Montrose, Colorado#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.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of {{convert|18.5|sqmi|km2}}; all of it is land.

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.

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 elevation and abundant sunshine.

{{Weather box

|location = Montrose, Colorado, 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1895–present

|width = auto

|single line = Yes

|Jan record high F = 67

|Feb record high F = 72

|Mar record high F = 83

|Apr record high F = 89

|May record high F = 93

|Jun record high F = 102

|Jul record high F = 103

|Aug record high F = 106

|Sep record high F = 97

|Oct record high F = 88

|Nov record high F = 77

|Dec record high F = 68

|year record high F =

|Jan avg record high F = 52.5

|Feb avg record high F = 59.9

|Mar avg record high F = 70.5

|Apr avg record high F = 78.1

|May avg record high F = 86.1

|Jun avg record high F = 93.9

|Jul avg record high F = 96.8

|Aug avg record high F = 93.2

|Sep avg record high F = 88.9

|Oct avg record high F = 80.1

|Nov avg record high F = 66.6

|Dec avg record high F = 54.9

|year avg record high F = 97.1

|Jan high F = 40.2

|Feb high F = 46.4

|Mar high F = 56.8

|Apr high F = 64.1

|May high F = 73.9

|Jun high F = 85.5

|Jul high F = 90.2

|Aug high F = 87.1

|Sep high F = 79.4

|Oct high F = 66.5

|Nov high F = 52.2

|Dec high F = 40.6

|year high F =

|Jan mean F = 28.8

|Feb mean F = 34.7

|Mar mean F = 43.5

|Apr mean F = 50.3

|May mean F = 59.4

|Jun mean F = 69.4

|Jul mean F = 74.7

|Aug mean F = 72.3

|Sep mean F = 64.2

|Oct mean F = 51.9

|Nov mean F = 39.7

|Dec mean F = 29.2

|year mean F =

|Jan low F = 17.5

|Feb low F = 23.0

|Mar low F = 30.2

|Apr low F = 36.6

|May low F = 45.0

|Jun low F = 53.3

|Jul low F = 59.2

|Aug low F = 57.5

|Sep low F = 49.0

|Oct low F = 37.3

|Nov low F = 27.2

|Dec low F = 17.7

|year low F =

|Jan avg record low F = 3.1

|Feb avg record low F = 7.4

|Mar avg record low F = 15.5

|Apr avg record low F = 23.2

|May avg record low F = 31.8

|Jun avg record low F = 40.9

|Jul avg record low F = 49.8

|Aug avg record low F = 48.2

|Sep avg record low F = 35.7

|Oct avg record low F = 22.8

|Nov avg record low F = 11.3

|Dec avg record low F = 2.2

|year avg record low F = -1.3

|Jan record low F = -25

|Feb record low F = -27

|Mar record low F = -5

|Apr record low F = 2

|May record low F = 17

|Jun record low F = 27

|Jul record low F = 35

|Aug record low F = 37

|Sep record low F = 21

|Oct record low F = 5

|Nov record low F = -8

|Dec record low F = -21

|year record low F =

|precipitation colour = green

|Jan precipitation inch = 0.51

|Feb precipitation inch = 0.47

|Mar precipitation inch = 0.68

|Apr precipitation inch = 0.77

|May precipitation inch = 0.82

|Jun precipitation inch = 0.50

|Jul precipitation inch = 0.90

|Aug precipitation inch = 1.12

|Sep precipitation inch = 1.24

|Oct precipitation inch = 1.03

|Nov precipitation inch = 0.65

|Dec precipitation inch = 0.64

|year precipitation inch =

|unit precipitation days = 0.01 in

|Jan precipitation days = 4.6

|Feb precipitation days = 4.6

|Mar precipitation days = 5.4

|Apr precipitation days = 5.8

|May precipitation days = 5.6

