Editing Colstrip, Montana

{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2023}}
{{Infobox settlement
|official_name            = Colstrip, Montana
|settlement_type          = [[City]]
|motto                    = Tomorrow's Town Today
|image_skyline            = Colstrip2013Sign.jpg
|imagesize                = 280px
|image_caption            = Sign upon entering Colstrip
|image_flag               = 
|image_seal               = ColstripCityLogo.jpg
|seal_size                = 200px
|image_map                = Rosebud_County_Montana_Incorporated_and_Unincorporated_areas_Colstrip_Highlighted.svg
|mapsize                  = 250px
|map_caption              = Location of Colstrip, Montana
<!-- Location -->
|subdivision_type         = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
|subdivision_name         = United States
|subdivision_type1        = [[U.S. state|State]]
|subdivision_name1        = [[Montana]]
|subdivision_type2        = [[List of counties in Montana|County]]
|subdivision_name2        = [[Rosebud County, Montana|Rosebud]]
<!-- Government -->
|government_footnotes     = 
|government_type          = Mayor-Council
|leader_title             = Mayor
|leader_name              = [http://www.cityofcolstrip.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=80&Itemid=603 John Williams]
|established_title        = Incorporated (city)
|established_date         = 1998
<!-- Area -->
|unit_pref                = Imperial
|area_footnotes           = <ref name="TigerWebMapServer">{{cite web|title=ArcGIS REST Services Directory|url=https://tigerweb.geo.census.gov/arcgis/rest/services/TIGERweb/Places_CouSub_ConCity_SubMCD/MapServer|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=September 5, 2022}}</ref>
|area_total_km2           = 10.49
|area_land_km2            = 10.48
|area_water_km2           = 0.02
|area_total_sq_mi         = 4.05
|area_land_sq_mi          = 4.05
|area_water_sq_mi         = 0.01
<!-- Population -->
|population_as_of         = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
|population_footnotes     = 
|population_total         = 2096
|population_density_km2   = 200.04
|population_density_sq_mi = 518.04
<!-- General information -->
|timezone                 = [[Mountain Time Zone|Mountain (MST)]]
|utc_offset               = -7
|timezone_DST             = MDT
|utc_offset_DST           = -6
|elevation_footnotes      = <ref name=gnis/>
|elevation_ft             = 3202
|coordinates              = {{coord|45|53|03|N|106|37|25|W|region:US_type:city|display=inline,title}}
<!-- Area/postal codes and others -->
|postal_code_type         = [[ZIP code]]
|postal_code              = 59323
|area_code                = [[Area code 406|406]]
|blank_name               = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
|blank_info               = 30-16525
|blank1_name              = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
|blank1_info              = 2410199<ref name=gnis>{{GNIS|2410199}}</ref>
|website                  = {{URL|http://www.cityofcolstrip.com/}}
|footnotes                = 
}}

'''Colstrip''' is a city in [[Rosebud County, Montana|Rosebud County]], [[Montana]], United States. The population was 2,096 at the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]].<ref name ="wwwcensusgov">{{cite web|title=U.S. Census website|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=November 2, 2021}}</ref>

Established in 1924 and incorporated as a city in 1998, Colstrip is the largest city in Rosebud County with 25.2% <ref name ="wwwcensusgov"/> of the total population in 2020. Colstrip's primary industries are [[coal mining]] and [[electricity production]]. It had 4 coal fired plants from 1975 and 1976, and 1984 and 1986 respectively. The former two were shut down in 2020, while the latter two are still operating without modern pollution controls. As of 2025, these are 
the most [[particulate matter]] polluting plants in the US.

== History ==

=== 20th century ===
[[Image:Colstripdraglines.jpg|left|thumb|200px| Open pit strip mining with shovels at Colstrip's Rosebud Mine]]

Colstrip was established by the [[Northern Pacific Railway]] in 1924 as a [[company town]] to provide coal for their [[steam locomotives]].  The mining at Rosebud Mine, two miles south of the town, is open pit strip mining, where draglines remove soil above the layer of [[bituminous coal]] from the [[Fort Union Formation]].<ref>{{cite web | title =Rosebud Mine Tour Fact Sheet 2007 | publisher = Westmoreland Mining LLC | url = http://leg.mt.gov/content/committees/interim/2007_2008/energy_telecom/meeting_documents/ETICWesternEnergypresent.pdf | access-date = 2008-07-18 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite book
| publisher = Taverner Press
| last = [[David T. Hanson]]
| title = Colstrip, Montana
| location = Fairfield, Iowa
| date = 2010
| lccn = 2010925843
}}</ref>

