Montezuma County, Colorado

County in Colorado, United States

Not to be confused with Montezuma, Colorado.

County in Colorado

Montezuma County

County

The Montezuma County Combined Courts building in Cortez

Location within the U.S. state of Colorado

Colorado's location within the U.S.

Coordinates: 37°20′N 108°36′W﻿ / ﻿37.34°N 108.6°W﻿ / 37.34; -108.6
Country|  United States
State|  Colorado
Founded| April 16, 1889
Named for| Moctezuma II
Seat| Cortez
Largest city| Cortez
Area

• Total| 2,040 sq mi (5,300 km2)
• Land| 2,030 sq mi (5,300 km2)
• Water| 11 sq mi (30 km2)  0.5%
Population

(2020)

• Total| 25,849
• Density| 13/sq mi (5/km2)
Time zone| UTC−7 (Mountain)
• Summer (DST)| UTC−6 (MDT)
Congressional district| 3rd
Website| montezumacounty.org
Prehistoric petroglyphs in Mesa Verde National Park Castle, Hovenweep National Monument

Montezuma County is a county located in the southwest corner of the U.S. state of Colorado. As of the 2020 census, the population was 25,849.[1] The county seat is Cortez.[2]

Montezuma County contains many archaeologically significant Amerindian structures, which notably can be found in Mesa Verde National Park, Canyons of the Ancients National Monument, Yucca House National Monument, and Hovenweep National Monument. Montezuma County is also home to most of the Ute Mountain Indian Reservation, home of the Weeminuche Band of the Ute Nation, known as the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe, with its headquarters at Towaoc.

## History

[edit]

Montezuma County has been settled since approximately AD 600, and had an estimated population of approximately 100,000, four times its current population, in the 12th century. However, a series of events caused virtually all permanent settlements to be abandoned between 1200 and 1300, and the area was contested between nomadic Ute and Navajo bands until resettlement occurred in the 1870s. Montezuma County was created out of the western portion of La Plata County by the Colorado Legislature in April 1889. It was named in honor of Moctezuma II, who reigned as emperor of the Aztec Empire in Mexico during its decline at the hands of the Spanish invasion. The building ruins in Mesa Verde National Park were thought to be of Aztec origin at the time.

## Geography

[edit]

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 2,040 square miles (5,300 km2), of which 2,030 square miles (5,300 km2) is land and 11 square miles (28 km2) (0.5%) is water.[3]

A large county, roughly 1/3 of its area is tribal land, 1/3 is federal land (administered by the National Park Service, the United States Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management), and 1/3 private or state/county land. It is also varied topographically, ranging in elevation from about 6,000 feet (1,800 m) to more than 13,200 feet (4,000 m), and from high Colorado Plateau desert to alpine tundra. The county has the second largest reservoir in Colorado, McPhee Reservoir, many other large reservoirs, and hundreds of private lakes and ponds. Much of the county is irrigated cropland, and it produces fruit, large numbers of cattle and sheep, and beans. It is served by U.S. Highways 160 and 491 (formerly US 666), and by Cortez Municipal Airport. It has no rail service, although both Mancos and Dolores were established as railroad towns in the 1890s.

### Adjacent counties

[edit]

Sign on U.S. Route 491 marking the border with Dolores County

* Dolores County \- north
* San Juan County \- northeast
* La Plata County \- east
* San Juan County, New Mexico \- south - New Mexico portion of Four Corners.
* Apache County, Arizona \- southwest - Arizona portion of Four Corners.
* San Juan County, Utah \- west - Utah portion of Four Corners.

Montezuma County is the only county in the United States to border three counties with the same name in three different states (San Juan County in Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah). The "border" with San Juan County, Colorado, is, however, only a point of zero length.

### Major highways

[edit]

* U.S. Highway 160
* U.S. Highway 491 (former US 666)
* State Highway 41
* State Highway 145
* State Highway 184

### National protected areas

[edit]

Montezuma County includes the Colorado section of the Four Corners Monument.

