Uravan, Ghost town in Montrose County, Colorado
Uravan is a ghost town in the canyon country of southwestern Montrose County, Colorado, built as a company settlement for mine workers along the San Miguel River. The site is now fenced off, with most structures removed, leaving only flat ground, informational signs, and scattered remnants.
The site was first developed in 1912 around a mill processing carnotite ore, which contains radium, uranium, and vanadium. The settlement was named Uravan in 1936, combining the words for uranium and vanadium, and later supplied uranium for the Manhattan Project during World War II.
During the town's active years, miners and their families formed a close community that included a school, a theater, and an indoor pool. Life in this remote valley created a strong sense of belonging among residents who shared the same daily routines.
The site sits along an unpaved road and is best reached with a high-clearance vehicle, especially after rain. There are no visitor facilities on site, so bring water and supplies before arriving.
The mill here processed up to 3 tons of uranium per day for the Manhattan Project, yet most workers had no idea what the material was used for until after the war ended. Radioactive waste was later found mixed into local roads and open piles, which led to a federal cleanup that removed every building on the site.
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