SH 97's southern terminus is at SH 141 in Naturita, and the northern terminus is at 3rd Avenue in Nucla.

SH 97 runs 4.6 miles (7.4 km), starting at a junction with State Highway 141 in Naturita.

The highway goes north across the San Miguel River, ending in Nucla.

The entire route is in Montrose County.

Media related to Colorado State Highway 97 at Wikimedia Commons