Partial list of populated places in the U.S. State of Colorado
This is a list of more than 3,825 current or formerly inhabited places in the
U.S.
State of Colorado ,
[a]
[2] including:
and current and extinct populated places found in:
Notes
A
Select the
OpenStreetMap link at the right to view the location of places in this section.
B
Select the
OpenStreetMap link at the right to view the location of places in this section.
C
Select the
OpenStreetMap link at the right to view the location of places in this section.
D
Select the
OpenStreetMap link at the right to view the location of places in this section.
E
Select the
OpenStreetMap link at the right to view the location of places in this section.
F
Select the
OpenStreetMap link at the right to view the location of places in this section.
G–O
P–Z
See also
Notes
^ This
Geographic Names Information System place may require additional verification.
^
Akron has been the seat of
Washington County, Colorado since the county was created on February 9, 1887.
^
Alamosa has been the seat of
Alamosa County, Colorado since the county was created on March 8, 1913.
^
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 .
[9] Creede has continued to serve as the county seat.
^
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 .
[6] On January 17, 1860, Arapahoe City shortened its name to
Arapahoe .
[9] On November 6, 1860, the Jefferson Territory moved the seat of Jefferson County to
Golden City .
^ Located at an elevation of 12,230 feet (3,728 m),
Arastra, Colorado was the highest elevation town to ever have a
United States post office .
^ The name of
Argenta was changed to
Tomichi on August 23, 1880.
^ On March 28, 1881,
Arkansas changed its name to
Salida .
[9] Salida has served as the seat of
Chaffee County, Colorado since 1928.
^
Aspen has been the seat of
Pitkin County, Colorado since the county was created on February 23, 1881.
^ On December 3, 1859, the
Provisional Government of the Territory of Jefferson consolidated the towns of
Denver City ,
Auraria , and
Highland into the
City of Denver, Auraria, and Highland .
Auraria and
Highland are now neighborhoods of the
City and County of Denver .
^
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.
^ On September 12, 1865,
Little Orphan changed its name to
Badito .
[9] Badito served as the seat of
Huerfano County, Colorado Territory from 1868 until 1874.
^
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 ,
[9] and Glenwood Springs continues to serve as county seat.
^ 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.
[9] Sheridan Lake served as the original seat of
Kiowa County, Colorado since the county was created on April 11, 1889, until 1902.
^
a
b The
Beulah
post office serves
Beulah Valley .
^
Black Hawk is the least populous
home rule city in
Colorado .
^
Boggsville served as the seat of
Bent County, Colorado Territory from 1870 until 1872.
^
a
b 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 .
[6] 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
Breckenridge as the seat of
Saratoga County, Jefferson Territory .
[6] 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 .
[12] 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.
[9]
[13] 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 .
^
Brighton has been the seat of
Adams County, Colorado since the county was created on November 15, 1902.
^ The
City and County of Broomfield was consolidated on November 15, 2001.
^
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 .
[9] Buckskin Joe served as county seat until November 7, 1867.
^
Buena Vista served as the seat of
Chaffee County, Colorado from 1888 until 1928.
^
Burlington has been the seat of
Kit Carson County, Colorado since the county was created on April 11, 1889.
^
a
b
c 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 .
[9] Franktown served as the county seat until 1874.
^
a
b
c 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 .
[9]
^
Carbonate served as the original seat of
Garfield County, Colorado for several months after the county was created on February 10, 1883.
^ Located at an elevation of 11,574 feet (3,528 m), the
Carson, Colorado
post office was the highest in the United States from September 16, 1889 to June 14, 1895.
^
a
b
Castle changed its name to
Eagle on September 3, 1891.
[9] Eagle has served as the seat of
Eagle County, Colorado since 1921.
^ 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 .
^ 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 .
[6] 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 .
^ On November 25, 1863,
Cherokee City changed its name to
Latham .
[9] Latham served as the seat of
Weld County, Colorado Territory from 1868 until 1870.
^
Cheyenne Wells has been the seat of
Cheyenne County, Colorado since the county was created on March 25, 1889.
^ 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 .
[6] 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.
[14]
^ 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 .
^ On July 26, 1880,
Columbia changed its name to
Telluride .
[9] Telluride has been the seat of
San Miguel County, Colorado since the county was created on March 2, 1883.
^ 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.
^
Cortez has been the seat of
Montezuma County, Colorado since the county was created on April 16, 1889.
^ 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.
[9] 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 .
[15] It wasn't until October 21, 1872, that the village post office was officially renamed
Costilla, New Mexico Territory .
[9]
^ On August 28, 1889,
Yampa changed its name to
Craig .
[9] Craig has been the seat of
Moffat County, Colorado since the county was created on February 27, 1911.
^
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.
[9] Cripple Creek has been the seat of
Teller County, Colorado since the county was created on March 23, 1899.
