Rio Blanco History

meeker courthouseRio Blanco County has a rich Native American history that dates back to the mid-sixteenth century when the area was inhabited by the Ute people. In fact, there were three different tribes of the Utes living in the area. The Parianuche and the Yampa occupied most of the county’s territory while Uintah territory straddled the present-day border between Utah and Colorado. The Yampa wintered in the White River valley and ranged into the Flat Tops and southern Wyoming; the Parianuche wintered near present-day Glenwood Springs and ranged into eastern Utah and the Flat Tops.

The county was officially formed in 1889 and named after the White River, which is what Rio Blanco translates to. The county’s seat and largest city is Meeker. The town emerged as a regional center for hunting by the turn of the 20th century. Theodore Roosevelt once visited the town on a mountain lion hunting trip and stayed in the historic Hotel Meeker opposite the courthouse. The town is also a favorite summer destination and permanent residence for many prominent Americans.

Rio Blanco County is the home of the Colorow Mountain State Wildlife Area, which is located on Colorow Mountain. The Colorow Mountain State Wildlife Area is located near White River City and is north of Rio Blanco Lake and State Highway 64. There is camping, hunting, hiking, horseback riding, and wildlife viewing on the 1500-acre park. It has access to some Bureau of Land Management areas north of the wildlife area. Part of several national protected areas are in Rio Blanco County. These include Routt National Forest, White River National Forest, and the Flat Tops Wilderness.

DATE CREATED: 1889
PARENT COUNTY: Summit
COUNTY SEAT: Meeker

SKELETON CLOSET AKA PLACES TO SEEK YOUR ANCESTORS:

Rio Blanco Courthouse
555 Main Meeker, CO
(970) 878-3627

Rio Blanco County Public Health Department
538 Garfield St Meeker, CO
(970) 878-4003

Meeker Public Library
200 Main St Meeker, CO
(970) 878-5911
Email: meekerp@hotmail.com

Rio Blanco County Historical Society
and the White River Museum
565 Park Street
Meeker, CO 81641
(970) 878-9982
Email: wrmuseum@quik.com

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