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U.S. The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major unincorporated territo ...
State of Colorado is divided into 64 counties. Two of these counties, the City and County of Broomfield and the City and County of Denver, have consolidated city and county governments. Denver serves as the state capital. Counties are important units of government in Colorado since there are no
civil township A civil township is a widely used unit of local government in the United States that is subordinate to a county, most often in the northern and midwestern parts of the country. The term town is used in New England, New York, and Wisconsin to refe ...
s or other minor civil divisions. El Paso County with a 2020 population of 730,395 is the most populous Colorado county, while San Juan County with a 2020 population of 705 is the least populous.
Las Animas County Las Animas County is a county located in the U.S. state of Colorado. As of the 2020 census, the population was 14,555. The county seat is Trinidad. The county takes its name from the Mexican Spanish name of the Purgatoire River, originally ...
with an area of is the most extensive Colorado county, while the City and County of Broomfield with an area of is the least extensive. The City and County of Denver with a 2020 population density of 4,674 residents per square mile (1,805 km−2) is the most densely populated Colorado county, while Hinsdale County with a 2020 population density of 0.71 resident per square mile (0.27 km−2) is the least densely populated. Mount Elbert, the highest summit of Colorado and the entire
Rocky Mountains The Rocky Mountains, also known as the Rockies, are a major mountain range and the largest mountain system in North America. The Rocky Mountains stretch in straight-line distance from the northernmost part of western Canada, to New Mexico in ...
at elevation, is located in Lake County. The point where the
Arikaree River The Arikaree River is a river in the central Great Plains of North America. It lies mostly in the American state of Colorado, draining land between the North and South Forks of the Republican River, and it flows into the North Fork in Nebraska ...
flows out of Yuma County and into Kansas is the lowest point in Colorado at elevation. This point, which is the highest low point of any state, is higher than the high points of 18 states and the District of Columbia. __TOC__


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. 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 consolidated as a city and 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, and in 2001, Broomfield was consolidated as a city and county, bringing the total to 64 counties.


The 64 counties of the State of Colorado


Population estimates

United States Census Bureau population estimates for July 1, 2021 are in included in the Population history of Colorado counties. With a 2021 population of 737,867, El Paso County remains the most populous county, while San Juan County with a 2021 population of 733 remains the least populous. Five of the 64 Colorado counties now have more than 500,000 residents, while 12 have fewer than 5,000 residents.


Former counties

The following sortable table lists all the historic counties of the Territory of New Mexico, the
Territory of Utah The Territory of Utah was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from September 9, 1850, until January 4, 1896, when the final extent of the territory was admitted to the Union as the State of Utah, the 45th state. ...
, the Territory of Kansas, and the extralegal
Territory of Jefferson The Territory of Jefferson was an extralegal and unrecognized United States territory that existed from October 24, 1859 until the creation of the Colorado Territory on February 28, 1861. The Jefferson Territory, named for Founding Father and Un ...
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.


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 elevation 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 Alaska ( ; russian: Аляска, Alyaska; ale, Alax̂sxax̂; ; ems, Alas'kaaq; Yup'ik: ''Alaskaq''; tli, Anáaski) is a state located in the Western United States on the northwest extremity of North America. A semi-exclave of the U.S., ...
.


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 The Territory of Jefferson was an extralegal and unrecognized United States territory that existed from October 24, 1859 until the creation of the Colorado Territory on February 28, 1861. The Jefferson Territory, named for Founding Father and Un ...
created 12 counties: :5. On November 1, 1861, the Territory of Colorado created the 17 original Colorado counties: :6. Of the 17 original Colorado counties created in 1861, only Gilpin County and
Clear Creek County Clear Creek County is a county located in the U.S. state of Colorado. As of the 2020 census, the population was 9,397. The county seat is Georgetown. Clear Creek County is part of the Denver metropolitan area. History 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 Las Animas County is a county located in the U.S. state of Colorado. As of the 2020 census, the population was 14,555. The county seat is Trinidad. The county takes its name from the Mexican Spanish name of the Purgatoire River, originally ...
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 Ouray County is a county located in the U.S. state of Colorado. As of the 2020 census, the population was 4,874. The county seat is Ouray. Because of its rugged mountain topography, Ouray County is also known as the Switzerland of America. ...
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 (91) and the City and County of Denver (94) 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 Weld County is a county located in the U.S. state of Colorado. As of the 2020 census, the population was 328,981. The county seat is Greeley. Weld County comprises the Greeley, CO Metropolitan Statistical Area, which is included in the Denv ...
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: :7. Of all 64 Colorado counties, only
Conejos County Conejos County is a county located in the U.S. state of Colorado. As of the 2020 census, the population was 7,461. The county seat is the unincorporated community of Conejos. Being 50.7% Hispanic in 2020, Conejos was Colorado's largest Hispa ...
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 Boulder County is a county located in the U.S. state of Colorado of the United States. As of the 2020 census, the population was 330,758. The most populous municipality in the county and the county seat is Boulder. Boulder County comprises t ...
, and Jefferson County are the only three Colorado counties with
exclave An enclave is a territory (or a small territory apart of a larger one) that is entirely surrounded by the territory of one other state or entity. Enclaves may also exist within territorial waters. ''Enclave'' is sometimes used improperly to deno ...
s.


