Adams County is a mix of older
established towns, new master-planned
communities and rural farmsteads. In
the county’s boundaries are Denver
International Airport; Riverside, the
region’s pioneer cemetery; and the
Rocky Mountain Arsenal Wildlife
Refuge. Major cities in the county
include Aurora, Brighton, Commerce
City, Thornton and Westminster. Industries
in Adams County include agriculture,
heavy industry, transportation, and
technology companies.
BRIGHTON
Brighton is located on the edge of the
eastern plains, 20 miles northeast of
downtown Denver. The town features a
small town atmosphere and a rich history,
with diverse neighborhoods, including new
home developments and established homes
with large acreage. It is also the home of
Platte Valley Medical Center and the county
seat of Adams County. Brighton is a great
place to enjoy all kinds of recreation, with
more than 20 community and
neighborhood parks and sports complexes,
four trail systems, open space properties
and a 55,000-square-foot recreation
center. | www.brightonco.gov
COMMERCE CITY
The state’s fourth-fastest growing community,
Commerce City prizes its historic values of
community, industry, agriculture, and family.
The city covers 41 square miles and is
expected to grow to a 64-square-mile area
during the next 20 years. In the last
decade, the city’s population has more than
doubled, but the city has maintained its
small town atmosphere. According to the
2010 Census data, more than 45,913
people call Commerce City home, with
individuals of Hispanic descent comprising
47% of the city’s population. More than
65% of residents are homeowners, with a
median home price of $205,000.
Residents enjoy the facilities and beauty of
14 city parks and two major trail systems. |
www.c3gov.com
FEDERAL HEIGHTS
The City of Federal Heights is located roughly
12 miles northwest of downtown Denver.
Federal Heights was incorporated in 1940,
encompasses 1. 78 square miles, and is
home to more than 12,000 residents. The
City is also home to Water World, one of the
largest water parks in the country. |
www.fedheights.org
NORTHGLENN
The nearly 36,000 residents of Northglenn
enjoy small neighborhoods with accessible
schools, convenient shopping centers, parks,
lakes, open spaces and outdoor recreation
facilities. Northglenn has a distinctive sense
of community; many of the original residents
who lived in Northglenn when it
incorporated in 1969 still live here. The
community is connected by the well-planned
Greenway Trail System. The 28 miles of off-street walking and biking paths connect with
larger trail systems that lead throughout the
Denver metro area. Northglenn is only 15
minutes north of downtown Denver.
Northglenn has been named Tree City USA
11 times. | www.northglenn.org
THORNTON
Thornton is closer to the Denver International
Airport than any other community in the
metro area. Residents have beautiful,
breathtaking views and easy access to the
more than 25 major resort areas found in
the nearby Rocky Mountains for skiing,
hiking, rafting and camping. Thornton has a
rich collection of public parks, including
athletic fields and courts, swimming pools,
recreation centers and gymnasiums. The city
also enjoys the cultural amenities and
educational opportunities offered in nearby
Denver. | www.cityofthornton.net
www.co.adams.co.us
adams
COUNTY