Uravan, Colorado

Uravan (a contraction of uranium/vanadium[2]) is a former uranium mining town[3] in western Montrose County, Colorado, United States, which still appears on some maps.

The Montrose Placer Mining Company constructed the Hanging Flume on the east wall of Dolores River Canyon.

[5]: 54–56 During World War II, Uravan provided part of the uranium needed by the Manhattan Project for the first atomic bomb.

The town had been in decline for several years; the decision was made to close Uravan in 1985 and commence a large-scale clean-up of the entire site.

The Rimrocker Historical Society and Montrose County entered into a long-term lease on May 1, 2013 for a 17-acre (6.9 ha) section of Ballpark parcel #1, with the intention of building a museum and campground on the property.

Holding ponds for uranium processing (1972)
Map of Colorado highlighting Montrose County