Area Code 970
Colorado
Area code 970 serves Colorado, primarily Fort Collins, in the Mountain Time (MT) time zone. It has served the region since 02-Apr-1995.
Published: Verified against NANPA and FCC records
Overlay Area Code
This area code shares its geographic footprint with an overlay code, so the same cities are served by two area codes. Because overlays leave existing numbers untouched, this region's relief planning favors adding codes over redrawing boundaries.
The codes serving this same region: area code 748 (Fort Collins).
With prefix utilization already at 96.5%, numbering resources here are under sustained pressure — context that explains why overlays were introduced.
In service since: 02-Apr-1995
Demographics & Economics
- Total Population
- 1,755,829
- Population Density
- 13 people/sq mibelow U.S. average (U.S.: 95 people/sq mi)
- Median Household Income
- $93,765above U.S. median (U.S.: $80,734)
- Poverty Rate
- 10.6%below U.S. average (U.S.: 12.5%)
- Unemployment Rate
- 4.6%below U.S. average (U.S.: 5.2%)
- Education Attainment
- Bachelor's Degree+41.4%above U.S. average (U.S.: 35.7%)High School or Lower25.1%
Statistics are population-weighted aggregations from Census ACS 5-year estimates. Population figures are approximate — see Sources & Methodology for details on how area code populations are derived.
See how this area code compares to all US area codes in the income ranking and density ranking.
Time Zone
- Mountain Time (MT)
NANPA Relief Status
According to the latest NANPA analysis (July 2026), this area code is not currently listed as exhausting within the next 36 months. No relief planning is in progress for this NPA.
Source: NANPA NPA Relief Planning Reports · See all relief planning statuses
Current Time
Prefix Utilization
Geographic Coverage
State
CO
Major Cities
- Fort Collins
- Greeley
- Loveland
- Grand Junction
- Windsor
- Evans
- Montrose
- Clifton
- Durango
- Johnstown
- Firestone
- Fruita
- Steamboat Springs
- Sterling
- Berthoud
- Wellington
- Fort Morgan
- Rifle
- Edwards
- Glenwood Springs
- Severance
- Delta
- Craig
- Cortez
and 160 more cities
Demographics
The estimated population served by area code 970 is approximately 1,755,829. The population density is 13 people per square mile, which is lower than the national average of 95. The median household income is $93,765, which is higher than the national median of $80,734. Approximately 41.4% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, compared to the national rate of 35.7%. This rate is higher than the national average. The poverty rate stands at 10.6%, which is lower than the national rate of 12.5%.
History
Area code 970 was established in 1995 as a geographic area code. It shares its territory with area code area code 748.
County Coverage
Population-weighted county share based on aggregated ZCTA population (100% = total mapped population for area code 970).
| County | Population | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Larimer, CO | 417,047 | 23.8% |
| Weld, CO | 367,869 | 21.0% |
| Mesa, CO | 164,638 | 9.4% |
| Garfield, CO | 78,632 | 4.5% |
| Eagle, CO | 70,072 | 4.0% |
| Montrose, CO | 61,030 | 3.5% |
| La Plata, CO | 60,981 | 3.5% |
| Routt, CO | 37,314 | 2.1% |
| Pitkin, CO | 37,043 | 2.1% |
| Gunnison, CO | 33,117 | 1.9% |
| Delta, CO | 32,014 | 1.8% |
| Summit, CO | 31,624 | 1.8% |
| Morgan, CO | 30,829 | 1.8% |
| San Juan, CO | 30,518 | 1.7% |
| Archuleta, CO | 27,885 | 1.6% |
| Montezuma, CO | 26,229 | 1.5% |
| Grand, CO | 24,279 | 1.4% |
| Rio Blanco, CO | 22,892 | 1.3% |
| Logan, CO | 22,540 | 1.3% |
| Adams, CO | 20,016 | 1.1% |
| Washington, CO | 17,184 | 1.0% |
| Boulder, CO | 16,997 | 1.0% |
| Moffat, CO | 16,840 | 1.0% |
| Ouray, CO | 16,356 | 0.9% |
| Yuma, CO | 14,740 | 0.8% |
| Hinsdale, CO | 13,768 | 0.8% |
| Mineral, CO | 12,923 | 0.7% |
| San Miguel, CO | 11,870 | 0.7% |
| Saguache, CO | 11,197 | 0.6% |
| Dolores, CO | 7,804 | 0.4% |
| San Juan, NM | 5,662 | 0.3% |
| Phillips, CO | 4,805 | 0.3% |
| Sedgwick, CO | 3,825 | 0.2% |
| San Juan, UT | 1,639 | 0.1% |
| Deuel, NE | 1,541 | 0.1% |
| Jackson, CO | 1,422 | 0.1% |
| Kit Carson, CO | 629 | 0.0% |
| Albany, WY | 58 | 0.0% |
Area Code 970 Family Tree
Hover over nodes to see details. Click to navigate to individual area code pages. Use scroll to zoom, drag to pan.
Area code 970 was originally assigned in 02-Apr-1995 to serve CO. Over the years, it has generated 1 descendant area code through a combination of geographic splits and overlays as demand for telephone numbers grew.
Call Context
This area code spans a mix of urban centers and rural communities across CO, with Fort Collins as a primary city.
Nearby Area Codes
Area codes geographically closest to 970.
Other Area Codes in Colorado
Area codes that also serve Colorado, linked for easy comparison.