Honoring the Past

Northwest Colorado and its counties of Moffat, Routt, and Rio Blanco Counties preserve and celebrate the rich cultural heritage that defines the region. Local museums serve as custodians of the past, offering engaging exhibits and educational programs that highlight the area's Native American history, pioneer settlements, and mining legacy.

Explore Northwest Colorado’s Heritage

Organizations like the Northwest Colorado Cultural Heritage Program, Northwest Colorado Development Council, Routt County Economic Development Partnership and the Associated Governments of Northwest Colorado work collaboratively with community stakeholders to promote cultural tourism initiatives and heritage preservation projects. Festivals, events, and outdoor attractions further contribute to the preservation and celebration of the region's diverse heritage, ensuring that future generations can continue to appreciate and learn from its rich history.

Moffat County

Museum of Northwest Colorado - Located in Craig, this museum showcases exhibits on local history, including Native American artifacts, pioneer life, and the region's mining heritage.
Wyman Living History Museum - Situated near Craig, this outdoor museum features historic buildings and artifacts depicting early 20th-century ranching and homesteading life.
Browns Park National Wildlife Refuge - This scenic area on the Green River is not only known for its natural beauty but also for its historical significance, including sites associated with Butch Cassidy and the Wild Bunch.
Dinosaur National Monument - Part of the monument extends into Moffat County, offering visitors the chance to see dinosaur fossils, ancient petroglyphs, and stunning river canyons.

Rio Blanco County

White River Museum - Located in Meeker, this museum highlights the history of Rio Blanco County, including exhibits on Native American culture, early settlers, and the region's ranching heritage.
Milk Creek Battlefield Park - This historical site near Meeker commemorates the Battle of Milk Creek, a significant conflict between Ute Indians and the U.S. Cavalry in 1879.
Rangely Outdoor Museum - This museum features a collection of historical buildings that house a wide variety of artifacts. The museum preserves the history, archeology, zoology, and ethnology of Rangely and the surrounding area with an emphasis on three periods of time: (1) Native Peoples and Prehistory, (2) Pioneers and Ranching and (3) Energy Resource Development.
Rangely Classic Automotive Museum - This museum highlights the long history of the automotive revolution and includes numerous automobiles that are exceedingly rare.
Meeker Classic Sheepdog Championship Trials - Held annually in Meeker, this event celebrates the tradition of sheepherding with competitive sheepdog trials, artisan fairs, and cultural activities.

Routt County

Tread of Pioneers Museum - Located in Steamboat Springs, this museum offers exhibits on the history of Routt County, including its early settlement, mining heritage, and Olympic skiing history.
Steamboat Art Museum - This museum in Steamboat Springs showcases contemporary and historical art, with a focus on regional artists and Western themes.
Hayden Heritage Museum - Located in the 1913 Hayden Depot, the museum showcases the town’s ranching heritage, historic architecture, and the area’s legacy in developing the Quarter Horse breed.

Moffat County

Museum of Northwest Colorado - Located in Craig, this museum showcases exhibits on local history, including Native American artifacts, pioneer life, and the region's mining heritage.
Wyman Living History Museum - Situated near Craig, this outdoor museum features historic buildings and artifacts depicting early 20th-century ranching and homesteading life.
Browns Park National Wildlife Refuge - This scenic area on the Green River is not only known for its natural beauty but also for its historical significance, including sites associated with Butch Cassidy and the Wild Bunch.
Dinosaur National Monument - Part of the monument extends into Moffat County, offering visitors the chance to see dinosaur fossils, ancient petroglyphs, and stunning river canyons.

Rio Blanco County

White River Museum - Located in Meeker, this museum highlights the history of Rio Blanco County, including exhibits on Native American culture, early settlers, and the region's ranching heritage.
Milk Creek Battlefield Park - This historical site near Meeker commemorates the Battle of Milk Creek, a significant conflict between Ute Indians and the U.S. Cavalry in 1879.
Rangely Outdoor Museum - This museum features a collection of historical buildings that house a wide variety of artifacts. The museum preserves the history, archeology, zoology, and ethnology of Rangely and the surrounding area with an emphasis on three periods of time: (1) Native Peoples and Prehistory, (2) Pioneers and Ranching and (3) Energy Resource Development.
Rangely Classic Automotive Museum - This museum highlights the long history of the automotive revolution and includes numerous automobiles that are exceedingly rare.
Meeker Classic Sheepdog Championship Trials - Held annually in Meeker, this event celebrates the tradition of sheepherding with competitive sheepdog trials, artisan fairs, and cultural activities.

Routt County

Tread of Pioneers Museum - Located in Steamboat Springs, this museum offers exhibits on the history of Routt County, including its early settlement, mining heritage, and Olympic skiing history.
Steamboat Art Museum - This museum in Steamboat Springs showcases contemporary and historical art, with a focus on regional artists and Western themes.
Hayden Heritage Museum - Located in the 1913 Hayden Depot, the museum showcases the town’s ranching heritage, historic architecture, and the area’s legacy in developing the Quarter Horse breed.