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Ophir Colorado Ophir Pass
Ophir Pass in Ophir, CO. Photo: turcottes78

Ophir, Colorado

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Established in 1881, Ophir, Colorado was a former mining town and current community of outdoor enthusiasts. It’s located 12 miles south of Telluride and 2 miles east of the Ames Hydroelectric Generating Plant.

The Ames Plant was the first hydroelectric plant on earth to give alternating current electricity for industrial purposes. It was used in mining. The town took its name from a place called Ophir in the Hebrew Bible. There was a post office in Ophir as early as 1878.

Ophir Colorado Aerial View
Aerial view of Ophir, Colorado.

Situated in San Miguel County at around 9,695 feet, the town of Ophir is a Home Rule Municipality governed by a general assembly. The population was only 159 residents in 2010. Today there are roughly 74 homes and 180 residents.

Once a busy mining village, Ophir is now a quiet mountain getaway filled with families and adventure seekers. The high alpine community is surrounded by 13,000 peaks, making it a stunning place to live. Telluride is a scenic 20-minute drive south on CO-145.

Recreation

Camping: Read about the camping near Telluride, Ophir and Rico.

Accommodations



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Ophir Colorado Welcome Sign Kids
Welcome to Ophir! Photo: turcottes78
Ophir Colorado Mountain Vista
Mountain vista near Ophir. Photo: Brendan Bombaci
Ophir Colorado Mountainside
Mountainside near Ophir. Photo: Brendan Bombaci
Ophir Colorado Lake
Lake over Ophir. Photo: Brendan Bombaci
Ophir Colorado Circa 1985
Ophir, Colorado circa 1895.

Activities near Ophir

Federal Lands:

  • Alta Lakes (9mi)
  • Lizard Head Wilderness
  • Mount Sneffels Wilderness
  • Priest Lake (5mi)
  • San Juan National Forest
  • Trout Lake (6mi)
  • Uncompahgre National Forest

Scenic Drives:

  • Lizard Head Pass (7mi)
  • Ophir Pass 4×4 (3mi)
  • San Juan Skyway

Towns:

  • Ames (3mi)
  • Cortez (67mi)
  • Dolores (56mi)
  • Mountain Village (9mi)
  • Norwood (39mi)
  • Ouray (55mi)
  • Placerville (21mi)
  • Rico (19mi)
  • Ridgway (45mi)
  • Sawpit (18mi)
  • Telluride (12mi)

Transportation:

  • Telluride Regional Airport (TEX) (11mi)

View the town’s official website.

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San Miguel County

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