List of counties in Colorado

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. 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 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.Template:Efn Five of the 64 Colorado counties now have more than 500,000 residents, while 12 counties have fewer than 5,000 residents.Template:Efn

Las Animas County, in area, is the most extensive county, while the City and County of Broomfield, in area, is the least extensive. The City and County of Denver is 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 is 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 , is located in Lake County. The lowest point in Colorado is where the Arikaree River flows out of Yuma County and into Kansas, at elevation.Template:Efn 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

Template:Side box 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 codeTemplate:Efn	County seat	Est.	Formed from	Etymology	Population	Area	Map
Adams County	001	Brighton	Template:Dts	Split from Arapahoe County.	Named in honor of Alva Adams, the 5th, 10th, and 14th Governor of the State of Colorado.	Template:Nts	Template:Nts sq mi (Template:Nts km2)	State map highlighting Adams County
Alamosa County	003	Alamosa	Template:Dts	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.	Template:Nts	Template:Nts sq mi (Template:Nts km2)	State map highlighting Alamosa County
Arapahoe County	005	Littleton	Template:Dts	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.	Template:Nts	Template:Nts sq mi (Template:Nts km2)	State map highlighting Arapahoe County
Archuleta County	007	Pagosa Springs	Template:Dts	Split from Conejos County.	Named in honor of Colorado State Senator Antonio D. Archuleta and his father, José Manuel Archuleta.	Template:Nts	Template:Nts sq mi (Template:Nts km2)	State map highlighting Archuleta County
Baca County	009	Springfield	Template:Dts	Split from Las Animas County.	Named in honor of pioneer and Colorado territorial legislator Felipe Baca.	Template:Nts	Template:Nts sq mi (Template:Nts km2)	State map highlighting Baca County
Bent County	011	Las Animas	Template:Dts	Split from Huerfano County and former Cheyenne and Arapaho tribal land.	Named in honor of frontier trader William Bent.	Template:Nts	Template:Nts sq mi (Template:Nts km2)	State map highlighting Bent County
Boulder County	013	Boulder	Template:Dts	Created as one of the 17 original counties of the Territory of Colorado.	Named for the abundance of granite boulders along Boulder Creek.	Template:Nts	Template:Nts sq mi (Template:Nts km2)	State map highlighting Boulder County
City and County of Broomfield	014	Broomfield	Template:Dts	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.	Template:Nts	Template:Nts sq mi (Template:Nts km2)	State map highlighting City and County of Broomfield
Chaffee County	015	Salida	Template:Dts	Split from Carbonate County.	Named in honor of Jerome Bunty Chaffee, one of Colorado's first two U.S. Senators from 1876 to 1879.	Template:Nts	Template:Nts sq mi (Template:Nts km2)	State map highlighting Chaffee County
Cheyenne County	017	Cheyenne Wells	Template:Dts	Split from Elbert and Bent counties.	Named for the Cheyenne Nation of Native Americans.	Template:Nts	Template:Nts sq mi (Template:Nts km2)	State map highlighting Cheyenne County
Clear Creek County	019	Georgetown	Template:Dts	Created as one of the 17 original counties of the Territory of Colorado.	Named for Clear Creek which originates in the county.	Template:Nts	Template:Nts sq mi (Template:Nts km2)	State map highlighting Clear Creek County
Conejos County	021	Conejos	Template:Dts	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.	Template:Nts	Template:Nts sq mi (Template:Nts km2)	State map highlighting Conejos County
