Empire, Colorado

Empire, Colorado
Empire as seen from Douglas Mountain
Nickname: 
Heart of the Rocky Mountain Empire
Location of the Town of Empire in the Clear Creek County, Colorado.
Empire
Location of the Town of Empire, Colorado.
Empire
Empire (Colorado)
Coordinates: 39°45′41″N 105°41′04″W / 39.7614°N 105.6844°W / 39.7614; -105.6844 (Empire, Colorado)
CountryUnited States
StateColorado
CountyClear Creek
IncorporatedApril 12, 1882
Government
 • Typestatutory town
Area
0.271 sq mi (0.701 km2)
 • Land0.268 sq mi (0.695 km2)
 • Water0.0023 sq mi (0.006 km2)
Elevation
8,616 ft (2,626 m)
Population
 (2020)
345
 • Density1,286/sq mi (497/km2)
 • Metro
2,963,821 (19th)
 • CSA
3,623,560 (17th)
 • Front Range
5,055,344
Time zoneUTC−07:00 (MST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−06:00 (MDT)
ZIP code
80438
Area codes303/720/983
GNIS place ID181355
GNIS town ID2412485
FIPS code08-24620
Websitetownofempire.colorado.gov

The historic Town of Empire is a statutory town located in Clear Creek County, Colorado, United States. The town population was 345 at the 2020 United States census, a +22.34% increase since the 2010 United States census. The town is a former gold mining camp settled during the Pike's Peak Gold Rush that later flourished during the Colorado Silver Boom in the late 19th century. Empire is now a part of the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO Metropolitan Statistical Area and the Front Range Urban Corridor.

It is located in the valley of Clear Creek west of Denver, on the north side of the valley. The town consists of several commercial establishments and residents. U.S. Highway 40 passes through the town as its ascends towards Berthoud Pass, putting the town on the direct route between Denver and Middle Park.