During [[The Second World War]], the Colstrip mine was identified as strategically important because it supplied coal for the Northern Pacific Railway steam locomotives hauling military equipment for the war effort. The mine was guarded from sabotage, and the employees were not allowed to quit their jobs.<ref>{{cite book | last1=McRae | first1=Wallace |title= Stick Horses and Other Stories of Ranch Life |year= 2009 |publisher= Gibbs Smith |isbn= 978-1-4236-0591-1 |page= 106}}</ref>

In 1958, the railroad switched to using [[diesel locomotive]]s and the Colstrip mine was shut down. 

In 1959, [[Montana Power Company]] purchased the rights to the mine and the town. It and resumed mining operations in the 1970s, with plans to build coal-fired electrical plants.<ref name =city>{{cite web | title = City of Colstrip History | publisher = Colstrip City Government | url = http://www.cityofcolstrip.com/history.htm | access-date = 2008-07-11 }}</ref> The Rosebud Mine opened in 1968.

The power plants were built in the 1970s and 1980s by a collection of contractors including [[Bechtel]]. During this construction period, Colstrip was a [[boomtown]], with a large increase in population. Plants 1 and 2 became operational in 1975 and 1976, and plants 3 and 4 became operational in 1984 and 1986.

{{stack|[[File:Colstripplants.jpg|thumb|right|Colstrip Power Plants 1-4 from right to left]]}}
In 1974, construction of Colstrip's {{convert|150|acre|km2|adj=on}} Castle Rock Lake (formerly called a surge pond) was completed. 

The Colstrip plants produce electricity from coal using steam.  The water for the steam is pumped in an underground pipe {{convert|30|mi|km}} from the [[Yellowstone River]] and stored in the lake. The lake is stocked with fish and is the home for a wide variety of wildlife.

In 1990, the Colstrip Energy Limited Project began commercial operations. Located six miles (10&nbsp;km) north of Colstrip, this experimental electricity production facility is owned by Rosebud Energy Corp., a partnership that at one point included [[Enron]]. The plant uses high sulfur [[Coal refuse|waste coal]] from the Rosebud Coal Mine's topmost one foot layer of coal.<ref>{{cite web | title = SEC Info - Rosebud Energy Corp. | publisher = Securities & Exchange Commission | url = http://www.secinfo.com/dsVsj.48x.d.htm | access-date = 2008-07-26 }}</ref>

In 1998, plants 1-4 were sold to a group led by [[PPL Corporation]] (PPL)<ref>{{cite web | title = PPL Colstrip Page | url = http://www.pplmontana.com/producing+power/power+plants/Colstrip.htm }}</ref> and  [[Puget Sound Energy]] (PSE).<ref>{{cite web | title = PSE Appendix J Colstrip | url = https://pse.com/aboutpse/EnergySupply/Documents/IRP_2013_AppJ.pdf | access-date = 2016-09-17 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170112000823/https://pse.com/aboutpse/EnergySupply/Documents/IRP_2013_AppJ.pdf | archive-date = 2017-01-12 | url-status = dead }}</ref> The Rosebud Coal Mine was sold to [[Westmoreland Mining LLC]].<ref>{{cite web | title = Westmoreland Rosebud Mine | access-date = 2006-09-17 | publisher = Westmoreland Coal Company | url = http://westmoreland.com/location/rosebud-mine-montana/  }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Montana Power Company - Generations of Power |publisher=The Missoulian Newspaper |url=http://www.missoulian.com/specials/power/power1.html |access-date=2008-07-11 |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010526193004/http://www.missoulian.com/specials/power/power1.html |archive-date=2001-05-26 }}</ref> In this same year, the City of Colstrip was incorporated.
===21st century===

In June 2015, PPL spun off its power generation assets, including the Colstrip plants, to become [[Talen Energy]].

