Sheriff Joe Morgan

Joe Morgan First Sheriff of Routt County and Little Snake River resident. Thank you to the Museum in Baggs.

Joe Morgan was the first sheriff in Routt County. He was appointed by the governor of Colorado back in 1877. That was before Moffat County was formed and Routt County was one huge county.

Joseph Morgan (1843 – 1922)

Early Life and Arrival Born in Wales in 1843, Joe Morgan immigrated to the US in 1856 and eventually moved to the confluence of Elk Head Creek and the Yampa River 6 miles east of Craig in 1872. Here he built a fur trading post and became known as the first permanent resident of the Yampa Valley.

Career as Sheriff Joe was highly respected and trusted by both the local Ute tribe and the various whites trickling into the country. In 1877, due to his solid reputation and 6'2" solid frame, Joe was tapped by the governor of the new state of Colorado to become the first sheriff of Routt County (which at the time was a massive area comprised of today's Routt and Moffat counties).

Later Years After serving only 4 months as sheriff, Joe resigned and relocated to the WY/CO border in the Little Snake River Valley 35 miles north of Craig, CO. Here he and his wife Margarete lived out their days as ranchers. Joe passed away in 1922 at the age of 79.

Source Note: This information is provided via the Museum in Baggs