Monte Vista ZIP Code List — Rio Grande County, CO

There is one unique ZIP code in Monte Vista, Colorado and it is 81144. Area code: 719.

ZIP codes

287.27

sq mi land

0.21

sq mi water

719

area code

Monte Vista, CO ZIP code map

About Monte Vista, CO

Monte Vista, Colorado, is a charming small city located in the heart of the San Luis Valley. It serves as the county seat of Rio Grande County and is known for its rich agricultural heritage and stunning mountain views. Monte Vista offers a unique blend of rural tranquility and access to outdoor recreational activities, making it an attractive destination for residents and visitors alike.

Location & geography

Monte Vista is situated at an elevation of 7,664 feet and covers a land area of 287.27 square miles. It is surrounded by several other towns, including Alamosa, which is approximately 23 miles to the southeast, and Del Norte, roughly 11 miles to the west. The city features a gentle terrain with agricultural lands and a small amount of water coverage at 0.21 square miles.

Community & economy

The community of Monte Vista is characterized by its friendly atmosphere and close-knit population. Agriculture remains the backbone of the local economy, with numerous farms and ranches contributing to the region's livelihood. Daily life in Monte Vista includes a rich cultural fabric celebrated through local events, markets, and community activities.

Transportation

Monte Vista is accessible via U.S. Highway 160, which runs through the city and connects it to nearby communities and larger cities. The nearest commercial airport is the San Luis Valley Regional Airport, located approximately 20 miles to the southeast in Alamosa. Local transit options are limited, but the city is walkable for most daily needs.

History

Monte Vista was founded in the late 19th century and became an essential agricultural hub in the San Luis Valley. Key industries during its development included farming, ranching, and irrigation-related enterprises, which continue to thrive today. Notable events include the annual Monte Vista Crane Festival, which celebrates the migration of sandhill cranes in the area.

Did you know?

One surprising fact about Monte Vista is that it is home to the largest annual sandhill crane migration in North America, attracting birdwatchers from across the country. Additionally, the city hosts an impressive range of outdoor activities, including hiking, fishing, and skiing in the nearby mountains.

ZIP codes for Monte Vista, CO (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
81144	Monte Vista	Rio Grande	View map

Demographics & statistics

6,766

Population

39.4

Median age

$61,274

Median household income

$34,986

Per capita income

$214,200

Median home value

$669

Median monthly rent

70.7%

Home ownership

11.8%

Poverty rate

5.6%

Unemployment

2,120

Housing units

31.6%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

122

Under 5

125

152

5–9

156

332

10–14

343

192

15–19

199

221

20–24

228

266

25–34

275

727

35–44

751

282

45–54

291

250

55–59

259

217

60–64

224

290

65–74

300

172

75–84

177

106

85+

109

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	1,484	21.9%
18 and over	5,282	78.1%
65 and over	1,154	17.1%
Median age	39.4 years

Race & ethnicity

White 57.2%

Hispanic or Latino 20.2%

Two or more races 13.7%

Other race 7.5%

American Indian / Alaska Native 1.1%

Black or African American 0.2%

Asian 0.1%

Group	Count	%
White	4,850	57.2%
Hispanic or Latino	1,712	20.2%
Two or more races	1,159	13.7%
Other race	634	7.5%
American Indian / Alaska Native	95	1.1%
Black or African American	19	0.2%
Asian	9	0.1%

Household income

Under $10k 3.3%

$10k–$15k 6.4%

$15k–$25k 10.3%

$25k–$35k 8.1%

$35k–$50k 11.1%

$50k–$75k 15.2%

$75k–$100k 13.5%

$100k–$150k 19.8%

$150k–$200k 5.4%

$200k+ 6.9%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	3.3%
$10k–$15k	6.4%
$15k–$25k	10.3%
$25k–$35k	8.1%
$35k–$50k	11.1%
$50k–$75k	15.2%
$75k–$100k	13.5%
$100k–$150k	19.8%
$150k–$200k	5.4%
$200k+	6.9%
Median income	$61,274

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 8.8%

$50k–$100k 10.3%

$100k–$150k 15.6%

$150k–$200k 7.7%

$200k–$300k 37.8%

$300k–$500k 17.0%

$500k–$1M 1.9%

$1M+ 1.0%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$214,200
Median rent / month	$669
Owner occupied	70.7%
Renter occupied	29.3%
Vacant	10.7%
Single-family detached	76.3%
Large apartment buildings	1.6%
Mobile homes	9.4%
Median rooms	5.8
Avg household size (owned)	2.78

