Montrose, Colorado

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Montrose, Colorado
Home rule municipality [1]
MontroseSouthTownsendSS.jpg
South Townsend Avenue in Montrose
City of Montrose Logo.jpg
Flag
Motto(s): 
"Quality of Life Is Our Commitment "
"Stay here, play everywhere"
Montrose County Colorado Incorporated and Unincorporated areas Montrose Highlighted 0851745.svg
Location in Montrose County, Colorado
Usa edcp location map.svg
Red pog.svg
Montrose
Location in the United States
Coordinates: 38°28′37″N107°51′56″W / 38.47694°N 107.86556°W / 38.47694; -107.86556
Country Flag of the United States.svg  United States
State Flag of Colorado.svg  Colorado
County Montrose County [2]
City Montrose [1]
Incorporated May 1, 1882 [3]
Government
 • Type Home rule municipality [1]
 •  Mayor J. David Reed [4]
 •  City Manager William E. Bell [5]
 • State Representative Marc Catlin [6]
Area
[7]
 • Total
18.48 sq mi (47.9 km2)
 • Land18.48 sq mi (47.9 km2)
 • Water0.0 sq mi (0 km2)
Elevation
[8]
5,807 ft (1,770 m)
Population
 (2020) [9]
 • Total
20,291
 • Density1,098.2/sq mi (424.0/km2)
Time zone UTC−7 (MST)
 • Summer (DST) UTC−6 (MDT)
ZIP codes [10]
81401, 81402 (PO Box), 81403
Area code 970
FIPS code 08-51745
GNIS feature ID203328 [8]
Website www.cityofmontrose.org

Montrose is a home rule municipality that is the county seat and the most populous municipality of Montrose County, Colorado, United States. [11] The city population was 20,291 at the 2020 census, [9] within a total area of 18.5 square miles. [7] The main road that leads in and out of Montrose is U.S. Highway 50. The city is located in western Colorado, in the Uncompahgre Valley, and is an economic, labor, and transportation waypoint for the surrounding area. [12] Montrose is the second-largest city in western Colorado, after Grand Junction.

Contents

History

Montrose was incorporated on May 2, 1882, and named after the Marquis of Montrose, immortalized in Sir Walter Scott's novel A Legend of Montrose by Oliver D. "Pappy" Loutzenhizer and Joseph Selig. The Denver & Rio Grande railroad was built west toward Grand Junction and reached Montrose later in 1882, and the town became an important regional shipping center. A branch railroad line served the mineral-rich San Juan Mountains to the south.

In 1909, the U.S. government completed construction of the Gunnison Tunnel, located east of Montrose. It provided irrigation water from the Gunnison River in the Black Canyon to the Uncompahgre Valley, helping turn Montrose into an agricultural hub. The Uncompahgre Project is one of the oldest of those in the area by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 18.5 square miles (48 km2); all of it is land. [7]

Montrose is at the south end of the Uncompahgre valley and is built on the Uncompahgre River, which runs to the north, where 60 miles further its waters will join the Colorado River. It is surrounded by, to the north, the widening Uncompahgre Valley and the Grand Mesa, to the east, the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, to the south, the San Juan Mountains, and to the west the Uncompahgre Plateau. The valley is arid, and is only arable due to the water from the Gunnison Tunnel and Ridgway Reservoir.

Climate

Montrose features a semi-arid Continental climate zone. The town sits on high grasslands in the Uncompahgre Valley of Western Colorado. Snowfall occurs during the winter but is usually short-lived due to the high altitude and abundant sunshine.

