Colorado’s Western Slope is a beautifully rich and diverse area of the American West encompassing the entire region of Colorado west of the Continental Divide.

Here, generations of people forge a life from the high mesas and plains to the small hamlets within the towering Rocky Mountains.  

The Western Slope encompasses about 38 percent of Colorado’s landmass, yet contains just under 11 percent of the state's population. The Western Slope's economic identity has centered on farming, ranching, energy extraction and mining, and tourism. 

The Western Slope has about 70 percent of the state's water as tributaries flow from the high mountains to the Colorado River. Western Slope water contributes to a wide variety of crops, fruit orchards, wine vineyards, and much more. 

Picturing Western Slope was created in 2021 to explore the life, landscape, and diversity of the region through storytelling pictures. Picturing Western Slope is a non-profit, online educational exhibit.

The project will be accepting submissions beginning in fall 2021.

ALL ARE WELCOME HERE

The Region:

WESTERN SLOPE COUNTIES INCLUDE:

Moffat, Routt, Hinsdale, Grand, Summit, LaPlata, Montezuma, Dolores, Eagle, Pitkin, Rio Blanco, Garfield, Mesa, Delta, Montrose, Gunnison, Ouray, San Miguel.

PORTIONS OF

Saguache, Archuleta, Mineral, San Juan

COUNTIES ARE ALSO INCLUDED.