38″W/37.3191°N 102.5605°W/ 37.3191; -102.5605(Baca County, Colorado)
Dolores County572,466+6.02%2,326+12.69%2,064+11.93%1,84437°45′07″N 108°31′02″W/37.7520°N 108.5173°W/ 37.7520; -108.5173(Dolores County, Colorado)
Sedgwick County582,247−6.53%2,404+1.05%2,379−13.40%2,74740°52′34″N 102°21′06″W/40.8760°N 102.3518°W/ 40.8760; -102.3518(Sedgwick County, Colorado)
Cheyenne County591,713−2.00%1,748−4.79%1,836−17.63%2,22938°49′42″N 102°36′12″W/38.8282°N 102.6034°W/ 38.8282; -102.6034(Cheyenne County, Colorado)
Kiowa County601,412−2.35%1,446+3.43%1,398−13.81%1,62238°26′00″N 102°44′26″W/38.4333°N 102.7405°W/ 38.4333; -102.7405(Kiowa County, Colorado)
Jackson County611,211−12.18%1,379−1.08%1,394−11.60%1,57740°39′58″N 106°20′33″W/40.6661°N 106.3424°W/ 40.6661; -106.3424(Jackson County, Colorado)
Mineral County62910+5.20%865+21.49%712−14.32%83137°40′07″N 106°55′27″W/37.6687°N 106.9241°W/ 37.6687; -106.9241(Mineral County, Colorado)
San Juan County63813+15.32%705+0.86%699+25.27%55837°45′50″N 107°40′34″W/37.7640°N 107.6762°W/ 37.7640; -107.6762(San Juan County, Colorado)
Hinsdale County64753−4.44%788−6.52%843+6.44%79237°49′15″N 107°18′01″W/37.8208°N 107.3004°W/ 37.8208; -107.3004(Hinsdale County, Colorado)
State of ColoradoState6,012,561+4.14%5,773,714+14.80%5,029,196+16.92%4,301,26238°59′50″N 105°32′52″W/38.9972°N 105.5478°W/ 38.9972; -105.5478(State of Colorado)

Former counties

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 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.

Counties formerly within the area of the State of Colorado
CountyTerritory or StateDate createdDate supersededHistory
Taos CountyTerritory of New MexicoJan09,1852Feb28,1861Originally 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 CountyTerritory of UtahMar03,1852Feb28,1861Created in 1852. Excluded from the new Territory of Colorado in 1861.
Green River CountyTerritory of UtahMar03,1852Feb28,1861Created 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 CountyTerritory of UtahMar03,1852Feb28,1861Created in 1852. Excluded from the new Territory of Colorado in 1861.
Sanpete CountyTerritory of UtahMar03,1852Feb28,1861Created in 1852. Excluded from the new Territory of Colorado in 1861.
Utah CountyTerritory of UtahMar03,1852Feb28,1861Created in 1852. Excluded from the new Territory of Colorado in 1861.
Washington CountyTerritory of UtahMar03,1852Feb28,1861Created in 1852. Excluded from the new Territory of Colorado in 1861.
Arapahoe CountyTerritory of KansasAug25,1855Feb28,1861Created in 1855, but never organized. Reverted to unorganized territory when Kansas joined the Union in 1861.
Beaver CountyTerritory of UtahJan05,1856Feb28,1861Split from Iron and Millard counties in 1856. Excluded from the new Territory of Colorado in 1861.
Broderick CountyTerritory of KansasFeb07,1859Jan29,1861Split from Arapahoe County in 1859, but never organized. Reverted to unorganized territory when Kansas joined the Union in 1861.
El Paso CountyTerritory of KansasFeb07,1859Jan29,1861Split from Arapahoe County in 1859, but never organized. Reverted to unorganized territory when Kansas joined the Union in 1861.
Fremont CountyTerritory of KansasFeb07,1859Jan29,1861Split from Arapahoe County in 1859, but never organized. Reverted to unorganized territory when Kansas joined the Union in 1861.
Montana CountyTerritory of KansasFeb07,1859Jan29,1861Split from Arapahoe County in 1859, but never organized. Reverted to unorganized territory when Kansas joined the Union in 1861.
Oro CountyTerritory of KansasFeb07,1859Jan29,1861Split from Arapahoe County in 1859, but never organized. Reverted to unorganized territory when Kansas joined the Union in 1861.
Peketon CountyTerritory of KansasFeb07,1859Jan29,1861Created in 1859, but never organized. Reverted to unorganized territory when Kansas joined the Union in 1861.
Arrappahoe CountyTerritory of JeffersonNov28,1859Feb28,1861One of the 12 counties created by the extralegal Territory of Jefferson in 1859.
Cheyenne CountyTerritory of JeffersonNov28,1859Feb28,1861One of the 12 counties created by the extralegal Territory of Jefferson in 1859.
El Paso CountyTerritory of JeffersonNov28,1859Feb28,1861One of the 12 counties created by the extralegal Territory of Jefferson in 1859.
Fountain CountyTerritory of JeffersonNov28,1859Feb28,1861One of the 12 counties created by the extralegal Territory of Jefferson in 1859.
Heele CountyTerritory of JeffersonNov28,1859Feb28,1861One of the 12 counties created by the extralegal Territory of Jefferson in 1859.
Jackson CountyTerritory of JeffersonNov28,1859Feb28,1861One of the 12 counties created by the extralegal Territory of Jefferson in 1859.
Jefferson CountyTerritory of JeffersonNov28,1859Feb28,1861One of the 12 counties created by the extralegal Territory of Jefferson in 1859.
Mountain CountyTerritory of JeffersonNov28,1859Feb28,1861One of the 12 counties created by the extralegal Territory of Jefferson in 1859.
North CountyTerritory of JeffersonNov28,1859Feb28,1861One of the 12 counties created by the extralegal Territory of Jefferson in 1859.
Park CountyTerritory of JeffersonNov28,1859Feb28,1861One of the 12 counties created by the extralegal Territory of Jefferson in 1859.
St. Vrain's CountyTerritory of JeffersonNov28,1859Feb28,1861One of the 12 counties created by the extralegal Territory of Jefferson in 1859.
Saratoga CountyTerritory of JeffersonNov28,1859Feb28,1861One of the 12 counties created by the extralegal Territory of Jefferson in 1859.
Mora CountyTerritory of New MexicoFeb01,1860Feb28,1861Split from Taos County and San Miguel County in 1860. Excluded from the new Territory of Colorado in 1861.
Guadalupe CountyTerritory of ColoradoNov01,1861Nov07,1861One of the 17 original counties created by the Territory of Colorado in 1861. The county was renamed Conejos County after only six days.
Greenwood CountyTerritory of ColoradoFeb11,1870Feb02,1874Created 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 CountyTerritory of ColoradoFeb09,1872Feb09,1874Created 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 CountyState of ColoradoFeb08,1879Feb10,1879Lake 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 CountyState of ColoradoFeb27,1883Mar02,1883Ouray County was renamed Uncompahgre County for only four days in 1883.
South Arapahoe CountyState of ColoradoNov15,1902Apr11,1903One of three counties created from Arapahoe County in 1902. The name was changed back to Arapahoe County after five months.

