Gunnison Colorado History and RecreationGunnison Colorado was incorporated as a Home Rule Municipality in 1880, with a population today of 5,410. At an altitude of 7,703 ft and located in the Gunnison River Valley, it is one of the coldest places in the United States in the winter. An average January low of -7 F.. Cold air flows from surrounding valleys into the lower Gunnison River Valley causing temperatures to fall dramatically at night. Gunnison gets its name from John Gunnison, who lead a team to survey a route in 1883 for the Pacific Railroad that would be part of the Transcontinental Railroad. The Gunnison River also gets its name to honor this man. Later in the same year Gunnison and seven of his men would be killed during the Gunnison Massacre by the Pahvant Indians. Like many western slope towns, Gunnison Colorado grew up during the Gold Rush years as people flocked here to get rich with tents and crude buildings popping up everywhere. Wyatt Earp and his common law wife Josie, moved to Gunnison Colorado and settled down here in 1883 for a few years while Wyatt ran a faro bank in a saloon. Earp also invested in mines in Colorado and Idaho during this period before moving back to California. Nowadays cattle ranching and tourism lead the economy. Gunnison has the longest running rodeo in Colorado and Cattlemens Days celebration every year. There is a regional airport here that serves both Crested Butte and Gunnison. The Curecanti National Recreation Area includes Blue Mesa, Morrow Point and Crystal Dam and an area of 41,972 acres. Blue Mesa, the largest body of water in Colorado, is 20 miles long with 96 miles of shoreline is the largest Lake Trout and Kokanee salmon fishery in the U.S.. Other fish in this reservoir include Rainbow and Brown Trout. Morrow Point Reservoir has scenic boat tours through this reservoir that is located deep in a steep granite lined canyon on large pontoon boats. Also there is a narrow gauge railroad exhibit off highway 50 in Cimarron near the Morrow Point Dam that has cars and engines on display. There are many hiking trails also for visitors in this area. West Elk Loop Scenic Byway is a very pretty drive that is paved most of the way, and with some good dirt or gravel roads in its 200 mile length. Connecting towns of Crested Butte, Altmont, Gunnison, Crawford, Hotchkiss, Paonia and Somerset there is much to do on the loop. Scenery changes from low desert to green valleys and above tree line views. I have done this several times on my motorcycle and really enjoy it. Some of the mountainous terrain in this area include the West Elk Wilderness area, Raggeds Wilderness area, Collegiate Peaks Wilderness area, Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness area and the Gunnison National Forest. There is Backpacking, hunting, boat or stream fishing, road and mountain bicycling, rock climbing. In the winter cross-country skiing and alpine skiing at Crested Butte just 28 miles from Gunnison Colorado. Gunnison Colorado is also home to Western State College of Colorado making this a college town with many events planned for this age group such as kayaking and rock climbing. The Gunnison River flows through town and a whitewater park was recently added for people to enjoy. This wonderful area has excellent scenery and many activities for all age groups. Get a map here for directions and different area views. For more information go to the Gunnison Colorado Chamber of Commerce. Look here for links to public lands... Colorado Outdoors Info Links. Free Shipping on Over 14,000 Items at Stacks and Stacks! Towns of Western Colorado
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Later in the 1880's the town took on a more permanent look with brick and quality built wooden structures many of which still stand today. By 1893 Gunnison had slowed to a stop after metal prices fell and many left the area in search of subsistence elsewhere.
