Introduction

Elbert County, named for former Colorado territorial governor Samuel H. Elbert, covers 1,851 square miles on the Great Plains southeast of Denver. It is bordered to the north by Arapahoe County, to the east by Lincoln County, to the south by El Paso County, and to the west by Douglas County.

Ever since it was established in 1874 Elbert County has been shaped by its transportation networks, beginning with establishment of the Colorado Gold Rush’s Smoky Hill Trail in the mid-nineteenth century and continuing through the railroad and interstate highway eras. Today Interstate 70 runs across the county’s northeast corner and the community of Agate, while State Highway 86 connects the communities of Ponderosa Park, Elizabeth, and Kiowa in western Elbert County and US Highway 24 links Simla and the small community of Matheson farther south.

Owing to its proximity to the Rocky Mountain foothills, western Elbert County contains more tree cover than its neighbors farther out on the plains. The county also features a multitude of seasonal streams and creeks: Running Creek, Kiowa Creek and the three branches of Bijou Creek flow northward into the South Platte River, while Big Sandy Creek eventually feeds the Arkansas River.

To this day, the County remains rooted in its western heritage. Over 30,000 head of cattle are raised and it is also one of the state’s top producers of horses and other draft animals. Elbert County also ranks in the top third of Colorado counties in wheat production. Elbert County’s culture mirrors its rural traditions of farming and ranching. The annual Elizabeth Stampede and Rodeo, for instance, has been a mainstay of the small town for more than fifty years and has become one of the most popular annual events on the Colorado plains. The county 4-H program and schools districts’ support of Future Farmers of America (FFA) ensure these proud traditions will endure.

While farming and ranching families form the core of Elbert County’s identity, we also recognize we are called home by many who work in the Denver metro area. The County’s major towns and community growth in the western portion of the County are roughly a 25-minute drive from nearby the nearby towns of Castle Rock and Parker, and less than an hour commute to the Denver, Aurora, and Colorado Springs areas.

This proximity to these employment centers, quiet home life, and relatively low tax burden continue to make Elbert County a very desirable place to live. The 2022 estimated population in the County totaled 27,262, marking a 17.6% increase from 2012. By 2050, the state demographer projects the population to increase modestly to 37,673. During the recovery from the 'great recession' over the past decade, Elbert County has experienced an average annual rate of population growth of 1.8% as projects entitled in the late 2000's began building. This pattern of recession followed by growth is anticipated to continue with an average population growth of 1.4% annually over the three decades to come.

Regardless of where an individual lives or how they make their living, citizens of Elbert County recognize and treasure the unique heritage we all share. Protecting the production value of our lands, water supplies, and quality of life for all remains a priority for the Government of Elbert County.