Ridgway, Colorado

Ridgway is a small town of fewer than 1,000 people, located in Ouray County in the southwestern part of Colorado. As of the 2010 census, only 924 people lived here, and there were 404 households, with a median income of $40,903. 3.2% of people lived below the poverty line.

This town got its start as a railway town in the 1800s, serving nearby Telluride and Ouray, both of which were mining “boom towns”. Ridgway has two primary highways intersecting it – US Highway 550 and State Highway 62. Uniquely, the town has only one stoplight, which is at this intersection.

Ridgway is primarily known for its incredible scenic views, and it has been the setting of numerous Hollywood films, such as John Wayne’s famous True Grit, as well as How The West Was Won and Tribute To A Bad Man. Located at the base of the San Juan mountains, Ridgway provides excellent views, particularly from the well-known Log Hill Mesa.

It’s also a popular area for viewing wildlife. As a small town surrounded by wilderness, there are plenty of wild animals around, such as mountain lions, badgers, deer, elk, coyotes, wild turkeys, and bald eagles, to name a few. Naturally, hunting is also popular, with several outfitters offering guided hunts in and around the Ridgway area.

Tourism and the service industry are important to Ridgway, as it’s on a highway that leads to more major tourist towns like Ouray and Telluride. Many people in the town are employed at nearby resorts and destinations.

Schooling is provided by the Ridgway School District, which runs one elementary school, and one secondary school in the area, serving the entire town.

Helpful Links And Local Resources

If you want to learn more about living in Ridgway and the surrounding communities, you can visit the following links for more information.

• The Ridgway School District. Phone:(970) 626-4320
• Ridgway Colorado Tourism. Phone: (970) 626-5181
• Things To Do In Ridgway