Colorado's Lowest Point: The Arikaree River Surprise

Contrary to mountain-state intuition, Colorado's lowest elevation isn't in a valley floor but at the Arikaree River where it crosses into Kansas—3,317 feet (1,011 m) above sea level.

The Location

Yuma County, extreme northeastern Colorado, near the tri-state corner with Kansas and Nebraska. The Arikaree flows east from Colorado's High Plains into the Republican River system.

Hydrologic Journey

Arikaree River → Republican River → Smoky Hill River → Kansas River → Missouri River → Mississippi River → Gulf of Mexico. A single drop travels ~1,500 miles from Colorado's "low point" to the ocean.

Why This Matters

• Highest low point of any state — Colorado's "floor" is higher than 18 states' highest peaks
• Entire state > 3,300 ft — "Mile High" isn't just Denver; it's the baseline
• Contrast: Highest point (Mt. Elbert, 14,440 ft) creates 11,123 ft relief—among the greatest in Lower 48

Common Misconceptions

Many assume the Arkansas River at the Kansas border (3,350 ft) or the San Luis Valley floor (~7,500 ft) are lower. The Arikaree's subtle crossing point holds the record.

Visiting

Remote, private ranchland. No developed access. The tri-state marker (CO/KS/NE) is accessible via County Road KK from US-36 near Idalia—worth the detour for highpointers and geography enthusiasts.