Routt County, founded in 1877 and named for Governor John Routt, lies in northwestern Colorado and is famous for the ski resort city of Steamboat Springs — the county seat. The area’s economy shifted from ranching and coal mining to recreation and tourism. Its rolling valleys, rivers, and hot springs make it a year-round destination. Housing includes luxurious mountain chalets, condos near ski areas, traditional ranches, and small-town homes. Because of its popularity, real-estate prices are high: median home prices often sit around US $1.2 M–1.5 M, with modest townhomes still above US $700 K. Building new homes costs US $400–500 per sq ft or more in resort areas. The county is mountainous and semi-rural, though Steamboat provides full urban amenities. Denver lies about 3½ hours southeast. Routt County offers a high-end mountain lifestyle, top schools, and a robust tourism economy.