The area is cut off from the rest of Arizona because the Grand Canyon is to its south. In order to reach this piece of land, one must drive around the Grand Canyon. You can reach Colorado City by taking U.S. Highway 89 north out of Flagstaff. The Highway will cross the Colorado River at Marble Canyon and then travel across the Kaibab National Forest, until you come to the town of Fredonia. Here you will take State Highway 389 into Colorado City.

Overview:
Colorado City has strong family values. The climate is cool all year round with a low Temperature of 23 degrees in the winter and a high Temperature of 80 degrees in the summer. Visitors will find that the Arizona Strip has many amazing attractions and outdoor activities.

Community Features:
One terrific attraction near Colorado City is Pipe Springs National Monument. The monument is only fourteen miles from town. Mormons came to the Pipe Springs area to live in the late 1800's. During their stay, they built 2 two-storied buildings called Winsor Castle. Visitors can come to the monument and relive the past by walking the grounds of this pioneer community.

There are two beautiful outdoor activities you won't want to miss during your visit to Colorado City. Mount Trumbull Wilderness is a lovely hiking area with a historical schoolhouse located nearby. The Fredonia-Vermilion Cliff Scenic Drive is a spectacular drive through grasslands, ponderosa pine, sheer rock cliffs, and by the historic Navajo Bridge built in 1928. This drive allows you to feel a part of nature.


History:
During the 1860's, several Mormon families came to Short Creek to build a community. The town was known as Short Creek because of a nearby stream that sank into the sand before it had traveled very far.
It wasn't until 1890, when the community became a topic of conversation. The Mormon Church declared that polygamy was no longer tolerated. This stand was made, in order to help gain statehood for Utah.

A group of religious fundamentalists from Utah were unhappy with the decree and began a search for refuge. They found Short Creek. Short Creek also had the community of Hilldale, Utah just across the border. These two towns held onto the same religious beliefs.

It wasn't until many years later in 1953, when the mood changed. Governor Pyle of Arizona was concerned, as were many others, that the community was involved in the violation of several laws. Laws of tax fraud and polygamy were at top of the list. Federal and State officials raided the town.

Over 200 children were taken and placed in foster new homes in Phoenix. There were 27 arrests receiving a one-year probationary sentence. Eventually, all of the families were reunited.
The raid proved to be a bad decision on the part of Governor Pyle. He did not win his re-election. The public found the raid unacceptable.
The town officially changed its name from Short Creek to Colorado City in 1963 and was incorporated in 1985.

Today, Colorado City is a town of strong family values. Currently, the government's policy seems to be "live and let lie." The town has moved from its traditional economic sources of agriculture and ranching to manufacturing and business. This change has caused urban expansion and growth.