|Jun precipitation days = 3.3

|Jul precipitation days = 6.3

|Aug precipitation days = 7.9

|Sep precipitation days = 6.5

|Oct precipitation days = 5.7

|Nov precipitation days = 4.4

|Dec precipitation days = 5.0

|Jan snow inch = 4.7

|Feb snow inch = 3.9

|Mar snow inch = 2.2

|Apr snow inch = 0.6

|May snow inch = 0.0

|Jun snow inch = 0.0

|Jul snow inch = 0.0

|Aug snow inch = 0.0

|Sep snow inch = 0.0

|Oct snow inch = 0.5

|Nov snow inch = 2.7

|Dec snow inch = 6.9

|year snow inch =

|unit snow days = 0.1 in

|Jan snow days = 2.8

|Feb snow days = 2.4

|Mar snow days = 1.4

|Apr snow days = 0.5

|May snow days = 0.0

|Jun snow days = 0.0

|Jul snow days = 0.0

|Aug snow days = 0.0

|Sep snow days = 0.0

|Oct snow days = 0.3

|Nov snow days = 1.3

|Dec snow days = 3.6

|Jan snow depth inch = 3.5

|Feb snow depth inch = 3.3

|Mar snow depth inch = 1.7

|Apr snow depth inch = 0.6

|May snow depth inch = 0.0

|Jun snow depth inch = 0.0

|Jul snow depth inch = 0.0

|Aug snow depth inch = 0.0

|Sep snow depth inch = 0.0

|Oct snow depth inch = 0.4

|Nov snow depth inch = 1.6

|Dec snow depth inch = 3.4

|year snow depth inch = 4.8

|source 1 = NOAA

{{cite web

|url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&stations=USC00055722&format=pdf&dataTypes=MLY-TMAX-NORMAL,MLY-TMIN-NORMAL,MLY-TAVG-NORMAL,MLY-PRCP-NORMAL,MLY-SNOW-NORMAL

|publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

|title = U.S. Climate Normals Quick Access – Station: Montrose #2, CO

|access-date = November 8, 2022

}}

|source 2 = National Weather Service

{{cite web

|url = https://www.weather.gov/wrh/climate?wfo=gjt

|publisher = National Weather Service

|title = NOAA Online Weather Data – NWS Grand Junction

|access-date = November 8, 2022

}}

}}

{{US Census population

|1890= 1330

|1900= 1217

|1910= 3254

|1920= 3581

|1930= 3566

|1940= 4764

|1950= 4964

|1960= 5044

|1970= 6496

|1980= 8722

|1990= 8854

|2000= 12344

|2010= 19132

|2020= 20291

|estyear=

|estimate=

|estref=

|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|publisher=Census.gov|access-date=June 4, 2015}} 2020

}}

As of the 2020 census, there were 20,291 people and 8,175 households residing in the city. The population density was {{convert|1,102.77|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}.{{Cite web |title=Explore Census Data |url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/profile?g=1600000US0851745 |access-date=March 20, 2022 |website=data.census.gov}} 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.

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.

There were 9,468 housing units at an average density of {{convert|514.56|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. 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. The median gross rent was $936 per month, or nearly 30% lower than the State of Colorado and nearly 36% lower than neighboring Telluride.{{Cite web |title=Explore Census Data |url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/profile?g=1600000US0876795 |access-date=March 20, 2022 |website=data.census.gov}}

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.

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. 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%.