Climate data for Montrose, Colorado, 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1895–present
MonthJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecYear
Record high °F (°C)67
(19)		72
(22)		83
(28)		89
(32)		93
(34)		102
(39)		103
(39)		106
(41)		97
(36)		88
(31)		77
(25)		68
(20)		106
(41)
Mean maximum °F (°C)52.5
(11.4)		59.9
(15.5)		70.5
(21.4)		78.1
(25.6)		86.1
(30.1)		93.9
(34.4)		96.8
(36.0)		93.2
(34.0)		88.9
(31.6)		80.1
(26.7)		66.6
(19.2)		54.9
(12.7)		97.1
(36.2)
Mean daily maximum °F (°C)40.2
(4.6)		46.4
(8.0)		56.8
(13.8)		64.1
(17.8)		73.9
(23.3)		85.5
(29.7)		90.2
(32.3)		87.1
(30.6)		79.4
(26.3)		66.5
(19.2)		52.2
(11.2)		40.6
(4.8)		65.2
(18.5)
Daily mean °F (°C)28.8
(−1.8)		34.7
(1.5)		43.5
(6.4)		50.3
(10.2)		59.4
(15.2)		69.4
(20.8)		74.7
(23.7)		72.3
(22.4)		64.2
(17.9)		51.9
(11.1)		39.7
(4.3)		29.2
(−1.6)		51.5
(10.8)
Mean daily minimum °F (°C)17.5
(−8.1)		23.0
(−5.0)		30.2
(−1.0)		36.6
(2.6)		45.0
(7.2)		53.3
(11.8)		59.2
(15.1)		57.5
(14.2)		49.0
(9.4)		37.3
(2.9)		27.2
(−2.7)		17.7
(−7.9)		37.8
(3.2)
Mean minimum °F (°C)3.1
(−16.1)		7.4
(−13.7)		15.5
(−9.2)		23.2
(−4.9)		31.8
(−0.1)		40.9
(4.9)		49.8
(9.9)		48.2
(9.0)		35.7
(2.1)		22.8
(−5.1)		11.3
(−11.5)		2.2
(−16.6)		−1.3
(−18.5)
Record low °F (°C)−25
(−32)		−27
(−33)		−5
(−21)		2
(−17)		17
(−8)		27
(−3)		35
(2)		37
(3)		21
(−6)		5
(−15)		−8
(−22)		−21
(−29)		−27
(−33)
Average precipitation inches (mm)0.51
(13)		0.47
(12)		0.68
(17)		0.77
(20)		0.82
(21)		0.50
(13)		0.90
(23)		1.12
(28)		1.24
(31)		1.03
(26)		0.65
(17)		0.64
(16)		9.33
(237)
Average snowfall inches (cm)4.7
(12)		3.9
(9.9)		2.2
(5.6)		0.6
(1.5)		0.0
(0.0)		0.0
(0.0)		0.0
(0.0)		0.0
(0.0)		0.0
(0.0)		0.5
(1.3)		2.7
(6.9)		6.9
(18)		21.5
(55.2)
Average extreme snow depth inches (cm)3.5
(8.9)		3.3
(8.4)		1.7
(4.3)		0.6
(1.5)		0.0
(0.0)		0.0
(0.0)		0.0
(0.0)		0.0
(0.0)		0.0
(0.0)		0.4
(1.0)		1.6
(4.1)		3.4
(8.6)		4.8
(12)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in)4.64.65.45.85.63.36.37.96.55.74.45.065.1
Average snowy days (≥ 0.1 in)2.82.41.40.50.00.00.00.00.00.31.33.612.3
Source 1: NOAA [13]
Source 2: National Weather Service [14]

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
1890 1,330—
1900 1,217−8.5%
1910 3,254167.4%
1920 3,58110.0%
1930 3,566−0.4%
1940 4,76433.6%
1950 4,9644.2%
1960 5,0441.6%
1970 6,49628.8%
1980 8,72234.3%
1990 8,8541.5%
2000 12,34439.4%
2010 19,13255.0%
2020 20,2916.1%
U.S. Decennial Census [15] 2020 [9]

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, there were 20,291 people and 8,175 households residing in the city. The population density was 1,102.77 inhabitants per square mile (425.78/km2). [16] The average median age was 45.2 years and the average work commute time was 15.4 minutes, nearly 40% lower than the State of Colorado. In the city, the population was spread out, with 21.0% under the age of 18, 7.5% from 18 to 24, 21.3% from 25 to 44, 25.0% from 45 to 64, and 25.3% who were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females, there were 86.4 males. [16]

The racial makeup of the city was 78.44% White, 0.57% African American, 1.36% American Indian or Alaskan Native, 1.15% Asian, 0.09% Pacific Islander, 8.68% from other races, and 9.71% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4,491 people or 22.13% of the population. [16]

There were 9,468 housing units at an average density of 514.56 per square mile (198.67/km2). There were a total of 8,175 households, with an average family size of 2.90. 57.8% are married, 21.4% never married, 12.6% divorced, 1.2% separated, and 7.0% widowed. The homeownership rate was 68.8%, slightly higher than the Colorado average. [16] The median gross rent was $936 per month, or nearly 30% lower than the State of Colorado and nearly 36% lower than neighboring Telluride. [17]

The median income for a household in the city was $52,534, a 56% increase from the 2010 US Census. The median income for a family was $68,801. About 16.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 24.8% of those under age 18 and 9.9% of those age 65 or over. [16]

