Meeker Colorado History and Area Recreational Activities

Meeker Colorado, a small town of 2,242 people in Rio Blanco County, still reflects much of it's western background. With cattle and sheep ranching as a large part of Meeker's industry, work and play revolves around the lands surrounding this area. Founded in 1883 and named after Nathan Meeker, an Indian agent for the federal government.

In the early days trappers came through this large fertile valley of the White River. They were followed by farmers and ranchers all eager to settle but not with the blessing of the native Indians. The Indians hated the white men for taking over their lands and the white men could not trust the Indians. Though trying to civilize the natives through religion and teaching them to farm, the natives really did not want much to do with any of it. After seeing more white people moving here to settle and miners traveling through to the gold towns there was constant turmoil.

Nathan Meeker was assigned the project as Indian agent worked hard to convert the Ute Indians, but in 1879 it all came to a head. The Indians always regarded horse ownership with great pride and a sign of wealth. Meeker told them that there were too many horses and that some would have to be killed. He then gave the order to plow up the horse track that the Indians used for races, that was the last straw.

The Indian agency in Meeker Colorado was burned to the ground and 12 people were killed and 43 others were wounded. Meeker wound up with his head pinned to the ground by a stake through his mouth so that he could not lie anymore to them. This was the last of the great Indian wars known as the Meeker Massacre.

White women and children ( including Meeker's wife and two children) were captured and held captive for a period of 23 days until they were finally turned over to the military.

The Indians were taken completely out of the White River drainage and relocated to reservations in Utah and Western Colorado on lands that the white people did not find useful.

Once the Indians were removed settlers in Meeker Colorado could rest easy and focus on ranching again. Because of its location, hunting and tourism has become a very large part of Meeker's mainstay. People travel here from all over the country to hunt and fish in the mountains surrounding this small town.

Western Colorado is home to the largest elk herds in the United States, and this area also is great hunting for bear, mountain lion, antelope and mule deer. Even Teddy Roosevelt came and stayed in the historic Meeker Hotel to hunt mountain lion in 1901. With the Flat Tops Wilderness Area and White River National Forest both within 30 miles of Meeker, its a great place to stay and commute from.

The White River that flows through Meeker is good fishing with many public fishing areas and there are many gold medal fishing streams located on public lands in the mountains close by.

Lake fishing can be had at Trappers Lake, located 39 miles from Meeker and is a really scenic area.

Meeker is also the place to see the sheep dog herding competitions every September. The Meeker Classic Sheep Dog Trials is one of the hardest dog herding events in the world. The sheep in this country can get pretty tough staying out in the hills all year long.

Get a map here for directions and different area views.

For more information go to the Meeker Colorado Chamber of Commerce.

Western Colorado Towns

Camping, Hiking and Hunting in Western Colorado