Costilla County	023	San Luis	Template:Dts	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.	Template:Nts	Template:Nts sq mi (Template:Nts km2)	State map highlighting Costilla County
Crowley County	025	Ordway	Template:Dts	Split from Otero County.	Named in honor of Colorado State Senator John H. Crowley.	Template:Nts	Template:Nts sq mi (Template:Nts km2)	State map highlighting Crowley County
Custer County	027	Westcliffe	Template:Dts	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.	Template:Nts	Template:Nts sq mi (Template:Nts km2)	State map highlighting Custer County
Delta County	029	Delta	Template:Dts	Split from Gunnison County.	Named for the town of Delta located at the delta of the Uncompahgre River.	Template:Nts	Template:Nts sq mi (Template:Nts km2)	State map highlighting Delta County
City and County of Denver	031	Denver	Template:Dts	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.	Template:Nts	Template:Nts sq mi (Template:Nts km2)	State map highlighting City and County of Denver
Dolores County	033	Dove Creek	Template:Dts	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.	Template:Nts	Template:Nts sq mi (Template:Nts km2)	State map highlighting Dolores County
Douglas County	035	Castle Rock	Template:Dts	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.	Template:Nts	Template:Nts sq mi (Template:Nts km2)	State map highlighting Douglas County
Eagle County	037	Eagle	Template:Dts	Split from Summit County.	Named for the Eagle River which originates in the county.	Template:Nts	Template:Nts sq mi (Template:Nts km2)	State map highlighting Eagle County
El Paso County	041	Colorado Springs	Template:Dts	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.	Template:Nts	Template:Nts sq mi (Template:Nts km2)	State map highlighting El Paso County
Elbert County	039	Kiowa	Template:Dts	Split from Douglas County.	Named in honor of Samuel Hitt Elbert, the sixth Governor of the Territory of Colorado.	Template:Nts	Template:Nts sq mi (Template:Nts km2)	State map highlighting Elbert County
Fremont County	043	Cañon City	Template:Dts	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.	Template:Nts	Template:Nts sq mi (Template:Nts km2)	State map highlighting Fremont County
Garfield County	045	Glenwood Springs	Template:Dts	Split from Summit County.	Named in honor of James Abram Garfield (1831–1881), the twentieth President of the United States.	Template:Nts	Template:Nts sq mi (Template:Nts km2)	State map highlighting Garfield County
Gilpin County	047	Central City	Template:Dts	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.	Template:Nts	Template:Nts sq mi (Template:Nts km2)	State map highlighting Gilpin County
Grand County	049	Hot Sulphur Springs	Template:Dts	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.	Template:Nts	Template:Nts sq mi (Template:Nts km2)	State map highlighting Grand County
Gunnison County	051	Gunnison	Template:Dts	Split from Lake County.	Named in honor of John Williams Gunnison, the U.S. Army captain who explored the region.	Template:Nts	Template:Nts sq mi (Template:Nts km2)	State map highlighting Gunnison County
Hinsdale County	053	Lake City	Template:Dts	Split from Lake, Conejos, and Costilla counties.	Named in honor of George Aaron Hinsdale, a Lieutenant Governor of the Territory of Colorado.	Template:Nts	Template:Nts sq mi (Template:Nts km2)	State map highlighting Hinsdale County
Huerfano County	055	Walsenburg	Template:Dts	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.	Template:Nts	Template:Nts sq mi (Template:Nts km2)	State map highlighting Huerfano County
Jackson County	057	Walden	Template:Dts	Split from Larimer County.	Named in honor of Andrew Jackson (1767–1845), the seventh President of the United States.	Template:Nts	Template:Nts sq mi (Template:Nts km2)	State map highlighting Jackson County
Jefferson County	059	Golden	Template:Dts	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.	Template:Nts	Template:Nts sq mi (Template:Nts km2)	State map highlighting Jefferson County
