The diocese was originally formed as part of the Diocese of Tolima, which lay in the midst of the Cordilleras. As the territory was so extensive, the population very numerous and the difficulties of visitation too great, the Bishop petitioned the Holy See to divide the diocese. This was done by a decree of Leo XIII on June 20, 1900. The northern half was erected into a new Diocese of Ibagué, suffragan of Bogotá, while the southern half formed the new Diocese of Garzon.
