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Boulder -
The city began as a small mining camp on the banks of what became known
as Boulder Creek. The first settlers, a party of prospectors led by Thomas
Aikins, reached the mouth of Boulder Canyon in the fall of 1858. They
called their campsite Red Rocks because of the red sandstone cliffs.
Friendly contacts were made with Chief Niwot and the Arapahoe tribe.
The Cheyennes were also indigenous to the area, while other tribes, including
the Utes, Kiowas, Comanches and Sioux, were occasional visitors. In January
1859, gold was discovered at Gold Run, an area west of the present Gold
Hill community and approximately 12 miles northwest of Boulder. This
gave impetus to the Boulder City Town Company which was organized in
1859 by A.A. Brookfield, the first president and 60 shareholders. Boulder
was designated as the county seat in 1867. Boulder was so named because
of the many unwieldy rocks the settlers had to clear away before they
could construct their cabins. Native American uprisings and the decline
of the nearby gold camps resulted in several hard years for the new community.
In 1871, however, the prospects of obtaining a railroad and a university
brought Boulder City to life, and the town of Boulder was incorporated
under the Territorial Government. Two years later, both the Colorado
Central Railroad and the Denver-Boulder Valley Railroad reached the city.
Some of the earliest ordinances were aimed at controlling dogs. The founding
fathers also began charging saloons $10 to operate, and they began a
tree-planting program. Today, the city encompasses about 27.8 square
miles at the foot of the Flatirons with a population of over 96,000.
Boulder is known for a ring of open space, called a greenbelt, that has
been built up around it over the past 20 years. In additon to a city-imposed
1% limit on housing growth, the city also adopted a long-term Transportation
Master Plan with a goal of a 0% increase of cars on Boulder roads. These
efforts are working to preserve the high quality of life many have come
to know and love about Boulder. Visit their website at www.ci.boulder.co.us. |
Broomfield -
This city got its start in the 1870's when it was a rail stop between
Denver and Cheyenne, Wyoming. In 1885, Adolph J. Zang, whose father owned
the Zang Brewery in Denver, bought 4,000 acres from the Union Pacific
Railroad and began a large farming operation. The community eventually
became known as Zang's Spur, and by 1900 was teeming with about 50 residents.
It was later named after the local farms' major crop, broom corn, which
was used to make brooms. In 1961, the city was incorporated with about
4,500 residents. It covers over 27 square miles with an estimated population
of more than 38,000 today. Broomfield is a town conceived, planned and
managed for quality, controlled growth with a community feel. It is preparing
to become a county as well as a city on Nov. 15, 2001. It is located
just off Hwy. 36, eight miles southeast of Boulder. Broomfield has become
a thriving industrial, commercial and residential community. Commercial
growth has exploded with the recent opening of FlatIron Crossing Mall.
Neighboring that development is Interlocken Business Park, which is home
to some of the area's largest employers. The business barometer is high
and stable and the economy mirrors the stability of the Boulder County
manufacturing climate. The city is planning an expansion of its municipal
center, construction of a new jail and courts complex. The city offers
an extensive, interconnected system of parks and paths, a community center,
outdoor water park and ball park complex. Their website is www.ci.broomfield.co.us. |
Erie -
A former coal town that straddles the Boulder-Weld County line about
eight miles east of Boulder, is working to improve services and commercial
opportunities for its residents. The town was settled around 1867 by
the Rev. Richard Van Valkenburg, a Methodist pastor who named the town
after his hometown in Erie, Pennsylvania. In 1874, Erie was incorporated.
Today, the population is estimated to be around 6,500 and the town covers
six square miles. Within its borders is the 119-acre Tri-County airport,
serving Boulder, Weld & Adams counties. The biggest change to hit
the town in this century is the advent of paved streets and new sidewalks
in Old Town Erie. New housing subdivisions are being planned and built,
and commercial ventures are being developed. A new shopping center is
giving the town an unprecedented influx of sales tax revenue. The website
for Erie is www.ci.erie.co.us. |
Lafayette -
If the pioneers of Lafayette could return to the Boulder County town
today, they might not recognize the growing city as the small coal mining
town that sprouted up during the late 1800's when Mary Elizabeth Miller
and her husband, Lafayette, first mined the land. In 1868, the couple
bought a 240-acre farm, dug two mineshafts that produced 1,000 tons of
coal a day. When the town was formed in 1890, it was the largest coal-mining
center in Boulder County. Today, Lafayette, eleven miles east of Boulder
and covering 8.6 square miles, boasts several shopping centers, industrial
and business parks, residential subdivisions, library, rec center and
18-hole Indian Peaks golf course, designed by Hale Irwin. The city has
experienced rapid growth in recent years, with its population having
burgeoned to over 23,000 in the past two decades. If you cherish the
simplicity of a small town, but also yearn for the comforts and conveniences
afforded by urban proximity, Lafayette may be the town for you. Visit
their website at www.cityoflafayette.com. |
Longmont -
In 1820, Major Stephen H. Long gazed upon the magnificence of the unbridled
land spread before him, particularly struck by the 14,256 foot peak which
dominated the view. Later, in 1871, members of the "Chicago Colorado
Colony" purchased 50,000 acres along the St. Vrain River, near the old
Burlington stage stop, and founded Longmont. The first settlers picked
a bluff directly east of Longs Peak for the town site and named the town
after the peak. Lying peacefully under the protective shadow of Longs
Peak, Longmont started growing with pioneers molded from sound stock
and strong morals. It became a hub for farming activities; sugar beets,
alfalfa, beans, potatoes and peas were raised in the valley. The Great
Western Sugar Factory manufactured sugar from sugar beets, and the Empson
cannery processed vegetables. Today, Longmont is the second largest city
in Boulder County, with over 62,000 people occupying over 20 square miles
in the northeast portion of the county. A warm and friendly town, it
is still growing, and boasts of some impressive credentials. Being in
the heart of Colorado's Technological Corridor, it draws start-up businesses
as well as relocating established businesses because of the small town
atmosphere and close proximity to the University of Colorado. It has
a growing retail base of new department stores, restaurants and professional
services. Longmont boasts public events year-round, from rodeos to fairs,
including the Boulder County Fair each summer. The desire to live in
one area where you can work, live and shop without leaving the city limits
has drawn many newcomers. For more information, visit their website at www.ci.longmont.co.us. |
Louisville -
In 1877, the pulse of life began in the historic Louisville business
district, when coal was discovered. Louis Nawatny platted his farmland
into city blocks and named the community after himself in 1878. Immigrant
people of all nationalities traveled here and began to create a community.