File:Shelter Distilling - Montrose.jpg

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.{{Cite web|first=Matt|last=Lindberg|title=Forging ahead|url=https://www.montrosepress.com/free_access/forging-ahead/article_837cfc7c-bad3-11e7-842f-235996b291c3.html|access-date=October 3, 2020|website=Montrose Daily Press|date=October 27, 2017 |language=en}}

Additionally, Scott Fly Rods relocated to Montrose from Telluride in 1993.{{cite web|url=https://www.montrosepress.com/news/montrose-on-the-brink-of-a-burgeoning-growth-era/article_5ee5a29e-79f3-51c7-bc1a-d1c48ba35bc3.html|title=Montrose on the brink of a burgeoning growth era|website=Montrose Daily Press|date=June 4, 2006 }} Gordon Composites, maker of nearly 90 percent of the high-performance laminate material used in the bow-hunting industry, is located in Montrose.{{cite web|url=https://www.montroseedc.org/144/Gordon-Composites-Inc|title=Gordon Composites Inc. - Montrose EDC - Official Website|website=www.montroseedc.org}} Secret Creek, formerly known as Colorado Yurt Company, maker of handcrafted yurts, tipis, and rugged canvas wall tents, is also located in Montrose.{{cite web|url=https://www.montroseedc.org/143/Colorado-Yurt-Company|title=Colorado Yurt Company - Montrose EDC - Official Website|website=www.montroseedc.org}}

In November 2017, the City approved a $10 million fund for public infrastructure improvements{{Cite news|url=http://www.montrosepress.com/news/council-inks-m-loan-agreement/article_0296b820-c5d0-11e7-96fb-db50578ebb82.html|title=Council inks $10M loan agreement|first=Katharhynn|last=Heidelberg|work=Montrose Daily Press|access-date=November 13, 2017|language=en}} within the Colorado Outdoors development,{{Cite web|url=https://coloradooutdoors.co/|title=Home|website=Colorado Outdoors}} and was the recipient of a $2 million grant for a new trail system.{{Cite web|url=http://coloradooutdoors.co/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/9-30-17-MDP-GOCO.pdf|title=grant award}} 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{{Cite news|url=http://www.montrosepress.com/news/new-view-on-the-rec-center/article_c3a08968-e05e-11e6-9c83-af454d4b103e.html|title=New view on the rec center|last=Lindberg|first=Matt |publisher=Montrose Daily Press|access-date=November 13, 2017|language=en}} 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.{{Cite news|url=https://www.cpr.org/2020/01/15/chocolate-maker-russell-stover-is-closing-its-montrose-plant-and-taking-400-jobs-with-it/|title=Chocolate-Maker Russell Stover Is Closing Its Montrose Plant And Taking 400 Jobs With It|website=cpr.org}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.russellstover.com/wcsstore/RussellStover/Attachment/ContentPage/011420_Press%20Statement.pdf|title=Russell Stover Announces Updates to Production, Retail and Distribution Network}} The former plant building was sold in 2024,{{Cite web |last=MBT |first=Justin Tubbs {{!}} |date=2024-07-18 |title=The former Russell Stover manufacturing plant will soon have new, local owners - Montrose Business Times |url=https://www.montrosebusinesstimes.com/2024/07/18/former-russell-stover-manufacturing-plant-will-soon-new-local-owners/ |access-date=2025-03-10 |website=www.montrosebusinesstimes.com |language=en-US}} but is still vacant as of March 2025.

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.{{Cite web|title=Construction to Begin on Uncompahgre River Improvement Project|url=https://www.cityofmontrose.org/CivicSend/ViewMessage/Message/126367|access-date=October 21, 2020|website=www.cityofmontrose.org|language=en}}

In 2024, both Shelter Distilling{{Cite web |last=Tubbs |first=Justin |date=2024-05-16 |title=First look at inside of Shelter, new distillery, brewery and restaurant on the river - Montrose Business Times |url=https://www.montrosebusinesstimes.com/2024/05/16/first-look-inside-shelter-new-distillery-brewery-restaurant-river/ |access-date=2024-05-25 |website=www.montrosebusinesstimes.com |language=en-US}} and restaurant Toasty{{Cite web |date=2024-09-06 |title=Toasty hits the Colorado Outdoors campus — new restaurant opens Sept. 9 |url=https://www.montrosepress.com/news/business/toasty-hits-the-colorado-outdoors-campus-new-restaurant-opens-sept-9/article_70abeb9a-6afc-11ef-8dce-e7b2d247bb40.html |access-date=2025-01-04 |website=Montrose Daily Press |language=en}} opened after receiving economic incentives from the city.{{Cite web |last=Henseler |first=Kylea |date=2024-05-22 |title="Quality ingredients and passion": Shelter Distilling opens its doors |url=https://www.montrosepress.com/news/quality-ingredients-and-passion-shelter-distilling-opens-its-doors/article_62169c10-16dd-11ef-a16a-138bda19b7b1.html |access-date=2024-05-25 |website=Montrose Daily Press |language=en}}

