Editing Montrose, Colorado

{{short description|City in Colorado, United States}}
{{distinguish|Montrose County, Colorado}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2024}}
{{Infobox settlement
<!-- Basic info -->| name               = Montrose, Colorado
| nickname           = 
| settlement_type    = [[List of cities and towns in Colorado#Home rule municipality|Home rule municipality]]<ref name=COMun>{{cite web |url=https://dola.colorado.gov/lgis/municipalities.jsf|title=Active Colorado Municipalities|publisher=[[Colorado|State of Colorado]], [[Colorado Department of Local Affairs]], Division of Local Government|access-date=January 27, 2021}}</ref>
| motto              = "Quality of Life Is Our Commitment "<br />"Stay here, play everywhere"
<!---|image_skyline            = MontroseMain-1.jpg (old photo of W. Main with plowed snow --->| image_skyline      = MontroseSouthTownsendSS.jpg  <!---S. Townsend with San Juan Mtns in background ---->
| image_caption      = South Townsend Avenue in Montrose
| image_flag         = City of Montrose Logo.jpg
| flag_size          = 
| image_seal         = 
| seal_size          = 
| image_shield       = 
| shield_size        = 
| image_map          = Montrose County Colorado Incorporated and Unincorporated areas Montrose Highlighted 0851745.svg
| map_caption        = Location in {{nowrap|[[Montrose County, Colorado]]}}
| pushpin_map        = USA
| pushpin_label      = Montrose
| pushpin_label_position = right
| pushpin_map_caption = Location in the {{nowrap|[[United States]]}}

<!-- Location -->| subdivision_type   = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
| subdivision_name   = {{flag|United States}}
| subdivision_type1  = [[U.S. state|State]]
| subdivision_name1  = {{flag|Colorado}}
| subdivision_type2  = [[List of counties in Colorado|County]]
| subdivision_name2  = [[Montrose County, Colorado|Montrose County]]<ref name=COcounty>{{cite web |url=https://dola.colorado.gov/lgis/counties.jsf|title=Colorado Counties|publisher=[[Colorado|State of Colorado]], [[Colorado Department of Local Affairs]], Division of Local Government|access-date=January 27, 2021}}</ref>
| subdivision_type3  = [[List of cities and towns in Colorado|City]]
| subdivision_name3  = Montrose<ref name=COMun/>

<!-- Politics -->| government_footnotes = 
| government_type    = [[Colorado municipalities#Home rule municipality|Home rule municipality]]<ref name=COMun/>
| leader_title       = [[Mayor]]
| leader_name        = J. David Reed<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cityofmontrose.org/186/Council-Members|title=Council Members - Montrose, CO - Official Website|website=www.cityofmontrose.org}}</ref>
| leader_title1      = [[City Manager]]<!-- for places with, say, both a mayor and a city manager -->
| leader_name1       = William E. Bell<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.cityofmontrose.org/index.aspx?nid=305 | title = City Manager | publisher = City of Montrose, Colorado | access-date = October 8, 2013}}</ref>
| established_title  = <!-- Settled -->
| established_date   = 
| established_title2 = [[Municipal corporation|Incorporated]]
| established_date2  = May 1, 1882<ref name=MuniIncCO>{{cite web | url = http://www.colorado.gov/dpa/doit/archives/muninc.html | title = Colorado Municipal Incorporations | publisher = [[Colorado|State of Colorado]], Department of Personnel & Administration, Colorado State Archives | date = December 1, 2004 | access-date = September 2, 2007}}</ref>
| established_title3 = <!-- Incorporated (city) -->
| established_date3  = <!-- Area -->
| unit_pref          = US
| area_footnotes     = <ref name="CenPopGazetteer2022">{{cite web |title=2022 U.S. Gazetteer Files: Colorado |url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2022_Gazetteer/2022_gaz_place_08.txt |publisher=United States Census Bureau |accessdate=December 1, 2022}}</ref>
| area_total_km2     = 
| area_land_km2      = 
| area_water_km2     = 
| area_total_sq_mi   = 18.48
| area_land_sq_mi    = 18.48
| area_water_sq_mi   = 0.0
| area_water_percent = <!-- Population -->
| population_as_of   = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
| population_footnotes = <ref name="census2020">{{Cite web|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/profile?g=1600000US0851745|title = Explore Census Data: Montrose city, Colorado}}</ref>
| population_note    = 
| population_total   = 20291
| pop_est_as_of      = 
| pop_est_footnotes  = 
| population_est     = 
| population_density_km2 = 
| population_density_sq_mi = 1098.2
| population_density_metro_sq_mi = 
| population_density_urban_sq_mi = <!-- General information -->
| timezone           = [[Mountain Standard Time|MST]]
| utc_offset         = &minus;7
| timezone_DST       = [[Mountain Daylight Time|MDT]]
| utc_offset_DST     = &minus;6
| coordinates        = {{coord|38|28|37|N|107|51|56|W|region:US-CO_type:city|display=inline,title}}
| elevation_footnotes = <ref name=GNIS/>
| elevation_m        = 
| elevation_ft       = 5807