Gallery

USAFA air gardens.jpg, 1. The United States Air Force Academy in El Paso County, Colorado, alt=Photo of the United States Air Force Academy in El Paso County, Colorado Denver Capitol.jpg, 2. The Colorado State Capitol in the City and County of Denver, alt=Photo of the Colorado State Capitol in the City and County of Denver Key Savings and Loan Association Building.JPG, 3. A bank building in
Arapahoe County, Colorado Arapahoe County ( ) is a county located in the U.S. state of Colorado. As of the 2020 census, its population was 655,070, making it the third-most populous county in Colorado. The county seat is Littleton, and the most populous city is Aurora ...
, alt=Photo of a bank building in Arapahoe County, Colorado Colorado School of Mines (5893276634).jpg, 4. The
Colorado School of Mines The Colorado School of Mines, informally called Mines, is a public research university in Golden, Colorado, founded in 1874. The school offers both undergraduate and graduate degrees in engineering, science, and mathematics, with a focus on ener ...
in Jefferson County, Colorado, alt=Photo of the Colorado School of Mines in Jefferson County, Colorado The Childrens Hospital of Denver Front.JPG, 5. The
Anschutz Medical Campus The University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus is the academic health sciences campus in Aurora, Colorado that houses the University of Colorado's six health sciences-related schools and colleges, including the University of Colorado School ...
in
Adams County, Colorado Adams County is a county located in the U.S. state of Colorado. As of the 2020 census, the population was 519,572. The county seat is Brighton. The county is named for Alva Adams, an early Governor of the State of Colorado in 1887–1889. Ad ...
, alt=Photo of the Anschutz Medical Campus in Adams County, Colorado Fountain Valley Trail (5974714678).jpg, 6.
Roxborough State Park Roxborough State Park is a state park of Colorado, United States, known for dramatic red sandstone formations. Located in Douglas County south of Denver, Colorado, the park was established in 1975. In 1980 it was recognized as a National Na ...
in Douglas County, Colorado, alt=Photo of Roxborough State Park in Douglas County, Colorado CSU University Center for the Arts.jpg, 7.
Colorado State University Colorado State University (Colorado State or CSU) is a public land-grant research university in Fort Collins, Colorado. It is the flagship university of the Colorado State University System. Colorado State University is classified among "R1: ...
in Larimer County, Colorado, alt=Photo of Colorado State University in Larimer County, Colorado Stampede Parade.jpg, 8. The Greeley Stampede Parade in Weld County, Colorado, alt=Photo of the Greeley Stampede Parade‎ in Weld County, Colorado National Center for Atmospheric Research - Boulder, Colorado.jpg, 9. The National Center for Atmospheric Research in
Boulder County, Colorado Boulder County is a county located in the U.S. state of Colorado of the United States. As of the 2020 census, the population was 330,758. The most populous municipality in the county and the county seat is Boulder. Boulder County comprises th ...
, alt=Photo of the National Center for Atmospheric Research in Boulder County, Colorado Historic Arkansas Riverwalk of Pueblo.JPG, 10. The Historic Arkansas Riverwalk in Pueblo County, Colorado, alt=Photo of the Historic Arkansas Riverwalk in Pueblo County, Colorado


See also

*
List of populated places in Colorado A ''list'' is any set of items in a row. List or lists may also refer to: People * List (surname) Organizations * List College, an undergraduate division of the Jewish Theological Seminary of America * SC Germania List, German rugby union ...
** List of census-designated places in Colorado *** Population history of Colorado census-designated places **List of counties in Colorado ***
List of county seats in Colorado This is a list of county seats in the U.S. State of Colorado and its predecessors: the Territory of Colorado and the extralegal Territory of Jefferson. __TOC__ Territory of Jefferson The Provisional Government of the Territory of Jefferson es ...
*** Population history of Colorado counties **
List of forts in Colorado This is a list of military and trading forts established in the U.S. State of Colorado. History The initial forts, built in the first half of the 19th century, were early communities of commerce between Native Americans, trappers, and traders. ...
**
List of ghost towns in Colorado This is a list of some ghost towns in the U.S. State of Colorado Colorado (, other variants) is a state in the Mountain West subregion of the Western United States. It encompasses most of the Southern Rocky Mountains, as well as the ...
** List of historic places in Colorado **
List of municipalities in Colorado The U.S. State of Colorado has 272 active incorporated municipalities, comprising 197 towns, 73 cities, and two consolidated city and county governments. At the 2020 United States Census, 4,299,942 of the 5,773,714 Colorado residents (74.47%) l ...
*** Population history of Colorado municipalities ** List of populated places in Colorado by county **
List of post offices in Colorado 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 References

{{Reflist ...
** List of statistical areas in Colorado


Notes


References


External links


United States Department of Commerce

United States Census BureauState of Colorado

Department of Local AffairsColorado County Clerks AssociationHistory Colorado
{{DEFAULTSORT:Counties in Colorado, List of Colorado history-related lists Lists of populated places in Colorado Local government in Colorado Colorado, List of counties in