A west Colorado community on the Uncompahgre River
On the western slope of the Rocky Mountains, Montrose is a growing city with national forests, conservation areas and expansive parks in nearly every direction. It was incorporated in 1882 on the eastern banks of the Uncompahgre River with the expansion of the Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad. In its early days, Montrose served as a shipping center, providing supplies to nearby mining communities.
Today, Montrose is home to over 21,000 residents, with a population steadily increasing and more than doubling over the past three decades. “Most people are moving to Montrose from bigger cities,” says Dennis Bailey, a local real estate agent who has lived in the community for almost 50 years. “You’re away from the hustle and bustle of other cities like Denver and Boulder. It’s a quiet area with historic buildings downtown. The community has grown and shifted a lot since I’ve lived here, but it maintains the community-oriented feel.” As the seat of Montrose County, major industries include healthcare, social assistance, education, retail and construction. Prominent employers include Montrose County School District, Montrose Regional Health and City Market.
Demoret Park in Montrose harkens back to the city's western history.
Downtown Montrose may be quiet, but it’s home to charming eateries housed in historic buildings.
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Main Street updates and the River Landing Shopping Center
Main Street serves as the city’s central shopping and dining hub and is lined with antique shops, art studios and family owned eateries, such as the award-winning Colorado Boy Pizzeria & Brewery. In fact, there are six breweries and distilleries in Montrose. Wolverine Drive is home to the River Landing Shopping Center, which has a Target, Natural Grocers and a handful of other eateries. “There’s a lot of revitalization going on downtown,” Bailey says. “A lot of the old buildings have been renovated and restored for new businesses. There’s an emphasis on keeping the historic aspects of downtown but bringing the infrastructure up to modern standards.”
The city currently has around $9 million worth of infrastructure projects planned for downtown in 2025. “As the city has grown over the years, the population has shifted to the south,” says Bailey. “So more modern shopping centers have been popping up on that side of town with big-box stores and restaurant franchises.”
Main Street serves as Montrose's central shopping and dining hub and is lined with antique shops, art studios and family owned eateries.
Big-box stores can be found to the south of Montrose at River Landing Shopping Center, which has a Target, Natural Grocers and eateries.
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Historic builds and brand-new neighborhoods in Montrose
Surrounding Main Street, residential lanes are lined with historic, early 1900s homes. Newer homes are common on the south and east sides of the city, and subdivisions are in continued development, including Brown Ranch and Cobble Creek.
The median home price is $450,000, with the area’s average price increasing by 8% from the previous year.
A few grand Victorian homes are nestled near downtown Montrose.
New subdivisions are common on the south and east sides of Montrose, where you'll find modern traditional homes.
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From pristine golf courses to the Black Canyon wilderness
Montrose has 38 public parks and 160 acres of open space. Outdoor recreation ranges from golf courses to botanical gardens within the city’s limits, while a short drive can take residents to expansive national forests, miles of hiking trails and remote campgrounds. Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is around 12 miles northeast. The Uncompahgre National Forest is also nearby.
Golfers in Montrose can choose between joining Bridges Golf & Country Club and Black Canyon Golf Course.
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is just 12 miles southwest of Montrose.
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Live music in the summer at Cerise Park
The city hosts numerous events throughout the year, from the Fourth of July parade to Oktoberfest. “A summer concert series started a few years ago and has quickly become one of the most popular events in Montrose,” says Bailey. The Montrose Summer Music Series is held four times from June to September at the Cerise Park amphitheater and is open to the public.
The Montrose County School District and private schools
The Montrose County School District re-1j earns a B-minus overall grade from Niche. The school district is one of the county’s largest employers, with over 1,000 full-time employees. The city also has a handful of private schools, including the Colorado West Christian School and Pope John Paul II Academy.
Colorado Mesa University’s Montrose campus offers 14 degree and certification programs, from business administration and criminal justice to early childhood education and social science.
Montrose High School is an above average public school in Montrose.
Colorado Mesa University in Montrose offers courses in business administration, criminal justice, early childhood education and social science.
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Lower than average crime rates
According to FBI data, the city of Montrose has lower rates of violent crime compared to the state and national averages. Property crime tends to be lower than the Colorado average and on par with that of the United States. As of December 2023, the Montrose Police Department reported a violent crime rate of 46 for every 100,000 people and a property crime rate of 178.
Take a drive along Route 50
U.S. Route 50 runs through town and leads around 60 miles northwest to Grand Junction. To the south, the road turns into Route 550, which goes roughly 105 miles south to Durango. The Montrose public bus is operated by All Points Transit and has both a residential and business route across town. The Montrose Regional Airport is on the north side of town and offers a limited number of direct flights, while Denver International Airport is around 290 miles northeast.
Written By
Jillian Pillow
Photography Contributed By
Laurel Turton
Video By
Jessica Johnson
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
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Agents Specializing in this Area
Natalie Patterson
Keller Williams Realty Southwest Associates, LLC - Montrose
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
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On average, homes in Montrose, CO sell after 65 days on the market compared to the national average of 50 days. The median sale price for homes in Montrose, CO over the last 12 months is $465,000, up 7% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Welcome to this stunning and meticulously designed home, located in a desirable neighborhood, just minutes from golf course, shopping, recreation center, and more. This home features 3-bedrooms, 2-bathrooms, and an additional office/den space. From the moment you enter, you’ll be captivated by the elegant finishes, thoughtful design, and high-end details throughout—including soaring 8-foot doors
Breathtaking views are just the beginning! This exceptional 2.7-acre lot is perched on a high point within the prestigious Cornerstone Gated Golf Community. Sweeping views from the Grand Mesa, West Elk and San Juan Mountains. Lots and golf course are all on the Cornerstone property, which provides over 4,000 acres of open (common) space for recreation and abuts large ranches and BLM or Forest
Luxurious Ranch-Style Retreat with Mountain Views – Western Slope, Colorado Welcome to your custom-built 2021 ranch-style retreat, nestled on 1.5 acres with breathtaking mountain views and just minutes from the Black Canyon of the Gunnison and Uncompahgre River. This spacious 7-bedroom, 5.5-bath home offers over 7,200 sq. ft. of elegant, energy-efficient living space — thoughtfully designed for
Welcome to 1400 Bristol, a charming, move-in ready home in English Gardens nestled in the center of Montrose. This 5BR/2.5BA bi-level house has been well-maintained with thoughtful upgrades creating both an inviting and functional space. Enter into the spacious living room that flows into the kitchen and dining space, ideal for gatherings and entertaining. The updated kitchen features ample
Amanda Swain
LIV Sotheby's International Realty - Mountain Village
Rendezvous Apartments is a beautiful property with 52 apartments total for aged 55 and better. The property has on-site management on Monday- Friday 8am-4pm. The common area building has a large community room that can be reserved for gatherings. Located just across the street from the PACE facility and within walking distance of the Pavilion Senior Center. Theone-site maintenance keeps the
Large bedroom, brand new carpet/paint, own closet, own full bathroom and entry. Use of attached garage for parking vehicle. Shared use of kitchen. Laundry in unit. NON smoking and NO pets
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