Carbonate, Colorado Designated in 1878 as county seat of Garfield County; s®om deserted because of shipping costs to leadville smelter. History of Garfield County (Scrapbook - microfilm p.150 Described in Ten Mile district. leadville Chronicle April 30, 1879, P.3 c.1 Claims to be first on site of Carbonate. Times Aub. 6, 1886