2010 Map of Rio Blanco

About this map

Rio Blanco sits at a critical junction of high-desert drainage and industry in northwestern Colorado. The landscape is defined by the massive geological barrier of the Grand Hogback and the looming Roan Cliffs to the south. Water management is central to life in this arid region, evidenced by the Larson Number 2 Dam and Larson Reservoir Number 2 in the north, and Harris Reservoir to the east. The Rio Blanco Mine signifies the area's mineral extraction history, located near where Piceance Creek and Government Creek carve paths through the elevated terrain. These watercourses, along with Trapper Creek and Cow Creek, provide the primary structure for the local road network, including Piceance Creek Rd and Cow Creek Rd, which follow the natural contours of the draws and gulches.