[5] Elbridge Gerry established a trading post called Fort Gerry on the South Platte River near the present-day town of Kersey, Colorado in the 1830s.

In 1840, Gerry abandoned the site and built a post on the south bank of the river.

[7][8] Gerry is said to be the first white man to settle in what is now Weld County.

[10] A railroad official gave Kersey the maiden name of his mother.

[12] According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 1.0 square mile (2.6 km2), all of it land.