With a population of 737,867 in 2021, El Paso County remains the most populous county, while San Juan County remains the least populous with a population of 733 in 2021. Five of Colorado`s 64 counties now have more than 500,000 residents, while 12 have fewer than 5,000 residents. [d] Of Colorado`s 64 counties, 4 counties have an average elevation [f] greater than 11,000 feet (3,353 m), 22 counties have an average elevation greater than 10,000 feet (3,048 m), 32 counties have an average elevation greater than 9,000 feet (2,743 m), and the 64 counties have an average elevation greater than 3,880 feet (1,183 m). When Colorado became a state on August 1, 1876, it had only 26 counties. Routt County and Ouray were formed in January 1877, followed by Gunnison County and Custer County in March. Chaffee County was formed in February 1879. From February 8 to February 10, 1879, Lake County was renamed Carbonate County. Dolores County and Pitkin County were formed in 1881. In 1883, Montrose, Mesa, Garfield, Eagle, Delta and San Miguel counties were formed, leaving the total number of counties at 39.

The number increased to 40 in 1885 with the creation of Archuleta County on April 14. Washington County and Logan County were both formed in 1887. Between February 19 and April 16, 1889, the counties of Morgan, Yuma, Cheyenne, Otero, Rio Blanco, Phillips, Sedgwick, Kiowa, Kit Carson, Lincoln, Prowers, Baca, and Montezuma were formed, bringing the total to 55. Around 1900, Mineral County and Teller County were added. On November 15, 1902, Arapahoe County was divided into Adams County and South Arapahoe County, and Denver was consolidated as a city and county on December 1, 1902 from parts of the two newly formed counties. In 1912, Jackson County, Moffat County, and Crowley County were created.[4] Alamosa was formed in 1913, and in 2001, Broomfield was consolidated as a city and county, bringing the total to 64 counties. Now that marijuana retailing is legal in Colorado, we all have a few things to know. The laws listed here are for the state. Cities, counties, schools, universities and employers can set their own rules and consequences. Check how marijuana laws differ in each county or city before using them. On February 9, 1866, the first new county, Las Animas, was created, followed by Saguache in December of the same year. Bent County was formed in February 1870, followed by Greenwood the following month.

On February 2, 1874, Grand County and Elbert County were formed, and on February 10, La Plata, Hinsdale, and Rio Grande County were created. Greenwood was admitted to Bent on 5 February. The last county created as Colorado Territory was San Juan County, which was created three months before the state was created. U.S. Census Bureau population estimates for July 1, 2021, are included in Colorado`s county population history. The following sortable table lists all the historic counties of New Mexico Territory, Utah Territory, Kansas Territory, and Jefferson Extrajudicial Territory[12] that previously existed within the boundaries of present-day Colorado, as well as the three defunct counties of Colorado Territory and the three defunct counties of the state of Colorado. [e] Adults 21 years of age and older can have up to 2 ounces of marijuana. Having more can result in legal fees and fines. Despite legalization, employers can still test marijuana and make employment decisions based on drug test results. Make sure you know your workplace`s policies before using them. Because marijuana is still illegal under federal law, you can`t use it on federal lands, including national parks and national forests. This also includes the ski slopes.

Of Colorado`s 64 counties, 20 counties span 14,000 feet (4,267 m) in elevation, 32 counties span 13,000 feet (3,962 m), 42 counties span 10,000 feet (3,048 m), and Colorado`s 64 counties span 4,116 feet (1,255 m). The next 13 counties in Colorado have the highest average elevation of any county in the United States, surpassing even the Denali District of Alaska. The U.S. state of Colorado is divided into 64 counties. Two of these counties, the City and County of Broomfield and the City and County of Denver, consolidated city and county governments. Denver is the state capital. Counties are important government units in Colorado because there are no civil townships or other smaller civil divisions. On November 1, 1861, the new Colorado Territory created 17 original counties: Arapahoe, Boulder, Clear Creek, Costilla, Douglas, El Paso, Fremont, Gilpin, Guadalupe, Huerfano, Jefferson, Lake, Larimer, Park, Pueblo, Summit and Weld; plus the Cheyenne Reserve. [2] [3] 7. Colorado State University in Larimer County, Colorado El Paso County, with a population of 730,395 in 2020, is the most populous county in Colorado, while San Juan County is the least populous with a population of 705 in 2020. Las Animas County is the largest county in Colorado with an area of 4,776 square miles (12,369 km2), while the city and county of Broomfield are the smallest with an area of 34 square miles (87 km2).