Montezuma, Colorado, Summit County is a captivating ghost town with a rich history in the Rocky Mountains. Once a bustling hub during the Colorado silver boom, it now reflects the ebbs and flows of economic fortune. Below is detailed information about the town.
County: Summit County
Zip Code: 80435
Latitude / Longitude: 39.5819° N, 105.8764° W
Elevation: 10,200 feet
Time Zone: Mountain Time Zone (MTZ)
Established: 1865
Disestablished: Not officially disbanded, but declined significantly in the late 19th century.
Comments: Montezuma was founded during the Colorado silver boom in the mid-19th century. It quickly grew into a vibrant mining town, drawing prospectors and settlers with the promise of silver riches.
The town’s prosperity was short-lived, however, as the silver market crashed in the 1890s, leading to a rapid decrease in population. The Town of Montezuma is a Statutory Town located in eastern Summit County, Colorado, United States.
The 2010 United States Census recorded a population of 65. The town is a former mining camp at 10,200 feet (3,110 m) just west of the Continental Divide, nestled among mountains that reach 12,000-13,000 feet (3,700-4,000 m) around it.
It is situated in the upper valley of the Snake River above the ski resort of Keystone in the Rocky Mountains.
Remains: Today, Montezuma still has several historic buildings from its heyday, including old homes and mining structures. Some of these buildings have been restored, providing a glimpse into the town’s past.
The surrounding area is also dotted with remnants of mining operations, including mine shafts and tailings. The town, named for Montezuma, the Emperor of the Aztecs, consists largely of historical buildings and houses lining unpaved streets at the end of the paved county road that ascends the Snake River from Keystone near the west side of Loveland Pass.
The town sits in a high steep valley surrounded by forested peaks offering good access to higher national forest land destinations. The paved road from Keystone leads mainly through the national forest right up to the town entrance, marked by a sign over the county road.
Current Status: Montezuma is not completely abandoned; it retains a small population, making it more of a semi-ghost town. It serves as a residential area with a few full-time residents who enjoy the seclusion and natural beauty of the area.
It is also popular for outdoor enthusiasts, offering hiking, skiing, and other recreational activities. The town retains many older structures, some dating from the late 19th century, such as the picturesque schoolhouse from the 1880s, now a State of Colorado Historical Site. The town is often included in lists of ghost towns in the Colorado Rockies.
Still, it retains a small population of full-time residents and many absentee homeowners. From 2004 until 2009, a small low-powered FM station (KMZM 96.5, then 96.7) operated from one of the houses, which was received only near and in the town.
Remarks: Montezuma’s allure lies in its picturesque setting and historical importance as a mining town. It is a place where history and nature converge, offering visitors a unique opportunity to explore the remnants of the past while enjoying the serenity of the mountains.
The town’s location near several ski resorts also makes it an appealing destination for those looking to escape the hustle and bustle of modern life. Montezuma has some of the most popular backcountry skiing, biking, snowmobiling, snowshoeing, and hiking trails in Summit County.
Montezuma is listed as one of Colorado’s top scenic places in John Fielder’s Best of Colorado. The town was founded in 1865 following the discovery of silver near nearby Argentine Pass.
Prospectors came over the passes from nearby Georgetown to populate the town, which was incorporated in 1881. A local newspaper, the Montezuma Mill Run, began publishing in 1882.
In its inaugural issue, the Mill Run described the town as having two hotels, three stores, three saloons, two blacksmiths, one shoemaker, and some restaurants and boarding houses.
