Radium

Radium is a small rural unincorporated community located in southwestern Grand County, Colorado.

History

Radium was settled around 1906, originally homesteaded by the Murgrage and Hoyt ranch families. The arrival of the Denver and Salt Lake Railroad construction brought laborers to the area, and this helped establish the community. The name “Radium” was suggested by Harry S. Porter, inspired by the radioactive mineral radium that was found and mined in nearby mines such as the Radium Copper Mine. The community’s roots are strongly tied to mining and railroad development.

Radium remains a very small community consisting mostly of a cluster of houses; it does not have a large or dense population. It has never been a large town but serves as a quiet ranching and recreation area.

Major Industries

The primary industries historically and currently have been livestock ranching and mining, particularly radium mining in the early 20th century. The area also attracts recreational visitors drawn to the nearby Radium Hot Springs and the Colorado River for rafting and fishing activities.

Geography

Radium is situated along the Colorado River downstream from Gore Canyon and southwest of Kremmling, Colorado. The geographic coordinates are approximately 39.9528°N latitude and 106.5586°W longitude, sitting at an elevation of around 6,890 feet (2,100 meters). It is accessible mainly by dirt and gravel roads, with the Union Pacific Railroad running past the community.

Obscure and Notable Facts

Radium’s name is unique and directly linked to the element radium mined nearby, which had significant industrial and medical uses in the early 1900s. The community is near Radium Hot Springs, a popular but relatively secluded natural hot spring on the riverbank. Radium’s proximity to Gore Canyon offers some of Colorado’s premier whitewater rafting experiences, attracting adventure enthusiasts. The railroad presence continues to be important, with Union Pacific maintenance workers based in the area. Despite its mining origins, today Radium is more notable for ranching and outdoor recreational offerings than for active mining operations.