Copper Mountain was originally named "Wheeler" for a local judge and developer. The Wheeler, Colorado, post office operated from April 1, 1880, until May 14, 1894.[6] The Town of Wheeler incorporated as a statutory town, but was declared abandoned in 2005.[a]
The Copper Mountain Ski Resort opened in 1972, and wished to change the former town's name. The naming question was settled by a decision from the Board on Geographic Names, which ruled in favor of "Copper Mountain" in 1977.[1] The Copper Mountain, Colorado, post office opened on September 8, 1977, but the Frisco, Colorado, post office (ZIP code 80443) now serves the area.[5]