* Calico National Recreation Trail
* Canyons of the Ancients National Monument (part)
* Highline Loop National Recreation Trail
* Hovenweep National Monument (part)
* Lowry Ruin National Historic Landmark, now part of Canyons of the Ancients National Monument
* Mesa Verde National Park
* Mesa Verde Wilderness
* Old Spanish National Historic Trail
* Petroglyph Point National Recreation Trail
* San Juan National Forest
* Yucca House National Monument

### State protected area

[edit]

* Mancos State Park

### Other protected area

[edit]

* McPhee Reservoir

### Trails and byways

[edit]

* Great Parks Bicycle Route
* San Juan Skyway
* Trail of the Ancients
* Western Express Bicycle Route

## Demographics

[edit]

Historical population Census| Pop.| Note| %±

|
|
|

1890| 1,529| | —
1900| 3,058| | 100.0%
1910| 5,029| | 64.5%
1920| 6,260| | 24.5%
1930| 7,798| | 24.6%
1940| 10,463| | 34.2%
1950| 9,991| | −4.5%
1960| 14,024| | 40.4%
1970| 12,952| | −7.6%
1980| 16,510| | 27.5%
1990| 18,762| | 13.6%
2000| 23,830| | 27.0%
2010| 25,535| | 7.2%
2020| 25,849| | 1.2%
2023 (est.)| 26,531| [4]| 2.6%
U.S. Decennial Census[5]
1790-1960[6] 1900-1990[7]
1990-2000[8] 2010-2020[1]

As of the census[9] of 2000, there were 23,830 people, 9,201 households, and 6,514 families residing in the county. The population density was 12 people per square mile (4.6 people/km2). There were 10,497 housing units at an average density of 5 units per square mile (1.9 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 81.72% White, 0.14% Black or African American, 11.23% Native American, 0.20% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 4.26% from other races, and 2.38% from two or more races. 9.50% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 9,201 households, out of which 33.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.40% were married couples living together, 10.60% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.20% were non-families. 24.60% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.30% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.54 and the average family size was 3.04.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 27.50% under the age of 18, 7.10% from 18 to 24, 26.30% from 25 to 44, 25.30% from 45 to 64, and 13.80% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 96.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.20 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $32,083, and the median income for a family was $38,071. Males had a median income of $30,666 versus $21,181 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,003. About 13.10% of families and 16.40% of the population were below the poverty line, including 23.20% of those under age 18 and 14.40% of those age 65 or over.

## Communities

[edit]

Mancos, Colorado Opera House 2009

### City

[edit]

* Cortez

### Towns

[edit]

* Dolores
* Mancos

### Census-designated places

[edit]

* Lewis
* Towaoc

### Other unincorporated places

[edit]

* Arriola
* Pleasant View
* Yellow Jacket

## Politics

[edit]

In its early history Montezuma County favored the Democratic Party. It was one of the few counties in the West to be won by Alton B. Parker in 1904, and along with neighboring La Plata County was one of only two Colorado counties to give a plurality to John W. Davis in the three-way 1924 election. However, since the 1940s Montezuma has been a strongly Republican county: no Democrat since 1968 has won over forty percent of the county's vote in a Presidential election. Recently (July 28, 2020), the county government has openly endorsed viewpoints described as far-right[specify] by posting web links under a "News" banner on the official county web page. These links have since been removed after community members[who?] objected to partisan positions on the county website.

United States presidential election results for Montezuma County, Colorado[10] Year  | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies)

|
|
|

No. | % | No. | % | No. | %
2020 | 9,306  | 60.04% | 5,836  | 37.65%  | 358  | 2.31%
2016 | 7,853  | 61.07% | 3,973  | 30.90%  | 1,032  | 8.03%
2012 | 7,401  | 60.08% | 4,542  | 36.87%  | 375  | 3.04%
2008 | 6,961  | 58.87% | 4,661  | 39.42%  | 203  | 1.72%
2004 | 6,988  | 63.44% | 3,867  | 35.11%  | 160  | 1.45%
2000 | 6,158  | 65.62% | 2,556  | 27.24%  | 670  | 7.14%
1996 | 4,175  | 53.31% | 2,578  | 32.92%  | 1,078  | 13.77%
1992 | 3,124  | 40.90% | 2,270  | 29.72%  | 2,244  | 29.38%
1988 | 4,208  | 64.23% | 2,233  | 34.09%  | 110  | 1.68%
1984 | 4,753  | 73.06% | 1,665  | 25.59%  | 88  | 1.35%
1980 | 4,120  | 68.60% | 1,467  | 24.43%  | 419  | 6.98%
1976 | 3,002  | 57.99% | 1,993  | 38.50%  | 182  | 3.52%
1972 | 3,391  | 73.49% | 1,223  | 26.51%  | 0  | 0.00%
1968 | 2,461  | 56.42% | 1,349  | 30.93%  | 552  | 12.65%
1964 | 2,035  | 42.95%  | 2,686  | 56.69% | 17  | 0.36%
1960 | 2,778  | 56.69% | 2,115  | 43.16%  | 7  | 0.14%
1956 | 2,492  | 63.59% | 1,402  | 35.77%  | 25  | 0.64%
1952 | 2,466  | 68.01% | 1,127  | 31.08%  | 33  | 0.91%
1948 | 1,630  | 49.20%  | 1,653  | 49.89% | 30  | 0.91%
1944 | 1,610  | 56.99% | 1,207  | 42.73%  | 8  | 0.28%
1940 | 2,313  | 59.25% | 1,573  | 40.29%  | 18  | 0.46%
1936 | 1,087  | 38.89%  | 1,579  | 56.49% | 129  | 4.62%
1932 | 887  | 31.84%  | 1,779  | 63.85% | 120  | 4.31%
1928 | 1,341  | 62.37% | 772  | 35.91%  | 37  | 1.72%
1924 | 703  | 34.58%  | 721  | 35.46% | 609  | 29.96%
1920 | 936  | 52.20% | 727  | 40.55%  | 130  | 7.25%
1916 | 425  | 21.60%  | 1,458  | 74.09% | 85  | 4.32%
1912 | 285  | 15.89%  | 1,017  | 56.69% | 492  | 27.42%
1908 | 440  | 29.41%  | 948  | 63.37% | 108  | 7.22%
1904 | 526  | 45.66%  | 563  | 48.87% | 63  | 5.47%
1900 | 220  | 22.68%  | 732  | 75.46% | 18  | 1.86%
1896 | 33  | 3.75%  | 845  | 96.13% | 1  | 0.11%
1892 | 140  | 27.83%  | 0  | 0.00%  | 363  | 72.17%