County high points

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

County mean elevation

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

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
RankCountyMean elevationHigh pointHighest elevationLow pointLowest elevationElevation range
1Lake County11,702.5 feet 3,567mMount Elbert14,440 feet 4,401mArkansas River8,965 feet 2,733m5,475 feet 1,669m
2Hinsdale County11,300 feet 3,444mUncompahgre Peak14,315 feet 4,363mLake Fork Gunnison River8,285 feet 2,525m6,030 feet 1,838m
3Mineral County11,116 feet 3,388mPhoenix Peak13,902 feet 4,237mRio Grande8,330 feet 2,539m5,572 feet 1,698m
4San Juan County11,085 feet 3,379mVermilion Peak13,900 feet 4,237mAnimas River8,270 feet 2,521m5,630 feet 1,716m
5Summit County10,935.5 feet 3,333mGrays Peak14,276 feet 4,351mBlue River7,595 feet 2,315m6,681 feet 2,036m
6Alamosa County10,928.5 feet 3,331mBlanca Peak14,351 feet 4,374mRio Grande7,506 feet 2,288m6,845 feet 2,086m
7Saguache County10,915 feet 3,327mCrestone Peak14,300 feet 4,359mSan Luis Creek7,530 feet 2,295m6,770 feet 2,063m
8Costilla County10,865.5 feet 3,312mBlanca Peak14,351 feet 4,374mRio Grande7,380 feet 2,249m6,971 feet 2,125m
9Park County10,705.5 feet 3,263mMount Lincoln14,293 feet 4,357mSouth Platte River7,118 feet 2,170m7,175 feet 2,187m
10Chaffee County10,661 feet 3,249mMount Harvard14,427 feet 4,397mArkansas River6,895 feet 2,102m7,532 feet 2,296m
11Clear Creek County10,608 feet 3,233mGrays Peak14,276 feet 4,351mClear Creek6,940 feet 2,115m7,336 feet 2,236m
12Rio Grande County10,402 feet 3,171mBennett Peak13,209 feet 4,026mRock Creek7,595 feet 2,315m5,614 feet 1,711m
13Jackson County10,353 feet 3,156mClark Peak12,956 feet 3,949mNorth Platte River7,750 feet 2,362m5,206 feet 1,587m

County firsts

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:

The 12 counties of theTerritory of Jefferson
CountyCounty Seat
Arapahoe CountyDenver City
Cheyenne County
El Paso CountyColorado City
Fountain CountyPueblo
Heele CountyLa Porte
Jackson CountyBoulder City
Jefferson CountyArapahoe City Golden City
Mountain CountyCentral City
North County
Park CountyTarryall City
Saint Vrain's CountySt. Vrain's CountySaint VrainSt. Vrain
Saratoga CountyBreckinridge

5. On November 1, 1861, the Territory of Colorado created the 17 original Colorado counties:

The 17 original counties of theTerritory of Colorado
CountyFirst County Seat
Arapahoe CountyDenver City
Boulder CountyBoulder City
Clear Creek CountyIdaho
Costilla CountySan Miguel
Douglas CountyFrankstown
El Paso CountyColorado City
Fremont CountyCañon City
Gilpin CountyCentral City
Guadaloupe CountyGuadaloupe
Huerfano CountyAutobees Plaza
Jefferson CountyGolden City
Lake CountyOro City
Larimer CountyLa Porte
Park CountyTarryall City
Pueblo CountyPueblo
Summit CountyParkville
Weld CountySaint 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

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.

4. Delta County and the City and County of Denver each border only three adjacent counties, the fewest of Colorado counties.

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:

CountyCounty Seat
Archuleta CountyTown of Pagosa Springs
Bent CountyCity of Las Animas
City and County of Broomfield
City and County of Denver
Hinsdale CountyTown of Lake City
Jackson CountyTown of Walden
Lake CountyCity of Leadville
Mineral CountyTown of Creede
San Juan CountyTown 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.

Gallery

See also

Notes

Further reading

  • writer, Statf (2022). (PDF). ce.naco.org. National Association of Counties (NACo).

External links

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