Most of these would be speakers of Huichol who inhabit one of the numerous indigenous communities within the borders of the municipality, including Tuxpán de Bolaños.

The area was conquered by the Spanish Captain Pedro Almíndez Chirino, sent by Nuño Beltrán de Guzmán in the year 1530.

The original Spanish land grantee in the region was Toribio de Bolaños, in whose honor the municipality was named.

Around 1830, silver production dropped off dramatically, leading to a general economic depression in the region.

After the War of Independence, Bolaños was assigned to the 8th canton of the free and sovereign state of Jalisco.