Stout, Colorado, Larimer County is a fascinating ghost town that once thrived in Northern Colorado. This small settlement played a significant role in the region’s history, primarily due to quarrying activities. Below is detailed information about the town.
County: Larimer County
Zip Code: Not available
Latitude / Longitude: 40.5333° N, 105.1333° W
Elevation: 5,138 feet (1,566 meters)
Time Zone: Mountain Time Zone (MT)
Established: 1860s
Disestablished: 1950s
Comments: Stout was primarily known for its sandstone quarrying operations during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The stone extracted from the quarries was used in prominent buildings, including the Colorado State Capitol. The town prospered until the demand for sandstone declined.
Remains: Very few physical remains of Stout remain. The area is now submerged under Horsetooth Reservoir, which was created in the 1940s as part of the Colorado-Big Thompson Project. When water levels are low, some foundations and remnants may be visible.
It was established in the 1860s as a camp for workers at the nearby stone quarries. The Union Pacific Railroad invested in quarrying operations in the valley around the town and, at one time, built a spur of its rail line from Fort Collins up to the town to transport stone for its own use.
Current Status: Submerged and abandoned
The town was abandoned in 1949 to make way for the inundation of the valley by Horsetooth Reservoir as part of the Colorado-Big Thompson Project. Some of the former townsites is located under the southern end of the reservoir.
In recent decades, a small community has developed around the south edge of the reservoir, locally known as “South Bay.” A sign at the southern end of the reservoir somewhat whimsically proclaims the area as “Stout, population 47-1/2”;. However, the designation is not official. It is used by most residents of Fort Collins.
Remarks: Stout reminds us of the transient nature of such settlements, whose existence was closely tied to the industries they supported. The area’s transformation into a reservoir marked the end of Stout and contributed to the development of water resources for the surrounding communities.