^
Dayton served as the seat of
Lake County, Colorado Territory from 1866 until 1868.
^ 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 .
^
Delta has been the seat of
Delta County, Colorado since the county was created on February 11, 1883.
^
a
b
Denver City served as the first capital of the
Provisional Government of the Territory of Jefferson from August 24, 1859, until November 13, 1860.
[6] On December 3, 1859, the Jefferson Territory granted a charter to the consolidated
City of Denver, Auraria, and Highland , still popularly known as Denver City.
[6] Denver City served as the first capital of the new
Territory of Colorado from February 28, 1861 to July 7, 1862, and served as the first seat of
Arapahoe County from November 1, 1861, until November 15, 1902. The Colorado Territory reincorporated the city as the
City of Denver City on November 7, 1861.
[16] On February 13, 1866, the city shortened its name to the
City of Denver .
[9] 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 November 15, 1902.
[17]
^ On May 26, 1886,
Denver Junction changed its name to
Julesburg .
[9] Julesburg has been the seat of
Sedgwick County, Colorado since the county was created on April 9, 1889.
^
Dove Creek has served as the seat of
Dolores County, Colorado since 1945.
^
Durango has served as the seat of
La Plata County, Colorado since 1881.
^
Eads has served as the seat of
Kiowa County, Colorado since 1902.
^
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 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 ,
[9] and has continued to serve as county seat.
^ 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 .
^
Fort Morgan has been the seat of
Morgan County, Colorado since the county was created on February 19, 1889.
References
^
a
b
c
d
e
f
g
h
i
"Geographic Names Information System query" .
United States Department of the Interior ,
United States Geological Survey . Retrieved November 22, 2023 .
^
a
b
c
d
e
f
g
h
i Elliott, Donald R.; Elliott, Doris L. Salmen (1999).
"Place Names of Colorado" (PDF) . Colorado Council of Genealogical Societies, Inc. Retrieved August 20, 2021 .
^
"Active Colorado Municipalities" .
State of Colorado ,
Department of Local Affairs , Division of Local Government. Retrieved August 20, 2021 .
^
"State of Colorado Incorporated Places - Current/TAB20 - Data as of January 1, 2020" .
United States Census Bureau . January 1, 2020. Retrieved August 20, 2021 .
^
"State of Colorado Census Designated Places - BAS20 - Data as of January 1, 2020" .
United States Census Bureau . January 1, 2020. Retrieved August 20, 2021 .
^
a
b
c
d
e
f
g
h
"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.
^
"Colorado Counties" .
State of Colorado ,
Department of Local Affairs , Division of Local Government. Retrieved August 20, 2021 .
^
"National Register of Historic Places" .
United States Department of the Interior ,
National Park Service . Retrieved August 20, 2021 .
^
a
b
c
d
e
f
g
h
i
j
k
l
m
n
o
p
q
r
s
t
u 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 .
^
"Colorado Post Offices" .
United States Postal Service . Retrieved August 20, 2021 .
^
a
b
c Scott, Glenn R. (1995).
"Historic trail map of the Lamar 1 degree by 2 degrees Quadrangle, Colorado and Kansas" .
United States Department of the Interior ,
United States Geological Survey . Retrieved July 23, 2021 .
^ 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 October 30, 2023 .
^
"Active Colorado Municipalities" .
State of Colorado ,
Department of Local Affairs , Division of Local Government. Retrieved October 30, 2023 .
^
a
b
c Scott, Glenn R. (1975).
"Historic trail map of the Pueblo 1 degree x 2 degrees Quadrangle, Colorado" .
United States Department of the Interior ,
United States Geological Survey . Retrieved July 23, 2021 .
^
a
b
c
d
e
f
g Scott, Glenn R.; Shwayder, Carol Rein (1993).
"Historic trail map of the Greeley 1 degree by 2 degrees Quadrangle, Colorado and Wyoming" .
United States Department of the Interior ,
United States Geological Survey . Retrieved July 23, 2021 .
^
a
b
c Scott, Glenn R. (1976).
"Historic trail map of the Greater Denver area, Colorado" .
United States Department of the Interior ,
United States Geological Survey . Retrieved July 23, 2021 .
^
a
b
c Scott, Glenn R. (2001).
"Historic trail map of the Trinidad 1 degree by 2 degrees quadrangle, southern Colorado" .
United States Department of the Interior ,
United States Geological Survey . Retrieved July 23, 2021 .
^
a
b
c Scott, Glenn R. (1989).
"Historic trail maps of the Sterling 1 degree by 2 degrees Quadrangle, northeastern Colorado" .
United States Department of the Interior ,
United States Geological Survey . Retrieved July 23, 2021 .
External links
38°59′50″N 105°32′52″W / 38.9972°N 105.5478°W / 38.9972; -105.5478 (State of Colorado )
References