Dolores County, Colorado

County Distress Index: Healthy · 33.7 | 2,513 people · 44th most distressed in Colorado
American Default Research

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Dolores County, CO ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 33.7 — 2542nd nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Economic Vitality, where wages are low relative to housing costs, business formation lags, and the local economy lacks dynamism. Within Colorado, it ranks 44th of 64 counties. Among its 5 neighboring counties, 4 show more distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Dolores County's primary driver is Economic Vitality at 65.3 — above the national median.

Economic Vitality Primary driver 65.3
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 86
Rent-to-Income Ratio 68
Business Formation Rate 36
House Price Change (YoY) 6
Legal Distress 62.9
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 63
Structural Poverty 59.1
Unemployment Rate 69
Poverty Rate 49
Income vs. State Median 92
Child Poverty Rate 41
Disability Rate 11
Transfer Income Dependency 71
Consumer Credit Distress 25.5
Debt in Collections 5
Medical Debt 7
Auto Loan Delinquency 22
Credit Card Delinquency 64
Uninsured Rate 37
Subprime Credit Population 27
Housing Cost Burden 12.9
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 13
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 5
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 52
Homeownership Rate 5

Scores are percentile-based: 50 = national median, higher = more distressed.

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Dolores County
Dolores County, CO 33.7 Healthy —
Montezuma County, CO 53.6 Elevated +19.9
San Juan County, UT 51.9 Elevated +18.2
San Juan County, CO 41.3 Normal +7.5
La Plata County, CO 36.4 Normal +2.7
San Miguel County, CO 29.6 Healthy -4.1

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Dolores County
Chouteau County, MT 33.7 Healthy -0.0
Grant County, ND 33.7 Healthy -0.0
Kane County, UT 33.7 Healthy -0.0
Edwards County, KS 33.7 Healthy -0.0
Yuma County, CO 33.7 Healthy -0.0

Download Data

Export all distress indicators for Dolores County as a CSV file.

Find Help in Dolores County

Find an Attorney

Colorado Bar Association — Lawyer Referral Service offers a lawyer referral service for bankruptcy, foreclosure defense, and consumer rights.

Colorado Bar Association — Lawyer Referral Service 303-831-8000

Free Legal Aid

Legal aid organizations serving Dolores County residents at no cost.

Colorado Legal Services 303-837-1313 (Denver); 1-866-529-6257 (statewide)
Colorado Volunteer Lawyer Resource (CVLR) 303-722-0300
Colorado Bar Association — Lawyer Referral Service 303-831-8000 (Denver); 1-800-332-6736 (statewide)

American Default Research does not endorse, rate, or rank any provider. Verify attorney credentials with your state bar.

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Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is the distress score for Dolores County, Colorado?

    Dolores County has a County Distress Index score of 33.7 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,542nd nationally out of 3,144 counties and 44th in Colorado out of 64 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Dolores County?

    The primary driver of distress in Dolores County is Economic Vitality, where the county scores 65.3 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Wage-to-Rent Ratio, Rent-to-Income Ratio, Business Formation Rate.

  • How does Dolores County compare to neighboring counties?

    Dolores County (33.7) can be compared to its 5 neighboring counties: Montezuma County, CO (53.6); San Juan County, UT (51.9); San Juan County, CO (41.3).

  • How is the County Distress Index calculated?

    The County Distress Index uses PCA-weighted percentile scoring across five statistically derived factors: Consumer Credit Distress (47.5%), Housing Cost Burden (22.3%), Structural Poverty (13.6%), Economic Vitality (9.2%), and Legal Distress (7.4%). Each county's indicators are ranked against all 3,144 U.S. counties. A score of 50 means the county is at the national median; higher scores indicate greater distress.

  • How often is the CDI updated?

    Annually, aligned to Census American Community Survey and Urban Institute Debt in America release windows — the slowest-moving source inputs. Between annual refreshes, faster-cadence indicators (BLS unemployment, QCEW wages) may drive light mid-year updates if a specific component moves meaningfully. Current data compiled April 14, 2026; next full refresh early 2027.

  • What does the Healthy zone mean?

    The CDI divides counties into five zones: Healthy (below 46), Normal (46–55), Elevated (55–71), Serious (71–86), and Crisis (86 and above). Dolores County's score of 33.7 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

  • What data sources power Dolores County's CDI score?

    Dolores County's CDI score draws on Urban Institute Debt in America (Equifax credit-bureau panel), U.S. Census Bureau (American Community Survey 5-year, Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates), Bureau of Labor Statistics (LAUS, QCEW), U.S. Courts Administrative Office (F-5A bankruptcy filings), and HUD Fair Market Rents. Every number on this page traces to one of these public sources.

  • What is the population of Dolores County?

    Dolores County, Colorado has a population of approximately 2,513 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.