Colosse's chief export, for which it was famous, was a unique wool called collossinus that was likely colored purple. Although the city was prominent during the Greek period, by Apostle Paul’s day it had lost much of its importance.
The general area around Colosse, which included the Asia Minor towns of Laodicea and Hierapolis, was prone to frequent earthquakes. During the latter part of Emperor Nero's reign, an earthquake struck the area and destroyed the cities.
Although the Apostle Paul wrote an epistle to the Colossians (61 to 63 A.D.), the Bible does not record him ever visiting the western Asia Minor city. The church in the city was likely started by Epaphras (Colossians 1:7) or possibly Timothy (1:1).
Epaphras, a servant of Christ who is from among you, salutes you. He is always striving for you in his prayers, that you may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.
For I bear witness to him that he has much zeal for you, and for those in Laodicea, and for those in Hierapolis (Colossians 4:12 - 13, HBFV).
Epaphras was a resident of Colosse who was also one of Paul's coworkers. The city was also home to a Christian named Philemon. He generously allowed his house to be used as a gathering place to worship God on the Sabbath (Philemon 1:2).
Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy, a brother, to Philemon, our beloved and fellow worker, and to Apphia, our beloved, and to Archippus, our fellow soldier, and to the church (in Colosse) that meets in your house (Philemon 1:1 - 2).