Getting There

By Car -- Montrose is an hour's drive southeast of Grand Junction via U.S. 50, a 2 1/2-hour drive north of Durango via U.S. 550, and a 5 1/2-hour drive west of Colorado Springs via U.S. 50 through Salida and Gunnison.

By Plane -- The Montrose Regional Airport, 2100 Airport Rd. (tel. 970/249-3203), is off U.S. 50, 2 miles northwest of town. Regional airlines serving the town include American (tel. 800/433-7300), Continental (tel. 800/525-0280), Delta (tel. 800/221-1212), SkyWest (tel. 800/241-6522), and United (tel. 800/241-6522).

Getting Around

Montrose lies along the east bank of the Uncompahgre River. Townsend Avenue (U.S. 50 and U.S. 550) parallels the stream; Main Street (U.S. 50 and Colo. 90) crosses Townsend in the center of town. Numbered streets extend north and south from Main.

Montrose Taxi (tel. 970/275-8965) provides local cab service. Car-rental agencies with outlets at the airport include Dollar (tel. 970/249-3770), Hertz (tel. 970/240-8464), National (tel. 970/252-8898), and Thrifty (tel. 970/249-8741).

Visitor Information

Contact or stop at the Montrose Visitors & Convention Bureau, 1519 E. Main St. (P.O. Box 335), Montrose, CO 81402 (tel. 800/873-0244 or 970/240-1414), or stop at the visitor center in the Ute Indian Museum.

Fast Facts

Montrose Memorial Hospital, with a 24-hour emergency room, is at 800 S. Third St. (tel. 970/249-2211). The post office is at 321 S. First St. Call the U.S. Postal Service (tel. 800/275-8777) for hours and other information. For road conditions, call tel. 970/249-6282.

Special Events

Chocolate Lovers Affaire, mid-February; Lighter Than Air Balloon Affaire, early July; Montrose County Fair, July; Parade of Lights, early December.