Carbondale, Colorado is located at an altitude of 6,181 feet and has a population of 6,106.  One of the most beautiful towns in the Colorado Rocky Mountains, Carbondale has been mentioned by National Geographic Adventure magazine as one of the “top adventure towns in the United States”. Men’s Journal magazine has also touted Carbondale as “one of the 50 best places to live” in addition to being one of the most active. 

The Ute Indians were the first to call the Roaring Fork Valley their home because of the location of its wide plain and the Crystal and Roaring Fork Rivers that border the area.  In the late 1880's the valley was soon populated by individuals who were hunters and farmers that supplied food to the nearby booming mining towns.  These settlers started cattle and sheep ranches and began growing potatoes, which for over 50 years was the mainstay crop of the Carbondale economy.   In 1887, Carbondale became a depot of the newly developed railroad, and a steady stream of new residents were attracted to the area for its mining, railroad construction and farming. On January 31, 1888, the Town of Carbondale was incorporated and was named in honor of Carbondale, Pennsylvania, the original home of some of these settlers.  

Carbondale is located at the base of the magnificent 12,953 foot Mt. Sopris, which was named after Richard Sopris who led an expedition into the valley to explore the potential for precious metals and minerals in the region.