In 2016, PSE reached an agreement with the [[Sierra Club]] and the [[Montana Environmental Information Center]] to shut down units 1 and 2 of the coal-fired generating plant by the year 2022.<ref>{{cite news|title=Colstrip coal plant in Montana agrees to close 2 units|url=http://www.theolympian.com/news/local/article89173287.html|access-date=20 July 2016|work=[[Associated Press]]|agency=[[The Olympian]]|date=12 July 2016}}</ref> The agreement said nothing about Units 3 and 4 However, the existing electrical transmission capacity that transmits power from Colstrip to the Pacific Northwest may be used to transmit wind energy.<ref>{{cite news|title=Oldest two units at Colstrip to be retired no later than 2022|url=http://meic.org/2016/07/oldest-two-units-colstrip-retired-no-later-2022/|access-date=20 July 2016|work=Montana Environmental Information Center|date=12 July 2016}}</ref> Another blow to Colstrip's economy came in 2016, when an application to create a junction point from [[BNSF Railway]] to connect to [[Tongue River Railroad]] was denied.<ref name="railroad">{{cite web |title=Tongue River Railroad application denied |url=https://www.greatfallstribune.com/story/news/local/2016/04/26/tongue-river-railroad-application-denied/83551088/ |publisher=Great Falls Tribune |access-date=22 September 2023 |date=26 April 2016}}</ref>

In June 2019, Talen Energy announced the closure of two of the four coal burning units by the end of the year. At the time, the power plant was the sixth-largest source of [[greenhouse gas emissions|greenhouse emissions]] in the U.S.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.yaleclimateconnections.org/2019/07/the-war-on-coal-myth/|title=The 'war on coal' myth|last=Kirk|first=Karen|date=2019-07-15|website=Yale Climate Connections|language=en-US|access-date=2019-07-16}}</ref> Units 3 and 4 remained in operation.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://talenenergy.investorroom.com/2019-06-11-Colstrip-Steam-Electric-Station-Units-1-and-2-to-Retire|title=Colstrip Steam Electric Station Units 1 and 2 to Retire|website=Talen Energy Investors|language=en|access-date=2019-07-16}}</ref>

In January 2020, PSE announced that Unit 1 and Unit 2 had ceased operating in early January". Units 3 and 4 were to remain operational but would be closed within the next five years.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.smart-energy.com/industry-sectors/energy-grid-management/us-2020-coal-closures-start-with-a-bang-with-two-units-closed-in-montana/|title=US 2020 coal closures start with a bang with two units closed in Montana|last=Gordon|first=Phillip|date=2020-01-06|website=Smart Energy International|language=en-US|access-date=2020-01-14|archive-date=January 14, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200114140414/https://www.smart-energy.com/industry-sectors/energy-grid-management/us-2020-coal-closures-start-with-a-bang-with-two-units-closed-in-montana/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

In January 2023, [[Avista]] made a deal giving [[NorthWestern Corporation|NorthWestern Energy]] their 15% share of the plant for free.<ref name="avista">{{cite web |last1=Clouse |first1=Thomas |title=Avista makes deal to get out of aging Colstrip power plant in Montana |url=https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2023/jan/22/avista-makes-deal-to-get-out-of-aging-colstrip-pow/ |publisher=The Spokesman-Review |access-date=22 September 2023 |date=22 January 2023}}</ref> The deal was to take effect in 2025. A Washington state law bans use of coal-generated electricity, forcing Avista to relinquish their stake in the company.

In March 2025, the plant owner, backed by Montana politicians, asked for a two-year extension using the [[second Trump administration|second Trump administration's]] offer to grant presidential pollution waivers. The plant owners argued that continued operation would control energy costs and guarantee grid reliability.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Tabuchi |first=Hiroko |date=2025-04-02 |title=Coal Plant Ranked as Nation’s Dirtiest Asks for Pollution Exemption |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/02/climate/coal-plant-colstrip-epa-email-pollution-exemption.html |access-date=2025-04-04 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref>

==Geography==
[[File:ISS013-E-29260.jpg|thumb|left|The Rosebud mine in 2006, taken from the [[International Space Station]]]]
The [[Powder River Basin]] contains the 25,000-acre Rosebud Mine, a [[strip mine]] a few miles south of Colstrip, and the [[Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation]].<ref name="westmore">{{Cite web |last=Mickens |first=Samantha |title=ROSEBUD MINE |url=https://westmoreland.com/westmoreland-rosebud-mining-llc/ |access-date=2025-04-04 |website=Westmoreland Mining |language=en-US}}</ref> Bituminous coal lies in the [[Fort Union Formation]].

