Area homesteaders lived under harsh conditions in sod houses, creating demand for a town to provide lumber and other provisions to incoming settlers.

J.R. Colby, a local land assessor and preacher, obtained a patent to establish the town in April 1884, and land was acquired for the town site three miles north of the post office in March 1885.

John Martin named Colby the county seat in 1885, and the city was incorporated in 1886.

Within the last couple of years, it was renovated to apartments under the name St. Thomas Historic Residences.

[6] Interstate 70 reached Colby in 1965, stimulating the growth of a local hospitality industry.

[8][10] According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 3.38 square miles (8.75 km2), all land.

[12] The 2020 United States census counted 5,570 people, 2,199 households, and 1,331 families in Colby.

The mayor shares responsibility for setting policy and approving the city budget with the council.

Colby Municipal Airport is located on K-25, approximately two miles (3 km) north of the city.

A Union Pacific Railroad branch line ends in Colby, entering the city from the southeast.

[34] In addition, Colby Community College publishes a bi-weekly student newspaper, the Trojan Express.

[39] The Prairie Museum of Art and History, 1905 S. Franklin St., serves as a cultural center.

"[41] Thomas County Courthouse which was constructed in 1907 by local firms Holland, JC & Squires, Frank, Crosby, and L. & Son.

[42] Other city buildings joining the courthouse on the National Register of Historic Places include the Colby Community High School at 750 West 3rd St. (which is now used as an elementary/junior high school), and the art-deco sand-colored Colby City Hall, which was built in the 1920s by the architecture firm Suite & Blanchard.

The park has playground equipment, picnic shelters, disc golf, and fishing.

[43] Fike Park is located just north of City Hall at the intersection of Franklin Avenue and Eighth Street.

The park has gazebos, a volleyball area, horseshoe pitching pits, and tennis courts.

In 1998 and 1999, over $100,000 was raised by civic groups and parents, with assistance from the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks and the City of Colby, for new playground equipment.

In 2000, the tennis courts in this area were replaced and are used by Colby Community College and Unified School District #315.

The facility features two gyms, meeting room space and indoor playground.