Montrose

• Sun & altitude: Even though Montrose isn’t as high as Ouray or Telluride, it’s still ~5,800 ft—hydrate and wear sunscreen.

• Weather swing: Mornings and evenings can be cool even in summer; bring layers.

• Slower pace: Montrose is laid-back—shops and restaurants may close earlier than in big cities (often by 8–9 p.m.).

• Fall colors (late September–early October): Drives along the Dallas Divide and up toward Kebler Pass are some of the most stunning in Colorado.

• Spring wildflowers: The valley and nearby mesas light up in May and June.

• Winter basecamp: Montrose is a more affordable hub for skiing in Telluride (about 1.5 hours away).

• Public lands courtesy: Stay on established routes and trails; pack out trash; respect closures and private property on the way to trailheads.
• Dogs in town: Within city limits, dogs must be on a leash no longer than six feet unless you’re inside the designated off-leash dog area. Always clean up after pets.
• Share multi-use spaces: Yield appropriately on paths and in parks, keep music low, and give anglers and wildlife a wide berth, simple courtesies that keep everyone’s day great.
• Abide by Leave-No-Trace rules

• Sign up for local alerts: Opt into Montrose County Alerts and the City’s emergency notifications to receive wildfire, weather, and other urgent updates on your phone.
• Know your terrain and season: Conditions can change quickly in western Colorado. Check day-of advisories and be conservative with daylight, water, and layers, especially when planning canyon overlooks or high-country drives. (County OEM provides preparedness resources and hazard info.)
• Plan transport within the park: The Black Canyon is best explored by private vehicle; there’s no internal public transit. Verify entrances and seasonal road status on official pages before you go.
• When hunting, fishing or camping in the backcountry, a satellite phone is recommended in case of an emergency.

Montrose welcomes four-legged travelers. Many local stays accommodate pets (see dog-friendly lodging listings via Visit Montrose). In town, follow the leash-length rule (≤6 ft) on streets, paths, and parks; use the designated off-leash area for free running; and pack water for dry, sunny days. For questions about animal rules or lost/found pets, the City’s Animal Services page is your hub.

The water sports park features accessible access points and riverside seating, and the amphitheater has graded seating areas with accessible routes from nearby parking. Paved river paths and gentle grades through the park complex make rolling or strolling straightforward.

1. Easy recycling. The City provides single-stream curbside recycling for residential trash customers, diverting paper, plastics, metals, and cardboard from the landfill.
2. Responsible disposal. The City partners with the County on Household Hazardous Waste events (typically summers) for safe drop-offs.
3. Drive electric downtown. The North First St. & N. Uncompahgre Ave fast-charging hub offers 8 Tesla Superchargers and dual-platform DC fast chargers (CCS & CHAdeMO), ideal for topping up while you explore Main Street.
4. Local expertise. Montrose is home to Montrose Environmental (Montrose Environmental Group), whose work focuses on air and water quality, waste management, and compliance—part of the region’s broader sustainability ecosystem.

It's best to use standard Colorado travel smarts: book activities and lodging through official or well-reviewed providers (look for the Visit Montrose listings or direct city/county links), lock vehicles at trailheads, and watch for unofficial solicitors offering “discount” tours. If something feels off, contact non-emergency dispatch at (970) 249-9110 or stop by the Visitor Center for verification.

Emergency: 911 | Montrose Police non-emergency: 970-249-9110 | Montrose County Sheriff non-emergency: 970-252-4023 | Montrose Fire Protection District: 970-249-9181