Italians, French, German and Slavic people formed their own neighborhoods.
Most of the men worked in the mines, their sons often joining them at
the age of fourteen. Everything they needed to support their daily life
was available along two streets, Front and Main. Sixteen trains a day
passed through Louisville, connecting it with Boulder, Eldorado Springs
and Denver. Mining life was hard and dangerous. There were wars between
the miners and their bosses when the miners went on strike. Pioneer residents
can point out where bullets pierced the walls of their childhood homes
during the troubles. Saloons and brothels were part of the frontier scene
as well as schools, churches, boarding houses, groceries, restaurants
and even a little movie theater. Many of these buildings still stand
unchanged in downtown, historic Louisville, shadows of the town's lively
past. Although the mines are now closed and silent, they are still beneath
the city; the dark veins of Louisville's original life blood. New citizens
are drawn to the community's old-fashioned qualities of friendliness,
courtesy and honesty, and its commitment to the preservation and restoration
of the "historic downtown". Its pulse beats faster as the city's carefully
crafted preservation plan and design guidelines excite new businesses
to join the diverse and unusual scene on its historic streets. Today,
the population has more than tripled since 1970; standing now at over
19,000 on seven square miles, but the city retains its small-town feeling
while pursuing commercial growth. In recent years, a new hospital, an
18-hole golf course, a rec center and Monarch School campus have all
contributed to the valuable quality of life. The city's website is www.ci.louisville.co.us. |
Lyons -
Nestled close to the mountains, north of Boulder and west of Longmont,
Lyons was founded in the 1880's by E.S. Lyons and was carved from the
surrounding red sandstone by many of the town's stone masons. The town
bought 160 acres of land that was formed into the Evans Townsite Co.
and the Lyons Rock and Lime Quarry. The railroad extended into the small
community in 1884, and by 1891 it was a municipality. The red sandstone
has been used all over the U.S., but the most visible signs locally are
the buildings on the University of Colorado campus. Today, a cluster
of 15 sandstone buildings has been designated as a historic district.
Lyons is known as the gateway to Rocky Mountain National Park and has
many attractive small-town qualities with antique and art shops, homegrown
restaurants, and two riverfront parks. The town has about 1,700 residents,
but swells each summer when the Lyons Planet Bluegrass Festival is presented. Information about Lyons can be found the Lyons Chamber of Commerce Web site. |
Nederland -
The largest mountain town in Boulder County, Nederland offers residents
a contrast of rustic mountain life with the more city-like atmosphere
of Boulder just 19 miles down the canyon. The town was born as a settlement
for gold, silver and, later, tungsten miners. The promise of riches from
the town's mines drew thousands of residents to the mountains in the
late 1800's. In 1874, Nederland was incorporated and had more than 3,500
residents at its peak. A community of individuals, today the population
is around 1400, and there is no shortage of lively political interaction.
The former mining boomtown is taking advantage of its mountain crossroads
location with a new tourist information center. Owners of the nearby
Eldora Ski Area have expanded snowmaking capabilities and upgraded other
facilities, offering Nederland an economic shot in the arm. Barker Reservoir,
a favorite fishing spot, lends itself to multiple outdoor recreational
uses. The town prides itself on a sense of community and the aesthetic
beauty and serenity of the area deserve your attention, www.townofnederland.com. |
Niwot -
An unincorporated community of about two square miles, Niwot lies east
of Hwy. 119, better know as The Diagonal between Boulder and Longmont.
In 1875, it was officially platted into 700 lots by P.T. Hinman. He and
another farmer donated the land so a town could be created to meet the
agricultural community's needs. The town was named after Chief Niwot
and means "left hand" in the Arapahoe Indian language. A small intimate
community of 4000 people who know their neighbors and hold community
sporting and social activities, such as old-fashioned ice cream socials.
Antiques stores, auctions, restaurants and restored buildings line Second
Avenue in the old downtown area. The town is setting its course for growth
and has an active community association that keeps its residents updated
about current concerns and development. As the natives say, "Why not
Niwot?" |
Superior -
Superior traces its roots to coal mining days and was first settled in
1861 by William C. Hake, a farmer. He discovered coal on his property,
claiming there was "none superior in the state", and gave the town its
name. During its heyday, Superior boasted 400 residents, a school, church,
livery stable, three saloons, two pool halls, a general store, a barbershop
and two boarding houses. In 1945, the town suffered a serious blow when
the Industrial Mine, which employed 200, closed. By 1950, only 250 residents
remained. Today, the population has grown to 7,400, thanks to the booming
Rock Creek subdivision. Superior is located southeast of Boulder, off
the Superior/Louisville interchange on Hwy. 36. Superior, which is largely
residential, has experienced the beginning of commercial growth in the
Superior Marketplace Shopping Center. Superior's website is: www.townofsuperior.com |