Recreational facilities include the [https://www.cityofmontrose.org/613/Water-Sports-Park Montrose Water Sports Park], a large (80,000 square foot) community recreation center with and indoor walking/jogging track,{{Cite web |last=Moore |first=Carly |date=2016-06-16 |title=New $29 million Montrose Recreation Center to open in early 2017 |url=https://www.kkco11news.com/content/news/Montrose-tax-payers-look-forward-to-29-million-upgraded-recreation-facility--383199281.html |access-date=2025-01-04 |website=www.kkco11news.com |language=en}} and over 38 public parks.{{Cite web |title=Parks, Trails & Sports Facilities {{!}} Montrose, CO - Official Website |url=https://www.cityofmontrose.org/266/Parks-Trails-Sports-Facilities |access-date=2025-01-04 |website=www.cityofmontrose.org}}

The city is bicycle friendly, with League of American Bicyclists designating the city as a Bicycle Friendly Community.{{Cite web |last=Moore |first=Mckenzie |date=2020-06-11 |title=Montrose receives bronze-level Bike Friendly City Award, hopes to continue improvements |url=https://www.montrosepress.com/news/montrose-receives-bronze-level-bike-friendly-city-award-hopes-to-continue-improvements/article_7440b9c4-ab85-11ea-8a59-cb8b3019d856.html |access-date=2025-01-04 |website=Montrose Daily Press |language=en}}

There are also three 18-hole golf courses within the city,{{Cite web |title=Golfing |url=https://www.visitmontrose.com/outdoors/activities/golfing/ |access-date=April 1, 2023 |website=www.visitmontrose.com}} Bridges Golf & Country Club,{{Cite web |title=The Bridges Golf & Country Club - Montrose, CO |url=https://www.thebridgesgcc.com/ |access-date=2025-03-10 |website=www.thebridgesgcc.com}} Black Canyon Golf Course,{{Cite web |title=Black Canyon Golf Course {{!}} Montrose, CO - Official Website |url=https://www.cityofmontrose.org/538/Black-Canyon-Golf-Course |access-date=2025-03-10 |website=www.cityofmontrose.org}} and Cobble Creek Golf Club.{{Cite web |title=The Club at Cobble Creek {{!}} golf {{!}} 699 Cobble Drive, Montrose, CO, USA |url=https://www.cobblecreek.com/ |access-date=2025-03-10 |website=Mysite |language=en}}

The long running Montrose Summer Music Series{{Cite web |title=Montrose Summer Music Series – 4 FREE concerts at the Montrose Rotary Amphitheater at Cerise Park |url=https://montrosesummermusicseries.com/?fbclid=IwY2xjawI8LCdleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHVA5mwMmEYzvyErAojYx17eUc8tp4eSu9cdddpY42ff0S67FknwAvNdQuQ_aem_Xa60-mI8uOBGYxf_Aw5hmw |access-date=2025-03-10 |website=Montrose Summer Music Series |language=en-US}} also provides live music entertainment in the summer months at the Montrose Rotary Amphitheater{{Cite web |title=Montrose Rotary Amphitheater {{!}} Montrose, CO - Official Website |url=https://www.cityofmontrose.org/760/Montrose-Rotary-Amphitheater |access-date=2025-03-10 |website=www.cityofmontrose.org}}

