Montrose, Colorado (2024)

So, I saw another post on here about possible relocation for somebody. I really didn't want to hijack that thread, so I figured I'd start another.

I've recently applied for a job in Montrose, CO, and have never visited the area. I've heard good things about the area, but they've mostly just been things that'd be great for weekend trips or small vacations. I love mountain and road biking, climbing and bouldering in general, hunting, fishing, skiing, hiking, blah, blahbiddy blah.

However, I live in Fort Collins now, and also love what I've got at my fingertips here. I'm relatively sure I'll have an interview in Montrose, so I'll get to form my own opinion anyway, but I'm just wondering what any of you've got to say about the area. Would it be a good move? Anybody currently living there have anything to say about it? How are the people/community? Any good entertainment besides awesome craigslist truck stop trash, country bars and Sunday afternoon meth-head watching?

I've lived in smaller, agricultural places before, and areas that were very industry-based and transient (Casper, WY; Fountain City, WI; Cody, WY; to name a few), so I know what that's all about. There wouldn't be any culture shock.

The job is a great paying gig, so housing (to a limit, of course) isn't a problem.

Anyway, just wondering about your thoughts, and what you'd do in my shoes. Thanks!

I grew up there and have said lots of bad things about it in the past, but I haven't been back in awhile so I'm currently remembering the better things. My only real complaint is the small townness (let's just say there's a high percentage of Wal-Mart shoppers), but that's just me. It's pretty sleepy, but has grown quite a bit and has some unchecked growth on the south end of town (think south Ft. Collins), but that's also added a couple places to eat and hang out. However, if you like evening entertainment other than movies there's honestly not much to do. There are pockets of cool/interesting/fun people around and are usually pretty tight-knit, but welcoming, since the community is small. If you wind up moving there, hit the high-school climbing gym on one of the open nights or do one of the group rides (ask at Cascade Bicycles) and you'll meet some like-minded people. Montrose is surrounded on all sides by cool terrain, but biking is really the only thing really close.

Mountain biking: Uncompahgre plateau has nearly endless beautiful narrow single track (45 mins), the 'dobies have great riding on motorcycle trails (Z-ditch is an all-time fav) 10 minutes from town, you're an hour or so from Fruita, and two from Moab.

Road biking: lots and lots of fast hilly riding on quiet paved country roads. There aren't a lot of close climbs though, with the exception of the road to the Black Canyon and the very steep East Portal.

Climbing: nothing really close, so it's hard to get anything in during a weekday if you have a regular job. I've explored all over Shavano valley (15 mins or so) and have mostly found friable sandstone, but there's bouldering out there if you're desperate. The south rim of the Black Canyon is probably the next closest around 30 mins away. Next closest is a little sporty area called Dry Creek (west side of town), but you have to bounce out there on generally crappy roads so it takes at least an hour. Beyond that, the world is your oyster: desert is 2-3 hours, Black Canyon north rim, Ouray, Telluride, Unaweep, Escalante are all around an hour. I'm not much of an ice climber, but there's plenty around and generally you don't have to share it.

Hunting and fishing: yeah, Montrose is the place for that and you'll instantly have 100 buddies.

Skiing: Telluride is an hour, Crested Butte is about two, Silverton is around and hour and a half. Good accessible backcountry on Red Mountain Pass, McClure Pass, and Grand Mesa. Lots more out there if you like to explore.

Hiking: really pretty lousy in terms of vistas and accessibility, but Ouray has some spectacular hikes. If you like wandering around aimlessly in the pinon juniper there's a lot you can do closer.

If you love Old Town Ft. Collins, Montrose might be rough. If you can deal with the rest of Ft. Collins you might love it there.

I am living in Grand Junction and I would have to put a strong vote in for the living on the Western Slope. Montrose has develop A LOT in the last 4-5 years. It really is not a small little podunk town anymore. You can find a decent variety of food. Nightlife is limited. One benefit to living here is crowd size. I can head to Unaweep and climb fantastic multipitch all day and not see a sole (also good ice!). The next benifit is access. While Montrose might not have a large in the backyard acccess, it is central to a lot of places. The above poster summed it up well, I will just throw out a few more thoughts.

On the front range you can really only head West. Here you have Moab, Indian Creek, and canyons, biking to the West.

Southbound you have world class hiking, hot springs, ice climbing, and jeeping just 30 min away in Ouray. Not to mention the San Jauns especially the Weminuche Wilderness very close by.

