List of the county seats of the U.S. State of Colorado and its predecessors
The location of the
State of Colorado in the
United States of America .
This is a list of the
county seats of the
U.S.
State of Colorado and its two predecessors: the extralegal
Territory of Jefferson and the official
Territory of Colorado .
Territory of Jefferson
The location of the extralegal
Territory of Jefferson in the
United States of America in 1859.
On August 24, 1859, voters of the
Pike's Peak mining region approved the formation of the
Provisional Government of the Territory of Jefferson and designated
Denver City as the capital.
[1] On November 28, 1859, the territory established 12
counties which served as the
de facto local government.
[2] The extralegal territory was unable to secure authorization from the
United States Congress embroiled in the debate over
slavery . On November 13, 1860, the territory moved its capital to
Golden City . On February 28, 1861, after seven
slave states seceded from the
Union ,
U.S. President
James Buchanan signed
An Act to provide a temporary Government for the Territory of Colorado .
[3] On June 6, 1861, the Jefferson Territory officially yielded to the new
Territory of Colorado .
The 12 counties of the Territory of Jefferson and their county seats
Territory and State of Colorado
The
free
Territory of Colorado was officially organized on February 28, 1861.
[3] On November 1, 1861, the Colorado Territory 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 and Arapaho Reserve .
[4]
[5] The Colorado Territory later added 12 more counties for a total of 29, of which 26 still exist.
[4]
[5]
On August 1, 1876,
U.S. President
Ulysses S. Grant issued
Proclamation 230: Admission of Colorado into the Union .
[6] The
State of Colorado has created 41
counties of which 38 still exist, for a total of 64 existing counties.
[4]
[5]
The 64 current and six extinct counties of Colorado and their county seats
Adams County (November 15, 1902 to present)
Alamosa County (March 8, 1913 to present)
Arapahoe County
[n] (November 1, 1861 to November 15, 1902; and April 11, 1903, to present)
Denver City/Denver
[a] (Territorial capital February 28, 1861, to July 7, 1862‡, and December 9, 1867, to August 1, 1876‡; state capital since August 1, 1876‡)
Littleton
[o] – April 11, 1903 to present
Archuleta County (April 14, 1885 to present)
Baca County (April 16, 1889 to present)
Bent County (February 11, 1870 to present)
Boulder County (November 1, 1861 to present)
City and County of Broomfield
[t] (November 15, 2001 to present)
Carbonate County †
[u] (February 8, 1879 to February 10, 1879)
Chaffee County
[u] (February 10, 1879 to present)
Cheyenne County (March 25, 1889 to present)
Clear Creek County (November 1, 1861 to present)
Conejos County
[ab] (November 7, 1861 to present)
Costilla County (November 1, 1861 to present)
Crowley County (May 29, 1911 to present)
Custer County (March 9, 1877 to present)
Delta County (February 11, 1883 to present)
City and County of Denver (December 1, 1902 to present)
Denver
[a] (State capital since August 1, 1876‡)
Dolores County (March 4, 1881 to present)
Douglas County (November 1, 1861 to present)
Eagle County (February 11, 1883 to present)
El Paso County (November 1, 1861 to present)
Elbert County (February 2, 1874 to present)
Fremont County (November 1, 1861 to present)
Garfield County (February 10, 1883 to present)
Gilpin County (November 1, 1861 to present)
Grand County (February 2, 1874 to present)
Greenwood County †
[az] (February 11, 1870 to February 6, 1874)
Guadaloupe County †
[ab] (November 1, 1861 until renamed
Conejos County six days later)
Gunnison County (March 9, 1877 to present)
Hinsdale County (February 10, 1874 to present)
Huerfano County (November 1, 1861 to present)
Jackson County (May 5, 1909 to present)
Jefferson County (November 1, 1861 to present)
Kiowa County (April 11, 1889 to present)
Kit Carson County (April 11, 1889 to present)
La Plata County (February 10, 1874 to present)
Lake County
[u] (November 1, 1861 to February 8, 1879; and February 10, 1879, to present)
Larimer County (November 1, 1861 to present)
Las Animas County (February 9, 1866 to present)
Lincoln County (April 11, 1889 to present)
Logan County - February 25, 1887 to present)
Mesa County (February 14, 1883 to present)
Mineral County - (March 27, 1893 to present)
Moffat County (February 27, 1911 to present)
Montezuma County (April 16, 1889 to present)
Montrose County (February 11, 1883 to present)
Morgan County (February 19, 1889 to present)
Otero County (March 25, 1889 to present)
Ouray County
[cd] (January 18, 1877 to February 27, 1883; and March 2, 1883, to present)
Park County (November 1, 1861 to present)
Phillips County (March 27, 1889 to present)
Pitkin County (February 23, 1881 to present)
Platte County † (February 9, 1872 to February 9, 1874)
Platte County failed to organize and reverted to the eastern portion of
Weld County .
