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Montrose, CO

Frequently asked questions

Montrose, CO

Montrose is a home rule municipality that is the county seat and the most populous municipality of Montrose County, Colorado, United States. The city population was 20,291 at the 2020 census, within a total area of 18.5 square miles. 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 recreation industry. Montrose is the second-largest city in western Colorado, after Grand Junction.

In 2022, Montrose was ranked in the top 25 of the nation's most dynamic micropolitan statistical areas by think tank Heartland Forward largely due to its outdoor recreation access.

Montrose was incorporated on May 2, 1882, and named after 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 the 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.

Early in the area's history, prehistoric people lived in the vicinity who created rock art at the Shavano Valley Rock Art Site from 1000 BC or earlier; their descendants continued this practice until about AD 1881. These petroglyphs recorded cultural events and were a means of artistic expression. The site is listed on the Colorado State Register of Historic Properties and the National Register of Historic Places. Montrose is the birthplace of American screenwriter and novelist Dalton Trumbo, who scripted films including Roman Holiday, Exodus, Spartacus, and Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo.

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.

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 offers health and wellness programs and even centers to its residents and even to local visitors.  Boulder Community Health in Boulder provides comprehensive healthcare services including a level II trauma center. AllHealth Network offers behavioral health services, including addiction treatment, therapy, and counseling. Ascent Health Center provides chiropractic care, massage therapy, and other wellness services. Vital Root Massage focuses on therapeutic massage techniques to relieve pain, reduce stress, and improve overall well-being. Symmetry Therapeutic Massage specializes in therapeutic massage techniques to address specific musculoskeletal issues and promote overall wellness. Colorado Physical Therapy Specialists provides a variety of physical therapy services, including manual therapy, sports rehabilitation, and orthopedic care.

Top sites in Montrose, Colorado are Ute Indian Museum, Museum of the Mountain West, Montrose Water Sports Park, and Montrose Botanic Gardens.

Population: 21,333 (2023). ZIP codes: 81401, 81402 (PO Box), 81403. Area code: 970. Elevation: 5,807 ft (1,770 m). Area: 18.5 square miles (48 km2).

FAQs

Is Montrose Colorado good place to live?

There are a lot of pros that come with living in Montrose. The city has a good economy, opportunities for outdoor exploration, a low commute time, and pleasant weather. If you’re a remote worker, you will enjoy living in Montrose, too, thanks to the great internet service.

What is the crime rate in Montrose, CO?

The crime rate in Montrose is considerably higher than the national average across all communities in America from the largest to the smallest, although at 28 crimes per one thousand residents, it is not among the communities with the very highest crime rate. The chance of becoming a victim of either violent or property crime in Montrose is 1 in 36. Based on FBI crime data, Montrose is not one of the safest communities in America. Relative to Colorado, Montrose has a crime rate that is higher than 79% of the state's cities and towns of all sizes.

Is it expensive to live in Montrose, CO?

Based on our Montrose cost of living calculator, Montrose is 5% less expensive than the national average and 13% less expensive to live in than the average city in Colorado. This assumes a $72,000 annual salary and a 2-bedroom Apt. Food costs in Montrose are more affordable than average in the United States. Transportation costs in Montrose are as affordable as average in the United States. Housing costs in Montrose are more affordable than average in the United States. Healthcare costs in Montrose are more affordable than the US average.

Sources

City of Montrose

Wikipedia

Home and Money

Eri Eri

Neighborhood Scout

Boulder Community Health

AllHealth Network

Ascent Health Center

Vital Root Massage

Symmetry Therapeutic Massage

Colorado Physical Therapy Specialists

Ute Indian Museum

Museum of the Mountain West

Montrose Water Sports Park

Montrose Botanic Gardens

The content herein is provided for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Medical information changes constantly, and therefore the content on this website should not be assumed to be current, complete or exhaustive. Always seek the advice of your doctor before starting or changing treatment. If you think you may have a medical emergency, please call your doctor or 9-1-1 (in the United States) immediately.