To the east you have the Black Canyon, Gunnison, Crested Butte, and the West Elks with some of the best back country in Colorado within less than a two hours drive.

North is GJ and Fruits with spectacular single track that is less crowed and often much better than anything Moab has to offer, and its only an hour away. There is also climbing at Rifle (two hours from Montrose).

Pros: Less crowds, close access to the best spots in Colorado, lots more ability to fit in weekend adventures.

Cons: Lacking in the "culture" scene, it is a "working man's" town for better or worse.

While GJ has a great "after work" biking and decent bouldering and climbing, I can't speak for Montrose.

One tip: for reasons beyond explanation the name is pronounce Mont-rose locally.

The others have covered things well, so I'll just add:

We LOVE it here in Montrose! There are great outdoor recreational destinations in every direction, for every season.

There's a new group that's formed to help people around here connect with others who want to hike, ski, climb, etc. You might want to check it out:

Mountain User Group of the Uncompahgre Valley

It's extremely new, so I'm not sure if it'll hang together, but there are definitely lots of people here who love to "get out there."

Thanks for all information, guys - it's just the kind of stuff I was looking for. I'll have to PM some of you guys when I get down there to have a beer or something.

Here's a few more questions:

Is there anybody out there that hates Montrose? Why?

What are the odds of getting onto the local search and rescue team?

Any good coffee/climbing/bike shops in town? I could google this, I'm sure, but I'd rather get reviews from people on sites like this.

Is there any kind of cyclocross racing within reasonable distance?

Anybody looking for a roommate in case I decide to head that direction?

Thanks again!!!

I don't have good local advice, but all I can say is that when I stayed there in summer 2007, I was NOT impressed. Especially when you compare to an area like Fort Collins and its surroundings.

Obviously, this has no bearing on what the town might actually live like, but that was my first impression. Best of luck to you!

SAR? Coffee? Climbing and bike shops? Cyclocross? You're headed in entirely the wrong direction. I live in Boulder now and, since it's the center of the universe, I fully understand all of the interests above. Montrose is the antithesis of these. There are 3 or 4 coffee shops, but only one with any character and it's very quiet. Western State, an hour away, has a SAR team, but they might only get called out for technical rescues a handful of times a year. The only climbing shop, Cimmaron Creek, was really just a corner of a fishing shop and closed down a few years ago. Bike shops over there are a far cry from what Ft. Collins has, don't even think about cyclocross. Keep in mind the active community is small, maybe 20 climbers and 50 active bicyclists.

If you go for an interview take a week and stay in Montrose and you'll get a better idea of what you'd be in for. Montrose works only if you're extremely self-motivated and don't need to be around people with similar interests. Independence and self-reliance must be a source of pride. Love of Coors Light, blasting prairie dogs, the Republican party, and the Broncos is also a big help. There are always exceptions, but this is absolutely the rule.

"if you bring up 'cyclocross' in montrose, most people will assume you are wanting to start a motorcycle for jesus group." slim

First of all, isn't that what cyclocross is? A motorcycle for Jesus group? I don't know if that's funny to anybody else, but I definitely chuckled about that. Thanks for a good laugh, slim!

Also, thanks again for all the information about Montrose - it's getting tough... good arguments, both for and against what sounds like a unique mountain town. I'll be thinking long and hard about the move, if I'm afforded the opportunity. As well, keep the comments coming if anybody has something to add.

Ian F. - Don't worry about your attempted hijack on my thread. The job I found in Montrose is for the federal government - to be more specific, the Bureau of Reclamation. They have a pretty good presence over there, as they own/operate multiple hydro-electric dams and water diversion sites. Keep a watch on usajobs.gov to see if any openings pop up in your area of expertise. I know there are multiple gov't agencies in the Montrose area, though. Good luck to you, too! Feel free to PM me if you need any information on job searching within the government. I currently work for the Bureau of Reclamation in Loveland, CO.

Cascade bikes is really great and the mountain biking community is right knit. In my experience, there's a strong cyclocross scene.

Montrose is an interesting town that is becoming a lot better. I'd look into living in Ridgway or Ouray if you can afford it though (don't know why nobody has mentioned this). 30 min commute from Ridgway and 40 from Ouray, and Ridgway sounds like exactly what you're looking for.

Source: I lived in Ridgway for high school.