Walden is the statutory town that is the county seat of, the most populous community in, and the only incorporated municipality in Jackson County, Colorado, United States. The town is situated in the center of a large open valley called North Park. People from Walden and the surrounding area refer to themselves as "North Parkers". The town population was 606 at the 2020 census. The town sits at an elevation of 8,098 feet (2,468 meters). It was established in 1889 and was incorporated December 2, 1890. Mark A. Walden, an early postmaster, gave the community his name.

Official town website ↗

From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0 · facts via Wikidata (CC0)

Town numbers

ZIP code80480

Area code970

Living in Walden

Work & commute in Walden

Full picture →

About one in 3 of Walden’s working residents works in town. The top destinations are Denver (6%), Steamboat Springs (4%) and Fort Collins (2%). Half commute less than 17 miles.

Denver

Steamboat Springs

Fort Collins

Montrose

33%Work in townlive and work in Walden 17 miWhere do people commute?the commute map 252Jobs based herebalanced

Census LEHD 2023 · ACSWork & commute in Walden →

Health in Walden

Compared with Colorado

2better than CO·14worse

of 26 measures CDC estimates. The other 10 are too close to call.

Conditions 9▼ 3 close Habits 1▲ 2▼ 1 close Care 1▲ 1▼ 5 close Mind 2▼ 1 close

BetterToo close to callWorse

What stands out

15.2%Fewer binge drinkersCO 19% · better 75.4%More adults treating high blood pressureCO 69.5% · better 10.2%More adults with COPDCO 5.3% · worse

Care nearby

Uchealth Yampa Valley Medical CenterSteamboat Springs · 33.8 mi · ER

Northwest Colorado Health Community Health Center - Routt CountySteamboat Springs · 33.6 mi · sliding-scale fees

Primary careShortage · county-wide

DentalShortage · county-wide

Mental healthShortage · county-wide

CDC PLACES 2025 · modeled estimates for adults · CDC's estimate for Walden · CMS · HRSAHealth in Walden →

Natural hazards in Walden

High

Expected storm and flood damage is higher than in 61% of U.S. communities.

🏔️ Avalanches🌊 Inland flooding

0Does Walden flood?no paid flood claims on record NoneDisasters that paid out hereof 4 declared for Jackson County

FEMA National Risk Index December 2025 · OpenFEMANatural hazards in Walden →

Climate in Walden

Full climate →

Walden has cold, snowy winters and pleasant summers, with very little rain. A typical July afternoon reaches 78°, a January night drops to 6°, and about 67 inches of snow falls in a normal winter.

32° / 7°Winter

51° / 23°Spring

75° / 40°Summer

55° / 24°Fall

How much snow does Walden get?About 67 inches a winter.Rain & snow →Does it ever freeze?In about 100% of years.Frost →Is it warmer than it used to be?+1.7° vs. the 20th century.Then & now →

NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020Climate in Walden →

Schools in Walden

All Walden schools →

C⁻

School Grade C-

The public schools Walden’s kids attend trail 83% of Colorado’s districts on state tests. Among towns with similar incomes, they rank near the bottom.

DistrictNorth Park School District R-1Schools1

North Park School B-Other · Grades PK–12 · 144 students

School data from the U.S. Department of Education (NCES, EDFacts). The School Grade is our own summary of state test results, graded within CO. Ratings are from neighbors.