Approximately 27.5% of the population in the city has a Bachelor's Degree or higher, with 27.3% reporting a high school or equivalent degree, and 26.7% with some college but no degree. [16] About 77.7% of those eligible for school enrollment between kindergarten and 12th grade are enrolled, much higher than the Colorado average of 66.5%. [16]

Economy

Shelter Distilling Shelter Distilling - Montrose.jpg
Shelter Distilling

Due to its relative affordability and proximity to many outdoor recreation activities, Montrose is known as a manufacturing hub for outdoor products. Fly-fishing companies Ross Reels, Abel, and Airflo are headquartered in the city. [18] Additionally, Scott Fly Rods relocated to Montrose from Telluride in 1993. [19] Gordon Composites, maker of nearly 90 percent of the high-performance laminate material used in the bow-hunting industry, is located in Montrose. [20] Secret Creek, formerly known as Colorado Yurt Company, maker of handcrafted yurts, tipis, and rugged canvas wall tents, is also located in Montrose. [21]

In November 2017, the City approved a $10 million fund for public infrastructure improvements [22] within the Colorado Outdoors development, [23] and was the recipient of a $2 million grant for a new trail system. [24] The GOCO grant was the largest single grant awarded to the City of Montrose in its history, and connects the newly built, $30 million Montrose Recreation Center [25] to the project, safely under-passing both major highways within the City.

Russell Stover Candies closed its Montrose plant in the spring of 2021, eliminating 400 jobs and offering employees to relocate to plants in Kansas and Texas. The plant was listed as a "primary employer" for the city on its Economic Development Corporation website. [26] [27]

In October 2020, the City of Montrose announced a multi-year, multi-million dollar river restoration project along the Uncompahgre River, including a $785,000 grant from the Colorado Water Conservation Board. [28]

In 2024, Shelter Distilling opened after receiving economic incentives from the city. [29] [30]

Parks and recreation

Recreational facilities include a recreation center and a walking/jogging track. There are three 18-hole golf courses within the city. [31]

Education

Montrose is served by Montrose County School District RE-1J. The district serves more than 6,000 students across 15 schools in Montrose and Olathe. [32]

The region's higher education needs are served by a regional campus of Colorado Mesa University. CMU Montrose offers 14 academic programs, as well as general education courses. [33] In the fall 2023 semester, CMU Montrose served nearly 300 students. [34] Montrose is also home to a branch campus of Technical College of the Rockies, offering technical and vocational certificates. [35]

Infrastructure

Transportation

Montrose Station in 1940 Montrose Station 1940.jpg
Montrose Station in 1940

Montrose Regional Airport serves the Montrose area with regional service to Denver. As the nearest major airport to the Telluride Ski Area, Montrose sees heavy seasonal service. Montrose has a local non-profit bus service called All Points Transit. Its three lines run only during weekdays. [36] Montrose is part of Colorado's Bustang intercity bus network; three bus lines serve the town. It is along the Durango-Telluride-Grand Junction Outrider line. [37]

Major highways

Notable people

Montrose is the birthplace of American screenwriter and novelist Dalton Trumbo, who scripted films including Roman Holiday , Exodus , Spartacus , and Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo .

See also

Related Research Articles

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Telluride is the county seat and most populous town of San Miguel County in the southwestern portion of the U.S. state of Colorado. The town is a former silver mining camp on the San Miguel River in the western San Juan Mountains. The first gold mining claim was made in the mountains above Telluride in 1875, and early settlement of what is now Telluride followed. The town was founded in 1878.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ouray County, Colorado</span> County in Colorado, United States

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Montrose County is a county located in the U.S. state of Colorado. As of the 2020 census, the population was 42,679. The county seat is Montrose, for which the county is named.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mesa County, Colorado</span> County in Colorado, United States

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gunnison County, Colorado</span> County in Colorado, United States

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Naturita, Colorado</span> Town in Colorado, United States

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Olathe, Colorado</span> Town in Montrose County, Colorado, United States

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Uncompahgre Plateau</span>

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Colorado Mesa University</span> Public university in Grand Junction, Colorado, US

Colorado Mesa University is a public university in Grand Junction, Colorado, United States. Originally established in 1925 as Grand Junction Junior College, the school was renamed to Mesa College in 1940. The college began offering bachelor's degrees in 1974, and in 1988, changed its name to Mesa State College to reflect its growing educational programs. In 2011, the school officially attained university status and adopted the name Colorado Mesa University.

Colorado's 3rd congressional district is a congressional district in the U.S. state of Colorado. It takes in most of the rural Western Slope in the state's western third portion, with a wing in the south taking in some of the southern portions of the Eastern Plains. It includes the cities of Grand Junction, Montrose, Durango, Aspen, Glenwood Springs, and Pueblo. The district has been represented by Republican Lauren Boebert since 2021.

