Cemeteries in Mesa County (County)

Mesa County, located on Colorado’s Western Slope, was established in 1883 and named for the large mesas—Spanish for “table”—that characterize its landscape, including the Grand Mesa, one of the world’s largest flat-topped mountains.

The region was originally inhabited by the Ute people, who used the fertile valleys and river corridors for seasonal living and hunting. The area became part of the United States through the 1848 Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, and settlement increased after the forced removal of the Utes in the 1880s. Anglo-American settlers were drawn by agriculture, ranching, and mining opportunities, especially following the arrival of the railroad in the late 19th century. Grand Junction, founded at the confluence of the Gunnison and Colorado Rivers, became the county seat and commercial center. The county’s development was shaped by German, Italian, and Hispanic immigrant communities, among others.

Cemeteries such as Orchard Mesa Cemetery and Calvary Cemetery have served Mesa County residents since the late 1800s.