Kiowa County	061	Eads	Template:Dts	Split from Bent County.	Named for the Kiowa Nation of Native Americans.	Template:Nts	Template:Nts sq mi (Template:Nts km2)	State map highlighting Kiowa County
Kit Carson County	063	Burlington	Template:Dts	Split from Elbert County.	Named in honor of Christopher Houston "Kit" Carson, the famous frontier scout and soldier.	Template:Nts	Template:Nts sq mi (Template:Nts km2)	State map highlighting Kit Carson County
La Plata County	067	Durango	Template:Dts	Split from Lake and Conejos counties.	Named for the many silver deposits in the area. La plata is a Spanish expression for the silver.	Template:Nts	Template:Nts sq mi (Template:Nts km2)	State map highlighting La Plata County
Lake County	065	Leadville	Template:Dts	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.	Template:Nts	Template:Nts sq mi (Template:Nts km2)	State map highlighting Lake County
Larimer County	069	Fort Collins	Template:Dts	Created as one of the 17 original counties of the Territory of Colorado.	Named in honor of William Larimer, a pioneer entrepreneur.	Template:Nts	Template:Nts sq mi (Template:Nts km2)	State map highlighting Larimer County
Las Animas County	071	Trinidad	Template:Dts	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.	Template:Nts	Template:Nts sq mi (Template:Nts km2)	State map highlighting Las Animas County
Lincoln County	073	Hugo	Template:Dts	Split from Elbert and Bent counties.	Named in honor of Abraham Lincoln (1809–1865), the sixteenth President of the United States.	Template:Nts	Template:Nts sq mi (Template:Nts km2)	State map highlighting Lincoln County
Logan County	075	Sterling	Template:Dts	Split from Weld County.	Named in honor of John Alexander Logan (1826–1886), a U.S. Army general and U.S. Senator from Illinois.	Template:Nts	Template:Nts sq mi (Template:Nts km2)	State map highlighting Logan County
Mesa County	077	Grand Junction	Template:Dts	Split from Gunnison County.	Named for the mesa formations which are widespread through the area.	Template:Nts	Template:Nts sq mi (Template:Nts km2)	State map highlighting Mesa County
Mineral County	079	Creede	Template:Dts	Split from Hinsdale, Rio Grande, and Saguache counties.	Named from the plentiful mineral deposits found in the area.	Template:Nts	Template:Nts sq mi (Template:Nts km2)	State map highlighting Mineral County
Moffat County	081	Craig	Template:Dts	Split from Routt County.	Named in honor of railroad pioneer David H. Moffat.	Template:Nts	Template:Nts sq mi (Template:Nts km2)	State map highlighting Moffat County
Montezuma County	083	Cortez	Template:Dts	Split from La Plata County.	Named in honor of Aztec leader Moctezuma II. Ruins in the area were once thought to be Aztec.	Template:Nts	Template:Nts sq mi (Template:Nts km2)	State map highlighting Montezuma County
Montrose County	085	Montrose	Template:Dts	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.	Template:Nts	Template:Nts sq mi (Template:Nts km2)	State map highlighting Montrose County
Morgan County	087	Fort Morgan	Template:Dts	Split from Weld County.	Named for old Fort Morgan, which in turn was named in honor of U.S. Army Colonel Christopher A. Morgan.	Template:Nts	Template:Nts sq mi (Template:Nts km2)	State map highlighting Morgan County
Otero County	089	La Junta	Template:Dts	Split from Bent County.	Named in honor of Miguel A. Otero of the prominent Otero family of the Southwest.	Template:Nts	Template:Nts sq mi (Template:Nts km2)	State map highlighting Otero County
Ouray County	091	Ouray	Template:Dts	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.	Template:Nts	Template:Nts sq mi (Template:Nts km2)	State map highlighting Ouray County
