WSP06806 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

MAY lQ82 Over the past 50 years Montezuma County has increased from 7,798 to 1- 16,510 people. During this time there have been significant variations in population although the area has remained generally rural. Initial growth was directly related to mining. Agriculture did not become significant until after 1890, when irrigation water was first delivered to Montezuma Valley. Until 1950, most of the population growth was a result of the expanding agricultural industry. Growth was relatively uniform and gradual until the decade of 1950-60 when oil exploration caused a sharp increase from 9,991 to 14,024 during this 10-year period. Following 1960, oil explorations dwindled and the population declined sharply, although it remained above the 1950 level. Between the years 196u and 1970, the population in Montezuma county decreased while population in the State increased. However from 1970 to 1980, the population again grew significantly due to renewed oil interest and construction of the Dolores Project. Population change 1930-1980 Year Nontezuma Percent Colorado Percent County Change Change 1930 7,798 1,035,791 1940 10,463 34 1,123,296 8 1950 9,991 -5 1,325,089 18 1960 14,024 40 1,753,947 32 1970 12,024 -14 2,209,596 26 1980 16,510 37 2,88/l,834 31 Indians and Spanish Americans, the largest minority groups, comprise 18 percent of the County population. Approximately 1,651 Indians live in the county; most of them belong to the Ute Mountain Indian Tribe at Towaoc, 11 miles south of Cortez. Of all Indians in the area, 90 percent live in this community which is outside of the McElmo study area. Also, the 1980 census estimated that 1,352 people in the area are of Spanish-American origin, with nearly 55 percent living in the city of Cortez. III-14 ro (,1 S 5 0 ,) \.,,' J.