Prowers County (April 11, 1889 to present)
Pueblo County (November 1, 1861 to present)
Rio Blanco County (March 25, 1889 to present)
Rio Grande County (February 10, 1874 to present)
Routt County (January 29, 1877 to present)
Saguache County
[cp] (December 29, 1866 to present)
San Juan County (January 31, 1876 to present)
San Miguel County (March 2, 1883 to present)
Sedgwick County (April 9, 1889 to present)
South Arapahoe County †
[n] (November 15, 1902 to April 11, 1903)
Summit County (November 1, 1861 to present)
Teller County (March 23, 1899 to present)
Uncompahgre County †
[cd] (February 27, 1883 to March 2, 1883)
Washington County (February 9, 1887 to present)
Weld County (November 1, 1861 to present)
Yuma County (March 15, 1889 to present)
Table of county seats
County seat distinctions
The five cities of
Boulder ,
Cañon City ,
Central City ,
Golden , and
Pueblo are the longest serving Colorado county seats having been designated by the
Territory of Colorado on November 1, 1861.
Of the 64 current counties of Colorado, 38 have retained their original county seat.
Weld County has changed its county seat five times: in 1868, 1870, 1874, 1875, and 1877.
Granite has served as the county seat of three counties:
Lake County ,
Carbonate County , and
Chaffee County .
San Miguel (later
Costilla ) was designated the original county seat of
Costilla County, Colorado Territory despite lying unbeknownst across the border in the
Territory of New Mexico .
See also
Notes
^
a
b
c
d On August 24, 1859, voters of the
Pike's Peak mining region approved the formation of the
Provisional Government of the Territory of Jefferson with
Denver City as the territorial capital.
[1]
[12] On November 28, 1859, the extralegal territory created 12 counties, with Denver City as the seat of
Arrappahoe County, Jefferson Territory .
[2] On December 3, 1859, the Jefferson Territory granted a charter to the consolidated
City of Denver, Auraria, and Highland , still commonly known as Denver City.
[13] On November 13, 1860, the Jefferson Territory moved its capital to
Golden City . On February 28, 1861,
U.S. President
James Buchanan signed
An Act to provide a temporary Government for the Territory of Colorado , which designated Denver City as the original capital of the
Colorado Territory .
[3] On June 6, 1861, the Jefferson Territory officially yielded to the new territory. On November 1, 1861, the Colorado Territory created 17 original counties, with Denver City as the original seat of
Arapahoe County . On November 7, 1861, the Colorado Territory reincorporated the city as the
City of Denver City .
[14] On July 7, 1862, the Colorado Territory moved its capital to
Colorado City . On February 13, 1866, the city shortened its name to the
City of Denver .
[7] Denver served again as the capital of the Colorado Territory from December 9, 1867, until statehood on August 1, 1876, when Denver became the (first and only) capital of the
State of Colorado . The
City and County of Denver was
consolidated on December 1, 1902.
[15]
^
a
b
c On November 28, 1859, the
Provisional Government of the Territory of Jefferson created 12 counties, with
Colorado City as the seat of
El Paso County, Jefferson Territory .
[2] On November 1, 1861, the new
Territory of Colorado created 17 original counties, with Colorado City as the original seat of
El Paso County, Colorado Territory . Colorado City served as the second capital of the Colorado Territory from July 7, 1862, until August 14, 1862. In 1873, county voters moved the county seat to
Colorado Springs . On June 10, 1917, the City of Colorado Springs annexed Colorado City.
