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COGenWeb Project is a free genealogical site about the history of Colorado. We hope you find helpful clues for your research of Colorado ancestors.

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State Coordinator: Rebecca Maloney

Assist State Coordinators: Betty Baker and M.D. Monk and Norma Hass

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Custer County, Colorado, was formed on March 9, 1877, by the Colorado Legislature from the southern part of Fremont County, named for Lt. Col. George Armstrong Custer, who died the previous year. Its formation was spurred by a silver rush in the Wet Mountain Valley, leading to boomtowns like Rosita and Silver Cliff, with the county seat eventually settling in Westcliffe in 1928 after mining declined and ranching became dominant.
Key Events in Formation & Early History:
1870s: German colonists settled the Wet Mountain Valley, followed by prospectors discovering silver and copper, initiating a mining boom.
1874: Copper and silver discoveries near present-day Rosita fueled the demand for a new county.
March 9, 1877: The Colorado Legislature officially created Custer County.
County Seats: Ula was the first seat, followed by Rosita, then Silver Cliff, with Westcliffe becoming the permanent seat in 1928.
Boom & Bust: The silver rush brought rapid growth, but mines exhausted, leading to population decline and a shift to cattle ranching, a primary industry today.
Legacy:
The county's history reflects typical Colorado "boom and bust" cycles, with its rugged terrain now known for ranching and stunning mountain views.

We thank our previous County Coordinators for all the work they put into making this site great!