Park County	093	Fairplay	Template:Dts	Created as one of the 17 original counties of the Territory of Colorado.	Named for South Park which occupies most of the county.	Template:Nts	Template:Nts sq mi (Template:Nts km2)	State map highlighting Park County
Phillips County	095	Holyoke	Template:Dts	Split from Logan County.	Named in honor of R.O. Phillips, secretary of the Lincoln Land Company, which sold farmsteads in the area.	Template:Nts	Template:Nts sq mi (Template:Nts km2)	State map highlighting Phillips County
Pitkin County	097	Aspen	Template:Dts	Split from Gunnison County.	Named in honor of Frederick Walker Pitkin, the second Governor of the State of Colorado.	Template:Nts	Template:Nts sq mi (Template:Nts km2)	State map highlighting Pitkin County
Prowers County	099	Lamar	Template:Dts	Split from Bent County.	Named in honor of John W. Prowers, a pioneer of the Arkansas River valley.	Template:Nts	Template:Nts sq mi (Template:Nts km2)	State map highlighting Prowers County
Pueblo County	101	Pueblo	Template:Dts	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.	Template:Nts	Template:Nts sq mi (Template:Nts km2)	State map highlighting Pueblo County
Rio Blanco County	103	Meeker	Template:Dts	Split from Garfield County.	Named for the White River, which was originally named Rio Blanco in Spanish.	Template:Nts	Template:Nts sq mi (Template:Nts km2)	State map highlighting Rio Blanco County
Rio Grande County	105	Del Norte	Template:Dts	Split from Costilla County and Conejos County counties.	Named for the Rio Grande, which flows through the area.	Template:Nts	Template:Nts sq mi (Template:Nts km2)	State map highlighting Rio Grande County
Routt County	107	Steamboat Springs	Template:Dts	Split from Grand County.	Named in honor of John Long Routt, the first Governor of the State of Colorado.	Template:Nts	Template:Nts sq mi (Template:Nts km2)	State map highlighting Routt County
Saguache County	109	Saguache	Template:Dts	Split from Lake and Costilla counties.	Name comes from a Ute language noun meaning "sand dunes".Template:Efn	Template:Nts	Template:Nts sq mi (Template:Nts km2)	State map highlighting Saguache County
San Juan County	111	Silverton	Template:Dts	Split from Lake County.	Named for the San Juan River and San Juan Mountains, which in turn were named for Saint John the Evangelist.	Template:Nts	Template:Nts sq mi (Template:Nts km2)	State map highlighting San Juan County
San Miguel County	113	Telluride	Template:Dts	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.	Template:Nts	Template:Nts sq mi (Template:Nts km2)	State map highlighting San Miguel County
Sedgwick County	115	Julesburg	Template:Dts	Split from Logan County.	Named for Fort Sedgwick, which, in turn, was named for U.S. Army General John Sedgwick (1813–1864).	Template:Nts	Template:Nts sq mi (Template:Nts km2)	State map highlighting Sedgwick County
Summit County	117	Breckenridge	Template:Dts	Created as one of the 17 original counties of the Territory of Colorado.	Named for the many high mountain summits in the area.	Template:Nts	Template:Nts sq mi (Template:Nts km2)	State map highlighting Summit County
Teller County	119	Cripple Creek	Template:Dts	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.	Template:Nts	Template:Nts sq mi (Template:Nts km2)	State map highlighting Teller County
Washington County	121	Akron	Template:Dts	Split from Weld County.	Named in honor of George Washington (1732–1799), the first President of the United States.	Template:Nts	Template:Nts sq mi (Template:Nts km2)	State map highlighting Washington County
Weld County	123	Greeley	Template:Dts	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.	Template:Nts	Template:Nts sq mi (Template:Nts km2)	State map highlighting Weld County
Yuma County	125	Wray	Template:Dts	Split from Washington County.	Named for the Quechan (Yuma) Nation of Native Americans.	Template:Nts	Template:Nts sq mi (Template:Nts km2)	State map highlighting Yuma County