[10]
^
a
b
c On November 28, 1859, the
Provisional Government of the Territory of Jefferson created 12 counties, with
Pueblo as the seat of
Fountain County, Jefferson Territory .
[2] On November 1, 1861, the new
Territory of Colorado created 17 original counties, with Pueblo as the seat of
Pueblo County, Colorado Territory , and since statehood on August 1, 1876, the seat of
Pueblo County, Colorado .
^
a
b
c On November 28, 1859, the
Provisional Government of the Territory of Jefferson created 12 counties, with
La Porte as the seat of
Heele County, Jefferson Territory .
[2] On November 1, 1861, the new
Territory of Colorado created 17 original counties, with La Porte as the original seat of
Larimer County, Colorado Territory , serving until 1868. On December 21, 1894, La Porte changed its name to
Laporte .
[7]
^
a
b
c On November 28, 1859, the
Provisional Government of the Territory of Jefferson created 12 counties, with
Boulder City as the seat of
Jackson County, Jefferson Territory .
[2] On November 1, 1861, the new
Territory of Colorado created 17 original counties, with Boulder City as the seat of
Boulder County, Colorado Territory , and since statehood on August 1, 1876,
Boulder has been the seat of
Boulder County, Colorado .
^
a
b On November 28, 1859, the
Provisional Government of the Territory of Jefferson created 12 counties, with
Arapahoe City as the first seat of
Jefferson County, Jefferson Territory .
[2] On January 17, 1860, Arapahoe City shortened its name to
Arapahoe .
[7] On November 6, 1860, the Jefferson Territory moved the seat of Jefferson County to
Golden City .
^
a
b
c On November 6, 1860, the
Provisional Government of the Territory of Jefferson designated
Golden City as the new seat of
Jefferson County, Jefferson Territory , and on November 13, 1860, it designated Golden City as its new territorial capital.
[2] On November 1, 1861, the new
Territory of Colorado created 17 original counties, with Golden City as the original seat of
Jefferson County, Colorado Territory . Golden City served as the third capital of the Colorado Territory from August 14, 1862, until December 9, 1967. On June 27, 1876, Golden City shortened its name to
Golden ,
[7] and since statehood on August 1, 1876, Golden has been the seat of
Jefferson County, Colorado .
^
a
b
c On November 28, 1859, the
Provisional Government of the Territory of Jefferson created 12 counties, with
Central City as the seat of
Mountain County, Jefferson Territory .
[2] On November 1, 1861, the new
Territory of Colorado created 17 original counties, with Central City as the seat of
Gilpin County, Colorado Territory , and since statehood on August 1, 1876, the seat of
Gilpin County, Colorado .
^
a
b
c On November 28, 1859, the
Provisional Government of the Territory of Jefferson created 12 counties, with
Tarryall City as the seat of
Park County, Jefferson Territory .
[2] On January 4, 1860, Tarryall City shortened its name to
Tarryall .
[7] On November 1, 1861, the new
Territory of Colorado created 17 original counties, with Tarryall as the original seat of
Park County, Colorado Territory , serving until January 7, 1862.
^
a
b
c On November 28, 1859, the
Provisional Government of the Territory of Jefferson created 12 counties, with
Saint Vrain as the seat of
St. Vrain County, Jefferson Territory .
[2] On November 1, 1861, the new
Territory of Colorado created 17 original counties, with Saint Vrain as the original seat of
Weld County, Colorado Territory , serving until 1868.
^
a
b
c On November 28, 1859, the
Provisional Government of the Territory of Jefferson created 12 counties, with
Breckenridge as the seat of
Saratoga County, Jefferson Territory .
[2] On January 18, 1860, the spelling of the town's name was changed to
Brecki nridge in honor of U.S. Vice President
John Cabell Breckinridge .
[8] On December 2, 1861, after John Breckinridge accepted a commission as a
brigadier general in the
Confederate States Army , the town changed its name back to the original Brecke nridge.
[7]
[9] In 1862, county voters selected Breckenridge as the new seat of
Summit County, Colorado Territory , and since statehood on August 1, 1876, the seat of
Summit County, Colorado .