Montrose is served by Montrose County School District RE-1J, which operates eight schools in the city:{{cite web |title=Public Schools in Montrose, Colorado |url=https://nces.ed.gov/ccd/schoolsearch/school_list.asp?Search=1&InstName=&SchoolID=&Address=&City=Montrose&State=08&Zip=&Miles=&County=&PhoneAreaCode=&Phone=&DistrictName=&DistrictID=&SchoolType=1&SchoolType=2&SchoolType=3&SchoolType=4&SpecificSchlTypes=all&IncGrade=-1&LoGrade=-1&HiGrade=-1 |website=nces.ed.gov}}

• Cottonwood Elementary School
• Johnson Elementary School
• Northside Elementary School
• Oak Grove Elementary School
• Pomona Elementary School
• Centennial Middle School
• Columbine Middle School
• Montrose High School

Also located in Montrose are Vista Charter School and Black Canyon Alternative High School.

The city's higher education needs are served by a regional campus of Colorado Mesa University, located on South Cascade Avenue. CMU Montrose offers 14 academic programs, as well as general education courses.{{Cite web |title=Montrose Programs {{!}} Colorado Mesa University |url=https://www.coloradomesa.edu/montrose/programs/index.html |access-date=April 30, 2025 |website=www.coloradomesa.edu/montrose}} In the fall 2024 semester, the campus served 315 students.{{Cite web |title=Colorado Mesa University Montrose Campus Profile |url=https://www.coloradomesa.edu/institutional-research/documents/student-profiles/eot_fall_mont_3_year_compare.pdf |access-date=December 3, 2024 |website=www.coloradomesa.edu}} Montrose is also home to a branch campus of Technical College of the Rockies, offering technical and vocational certificates.{{Cite web |title=Campus Directory - Technical College of the Rockies |url=https://tcr.edu/campus-directory/ |website=www.tcr.edu}}

File:Montrose Station 1940.jpg

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.{{cite web |title=Montrose Public Bus |url=https://www.allpointstransit.com/montrose-public-bus/ |website=All Points Transit|date=March 16, 2018 }} 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.{{cite web |title=Bustang Schedule |url=https://ridebustang.com/schedules/ |website=RideBustang |publisher=CDOT}}

• US 50 connects Montrose to Grand Junction, Gunnison and Pueblo.
• US 550 ends in Montrose, and connects the city to Silverton, Ouray, and Durango.

Hall of Fame horse jockey Anna Lee Alred, the first American women to receive a jockey license, was born Montrose. Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner Pat Valenzuela was also born in Montrose.

Montrose is home to several businesspeople, including the former CEO of J.C. Penny stores and chairman of Starbucks, Myron "Mike" Ullman. Local businessman David Dragoo also currently lives in Montrose.

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

Billboard charting{{Cite web |title=A.J. Fullerton |url=https://color-red.com/collections/aj-fullerton |access-date=2025-03-10 |website=Color Red Music |language=en}} guitarist, songwriter & producer A.J. Fullerton grew up in Montrose, CO. graduating from Montrose High School in 2013. He currently resides in Nashville, TN.

{{portal|Cities|United States|Colorado}}

• Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
• Colorado Mesa University
• Montrose Botanic Gardens
• Old Spanish National Historic Trail
• Ute Indian Museum
• People from Montrose, Colorado

{{Reflist}}

{{Commons category}}

{{wikivoyage|Montrose (Colorado)|Montrose, Colorado}}

• [http://www.cityofmontrose.org/ City of Montrose official website]
• [http://visitmontrose.com/ VisitMontrose official visitor website]

{{Montrose County, Colorado}}

{{Colorado}}

{{Colorado county seats}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:Cities in Montrose County, Colorado

Category:County seats in Colorado

Category:Colorado Western Slope

Category:Populated places established in 1882

Category:1882 establishments in Colorado

Category:Cities in Colorado