<!-- Area/postal codes & others -->| postal_code_type   = [[ZIP code]]s<ref name=ZIPcode>{{cite web | url = http://zip4.usps.com/zip4/citytown.jsp | title = ZIP Code Lookup | format = [[JavaScript]]/[[HTML]] | publisher = [[United States Postal Service]] | access-date = November 23, 2007 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20101104123722/http://zip4.usps.com/zip4/citytown.jsp | archive-date = November 4, 2010 }}</ref>
| postal_code        = 81401, 81402 ([[PO Box]]), 81403
| area_code          = 970
| blank_name         = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
| blank_info         = 08-51745
| blank1_name        = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
| blank1_info        = 203328<ref name=GNIS>{{Cite GNIS|203328|Montrose}}</ref>
| website            = {{URL|www.cityofmontrose.org}}
| leader_name2       = 
| leader_title2      = 
}}

'''Montrose''' is a [[List of cities and towns in Colorado#Home rule municipality|home rule municipality]] that is the [[county seat]] and the [[List of cities and towns in Colorado|most populous municipality]] of [[Montrose County, Colorado]], United States.<ref name="GR6">{{cite web|url=http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx|access-date=June 7, 2011|title=Find a County|publisher=National Association of Counties}}</ref>  The city population was 20,291 at the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]],<ref name="census2020" /> within a total area of 18.5 square miles.<ref name="CenPopGazetteer2022"/> The main road that leads in and out of Montrose is [[U.S. Route 550 in Colorado|U.S. Highway 50]].

The city is located in [[Colorado Western Slope|western]] Colorado, in the [[Uncompahgre Valley]], and is an economic, labor, and transportation waypoint for the surrounding area.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Montrose, CO {{!}} Data USA |url=https://datausa.io/profile/geo/montrose-co#employment_by_industries |access-date=April 6, 2024 |website=datausa.io |language=en}}</ref> Montrose is the [[List of municipalities in Colorado|second-largest city]] in western Colorado, after [[Grand Junction, Colorado|Grand Junction]].

==History==
Montrose was incorporated on May 2, 1882, and named after the [[James Graham, Marquis of Montrose|Marquis of Montrose]], immortalized in [[Sir Walter Scott|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, Colorado|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 of the Gunnison|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 {{convert|18.5|sqmi|km2}}; all of it is land.<ref name="CenPopGazetteer2022"/>

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 elevation and abundant sunshine.

{{Weather box
|location = Montrose, Colorado, 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1895&ndash;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<ref name = 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
}}
</ref>
|source 2 = National Weather Service<ref name = NOWData>
{{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
}}
</ref>
}}

==Demographics==
{{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<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> 2020<ref name="census2020"/>
}}

=== 2020 census===
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}}.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=Explore Census Data |url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/profile?g=1600000US0851745 |access-date=March 20, 2022 |website=data.census.gov}}</ref> 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.<ref name=":1" />

The racial makeup of the city was 78.44% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 0.57% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 1.36% [[American Indian and Alaska Native|American Indian or Alaskan Native]], 1.15% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.09% [[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 8.68% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 9.71% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 4,491 people or 22.13% of the population.<ref name=":1" />

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.<ref name=":1" /> The median gross rent was $936 per month, or nearly 30% lower than the State of Colorado and nearly 36% lower than neighboring [[Telluride, Colorado|Telluride]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Explore Census Data |url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/profile?g=1600000US0876795 |access-date=March 20, 2022 |website=data.census.gov}}</ref>

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.<ref name=":1" />

Approximately 27.5% of the population in the city has a [[Bachelor's degree|Bachelor's Degree]] or higher, with 27.3% reporting a high school or equivalent degree, and 26.7% with some college but no degree.<ref name=":1" /> 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%.<ref name=":1" />

==Economy==
[[File:Shelter Distilling - Montrose.jpg|thumb|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.<ref>{{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}}</ref> 

Additionally, Scott Fly Rods relocated to Montrose from Telluride in 1993.<ref>{{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 }}</ref> Gordon Composites, maker of nearly 90 percent of the high-performance laminate material used in the bow-hunting industry, is located in Montrose.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.montroseedc.org/144/Gordon-Composites-Inc|title=Gordon Composites Inc. - Montrose EDC - Official Website|website=www.montroseedc.org}}</ref> Secret Creek, formerly known as Colorado Yurt Company, maker of handcrafted yurts, tipis, and rugged canvas wall tents, is also located in Montrose.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.montroseedc.org/143/Colorado-Yurt-Company|title=Colorado Yurt Company - Montrose EDC - Official Website|website=www.montroseedc.org}}</ref>