^
a
b
Brighton has been the seat of
Adams County, Colorado since the county was created on November 15, 1902.
^
a
b
Alamosa has been the seat of
Alamosa County, Colorado since the county was created on March 8, 1913.
^
a
b
c
d
e The name of
Arapahoe County was changed to
South Arapahoe County for the 15 months from November 15, 1902 to April 11, 1903.
^
a
b
c Voters selected
Littleton as the seat of
South Arapahoe County, Colorado , which was renamed and re-created on November 15, 1902. Littleton has remained the seat since the county name was changed back to
Arapahoe County, Colorado on April 11, 1903.
^
a
b
Pagosa Springs has been the seat of
Archuleta County, Colorado since the county was created on April 14, 1885.
^
a
b
Springfield has been the seat of
Baca County, Colorado since the county was created on April 16, 1889.
^
a
b
c
d
e On February 11, 1870, the
Territory of Colorado created
Bent County, Colorado Territory , with
Las Animas serving as the original county seat for only a few months. Las Animas served as county seat again from 1872 until 1875, when the county seat was moved to
West Las Animas . With statehood on August 1, 1876, West Las Animas became the seat of
Bent County, Colorado . On September 4, 1886, West Las Animas changed its name to
Las Animas ,
[7] and Las Animas has served as the county seat since.
^
a
b
Boggsville served as the seat of
Bent County, Colorado Territory from 1870 until 1872.
^
a
b The
City and County of Broomfield was consolidated on November 15, 2001.
^
a
b
c
d
e
f
g On February 8, 1879, the state changed the name of
Lake County, Colorado to
Carbonate County for two days. On February 10, 1879, the state split Carbonate County into a new
Chaffee County and a re-created
Lake County .
^
a
b
c
d In 1868, county voters selected
Granite as the new seat of
Lake County, Colorado Territory , and after statehood on August 1, 1876, the seat of
Lake County, Colorado . On February 8, 1879, the state changed the name of Lake County to
Carbonate County for just two days. After two days, the state created
Chaffee County, Colorado and designated Granite as the original county seat, serving until 1888.
^
a
b
Buena Vista served as the seat of
Chaffee County, Colorado from 1888 until 1928.
^
a
b On March 28, 1881,
Arkansas changed its name to
Salida .
[7] Salida has served as the seat of
Chaffee County, Colorado since 1928.
^
a
b
Cheyenne Wells has been the seat of
Cheyenne County, Colorado since the county was created on March 25, 1889.
^
a
b On November 1, 1861, the
Territory of Colorado created 17 original counties, with
Idaho as the original seat of
Clear Creek County, Colorado Territory , serving until 1867. On April 7, 1876, Idaho changed its name to
Idaho Springs .
[7]
^
a
b In 1867, county voters selected
Georgetown as the new seat of
Clear Creek County, Colorado Territory , and since statehood on August 1, 1876, the seat of
Clear Creek County, Colorado .
^
a
b
c
d Created by the
Territory of Colorado as one of its original 17 counties on November 1, 1861, the name of
Guadaloupe County was changed to
Conejos County after only six days.
^
a
b
c On November 1, 1861, the
Territory of Colorado created 17 original counties, with
Guadaloupe as the original seat of
Guadaloupe County, Colorado Territory . After only six days, the territory changed the name of the county to
Conejos County , and Guadaloupe continued to serve as county seat until 1863.
^
a
b In 1863, county voters selected
Conejos as the seat of
Conejos County, Colorado Territory , and since statehood on August 1, 1876, the seat of
Conejos County, Colorado . Conejos is the only remaining
unincorporated county seat in Colorado.
^
a
b On November 1, 1861, the
Territory of Colorado created 17 original counties, with
San Miguel as the original seat of
Costilla County, Colorado Territory . When its post office opened on November 13, 1862, the village selected the new name
Costilla , perhaps in recognition of its new status.
[7] In 1863, county voters decided to move the county seat 17 miles (27 km) north to
San Luis . In 1869, a U.S. government survey determined that Costilla was actually located in
Taos County, New Mexico Territory .