According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the city has a total area of {{convert|4.47|sqmi|sqkm|2}}, all land.<ref name="Gazetteer files">{{cite web|title=US Gazetteer files 2010 |url=https://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=2012-12-18 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120702145235/http://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt |archive-date=2012-07-02 }}</ref>

There are 30 city parks and 300 acres of green space owned by the city.<ref name="family">{{cite web |last1=Garant |first1=Amanda |title=Colstrip, Montana: Family Town, First. Company Town, Second. |url=http://mtlandhome.com/blog/colstrip-montana-family-town-first-company-town-second/ |publisher=Eastern Montana Land and Home |access-date=22 September 2023}}</ref> 

South of town {{convert|23|mi|km|0}}, is [[Deer Medicine Rocks]], a National Historic Landmark. These sandstone cliffs are covered with [[petroglyphs]] and [[pictographs]].<ref name="deer">{{cite web |title=Deer Medicine Rocks |url=https://historicmt.org/items/show/2848 |publisher=Montana National Register Sign Program |access-date=22 September 2023}}</ref> Hills covered in sandstone formations are typical of this area. The topography in the county is mostly rolling with small hills.<ref>{{cite web |title=Welcome to Rosebud County |url=https://rosebudcountymt.gov/ |publisher=Rosebud County |access-date=22 September 2023}}</ref> Deer and [[pronghorn]] are plentiful.
==Economy==
As of 2017, the majority of jobs in the city were in local and federal governments, employing 1,732 people.<ref name="Haggerty" />

The Rosebud mine produces 6-8 million tons of coal per year and employed 373 people as of 2017, while the Colstrip power plant employed 383 people. The Rosebud power plant, a municipal power plant fueled by high sulfur waste coal, employed 42 people.<ref name="Haggerty">{{Cite web |last=Julia Haggerty |date=2017 |title=COLSTRIP The Status of Key Policies and Decision Processes |url=https://www.montana.edu/energycommunities/documents/Colstrip_Status_Report-FINAL.pdf}}</ref> 

Environmental remediation of the 2 closed energy units, particularly [[groundwater contamination]] from seepage and leakage of the effluent ponds, is costly. In 2017, it was calculated as ranging from $85 million to $143 million.<ref name="Haggerty" /> With planning for decommissioning obscured from public view, there has been uncertainty  for the community.<ref name="Haggerty" />

== Climate ==
According to the [[Köppen Climate Classification]] system, Colstrip has a [[semi-arid climate]], abbreviated "BSk" on climate maps.<ref>[http://www.weatherbase.com/weather/weather.php3?s=509142&cityname=Colstrip-Montana-United-States-of-America  Climate Summary for Colstrip, Montana]</ref>

{{Weather box
|location = Colstrip, Montana, 1991&ndash;2020 normals, extremes 1927&ndash;present
|single line = Yes
|collapsed = yes
|Jan record high F = 69
|Feb record high F = 72
|Mar record high F = 81
|Apr record high F = 90
|May record high F = 99
|Jun record high F = 108
|Jul record high F = 110
|Aug record high F = 111
|Sep record high F = 102
|Oct record high F = 94
|Nov record high F = 80
|Dec record high F = 74

|Jan avg record high F = 57.0
|Feb avg record high F = 58.9
|Mar avg record high F = 69.5
|Apr avg record high F = 77.6
|May avg record high F = 83.4
|Jun avg record high F = 92.0
|Jul avg record high F = 98.2
|Aug avg record high F = 97.2
|Sep avg record high F = 93.3
|Oct avg record high F = 81.5
|Nov avg record high F = 67.8
|Dec avg record high F = 57.3
|year avg record high F = 99.8

|Jan high F = 35.8
|Feb high F = 37.1
|Mar high F = 47.1
|Apr high F = 55.4
|May high F = 64.9
|Jun high F = 74.9
|Jul high F = 85.0
|Aug high F = 84.0
|Sep high F = 76.4
|Oct high F = 58.1
|Nov high F = 45.9
|Dec high F = 36.6
|year high F =

|Jan mean F = 24.7
|Feb mean F = 26.1
|Mar mean F = 35.5
|Apr mean F = 43.7
|May mean F = 53.4
|Jun mean F = 62.9
|Jul mean F = 71.1
|Aug mean F = 69.6
|Sep mean F = 59.6
|Oct mean F = 45.9
|Nov mean F = 34.8
|Dec mean F = 26.0
|year mean F =