In November 2017, the City approved a $10 million fund for public infrastructure improvements<ref>{{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}}</ref> within the Colorado Outdoors development,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://coloradooutdoors.co/|title=Home|website=Colorado Outdoors}}</ref> and was the recipient of a $2 million grant for a new trail system.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://coloradooutdoors.co/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/9-30-17-MDP-GOCO.pdf|title=grant award}}</ref> 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<ref>{{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}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{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}}</ref><ref>{{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}}</ref> The former plant building was sold in 2024,<ref>{{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}}</ref> 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]].<ref>{{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}}</ref>

In 2024, both Shelter Distilling<ref>{{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}}</ref> and restaurant Toasty<ref>{{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}}</ref> opened after receiving economic incentives from the city.<ref>{{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}}</ref>

==Parks and recreation==
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,<ref>{{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}}</ref> and over 38 public parks.<ref>{{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}}</ref> 

The city is bicycle friendly, with [[League of American Bicyclists]] designating the city as a Bicycle Friendly Community.<ref>{{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}}</ref>

There are also three 18-hole golf courses within the city,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Golfing |url=https://www.visitmontrose.com/outdoors/activities/golfing/ |access-date=April 1, 2023 |website=www.visitmontrose.com}}</ref> Bridges Golf & Country Club,<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Bridges Golf & Country Club - Montrose, CO |url=https://www.thebridgesgcc.com/ |access-date=2025-03-10 |website=www.thebridgesgcc.com}}</ref> Black Canyon Golf Course,<ref>{{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}}</ref> and Cobble Creek Golf Club.<ref>{{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}}</ref>

The long running Montrose Summer Music Series<ref>{{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}}</ref> also provides live music entertainment in the summer months at the Montrose Rotary Amphitheater<ref>{{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}}</ref> 

==Education==
===K-12 Education===
Montrose is served by Montrose County School District RE-1J, which operates eight schools in the city:<ref>{{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}}</ref>

*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.

===Higher Education===
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.<ref>{{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}}</ref> In the fall 2024 semester, the campus served 315 students.<ref>{{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}}</ref> Montrose is also home to a branch campus of Technical College of the Rockies, offering technical and vocational certificates.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Campus Directory - Technical College of the Rockies |url=https://tcr.edu/campus-directory/ |website=www.tcr.edu}}</ref>

==Infrastructure==
===Transportation===
[[File:Montrose Station 1940.jpg|thumb|Montrose Station in 1940]]
[[Montrose Regional Airport]] serves the Montrose area with regional service to [[Denver]]. As the nearest major airport to the [[Telluride, Colorado|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.<ref>{{cite web |title=Montrose Public Bus |url=https://www.allpointstransit.com/montrose-public-bus/ |website=All Points Transit|date=March 16, 2018 }}</ref> Montrose is part of Colorado's [[Bustang]] [[Intercity bus service|intercity bus]] network; three bus lines serve the town. It is along the Durango-Telluride-Grand Junction Outrider line.<ref>{{cite web |title=Bustang Schedule |url=https://ridebustang.com/schedules/ |website=RideBustang |publisher=CDOT}}</ref>

====Major highways====
*[[U.S. Route 50 in Colorado|US 50]] connects Montrose to [[Grand Junction, Colorado|Grand Junction]], [[Gunnison, Colorado|Gunnison]] and [[Pueblo, Colorado|Pueblo]].
*[[U.S. Route 550 in Colorado|US 550]] ends in Montrose, and connects the city to [[Silverton, Colorado|Silverton]], [[Ouray, Colorado|Ouray]], and [[Durango, Colorado|Durango]].

==Notable people==
Hall of Fame [[Jockey|horse jockey]] [[Anna Lee Aldred|Anna Lee Alred]], the first American women to receive a jockey license, was born Montrose. [[Kentucky Derby]] and [[Preakness Stakes|Preakness]] winner [[Pat Valenzuela]] was also born in Montrose.

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

Montrose is the birthplace of American [[screenplay|screenwriter]] and [[novel]]ist [[Dalton Trumbo]], who scripted films including ''[[Roman Holiday]]'', ''[[Exodus (1960 film)|Exodus]]'', ''[[Spartacus (film)|Spartacus]]'', and ''[[Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo]]''. 

[[Billboard charts|Billboard]] charting<ref>{{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}}</ref> guitarist, songwriter & producer [[A.J. Fullerton (musician)|A.J. Fullerton]] grew up in Montrose, CO. graduating from Montrose High School in 2013. He currently resides in Nashville, TN. 

==See also==
{{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]]
*[[:Category:People from Montrose, Colorado|People from Montrose, Colorado]]

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}} <!-- for current and future use if material is uploaded -->
{{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:Montrose, Colorado| ]]
[[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]]