[11] It wasn't until October 21, 1872, that the village post office was officially renamed
Costilla, New Mexico Territory .
[7]
^
a
b
San Luis de la Culebra was settled on April 9, 1851.
[17] In 1863, county voters selected San Luis as the new seat of
Costilla County, Colorado Territory , and since statehood on August 1, 1876, the seat of
Costilla County, Colorado . San Luis is the oldest continuously occupied community in Colorado.
^
a
b
Ordway has been the seat of
Crowley County, Colorado since the county was created on May 29, 1911.
^
a
b
Ula served as the original seat of
Custer County, Colorado since the county was created on March 9, 1877, until 1878.
^
a
b
Rosita served as the seat of
Custer County, Colorado from 1878 until 1886.
^
a
b
Silver Cliff served as the seat of
Custer County, Colorado from 1886 until 1928.
^
a
b
Westcliffe has served as the seat of
Custer County, Colorado since 1928.
^
a
b
Delta has been the seat of
Delta County, Colorado since the county was created on February 11, 1883.
^
a
b
Rico served as the original seat of
Dolores County, Colorado since the county was created on March 4, 1881, until 1945.
^
a
b
Dove Creek has served as the seat of
Dolores County, Colorado since 1945.
^
a
b
c
d On November 1, 1861, the
Territory of Colorado created 17 original counties, with
Frankstown as the original seat of
Douglas County, Colorado Territory . In 1864, the county seat and its post office moved 3 miles (5 km) south to the
California Ranch stage stop, which took the name
Franktown .
[7] Franktown served as the county seat until 1874.
^
a
b In 1874, county voters selected
Castle Rock as the new seat of
Douglas County, Colorado Territory , and since statehood on August 1, 1876, the seat of
Douglas County, Colorado .
^
a
b
Red Cliff served as the original seat of
Eagle County, Colorado since the county was created on February 11, 1883, until 1921. Red Cliff changed its name to
Redcliff on February 7, 1895; then changed it back to Red Cliff on April 1, 1979.
[7]
^
a
b
Castle changed its name to
Eagle on September 3, 1891.
[7] Eagle has served as the seat of
Eagle County, Colorado since 1921.
^
a
b In 1873, county voters selected
Colorado Springs as the new seat of
El Paso County, Colorado Territory , and since statehood on August 1, 1876, the seat of
El Paso County, Colorado .
^
a
b On February 2, 1874, the
Territory of Colorado created
Elbert County, Colorado Territory , with
Kiowa as the county seat, and since statehood on August 1, 1876, the seat of
Elbert County, Colorado .
^
a
b On November 1, 1861, the new
Territory of Colorado created 17 original counties, with Cañon City as the seat of
Fremont County, Colorado Territory , and since statehood on August 1, 1876, the seat of
Fremont County, Colorado . Cañon City has also been spelled
Canon City and
Canyon City .
[7]
^
a
b
Carbonate served as the original seat of
Garfield County, Colorado for several months after the county was created on February 10, 1883.
^
a
b On June 25, 1883,
Defiance changed its name to
Barlow , and several months later, county voters selected Barlow as the new seat of
Garfield County, Colorado . On March 28, 1884, Barlow changed its name to
Glenwood Springs ,
[7] and Glenwood Springs continues to serve as county seat.
^
a
b
c
Hot Sulphur Springs served as the original seat of
Grand County, Colorado Territory since the county was created on February 2, 1874, and with statehood on August 1, 1876, the seat of
Grand County, Colorado until 1882 and then again from 1888 to present. On June 26, 1894, Hot Sulphur Springs changed its name to
Sulphur Springs , then changed it back to Hot Sulphur Springs on February 15, 1912.
[7]
^
a
b
Grand Lake served as the seat of
Grand County, Colorado from 1882 until 1888. On June 30, 1895, Grand Lake changed its name to
Grandlake ; then changed it back to Grand Lake on April 1, 1938.
[7]
^
a
b
Greenwood County, Colorado Territory existed for the four years from February 11, 1870, until February 6, 1874.
^
a
b
Kit Carson served as the seat of
Greenwood County, Colorado Territory for the four years it existed from February 11, 1870, until February 6, 1874.
