Montezuma County
CO · Pop. 26,204 · Rural County
Montezuma County is a rural county in Colorado, spanning 2,029 square miles with 26,204 residents at a density of 12.9 people per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated moderate, built on hay, wheat, haylage. A median home price of $308,000 and an effective property tax rate of 0.3% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 7a with a 145-day growing season, average summer highs of 86.3°F and average winter lows of 18.2°F. Annual rainfall averages 12.6 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Southwest Memorial Hospital is 2 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 88.7% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is high, wildfire risk is very high, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.3% holds annual carrying costs down.
- Southwest Memorial Hospital, with an emergency room, is just 2 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- At 12.9 people per square mile, land is available with genuine space and privacy.
Cons
- Wildfire risk is very high, requiring defensible space, fire-resistant construction, and an evacuation plan.
- Drought risk is very high, making water storage and irrigation infrastructure essential rather than optional.
- A 145-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
- Annual rainfall of just 12.6 inches means irrigation and water storage are core requirements.
At a glance
Montezuma County, CO is a mixed homesteading prospect — weigh the tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 49/100
- Median home price
- $308k
- Property tax
- 0.3%
- Growing season
- 145 days (zone 7a)
- Annual rainfall
- 12.6"
- Broadband
- 88.7%
- Nearest hospital
- Southwest Memorial Hospital, 2 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Montezuma County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Montezuma County?
- Montezuma County is in USDA hardiness zone 7a with a 145-day growing season, average summer highs of 86.3°F, and average winter lows of 18.2°F. The established crops are hay, wheat, haylage.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $308,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.3%. There's no published county per-acre figure, so use recent comparable sales to gauge raw-land value.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 88.7% of homes, so verify service at a specific parcel before purchasing.
- How close is healthcare?
- Southwest Memorial Hospital is 2 miles away and includes an emergency room; there is 1 hospital in the county.
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More counties in Colorado
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The closest counties to Montezuma County by distance, including across state lines.
Data sources
Verified
Figures are sourced from public datasets: U.S. Census Bureau — ACS 5-year & Gazetteer, USDA NASS Census of Agriculture, USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map, NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals (1991–2020), FEMA National Risk Index, FCC Broadband Data Collection, BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, HIFLD Hospitals. Always confirm specifics locally before relying on them. See our methodology for how the homestead score is calculated.
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