|Jan low F = 13.5
|Feb low F = 15.1
|Mar low F = 23.9
|Apr low F = 31.9
|May low F = 41.9
|Jun low F = 50.8
|Jul low F = 57.2
|Aug low F = 55.2
|Sep low F = 45.8
|Oct low F = 33.7
|Nov low F = 23.6
|Dec low F = 15.3
|year low F =

|Jan avg record low F = -12.3
|Feb avg record low F = -7.2
|Mar avg record low F = 2.9
|Apr avg record low F = 17.1
|May avg record low F = 27.5
|Jun avg record low F = 39.0
|Jul avg record low F = 46.8
|Aug avg record low F = 43.8
|Sep avg record low F = 32.2
|Oct avg record low F = 16.6
|Nov avg record low F = 2.2
|Dec avg record low F = -7.9
|year avg record low F = -19.4

|Jan record low F = -42
|Feb record low F = -50
|Mar record low F = -28
|Apr record low F = -13
|May record low F = 13
|Jun record low F = 28
|Jul record low F = 34
|Aug record low F = 33
|Sep record low F = 5
|Oct record low F = -8
|Nov record low F = -32
|Dec record low F = -38

|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation inch = 0.65
|Feb precipitation inch = 0.69
|Mar precipitation inch = 0.95
|Apr precipitation inch = 1.92
|May precipitation inch = 3.14
|Jun precipitation inch = 2.48
|Jul precipitation inch = 1.42
|Aug precipitation inch = 1.03
|Sep precipitation inch = 1.43
|Oct precipitation inch = 1.44
|Nov precipitation inch = 0.69
|Dec precipitation inch = 0.56
|year precipitation inch =

|Jan snow inch = 7.4
|Feb snow inch = 7.3
|Mar snow inch = 5.5
|Apr snow inch = 3.3
|May snow inch = 0.5
|Jun snow inch = 0.0
|Jul snow inch = 0.0
|Aug snow inch = 0.0
|Sep snow inch = 0.2
|Oct snow inch = 2.3
|Nov snow inch = 3.9
|Dec snow inch = 6.2
|year snow inch =

|unit precipitation days = 0.01 in
|Jan precipitation days = 6.7
|Feb precipitation days = 6.4
|Mar precipitation days = 7.6
|Apr precipitation days = 9.0
|May precipitation days = 11.8
|Jun precipitation days = 10.5
|Jul precipitation days = 7.0
|Aug precipitation days = 5.5
|Sep precipitation days = 5.8
|Oct precipitation days = 7.4
|Nov precipitation days = 6.2
|Dec precipitation days = 5.6

|unit snow days = 0.1 in
|Jan snow days = 5.5
|Feb snow days = 5.3
|Mar snow days = 3.3
|Apr snow days = 1.4
|May snow days = 0.2
|Jun snow days = 0.0
|Jul snow days = 0.0
|Aug snow days = 0.0
|Sep snow days = 0.1
|Oct snow days = 1.1
|Nov snow days = 2.4
|Dec snow days = 4.4

|source 1 = NOAA<ref name=NOAA>
{{cite web
|url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&stations=USC00241905&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
|access-date = August 5, 2022
}}
</ref>
|source 2 = National Weather Service<ref name = NOWData>
{{cite web
|url = https://www.weather.gov/wrh/climate?wfo=byz
|publisher = National Weather Service
|title = NOAA Online Weather Data
|access-date = August 5, 2022
}}
</ref>
}}

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|align=left
|2000= 2346
|2010= 2214
|2020= 2096
|align-fn=center
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="DecennialCensus">{{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}}</ref><ref name ="wwwcensusgov"/>
}}

The historical population of Colstrip has varied largely since it was established in 1924.  Prior to incorporation in 1998 it was a [[census-designated place]].<ref>{{cite web | title = Colstrip Comprehensive Growth Plan | publisher = Colstrip City Government | url = http://www.cityofcolstrip.com/documents/Growth%20Plan/Colstrip%20Comprehensive%20Growth%20Plan%2008%20for%20website.pdf | access-date = 2008-07-11 }}</ref>

===2010 census===
As of the [[census]]<ref name ="2010 Census">{{cite web|title=U.S. Census website|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=2012-12-18}}</ref> of 2010, there were 2,214 people, 863 households, and 622 families residing in the city. The [[population density]] was {{convert|495.3|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 986 housing units at an average density of {{convert|220.6|/sqmi|/km2|1}}. The racial makeup of the city was 84.7% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 0.2% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 9.0% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.6% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.1% [[Race (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 0.4% from [[Race (U.S. Census)|other races]], and 5.0% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 4.3% of the population.

