Red Cliff, Colorado facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Red Cliff, Colorado
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Red Cliff, seen from across the Eagle River
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Location of Red Cliff in Eagle County, Colorado.
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| Country |  United States |
| State |  State of Colorado |
| County | Eagle County |
| Founded | 1879 |
| Incorporated (town) | December 18, 1880 |
| Government | |
| • Type | Statutory Town |
| Area | |
| • Total | 0.24 sq mi (0.63 km2) |
| • Land | 0.24 sq mi (0.63 km2) |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2) |
| Elevation | 8,832 ft (2,692 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 257 |
| • Density | 1,071/sq mi (408/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-7 (Mountain (MST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-6 (MDT) |
| ZIP code |
81649 (PO Box)
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| Area code(s) | 970 |
| FIPS code | 08-63265 |
| GNIS feature ID | 2412535 |
Red Cliff (sometimes spelled Redcliff) is a small town in Eagle County, Colorado, United States. In 2020, about 257 people lived there. It used to be a mining town, tucked away in a canyon near the Eagle River. You can find it just off U.S. Highway 24, north of Tennessee Pass. The town is hidden below the highway, which crosses the Red Cliff Truss Bridge. You can reach it by a side road that goes to Shrine Pass in the Sawatch Range.
Contents
Exploring Red Cliff's Past
Red Cliff was founded in 1879. Miners from Leadville came over Tennessee Pass looking for better places to find silver. The town got its name from the red quartzite cliffs that surround it.
How Red Cliff Became a County Seat
Red Cliff was the very first community in the Eagle Valley. Because of this, it was chosen to be the first county seat of Eagle County. Eagle County was created from Summit County in 1883. Red Cliff remained the county seat until 1921, when the county government moved to Eagle.
What Red Cliff Looks Like Today
The town has many older homes and some converted trailers. These buildings are built into the sides of the canyon around the river. You can also find a post office, a historic church, and old wooden buildings along the main street. Some of these older buildings have been updated and now house modern businesses, like a restaurant.
Red Cliff is close to several ski areas. This has helped the town to become more lively. A new inn, located in one of the downtown buildings, welcomes visitors.
Winter Fun in Red Cliff
In winter, Red Cliff is a popular spot for outdoor activities. People use it as a starting point to go to Shrine Pass for cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and snowmobiling. In recent years, a car shuttle service has connected Red Cliff to Vail. This makes it easy for visitors to Vail to enjoy Shrine Pass.
Changes to Red Cliff's Neighbors
In 2008, the town of Minturn expanded its borders. It added about 4,000 acres (16 square kilometers) of land for a planned resort called Battle Mountain. This area also included the old mining town of Gilman. With this expansion, Minturn became Red Cliff's closest neighbor to the north.
Red Cliff's Location and Size
Red Cliff is located in Eagle County, Colorado. The United States Census Bureau says that the town covers a total area of about 0.6 square kilometers (0.24 square miles). All of this area is land.
How Many People Live in Red Cliff?
The number of people living in Red Cliff has changed over the years. Here's a look at the population counts from different U.S. Decennial Censuses:
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1890 | 383 | — | |
| 1900 | 256 | −33.2% | |
| 1910 | 383 | 49.6% | |
| 1920 | 347 | −9.4% | |
| 1930 | 544 | 56.8% | |
| 1940 | 715 | 31.4% | |
| 1950 | 556 | −22.2% | |
| 1960 | 586 | 5.4% | |
| 1970 | 621 | 6.0% | |
| 1980 | 409 | −34.1% | |
| 1990 | 297 | −27.4% | |
| 2000 | 289 | −2.7% | |
| 2010 | 267 | −7.6% | |
| 2020 | 257 | −3.7% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
Images for kids
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View along the main street in Red Cliff
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Eagle River Bridge on U.S. Highway 24 near Red Cliff
See also
In Spanish: Red Cliff para niños
