Gateway, Colorado, is located south of Grand Junction, Colorado, where the West Creek flows into the Dolores River. Surrounded by the Uncompahgre Plateau, Piñon Mesa and La Sal Mountains, this quaint, tight-knit community is embraced by tall canyon walls and cottonwoods and a vivid blue sky.

The first known homesteaders came to Gateway in 1884 in search of their fortunes. Fur trappers, miners, and ranch families all tried their luck in this rugged southwestern landscape. In 1903, homesteading families built a small, dirt-floored cabin to be used as a schoolhouse. The next year, the post office was established and the name “Gateway” was chosen for the small settlement.

Gateway quickly became a strong community based around cattle ranching, farming and lumber milling. Later, Uranium mining was the economic driver the community for decades, and the little town of Gateway grew and flourished. It is reported that the Uranium ore from Gateway produced the Plutonium used in the first atomic bombs.

Once the Uranium market went bust and the hundreds of mines in the area began to close, so followed the thriving community. Over time, Gateway lost the last of its restaurants and its grocery store. Many people moved away looking for work. Remaining residents had to make the long drive to Grand Junction for supplies and other necessities.

Now, with the opening of Gateway Canyons Resort, the local community once again has a grocery store and restaurants for its Gateway Canyons. There are new jobs created in the town and a renewed interest in this once-forgotten rural community. And while pride and sentiment for our community’s colorful heritage remains strong, the future of Gateway seems to once again be strong as well.