Ophir

Ophir is a small, legally organized municipality in San Miguel County, Colorado, with a governing general assembly and a recorded population of 197 as of the 2020 census — numbers that tell an interesting story for a place often described in ghost-town terms. The community sits about two miles from the Ames Hydroelectric Generating Plant, a site of genuine historical significance: it was the world's first hydroelectric plant to deliver alternating current electricity for an industrial purpose, specifically mining.

Visitors arriving by passenger car will find a quiet, remote setting where the past and a thin thread of present-day residency overlap. The proximity to the Ames plant gives the area an extra layer of historical interest beyond the town itself, and the surrounding Colorado landscape makes it a worthwhile stop for anyone drawn to heritage sites and scenic drives.

Because of Colorado's mountain conditions, the most reliable window for a visit runs from late spring through early fall. Winter months bring hazardous road conditions that can make access difficult or impossible, so plan accordingly.