In gubernatorial elections, Montezuma County is also Republican-leaning: in 2010 it was along with neighboring Dolores County one of only two counties to give a plurality to Dan Maes.[11] The last Democratic gubernatorial nominee to win Montezuma County was Roy Romer in 1990 when he carried all but four counties statewide.[12] The last Democratic senatorial candidate to carry Montezuma County was Ben “Nighthorse” Campbell – later to switch to the Republican Party – in 1992.

Montezuma County is split between two house districts for the Colorado House of Representatives, House District 58 & House District 59.[1] Prior to the redistricting, which took affect in the November 2022 election, Montezuma County was solely in House District 58.[13] The Current Representative for House District 58 is Marc Catlin, who has carried the county in all four of his terms.[14]

## See also

[edit]

* Government portal
* History portal
* Mountains portal
* United States portal
* Colorado portal

* Bibliography of Colorado
* Geography of Colorado
* History of Colorado
* East Canyon Fire
* William B. Ebbert, represented Montezuma in the Colorado General Assembly in early 20th century.
* National Register of Historic Places listings in Montezuma County, Colorado
* Index of Colorado-related articles
* List of Colorado-related lists
* List of counties in Colorado
* Outline of Colorado

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 5, 2021.
2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
3. ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
4. ^ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 31, 2024.
5. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 8, 2014.
6. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved June 8, 2014.
7. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 8, 2014.
8. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 27, 2010. Retrieved June 8, 2014.
9. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 14, 2011.
10. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved May 26, 2017.
11. ^ Dave Leip’s U.S. Election Atlas; 2010 Gubernatorial General Election Results – Colorado
12. ^ Dave Leip’s U.S. Election Atlas; 1990 Gubernatorial General Election Results – Colorado
13. ^ "Legislative District Information After 2011 Reapportionment House District 58" (PDF). Colorado Independent Redistricting Commissions. December 22, 2011.
14. ^ "Marc Catlin | Colorado General Assembly". leg.colorado.gov. Retrieved January 2, 2024.

## External links

[edit]

* Official website

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Montezuma County, Colorado.

* v
* t
* e

Places adjacent to Montezuma County, Colorado

|  | Dolores County | San Juan County

|
|

|  |
San Juan County, Utah |

Montezuma County, Colorado

| La Plata County
|  |
Apache County, Arizona (by a Quadripoint) | San Juan County, New Mexico |

* v
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* e

Municipalities and communities of Montezuma County, Colorado, United States

County seat: Cortez

City|

* Cortez

Map of Colorado highlighting Montezuma County

Towns|

* Dolores
* Mancos

CDP|

* Lewis
* Towaoc

Unincorporated
communities|

* Arriola
* Lebanon
* Pleasant View
* Stoner
* Yellow Jacket

Indian
reservations|

* Southern Ute Indian Reservation‡
* Ute Mountain Ute Indian Reservation‡

Footnotes|

‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties

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37°20′N 108°36′W﻿ / ﻿37.34°N 108.60°W﻿ / 37.34; -108.60
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