Colorado · Mountain Time
970 Area Code
Area code 970 is in Colorado, serving northern and western Colorado including Fort Collins, Greeley, Grand Junction and the mountain resorts. It is in the Mountain Time zone. It shares its territory with overlay code 748, so 10-digit dialing is required.
Last updated October 1, 2026 · Source: NANPA
Where is the 970 area code?
970 is a Colorado area code covering northern and western Colorado including Fort Collins, Greeley, Grand Junction and the mountain resorts. In the wider directory it sits in the West region.
Cities in the 970 area code
- Fort Collins
- Greeley
- Loveland
- Grand Junction
- Windsor
- Durango
- Montrose
- Sterling
- Fort Morgan
- Steamboat Springs
- Glenwood Springs
- Aspen
- Vail
- Estes Park
- Cortez
Counties served by 970
Larimer County, Weld County, Mesa County, La Plata County, Montrose County, Garfield County, Routt County, Eagle County, Pitkin County and Logan County.
970 overlay codes and dialing
The 970 territory is covered by an overlay of 2 area codes: 748, 970. All of them serve the same geographic area, and the original code is 970. Because more than one code covers the same ground, 10-digit dialing is mandatory — you must dial the area code for every local call. New phone lines may be assigned any of these codes.
History of the 970 area code
970 went into service on April 2, 1995, created when it was split from 303. It serves Fort Collins and the surrounding part of Colorado, and today shares its territory with overlay code 748. For how codes are created, split, and overlaid, see how area codes work.
Is 970 a scam or spam risk?
970 is a legitimate geographic area code, not a premium or toll line, so a call from it costs you nothing extra. That said, scammers frequently spoof real local area codes to look familiar on caller ID. A genuine 970 number on your screen is no guarantee the caller is in Fort Collins, CO or trustworthy. See spam & scam-risk area codes for how spoofing works and how to respond.
Other Colorado area codes
Explore more
See every code in Colorado, compare codes across the West region, or view all Mountain Time codes. You can also browse the 9XX block or the complete numeric list of US area codes.
New to how this all works? Start with how area codes work, then read up on overlays, 10-digit dialing, and spam & scam-risk codes. To check another number, use the area code lookup tool.
Quick answers
970 area code FAQ
Where is the 970 area code?
The 970 area code is in Colorado, covering northern and western Colorado including Fort Collins, Greeley, Grand Junction and the mountain resorts, in the West region.
What cities are in the 970 area code?
Cities in the 970 area code include Fort Collins, Greeley, Loveland, Grand Junction, Windsor, Durango, Montrose, Sterling, Fort Morgan and Steamboat Springs.
What time zone is 970 in?
970 is in the Mountain Time zone.
What is the overlay for the 970 area code?
970 shares its territory with 748. Both codes (748, 970) serve the same area, so 10-digit dialing is required for every call.
When did the 970 area code start?
970 went into service on April 2, 1995.
Do I have to dial 10 digits for 970?
Yes. Because 970 is an overlay area, you must dial the full 10-digit number (area code + 7 digits) for every call.
Is 970 a toll-free or premium code?
No. 970 is a standard geographic area code, so calling it costs the same as any local or long-distance call on your plan. Toll-free calls use 800, 888, 877, 866, 855, 844 or 833.