Where Is Area Code 970?
Area code 970 serves northern, western, southwestern, and parts of northeastern Colorado. Durango is its primary city, and the region belongs to the Mountain West.
Major cities include Fort Collins, Greeley, Loveland, Grand Junction, and Durango. The area code reaches communities in La Plata, Mesa, Larimer, Weld, Garfield, Montrose, Routt, Pitkin, and Montezuma Counties, along with communities in other counties.
The 970 footprint includes the San Juan Mountains around Durango, the Colorado River corridor, Rocky Mountain National Park near Estes Park, and Mesa Verde National Park near Cortez.
Cities and Communities in the 970 Area Code
- Aspen, Pitkin County
- Bayfield, La Plata County
- Breckenridge, Summit County
- Carbondale, Garfield County
- Cortez, Montezuma County
- Craig, Moffat County
- Crested Butte, Gunnison County
- Delta, Delta County
- Dolores, Montezuma County
- Durango, La Plata County
- Eagle, Eagle County
- Estes Park, Larimer County
- Fort Collins, Larimer County
- Fort Morgan, Morgan County
- Fraser, Grand County
- Fruita, Mesa County
- Glenwood Springs, Garfield County
- Grand Junction, Mesa County
- Greeley, Weld County
- Gunnison, Gunnison County
- Hotchkiss, Delta County
- Loveland, Larimer County
- Meeker, Rio Blanco County
- Montrose, Montrose County
- Ouray, Ouray County
- Pagosa Springs, Archuleta County
- Rangely, Rio Blanco County
- Rifle, Garfield County
- Silverthorne, Summit County
- Silverton, San Juan County
- Steamboat Springs, Routt County
- Sterling, Logan County
- Telluride, San Miguel County
- Vail, Eagle County
- Walden, Jackson County
- Wellington, Larimer County
- Windsor, Larimer and Weld Counties
- Winter Park, Grand County
- Yuma, Yuma County
History of Area Code 970
Area code 970 was established on July 2, 1995, through a geographic split from area code 303. Before that change, area code 303 covered Colorado statewide until area code 719 split off southern Colorado in 1988.
The 1995 split assigned northern and western communities, including Durango, Fort Collins, and Grand Junction, to 970. It gave the growing region a separate supply of telephone numbers while 303 remained centered on Denver and Boulder. Area code 970 was not created as an overlay, and it has not had a later geographic split.
Key Facts About Area Code 970
- Area code 970 is a Colorado telephone code in the Mountain West region of the United States.
- Durango, Colorado, is the primary city associated with area code 970.
- Area code 970 is a geographic area code, not a toll-free code.
- Area code 970 uses Mountain Time.
- Area code 970 began operation on July 2, 1995, after a split from area code 303.
- Colorado State University is in Fort Collins, a city within the 970 region.
- Fort Lewis College is in Durango, the primary city associated with area code 970.
- Mesa Verde National Park is near Cortez, a community within the 970 region.
Frequently Asked Questions
What state is area code 970 in?
Area code 970 is in Colorado.
What major cities use area code 970?
Major cities and communities using area code 970 include Durango, Fort Collins, Grand Junction, Greeley, Loveland, Aspen, and Steamboat Springs.
What time zone is area code 970 in?
Area code 970 is in Mountain Time.
Is area code 970 a toll-free number?
No, area code 970 is a geographic area code for Colorado, not a toll-free number.