^
a
b
Gunnison has been the seat of
Gunnison County, Colorado since the county was created on March 9, 1877.
^
a
b
San Juan City served as the original seat of
Hinsdale County, Colorado Territory since the county was created on February 10, 1874, until 1875. On June 4, 1874, San Juan City officially shortened its name to
San Juan , although it was still commonly known as San Juan City.
[7]
^
a
b In 1875, county voters selected
Lake City as the new seat of
Hinsdale County, Colorado Territory , and since statehood on August 1, 1876, the seat of
Hinsdale County, Colorado .
^
a
b On November 1, 1861, the
Territory of Colorado created 17 original counties, with
Autobees Plaza as the original seat of
Huerfano County, Colorado Territory , serving until 1868.
^
a
b On September 12, 1865,
Little Orphan changed its name to
Badito .
[7] Badito served as the seat of
Huerfano County, Colorado Territory from 1868 until 1874.
^
a
b In 1874, county voters selected
Walsenburgh as the new seat of
Huerfano County, Colorado Territory , and since statehood on August 1, 1876, the seat of
Huerfano County, Colorado . On October 20, 1887, Walsenburgh changed its name to
Tourist ; then changed it back Walsenburgh on November 29, 1887; then shortened it to
Walsenburg on December 22, 1892.
[7]
^
a
b
Walden has been the seat of
Jackson County, Colorado since the county was created on May 5, 1909.
^
a
b On September 20, 1887,
Bee changed its name to
Sheridan Lake ; then changed it back to Bee on October 15, 1887; then changed it back again to Sheridan Lake on October 27, 1887.
[7] Sheridan Lake served as the original seat of
Kiowa County, Colorado since the county was created on April 11, 1889, until 1902.
^
a
b
Eads has served as the seat of
Kiowa County, Colorado since 1902.
^
a
b
Burlington has been the seat of
Kit Carson County, Colorado since the county was created on April 11, 1889.
^
a
b
Howardsville served as the original seat of
La Plata County, Colorado Territory since the county was created on February 10, 1874, until January 31, 1876.
^
a
b On January 31, 1876, county voters selected
Parrott City as the new seat of
La Plata County, Colorado Territory , and after statehood on August 1, 1876, the seat of
La Plata County, Colorado until 1881.
^
a
b
Durango has served as the seat of
La Plata County, Colorado since 1881.
^
a
b On November 1, 1861, the
Territory of Colorado created 17 original counties, with
Oro City as the original seat of
Lake County, Colorado Territory , serving until 1866.
^
a
b
Dayton served as the seat of
Lake County, Colorado Territory from 1866 until 1868.
^
a
b
Leadville has served as the seat of
Lake County, Colorado since it was re-created on February 10, 1879.
^
a
b In 1868, county voters selected
Fort Collins as the new seat of
Larimer County, Colorado Territory , and since statehood on August 1, 1876, the seat of
Larimer County, Colorado .
^
a
b On February 9, 1866, the
Territory of Colorado created
Las Animas County, Colorado Territory with
Trinidad as its seat until statehood on August 1, 1876, when it became the seat of
Las Animas County, Colorado .
^
a
b
Hugo has been the seat of
Lincoln County, Colorado since the county was created on April 11, 1889.
^
a
b
Sterling has been the seat of
Logan County, Colorado since the county was created on February 25, 1887.
^
a
b On May 26, 1882,
Ute changed its name to
Grand Junction .
[7] Grand Junction has been the seat of
Mesa County, Colorado since the county was created on February 11, 1883.
^
a
b
Wason served eight months as the original seat of
Mineral County, Colorado , from the creation of the county on March 27, 1893, until November 7 that year.
^
a
b On November 7, 1893, county voters selected
Amethyst as the new seat of
Mineral County, Colorado . On February 2, 1909, Amethyst changed its name to
Creede .
[7] Creede has continued to serve as county seat.
^
a
b On August 28, 1889,
Yampa changed its name to
Craig .
[7] Craig has been the seat of
Moffat County, Colorado since the county was created on February 27, 1911.
^
a
b
Cortez has been the seat of
Montezuma County, Colorado since the county was created on April 16, 1889.