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.0%
2010–2019	0.9%
2000–2009	9.1%
1990–1999	16.4%
1980–1989	12.0%
1970–1979	10.0%
1960–1969	10.1%
1950–1959	14.6%
1940–1949	3.8%
1939 or earlier	23.2%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	2.8%
1 bedroom	6.3%
2 bedrooms	24.3%
3 bedrooms	46.2%
4 bedrooms	16.6%
5+ bedrooms	3.7%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	10.1%
1 vehicle	24.3%
2 vehicles	29.3%
3 or more	36.3%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	45.3%
Electricity	24.1%
Propane / LP gas	15.1%
Fuel oil	1.5%
Wood	13.0%
Solar	0.3%
No fuel used	0.2%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	1,207	47.0%
Cohabiting couple	266	10.4%
Male householder, no spouse	332	12.9%
Female householder, no spouse	761	29.7%
Households with children under 18	786	30.6%
Households with seniors (65+)	816	31.8%
Average household size	2.58

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	27.3%	29.3%
Married	49.6%	42.5%
Separated	0.1%	2.2%
Widowed	8.6%	7.9%
Divorced	14.4%	18.2%

Education

Less than 9th grade 5.3%

Some HS, no diploma 4.1%

HS graduate 30.0%

Some college, no degree 20.4%

Associate's degree 8.5%

Bachelor's degree 22.8%

Graduate / professional 8.8%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	90.6%
Bachelor's or higher	31.6%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	128	7.4%
Kindergarten	42	2.4%
Elementary school	861	49.7%
High school	375	21.6%
College / grad school	328	18.9%

Employment

Industry of employment

Education & healthcare 27.9%

Professional & management 12.1%

Transportation & utilities 10.9%

Arts, food & hospitality 10.6%

Retail trade 10.3%

Agriculture & mining 10.2%

Manufacturing 4.2%

Public administration 4.0%

Other services 3.5%

Construction 2.5%

Wholesale trade 1.9%

Finance & real estate 1.4%

Information 0.5%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	39.5%
Service	16.2%
Sales & office	18.2%
Natural resources & construction	11.3%
Production & transportation	14.8%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	70.0%
Government	23.1%
Self-employed	6.8%
Unpaid family workers	0.0%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	82.1%
Carpool	10.2%
Public transit	0.2%
Walk	3.2%
Other means	0.1%
Avg commute (minutes)	17.7

Poverty

All people 11.8%

Under 18 years 12.9%

18 and over 11.5%

Married-couple families 0.0%

Female-led households 16.2%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	37.4%
Retirement income	20.1%
Supplemental Security	8.7%
Cash public assistance	4.9%
Food stamps / SNAP	19.0%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	29.5%
High cholesterol	31.4%
Heart disease	6.9%
Stroke	3.4%
Asthma	10.1%
Arthritis	25.2%
Kidney disease	3.4%
Pulmonary disease	6.8%
Cancer	6.5%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	15.8%
No physical activity	25.3%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	29.8%
Fair or poor health	16.9%
Poor mental health	14.1%
Poor physical health	11.7%
No health insurance	20.9%
Visited doctor (checkup)	68.2%
Visited dentist	56.7%
Cholesterol screening	89.4%
Teeth loss	15.7%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	186	3.5%

Disability	%
Any disability	17.7%
Under 18	14.0%
18–64 years	13.2%
65 and over	40.4%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	47.4%
Public insurance	45.2%
Uninsured under 19	6.5%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	6,519	96.3%
Spanish	288	4.4%
Other Indo-European	288	4.4%
Asian & Pacific Islander	0	0.0%
Other languages	0	0.0%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	6,512	96.2%
Born in same state	6,417	94.8%
Born in different state	4,583	67.7%
Foreign born	95	1.4%
Naturalized citizen	254	3.8%
Not a US citizen	86	33.9%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
French	477	7%
Italian	275	4.1%
Arab	154	2.3%
Polish	77	1.1%

Ancestry	Count	%
English	37	0.5%
Dutch	31	0.5%
Irish	2	0%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	37.9%
Internet access	90.5%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2025 estimates.

Frequently asked questions

What is the ZIP code for Monte Vista, CO?

Monte Vista, CO has one ZIP code: 81144.

What is the main ZIP code for Monte Vista, CO?

The primary ZIP code for Monte Vista, CO is 81144. The city uses area code 719 for phone service.

What county is Monte Vista, CO in?

Monte Vista is located in Rio Grande County, Colorado.

How many ZIP codes are in Monte Vista, CO?

Monte Vista, CO has 1 ZIP code.