Where Does the Colorado River Flow From Colorado?

The premise is slightly off: the Colorado River **does not flow southwest out of Colorado**.

Actual Course

1. Source: Rocky Mountain National Park, CO (Never Summer Mountains).
2. In Colorado: Flows **west** through Grand Lake, Granby, Hot Sulphur Springs, Kremmling, Glenwood Springs, Grand Junction.
3. Into Utah: Continues west to Cisco, then **southwest** through Moab, Canyonlands NP.
4. Into Arizona: Through Grand Canyon (west, then south), Lake Mead (NV/AZ border).
5. Border: Forms AZ/NV, AZ/CA borders southward.
6. Mexico: Crosses border, ends in **Gulf of California (Sea of Cortez)** — though often dry before reaching sea due to diversions.

Key Tributaries Joining Along the Way

• Gunnison (CO), Green (UT), San Juan (UT/AZ), Little Colorado (AZ), Virgin (NV/AZ), Gila (AZ).

So: from Colorado, it flows **west**, then **southwest** through Utah/Arizona, ultimately **south** to Mexico.