🌊 Colorado River Headwaters: Where the Mighty River Begins

Explore the birthplace of one of North America’s most legendary rivers—right here in the heart of the Rocky Mountains.

📍 Where Does the Colorado River Begin?

The Colorado River begins at La Poudre Pass Lake, an alpine lake nestled on the west side of Rocky Mountain National Park, just north of Grand Lake, Colorado. At over 10,000 feet in elevation, this quiet source marks the beginning of the river’s epic 1,450-mile journey to the Gulf of California, flowing through canyons, deserts, and cities across the American Southwest.

🗺️ View the official Rocky Mountain National Park map
📍 Coordinates: 40.4376° N, 105.8504° W

🌎 Why Are the Headwaters Important?

The Colorado River supports more than 40 million people across seven U.S. states and two Mexican states, supplying water for drinking, farming, recreation, and hydropower. Its journey begins with snowmelt that feeds into La Poudre Pass Lake, then flows westward through increasingly rugged terrain.

🚂 History & Exploration: Navigating the Rockies by River

In the 1800s, the Colorado River served as both a lifeline and a barrier to early explorers and settlers. As pioneers made their way westward, the river helped guide expeditions through the vast, unfamiliar terrain of the Rocky Mountains.

🛶 River Routes for Pioneers

Before roads and railroads, rivers were the original highways. Trappers, traders, and surveyors often followed the Colorado River and its tributaries to map the region and trade goods.

🚂 The Railroad & the River

In the late 19th century, the river played a critical role in the expansion of the Denver & Rio Grande Western Railroad. Engineers followed the river’s canyons to build track through Glenwood Canyon and near Grand Junction.

📜 Colorado Railroad History – History Colorado
🛤️ Ride the California Zephyr

💧 Tributaries That Feed the Colorado River

Green River (UT/WY)
Gunnison River (CO)
San Juan River (CO/NM/UT)
Gila River (NM/AZ)

Together, these rivers form the Colorado River Basin, draining over 246,000 square miles.

⚡ Hydropower: Energy Near Grand Junction

The Grand Valley Power Plant, near Grand Junction, is one of the oldest operational hydroelectric plants on the river. Since 1933, it has provided renewable electricity to farms and homes in western Colorado.

🔌 DOE – Hydropower Basics

🏞️ Major Lakes Fed by the Colorado River

Lake Granby – near the headwaters
Lake Powell – second-largest U.S. reservoir
Lake Mead – largest U.S. reservoir by capacity
Lake Havasu – recreation hub on the AZ/CA border

🎣 River Recreation: Raft, Surf, and Fish

🚣‍♂️ Rafting

Enjoy whitewater rafting near Kremmling or Glenwood Springs, or take a multi-day adventure through the Grand Canyon.

🏄 River Surfing

Ride standing waves at Glenwood Springs Whitewater Park.

🎣 Fishing

Rainbow Trout
Brown Trout
Greenback Cutthroat Trout
Mountain Whitefish
Smallmouth Bass

🐟 CPW Fishing Atlas

📚 Historical Significance

Named for its reddish waters, the Colorado River has supported Indigenous peoples like the Ute, Navajo, Hopi, and Hualapai for centuries. Today, the river is at the center of water rights and conservation challenges as drought impacts flow levels.

🌐 Bureau of Reclamation – Colorado River

🥾 Visiting the Headwaters

Take the La Poudre Pass Trail to see where it all begins. It’s a moderate trail near Grand Lake inside Rocky Mountain National Park.

Trailhead: Colorado River Trailhead
Nearest Town: Grand Lake, CO
Elevation: 10,200 ft
Permit: Required (especially in summer)
🎟️ RMNP Fees & Permits

❓ Did You Know?

🗺️ Early explorers once thought the Colorado connected to the Red River of Texas.
🧊 On dry years, it doesn’t reach the ocean—raising conservation alarms.
🐟 The greenback cutthroat trout was rediscovered near the headwaters after being thought extinct.
🚂 The Amtrak California Zephyr still follows the river’s course through the mountains today.