County population

The 64 Counties of the State of Colorado Ranked by Population

County	Population								County website	CoordinatesTemplate:Efn
	2024 rank	2024 estimatesTemplate:Efn	Change	2020 Census	Change	2010 Census	Change	2000 Census
El Paso County	1	El Paso County	Template:Ntsh
City and County of Denver	2	City and County of Denver	Template:Ntsh
Arapahoe County	3	Arapahoe County	Template:Ntsh
Jefferson County	4	Jefferson County	Template:Ntsh
Adams County	5	Adams County	Template:Ntsh
Douglas County	6	Douglas County	Template:Ntsh
Larimer County	7	Larimer County	Template:Ntsh
Weld County	8	Weld County	Template:Ntsh
Boulder County	9	Boulder County	Template:Ntsh
Pueblo County	10	Pueblo County	Template:Ntsh
Mesa County	11	Mesa County	Template:Ntsh
City and County of Broomfield	12	City and County of Broomfield	Template:Ntsh
Garfield County	13	Garfield County	Template:Ntsh
La Plata County	14	La Plata County	Template:Ntsh
Eagle County	15	Eagle County	Template:Ntsh
Fremont County	16	Fremont County	Template:Ntsh
Montrose County	17	Montrose County	Template:Ntsh
Delta County	18	Delta County	Template:Ntsh
Summit County	19	Summit County	Template:Ntsh
Morgan County	20	Morgan County	Template:Ntsh
Elbert County	21	Elbert County	Template:Ntsh
Montezuma County	22	Montezuma County	Template:Ntsh
Routt County	23	Routt County	Template:Ntsh
Teller County	24	Teller County	Template:Ntsh
Chaffee County	25	Chaffee County	Template:Ntsh
Logan County	26	Logan County	Template:Ntsh
Park County	27	Park County	Template:Ntsh
Otero County	28	Otero County	Template:Ntsh
Gunnison County	29	Gunnison County	Template:Ntsh
Alamosa County	30	Alamosa County	Template:Ntsh
Pitkin County	31	Pitkin County	Template:Ntsh
Grand County	32	Grand County	Template:Ntsh
Las Animas County	33	Las Animas County	Template:Ntsh
Archuleta County	34	Archuleta County	Template:Ntsh
Moffat County	35	Moffat County	Template:Ntsh
Prowers County	36	Prowers County	Template:Ntsh
Rio Grande County	37	Rio Grande County	Template:Ntsh
Yuma County	38	Yuma County	Template:Ntsh
Clear Creek County	39	Clear Creek County	Template:Ntsh
San Miguel County	40	San Miguel County	Template:Ntsh
Conejos County	41	Conejos County	Template:Ntsh
Lake County	42	Lake County	Template:Ntsh
Kit Carson County	43	Kit Carson County	Template:Ntsh
Huerfano County	44	Huerfano County	Template:Ntsh
Saguache County	45	Saguache County	Template:Ntsh
Rio Blanco County	46	Rio Blanco County	Template:Ntsh
Gilpin County	47	Gilpin County	Template:Ntsh
Bent County	48	Bent County	Template:Ntsh
Crowley County	49	Crowley County	Template:Ntsh
Lincoln County	50	Lincoln County	Template:Ntsh
Custer County	51	Custer County	Template:Ntsh
Ouray County	52	Ouray County	Template:Ntsh
Washington County	53	Washington County	Template:Ntsh
Phillips County	54	Phillips County	Template:Ntsh
Costilla County	55	Costilla County	Template:Ntsh
Baca County	56	Baca County	Template:Ntsh
Dolores County	57	Dolores County	Template:Ntsh
Sedgwick County	58	Sedgwick County	Template:Ntsh
Cheyenne County	59	Cheyenne County	Template:Ntsh
Kiowa County	60	Kiowa County	Template:Ntsh
Jackson County	61	Jackson County	Template:Ntsh
Mineral County	62	Mineral County	Template:Ntsh
San Juan County	63	San Juan County	Template:Ntsh
Hinsdale County	64	Hinsdale County	Template:Ntsh
State of Colorado	State	State of Colorado	Template:Ntsh