^
a
b
Montrose has been the seat of
Montrose County, Colorado since the county was created on February 11, 1883.
^
a
b
Fort Morgan has been the seat of
Morgan County, Colorado since the county was created on February 19, 1889.
^
a
b
La Junta has been the seat of
Otero County, Colorado since the county was created on March 25, 1889.
^
a
b
c
d
e The name of
Ouray County, Colorado was changed to
Uncompahgre County for the three days from February 27 to March 2, 1883.
^
a
b
c
Ouray has been the seat of
Ouray County, Colorado since the county was created on January 18, 1877, although the name of the county was changed to
Uncompahgre County for the three days from February 27 to March 2, 1883.
^
a
b On January 7, 1862, county voters selected
Laurette as the new seat of
Park County, Colorado Territory . On December 21, 1865, Laurette changed its name to
Buckskin , commonly known as
Buckskin Joe .
[7] Buckskin Joe served as county seat until November 7, 1867.
^
a
b On November 7, 1867, county voters selected
Fair Play as the new seat of
Park County, Colorado Territory , and since statehood on August 1, 1876, the seat of
Park County, Colorado . On October 1, 1924, Fair Play changed its name to
Fairplay ,
[7] and has continued to serve as county seat.
^
a
b
Holyoke has been the seat of
Phillips County, Colorado since the county was created on March 27, 1889.
^
a
b
Aspen has been the seat of
Pitkin County, Colorado since the county was created on February 23, 1881.
^
a
b
Lamar has been the seat of
Prowers County, Colorado since the county was created on April 11, 1889.
^
a
b
Meeker has been the seat of
Rio Blanco County, Colorado since the county was created on March 25, 1889.
^
a
b On February 10, 1874, the
Territory of Colorado created
Rio Grande County, Colorado Territory with
Del Norte as the original county seat, until statehood on August 1, 1876, when Del Norte became the seat of
Rio Grande County, Colorado .
^
a
b On January 29, 1877, the state created
Routt County, Colorado and designated
Hayden as the original county seat. Hayden served as county seat until 1878.
^
a
b
Hahns Peak served as the seat of
Routt County, Colorado from 1878 until 1912.
^
a
b
Steamboat Springs has served as the seat of
Routt County, Colorado since 1912.
^
a
b
c
d The name "Saguache" is pronounced . This name comes from the
Ute language noun "sawup " meaning "sand dunes". The
Spanish language version of this name is usually spelled "Saguache ", while the
English language version is usually spelled "Sawatch".
[16]
^
a
b On December 29, 1866, the
Territory of Colorado created
Saguache County, Colorado Territory with
Saguache as the county seat, and since statehood on August 1, 1876, the seat of
Saguache County, Colorado .
^
a
b On January 31, 1876, the
Territory of Colorado created
San Juan County, Colorado Territory with
Silverton as the county seat, and since statehood on August 1 of that year, the seat of
San Juan County, Colorado .
^
a
b On July 26, 1880,
Columbia changed its name to
Telluride .
[7] Telluride has been the seat of
San Miguel County, Colorado since the county was created on March 2, 1883.
^
a
b On May 26, 1886,
Denver Junction changed its name to
Julesburg .
[7] Julesburg has been the seat of
Sedgwick County, Colorado since the county was created on April 9, 1889.
^
a
b On November 1, 1861, the
Territory of Colorado created 17 original counties, with
Parkville as the original seat of
Summit County, Colorado Territory . Parkville served as county seat until the following year.
^
a
b
Fremont changed its name to
Morland on December 9, 1891; then changed it back to Fremont on February 4, 1892; then changed it to
Cripple Creek on June 20, 1892.
[7] Cripple Creek has been the seat of
Teller County, Colorado since the county was created on March 23, 1899.
^
a
b
Akron has been the seat of
Washington County, Colorado since the county was created on February 9, 1887.
^
a
b On November 25, 1863,
Cherokee City changed its name to
Latham .
[7] Latham served as the seat of
Weld County, Colorado Territory from 1868 until 1870.
^
a
b
c
Evans served as the seat of
Weld County, Colorado Territory from 1870 until 1874 and again from 1875 until statehood on August 1, 1876, when it became the seat of
Weld County, Colorado until the following year.
