Olathe has always been a town rich in colorful history and of charming character. The Uncompahgre Valley is a very fertile, irrigated region. Farming and livestock are a major source of revenue.

The title "Hub of The Uncompahgre" is claimed by Olathe because it is the business center and shipping point for a large area in the center of the Uncompahgre Valley.  From this bustling town radiate roads like spokes of a wheel to tap the produce of a wonderful region.

History

Although Olathe is a Shawnee Indian word for Beautiful, the territory known as Western Colorado was once the home for the Ute Indian. The lush green grasses and cold running streams provided them with an abundance of game and fishing.

However, in September of 1881, the Indians were moved from the Uncompahgre Valley to Southern Colorado, under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Government.

A Name

In 1882 the Rio Grande Railroad built their narrow-gauge rail through Western Colorado and located a section house halfway between Montrose and Delta. The section house came to be called Colorow, after an Indian thought to be a Ute Indian Chief. However, it was later learned that he was a renegade Comanche.  The first Post Office was located in the section house and was named Brown's Post Office, after the Post Master.  This was a very confusing, so the townspeople decided to hold a meeting and adopt one name.  The new railroad agent, Finney, suggested the name Olathe, after the beautiful prosperous town he just came from. A vote was taken and name Olathe was chosen.