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.Template:Efn

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	Template:NtshJan 09, 1852	Template:NtshFeb 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	Template:NtshMar 03, 1852	Template:NtshFeb 28, 1861	Created in 1852. Excluded from the new Territory of Colorado in 1861.
Green River County	Territory of Utah	Template:NtshMar 03, 1852	Template:NtshFeb 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	Template:NtshMar 03, 1852	Template:NtshFeb 28, 1861	Created in 1852. Excluded from the new Territory of Colorado in 1861.
Sanpete County	Territory of Utah	Template:NtshMar 03, 1852	Template:NtshFeb 28, 1861	Created in 1852. Excluded from the new Territory of Colorado in 1861.
Utah County	Territory of Utah	Template:NtshMar 03, 1852	Template:NtshFeb 28, 1861	Created in 1852. Excluded from the new Territory of Colorado in 1861.
Washington County	Territory of Utah	Template:NtshMar 03, 1852	Template:NtshFeb 28, 1861	Created in 1852. Excluded from the new Territory of Colorado in 1861.
Arapahoe County	Territory of Kansas	Template:NtshAug 25, 1855	Template:NtshFeb 28, 1861	Created in 1855, but never organized. Reverted to unorganized territory when Kansas joined the Union in 1861.
Beaver County	Territory of Utah	Template:NtshJan 05, 1856	Template:NtshFeb 28, 1861	Split from Iron and Millard counties in 1856. Excluded from the new Territory of Colorado in 1861.
Broderick County	Territory of Kansas	Template:NtshFeb 07, 1859	Template:NtshJan 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	Template:NtshFeb 07, 1859	Template:NtshJan 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	Template:NtshFeb 07, 1859	Template:NtshJan 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	Template:NtshFeb 07, 1859	Template:NtshJan 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	Template:NtshFeb 07, 1859	Template:NtshJan 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	Template:NtshFeb 07, 1859	Template:NtshJan 29, 1861	Created in 1859, but never organized. Reverted to unorganized territory when Kansas joined the Union in 1861.
Arrappahoe County	Territory of Jefferson	Template:NtshNov 28, 1859	Template:NtshFeb 28, 1861	One of the 12 counties created by the extralegal Territory of Jefferson in 1859.
Cheyenne County	Territory of Jefferson	Template:NtshNov 28, 1859	Template:NtshFeb 28, 1861	One of the 12 counties created by the extralegal Territory of Jefferson in 1859.
El Paso County	Territory of Jefferson	Template:NtshNov 28, 1859	Template:NtshFeb 28, 1861	One of the 12 counties created by the extralegal Territory of Jefferson in 1859.
Fountain County	Territory of Jefferson	Template:NtshNov 28, 1859	Template:NtshFeb 28, 1861	One of the 12 counties created by the extralegal Territory of Jefferson in 1859.
Heele County	Territory of Jefferson	Template:NtshNov 28, 1859	Template:NtshFeb 28, 1861	One of the 12 counties created by the extralegal Territory of Jefferson in 1859.
Jackson County	Territory of Jefferson	Template:NtshNov 28, 1859	Template:NtshFeb 28, 1861	One of the 12 counties created by the extralegal Territory of Jefferson in 1859.
Jefferson County	Territory of Jefferson	Template:NtshNov 28, 1859	Template:NtshFeb 28, 1861	One of the 12 counties created by the extralegal Territory of Jefferson in 1859.
Mountain County	Territory of Jefferson	Template:NtshNov 28, 1859	Template:NtshFeb 28, 1861	One of the 12 counties created by the extralegal Territory of Jefferson in 1859.
North County	Territory of Jefferson	Template:NtshNov 28, 1859	Template:NtshFeb 28, 1861	One of the 12 counties created by the extralegal Territory of Jefferson in 1859.
Park County	Territory of Jefferson	Template:NtshNov 28, 1859	Template:NtshFeb 28, 1861	One of the 12 counties created by the extralegal Territory of Jefferson in 1859.
St. Vrain's County	Territory of Jefferson	Template:NtshNov 28, 1859	Template:NtshFeb 28, 1861	One of the 12 counties created by the extralegal Territory of Jefferson in 1859.
Saratoga County	Territory of Jefferson	Template:NtshNov 28, 1859	Template:NtshFeb 28, 1861	One of the 12 counties created by the extralegal Territory of Jefferson in 1859.
Mora County	Territory of New Mexico	Template:NtshFeb 01, 1860	Template:NtshFeb 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	Template:NtshNov 01, 1861	Template:NtshNov 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	Template:NtshFeb 11, 1870	Template:NtshFeb 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	Template:NtshFeb 09, 1872	Template:NtshFeb 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	Template:NtshFeb 08, 1879	Template:NtshFeb 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	Template:NtshFeb 27, 1883	Template:NtshMar 02, 1883	Ouray County was renamed Uncompahgre County for only four days in 1883.
South Arapahoe County	State of Colorado	Template:NtshNov 15, 1902	Template:NtshApr 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