There were 863 households, of which 35.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.8% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 5.8% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.5% had a male householder with no wife present, and 27.9% were non-families. 24.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 5.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.57 and the average family size was 3.06.

The median age in the city was 38.1 years. 28.2% of residents were under the age of 18; 5.9% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 24.9% were from 25 to 44; 36% were from 45 to 64; and 5.2% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 51.8% male and 48.2% female.

===2000 census===
As of the [[census]]<ref name="GR2">{{cite web |url=https://www.census.gov |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=2008-01-31 |title=U.S. Census website }}</ref> of 2000, there were 2,346 people, 825 households, and 674 families residing in the city. The population density was {{convert|522.6|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 936 housing units at an average density of {{convert|208.5|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of the city was 83.93% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 0.68% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 11.30% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.13% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.51% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 3.45% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 3.15% of the population.

There were 825 households, out of which 48.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 66.8% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 9.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 18.3% were non-families. 16.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 2.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.84 and the average family size was 3.18.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 34.4% under the age of 18, 6.1% from 18 to 24, 28.7% from 25 to 44, 27.7% from 45 to 64, and 3.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females, there were 106.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 100.9 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $55,650, and the median income for a family was $60,352. Males had a median income of $54,241 versus $25,234 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the city was $20,336. About 5.9% of families and 7.0% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 10.7% of those under age 18 and none of those age 65 or over.

==Government==
Colstrip has a mayor-council form of government. In 2023 the mayor was John Williams.<ref>{{cite web |title=Mayor John Williams |url=https://www.cityofcolstrip.com/about-5-1 |publisher=City of Colstrip |access-date=22 September 2023}}</ref>

==Education==
Colstrip Public Schools educates students from kindergarten through 12th grade.<ref>{{cite web |title=Colstrip Public Schools |url=https://www.colstrippublicschools.org/ |publisher=Colstrip Public Schools District 19 |access-date=20 April 2021}}</ref> The highest level of education offered in Colstrip is the [[Colstrip High School]]. They are known as the Colts/Fillies.<ref>{{cite web |title=Member Schools |url=https://www.mhsa.org/memberschools |publisher=Montana High School Association |access-date=19 April 2021}}</ref>

The nearest college is [[Chief Dull Knife College]] in [[Lame Deer, Montana|Lame Deer]].

Colstrip is about {{convert|20|mi|km}} north of the [[Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation]]. Many [[Cheyenne]] students from the reservation attend school at the high school, making up about one third of the students.<ref>Page 107 ''[https://archive.org/details/wenortherncheyen2008amblrich We, the Northern Cheyenne People]: our land, our history, our culture'' (2008), Ambler, Marjane; Little Bear, Richard E; Wilson, Dave; Tall Bull, Linwood; Hantz, Joan; Ward, Carol; Wertman, Bill; Chief Dull Knife College, Lame Deer, Montana</ref>

The Bicentennial Library operates in Colstrip.<ref>{{cite web |title=Bicentennial Library |url=https://sites.google.com/site/bicentenniallibrary/ |access-date=12 April 2021}}</ref>

==Recreation==
[[Image:ColstripCastleRockLake1.jpg|thumb|Castle Rock Lake near Colstrip]]

Colstrip offers a wide variety of recreational and sports activities. Boating and fishing is available on Castle Rock Lake, an artificial [[reservoir]] used by the Colstrip power plants. Fishing enthusiasts can find bluegill, bass, walleye and pike. A 3.2 mile walking/biking trail runs around the lake, and a picnic area and beach is available to swimmers.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.visitmt.com/listings/general/lake/castle-rock-lake.html|title=Castle Rock Lake}}</ref> A year-round recreational facility is available free to residents at Rye Park through Colstrip Parks and Recreation District. CPRD, formerly CARPA, offers sports programs for children and adults alike including golf,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://mtslim.wixsite.com/ponderosa-butte-gc|title=Ponderosa Butte Golf Course}}</ref> soccer, basketball, baseball, fitness and health classes. CPRD facilities include a weight room and cardio room, and two different gymnasiums. CPRD also maintains the bike paths around the city.<ref>[http://www.colstripparks.com Colstrip Parks and Recreation]. Retrieved March 17, 2022.</ref>
In 2005,  ''[[Sports Illustrated]]''’s 50th anniversary issue named Colstrip the top sports town in Montana.<ref>{{cite magazine
 |title=The little town that could: Tiny Colstrip takes SI Sportstown Honors for the state of Montana 
 |access-date=2016-10-03 
 |magazine=Sports Illustrated 
 |url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/magazine/features/si50/states/montana/sports_town/ 
 |url-status=bot: unknown 
 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070103124756/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/magazine/features/si50/states/montana/sports_town/ 
 |archive-date=2007-01-03 
}}</ref> 
The entire community celebrates Colstrip Days annually on the weekend prior to the [[Independence Day (United States)|4th of July]].
==Infrastructure==
[[List of state highways in Montana|Highway 39]] passes through town from north to south.

