Colstrip, Montana is the largest city in Rosebud County, although not the county seat. The city was established by the Northern Pacific Railway in 1924 to provide coal to its steam locomotives, through its pit strip mining operations. During World War II, the Colstrip Mine was deemed strategically important by the United States government, as it supplied coal for the steam locomotives carrying military equipment for the war effort. As a result, the mine was guarded against sabotage and mine employees were not permitted to quite their jobs. When the railroad switched to diesel locomotives in 1958, the mine was closed. The following year, the Montana Power Company bought the rights to the mine and the town, resuming mining operations in the 1970s, using the coal to fuel its new coal-fired electrical plants. In 1974, Castle Rock Lake was built, using water pumped through an underground pipe from the Yellowstone River, producing electricity from coal using steam, while the lake is stocked with fish. Commercial operations by the Colstrip Energy Limited Project began in 1990, the electricity production facility owned by Rosebud Energy Corporation, until the plants were sold to PPL Corporation in 1998, and the Rosebud Coal Mine was sold to Westmoreland Mining LLC, the year that Colstrip was incorporated as a city. Colstrip is north of Lame Deer and the Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation, and south of Forsyth and Rosebud.
 
 
Recommended Resources
The hotel is located on Main Street in Colstrip, Montana, featuring standard rooms and mini-suites and a variety of amenities which are listed here, along with directions and online bookings.
http://www.colstripinnandsuites.com/
Offering primary medical services for the entire family, CMC is a medical facility in Colstrip, Montana, affiliated with Billings Clinic. A clinic profile, office hours, reservation policies, and contacts are included.
http://www.colstripclinic.com/
Colstrip Park & Recreation District
The CPRD fitness facilities, youth activities, and adult sports programs are featured, including a schedule of fitness classes and personal training programs, a brochure, open gym, youth sports activities, and adult leagues.
http://www.colstripparks.com/
The CPD was formed in 2004, serving as the law enforcement body for the municipality of Colstrip, Montana. Its organizational structure, volunteer program, community programs, and contacts are presented.
http://colstrippolice.com/
Providing a PK-12th grade education for the youth of Colstrip, Montana, the public school district operates Pine Butte Elementary School, Frank Brattin Middle School, Colstrip High School, and Isabel Bills Community Learning Center, each of which are highlighted here. A district calendar, staff information, and contacts are featured.
http://colstrip.schooldesk.net/
The official municipal web site offers contacts for the city’s administrative offices, departments, commissions, and elected officials, along with council agendas and minutes, a community calendar, and public notices.
http://www.cityofcolstrip.com/
Representing property buyers and sellers in southeastern Montana, the real estate office is based in Colstrip, Montana. Available properties are featured, along with a schedule of open houses, community information, and a mortgage calculator.
http://www.colstripareaproperties.com/
Located on Cherry Street, just off of Route 39 in Colstrip, Montana, the congregation’s Sunday School and Bible study programs are featured, along with its service times, church calendar, and sermon audio.
http://www.fbccolstrip.org/
The Colstrip, Montana church is a congregation of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod. Its worship service, Bible study and Sunday School schedules are posted, with a church calendar, announcements, and a sermon archive.
http://www.mtcalvary-colstrip.org/
PPL Montana operates two coal-fired power generating plants, one of them being in Colstrip, Montana, which operates four coal-fired generating units producing up to 2,094 megawatts of electricity.
http://pplmontana.com/producing-power/
Owned by Westmoreland Coal Company, the Rosebud Mine, also known as Western Energy Company, is a 25,000 acre surface mine complex in the northern Powder River Basin near Colstrip, Montana and the Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation. Statistical information about the mine are posted.
http://westmoreland.com/location/rosebud-mine-montana/
Saint Margaret Mary Catholic Church
The Roman Catholic congregation meets at its facilities on Water Avenue in Colstrip, Montana. Liturgy, sacraments, and faith formation schedules are published, along with an overview of its ministries and a church bulletin.
http://www.stmargaretmarycolstrip.org/
Schoolhouse History & Art Center
SHAC was established to provide an opportunity for cultural events, education in the arts, and to promote local artists, as well as to encourage an appreciation for the culture and history of the Colstrip, Montana area. Its location, hours, membership, and fundraising activities are featured.
http://www.colstripshac.org/
Situated on Water Avenue, the Colstrip, Montana flower shop is featured, including directions, hours of operation, delivery policies and area, and contacts. Offering flower arrangements, gifts, and other products, an online shopping area is included.
http://www.colstripfloralandgifts.com/