thumb|Rio Grande below Creede, Mineral County
thumb|Bristol Head, el. .
Mineral County is a county located in the U.S. state of Colorado. As of the 2020 census, the population was 865, making it the third-least populous county in Colorado, behind San Juan County and Hinsdale County. The county seat and only incorporated municipality in the county is Creede. The county was named for the many valuable minerals found in the mountains and streams of the area.
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of , of which is land and (0.2%) is water.
Adjacent counties
- Saguache County - northeast
- Rio Grande County - east
- Archuleta County - south
- Hinsdale County - west
Major highways
- 20px U.S. Highway 160
- 20px State Highway 149
National protected areas
- Rio Grande National Forest
- San Juan National Forest
- La Garita Wilderness
- Weminuche Wilderness
Trails and byways
- Colorado Trail
- Continental Divide National Scenic Trail
- Lake Fork National Recreation Trail
- Silver Thread Scenic Byway