^
a
b
c
Greeley served as the seat of
Weld County, Colorado Territory from 1874 until 1875. Greeley has served as the seat of
Weld County, Colorado since 1877.
^
a
b
Yuma served as the original seat of
Yuma County, Colorado from the creation of the county on March 15, 1889, until 1902.
^
a
b
Wray has served as the seat of
Yuma County, Colorado since 1902.
References
^
a
b Frederic L. Paxson (1906). Francis Ramaley (ed.).
"The Territory of Jefferson: A Spontaneous Commonwealth" . The University of Colorado Studies: General Series A . 3 .
Boulder, Colorado :
University of Colorado : 15–18. Retrieved November 12, 2023 .
^
a
b
c
d
e
f
g
h
i
j
k
l
"An Act Defining the Boundaries of Counties and for other purposes" . Provisional Laws and Joint Resolutions of the General Assembly of Jefferson Territory . General Assembly of the Provisional Government of the Territory of Jefferson. November 28, 1859. Retrieved November 12, 2023 .
^
a
b
c
Thirty-sixth United States Congress (February 28, 1861).
"An Act To provide a temporary Government for the Territory of Colorado" (PDF) .
Library of Congress . Retrieved November 12, 2023 .
^
a
b
c
"Colorado County History" . COGenWeb Project. April 29, 2011. Archived from
the original on July 23, 2008. Retrieved July 21, 2021 .
^
a
b
c Stanwyck, Don (2003).
"Colorado County Evolution" . COGenWeb Project. Archived from
the original on February 5, 2007. Retrieved July 21, 2021 .
^
Ulysses S. Grant (August 1, 1876).
"Proclamation 230—Admission of Colorado into the Union" . The American Presidency Project. Retrieved July 21, 2021 .
^
a
b
c
d
e
f
g
h
i
j
k
l
m
n
o
p
q
r
s
t
u
v
w
x
y
z
aa
ab
ac
ad
ae Bauer, William H.; Ozment, James L.; Willard, John H. (1990). Colorado Post Offices 1859-1989 .
Golden, Colorado :
Colorado Railroad Historical Foundation .
ISBN
0-918654-42-4 .
^ Dawson, John Frank (1954).
"Breckenridge" . Place Names in Colorado: Why 700 Communities Were So Named . p. 11. Retrieved 16 March 2020 .
^
"Town History, Gold Dust to White Gold" . Special Features . Town of Breckenridge. Archived from
the original on 2007-02-09. Retrieved 2007-02-23 .
^
"Annexation of Colorado City" . Colorado Springs Pioneer Museum. Retrieved November 4, 2023 .
^ Rosso, Mike (November 1, 2010).
"Lines in the sand" . Colorado Central Magazine . Retrieved November 10, 2023 .
^
"The Model of Auraria-Denver of 1860" (PDF) .
The Colorado Magazine .
Colorado Historical Society . July 1935. Retrieved November 12, 2023 .
^
"To Charter and Consolidate the Towns of Denver, Auraria and Highland" . Provisional Laws and Joint Resolutions of the General Assembly of Jefferson Territory . General Assembly of the Provisional Government of the Territory of Jefferson. December 3, 1859. Retrieved November 12, 2023 .
^
"An Act Defining the Boundaries of Counties and for other purposes" . Provisional Laws and Joint Resolutions of the General Assembly of Jefferson Territory . General Assembly of the Territory of Jefferson. November 28, 1859. Retrieved November 12, 2023 .
^
"Active Colorado Municipalities" .
State of Colorado ,
Department of Local Affairs , Division of Local Government. Retrieved October 30, 2023 .
^ Merkl, Dameon (February 26, 2013),
"What's in a Colorado name pronunciation?" ,
The Denver Post , retrieved March 7, 2013
^
"Colorado celebrates the anniversary of its oldest town, San Luis" .
History Colorado . April 1, 2015. Retrieved August 27, 2022 .
External links
38°59′50″N 105°32′52″W / 38.9972°N 105.5478°W / 38.9972; -105.5478 (State of Colorado )