Our Communities
In a region of ancient geographic diversity and
modern social transition, the seven counties that make
up the Western Slope region share remarkable landscapes
of mountains, high desert, mesas, and river valleys.
Ranches and farmland line the countryside, and public
lands occupy over 50 percent of the landmass. Cattle
ranches, open range, and hay fields now intermix with
organic farms, orchards, and vineyards, and yet the
availability of the precious runoff of water from the
high country is what defines and allows humans to grow
their crops and graze their livestock.
The Western Slope Region is situated on the western
side of Colorado's Rocky Mountains. To
learn more about each community, click on each county name below.
The emergence of mining in the region originally
brought many settlers from the East. Today, coal, oil,
and gas remain active industries in Mesa, Delta, and
Gunnison counties, though the mines have given way to
ski resorts and vacation getaways in areas such as
Telluride, Ouray, and Crested Butte.
Recreational activities are now a significant part of
the Western Slope lifestyle. In winter months, higher
elevations become winter playgrounds for downhill and
Nordic skiing, snowmobiling, ice fishing, and sled dog
racing. Warmer months offer fantastic hiking trails,
rock climbing, and ample opportunities for road and
mountain biking. The public and private lands full of
rivers and mountains that supply habitation for wildlife
also provide prime hunting and fishing areas.
The Western Slope has attracted people from all over
the globe, yet has deep historic roots in Native
American cultures and those of the early settlers of the
“wild” West. Among others, today’s population is made up
of descendants of cowboys, children of hippies, and
retirees seeking a quiet, rural lifestyle. The region
continues to grow even in a tenuous economy.
Traditional lifestyles and modern influences
contribute to the challenges the communities of the
Western Slope face: The pioneer attitude of the “rugged
individualist” lives on; small business owners,
contractors, artists, farmers, and ranchers seek to
preserve their independence; retirees wish to get away
from the stresses of urban life. But one of the common
threads is that all wish a comfortable lifestyle and a
reasonable quality of life. As urban centers like Grand
Junction and Montrose grow, the challenges of urban life
grow with them – poverty, crime, and drug use are all on
the rise.
The nonprofit sector plays a strong
role in maintaining the balance of tradition and
modernity. Over 1,200 nonprofit organizations in the
Western Slope region address issues such
as:
While the seven counties of the Western Slope share
many similarities, each also has unique circumstances
and needs. In these pages, you will find characteristics and summary
data of the counties, giving you facts, images, and a
feeling for the counties of the Western Slope.
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