[[Colstrip Airport]] (FAA ID: M46)<ref>[http://www.airnav.com/airport/m46 AirNav: M46 – Colstrip Airport]. Retrieved March 17, 2022.</ref> is a public use airport located {{convert|3|mi}} southwest of Colstrip. The nearest commercial airport is [[Billings Logan International Airport]], {{convert|124|mi|km|0}} west.

Colstrip Medical Center provides primary care.<ref>{{cite web |title=Home page |url=https://colstripclinic.com/ |publisher=Colstrip Medical Center |access-date=22 September 2023}}</ref>

==Media==
The Forsyth-based ''Independent Press'' covers news for all of Rosebud County, which includes Colstrip.<ref>{{cite web |title=Home page |url=https://www.independent-press.com/ |publisher=Independent Press |access-date=22 September 2023}}</ref>

Two radio stations are licensed in Colstrip. FM station KMCJ<ref>{{cite web |title=KMCJ |url=https://enterpriseefiling.fcc.gov/dataentry/public/tv/publicFacilityDetails.html?facilityId=87790 |publisher=FCC |access-date=22 September 2023}}</ref> is part of [[Your Network of Praise]]. FM station KYPC<ref>{{cite web |title=KYPC |url=https://enterpriseefiling.fcc.gov/dataentry/public/tv/publicFacilityDetails.html?facilityId=172568 |publisher=FCC |access-date=22 September 2023}}</ref> is part of [[Yellowstone Public Radio]].

==Notable people==
*[[David T. Hanson]] - phothographer
* [[Tuff Harris]] — [[Safety (American football position)|safety]] for the [[Pittsburgh Steelers]], played football at [[Colstrip High School]]
* [[Wally McRae]] — [[Cowboy poetry|Cowboy poet]] who earned the 1990 [[National Endowment for the Arts]]' [[National Heritage Award]]

==See also==
{{portal|Montana}}
* [[List of municipalities in Montana]]

==References==
{{reflist|22em}}

==Further reading==
* David R. Wilson, “You Grow Where You’re Planted: Community Building in Colstrip, Montana” (PhD Dissertation: Brigham Young University, 2000)
*{{Cite book
| publisher = Taverner Press
| isbn = 9781935202202
| last = Hanson
| first = David T.
| title = Colstrip, Montana
| location = Fairfield, Iowa
| date = 2010
}}
*{{Cite book
| edition = 1st
| publisher = Aperture
| isbn = 0893817260
| last = Hanson
| first = David T.
| title = Waste land: meditations on a ravaged landscape
| location = New York
| date = 1997
}}
* Joel Vetsch, ''The Virtual Tour of Colstrip, Montana'' (Colstrip, MT: Bright Idea Web Design, 2005)
* Carol Ward, Michael Cope, Kayci Muirbrook, Nick Andre, Jake Wixom, and David Wilson, “Colstrip Community Survey: Report I: Community Life, Perspectives, and Outlook for the Future” (Provo, UT: Charles Redd Center for Western Studies, 2019)
* William B. Evans and Robert L. Peterson. “Decision at Colstrip.” ''Pacific Northwest Quarterly'' Vol. 61, No. 3 (Fall 1970): 129-36.

==External links==
{{commons category|Colstrip, Montana}}
{{wikivoyage|Colstrip}}
* {{Official website|http://www.cityofcolstrip.com/}}

{{Rosebud County, Montana}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Populated places established in 1924]]
[[Category:Company towns in Montana]]
[[Category:Northern Pacific Railway]]
[[Category:Cities in Rosebud County, Montana]]
[[Category:Mining communities in Montana]]
[[Category:Cities in Montana]]
[[Category:1924 establishments in Montana]]