The Gunnison Tunnel is an irrigation tunnel constructed between 1905 and 1909 by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation in Montrose County, Colorado. The 5.8-mile-long (9.3 km) tunnel diverts water from the Gunnison River to the arid Uncompahgre Valley around Montrose, Colorado.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">U.S. Route 50 in Colorado</span> Section of U.S. Highway in Colorado, United States

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References

  1. 1 2 3 "Active Colorado Municipalities". State of Colorado, Colorado Department of Local Affairs, Division of Local Government. Retrieved January 27, 2021.
  2. ↑ "Colorado Counties". State of Colorado, Colorado Department of Local Affairs, Division of Local Government. Retrieved January 27, 2021.
  3. ↑ "Colorado Municipal Incorporations". State of Colorado, Department of Personnel & Administration, Colorado State Archives. December 1, 2004. Retrieved September 2, 2007.
  4. ↑ "Council Members - Montrose, CO - Official Website". www.cityofmontrose.org.
  5. ↑ "City Manager". City of Montrose, Colorado. Retrieved October 8, 2013.
  6. ↑ "State Representative". State of Colorado. Retrieved January 3, 2024.
  7. 1 2 3 "2022 U.S. Gazetteer Files: Colorado". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved December 1, 2022.
  8. 1 2 "Montrose". Geographic Names Information System . United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior.
  9. 1 2 3 "Explore Census Data: Montrose city, Colorado".
  10. ↑ "ZIP Code Lookup". United States Postal Service. Archived from the original (JavaScript/HTML) on November 4, 2010. Retrieved November 23, 2007.
  11. ↑ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  12. ↑ "Montrose, CO | Data USA". datausa.io. Retrieved April 6, 2024.
  13. ↑ "U.S. Climate Normals Quick Access – Station: Montrose #2, CO". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved November 8, 2022.
  14. ↑ "NOAA Online Weather Data – NWS Grand Junction". National Weather Service. Retrieved November 8, 2022.
  15. ↑ "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  16. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved March 20, 2022.
  17. ↑ "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved March 20, 2022.
  18. ↑ Lindberg, Matt (October 27, 2017). "Forging ahead". Montrose Daily Press. Retrieved October 3, 2020.
  19. ↑ "Montrose on the brink of a burgeoning growth era". Montrose Daily Press. June 4, 2006.
  20. ↑ "Gordon Composites Inc. - Montrose EDC - Official Website". www.montroseedc.org.
  21. ↑ "Colorado Yurt Company - Montrose EDC - Official Website". www.montroseedc.org.
  22. ↑ Heidelberg, Katharhynn. "Council inks $10M loan agreement". Montrose Daily Press. Retrieved November 13, 2017.
  23. ↑ "Home". Colorado Outdoors.
  24. ↑ "grant award" (PDF).
  25. ↑ Lindberg, Matt. "New view on the rec center". Montrose Daily Press. Retrieved November 13, 2017.
  26. ↑ "Chocolate-Maker Russell Stover Is Closing Its Montrose Plant And Taking 400 Jobs With It". cpr.org.
  27. ↑ "Russell Stover Announces Updates to Production, Retail and Distribution Network" (PDF).
  28. ↑ "Construction to Begin on Uncompahgre River Improvement Project". www.cityofmontrose.org. Retrieved October 21, 2020.
  29. ↑ Tubbs, Justin (May 16, 2024). "First look at inside of Shelter, new distillery, brewery and restaurant on the river - Montrose Business Times". www.montrosebusinesstimes.com. Retrieved May 25, 2024.
  30. ↑ Henseler, Kylea (May 22, 2024). ""Quality ingredients and passion": Shelter Distilling opens its doors". Montrose Daily Press. Retrieved May 25, 2024.
  31. ↑ "Golfing". www.visitmontrose.com. Retrieved April 1, 2023.
  32. ↑ "Montrose & Olathe Schools". www.niche.com. Retrieved August 20, 2024.
  33. ↑ "Welcome to CMU Montrose". www.coloradomesa.edu/montrose. Retrieved August 20, 2024.
  34. ↑ "Colorado Mesa University Montrose Campus Profile" (PDF). www.coloradomesa.edu. Retrieved December 3, 2024.
  35. ↑ "Campus Directory - Technical College of the Rockies". www.tcr.edu.
  36. ↑ "Montrose Public Bus". All Points Transit. March 16, 2018.
  37. ↑ "Bustang Schedule". RideBustang. CDOT.
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