Before the arrival of the conquistadors, these lands were inhabited by indigenous tribes, located on the shores of Lake Maracaibo and its riverbanks. The first inhabitants were Arawakos, Aliles, Onotos, and finally the Buredes, who for 700 years had migrated from northern Venezuela. In 1499, with the discovery of the lake, a predominantly agricultural period began, marked by structural changes that led to the elimination of most indigenous groups by Spanish conquistadors due to an externally oriented economy.

Subsequently, communication routes evolved, and commercial traffic began along the Escalante River.

In the year 1700, development began due to the need for communication routes to Maracaibo, requiring more than San Carlos del Zulia to support cross-lake travel. This led to the evolution of commercial traffic along the Escalante River and the arrival of farmers from San Carlos, resulting in population growth and the eventual founding of Santa Cruz del Zulia (1778), Santa Bárbara, and later Moralito and Urribarrí.

On October 6, 1873, it gained autonomy from the Perijá District, forming the new Fraternidad District, later renamed Colón District in 1881, and finally declared a Municipality in 1989.

It leads culturally with the "Don Jesús María Semprún" Athenaeum, notable for its dance groups and other institutions like the Colón Cultural Center, Parish Hall, Integral Art Center, "San Carlos" Movie Theater, "Luís Alberto Camacho" Exhibition Park, and Colón Promenade. It also hosts musical groups like gaita ensembles, theater troupes, and bands.

In handicrafts, we find great variety. Predominant indigenous crafts include items made with bulrush and coconut palms. They also manually build fishing canoes, weave hammocks, etc.

The main tourist attraction is the Chama River, an important regional waterway carrying white Andean waters through the municipality. The Urribarrí Parish also offers tourism opportunities at Puerto Concha with its tourist stop, craft exhibitions, and tasting of Colón's gastronomy.