Of the 64 Colorado counties, 20 counties extend above elevation, 32 counties extend above , 42 counties extend above , and all 64 Colorado counties extend above .

County mean elevation

Of Colorado's 64 counties, 4 counties have a mean elevationTemplate:Efn above elevation, 22 counties have a mean elevation above , 32 counties have a mean elevation above , and all 64 counties have a mean elevation above .

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

RankTemplate:Efn	County	Mean elevationTemplate:Efn	High point	Highest elevation	Low point	Lowest elevation	Elevation rangeTemplate:Efn
1	Lake County		Mount Elbert		Arkansas RiverTemplate:Efn
2	Hinsdale County		Uncompahgre Peak		Lake Fork Gunnison River
3	Mineral County		Phoenix Peak		Rio Grande
4	San Juan County		Vermilion Peak		Animas River
5	Summit County		Grays Peak		Blue River
6	Alamosa County		Blanca Peak		Rio Grande
7	Saguache County		Crestone Peak		San Luis Creek
8	Costilla County		Blanca Peak		Rio Grande
9	Park County		Mount Lincoln		South Platte River
10	Chaffee County		Mount Harvard		Arkansas River
11	Clear Creek County		Grays Peak		Clear Creek
12	Rio Grande County		Bennett Peak		Rock Creek
13	Jackson County		Clark Peak		North Platte River

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 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 MiguelTemplate:Efn
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

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.Template:Efn

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

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.

Gallery

• The ten most populous Colorado counties
• Photo of the United States Air Force Academy in El Paso County, Colorado
  1. The United States Air Force Academy in El Paso County, Colorado
• Photo of the Colorado State Capitol in the City and County of Denver
  2. The Colorado State Capitol in the City and County of Denver
• Photo of a bank building in Arapahoe County, Colorado
  3. A bank building in Arapahoe County, Colorado
• Photo of the Colorado School of Mines in Jefferson County, Colorado
  4. The Colorado School of Mines in Jefferson County, Colorado
• Photo of the Anschutz Medical Campus in Adams County, Colorado
  5. The Anschutz Medical Campus in Adams County, Colorado
• Photo of Roxborough State Park in Douglas County, Colorado
  6. Roxborough State Park in Douglas County, Colorado
• Photo of Colorado State University in Larimer County, Colorado
  7. Colorado State University in Larimer County, Colorado
• Photo of the Greeley Stampede Parade in Weld County, Colorado
  8. The Greeley Stampede Parade in Weld County, Colorado
• Photo of the National Center for Atmospheric Research in Boulder County, Colorado
  9. The National Center for Atmospheric Research in Boulder County, Colorado
• Photo of the Historic Arkansas Riverwalk in Pueblo County, Colorado
  10. The Historic Arkansas Riverwalk in Pueblo County, Colorado

See also

• Bibliography of Colorado
• Geography of Colorado
• History of Colorado
• Index of Colorado-related articles
• List of Colorado-related lists
  • List of Colorado counties by per capita income
  • List of Colorado counties by population
  • List of Colorado counties by socioeconomic factors
  • List of Colorado counties by statistical area
  • List of Colorado county high points
  • List of Colorado municipalities by county
  • List of Colorado populated places by county
  • List of county courthouses in Colorado
  • List of county seats in Colorado
• Outline of Colorado

External links

• United States Department of Commerce
  • United States Census Bureau
• State of Colorado
  • Department of Local Affairs
• Colorado County Clerks Association
• History Colorado