Westminster, Colorado

Westminster is a city in Adams and Jefferson counties, Colorado, United States. In the year 2020, the city had a population of 116,317 people, with many living in both Adams and Jefferson Counties. It is the eighth most populous city in Colorado.

The city is part of a larger area called the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO Metropolitan Statistical Area, which includes many nearby cities and towns. Westminster is also in the Front Range Urban Corridor, a region known for its growing communities and natural beauty.

The main government building of Westminster, called the Westminster Municipal Center, is located about 9 miles north-northwest of the Colorado State Capitol in Denver. This places Westminster close to the state’s capital while still offering its own unique community feel.

History

Gold found in the South Platte River Valley in 1858 brought many people to the area that would become Westminster, Colorado. The chance to own land through The Homestead Act of 1862 drew pioneers from the east to settle here instead of moving to California. Before settlers arrived, animals like antelope and buffalo lived in the area, and there is evidence of Arapaho Indians near Crown Point.

The first permanent settler in Westminster was a farmer named Pleasant DeSpain from Kentucky, who built his home in 1870. The area, called DeSpain Junction, grew into a small farming community. In 1885, a developer named C.J. Harris bought land there, divided it into smaller pieces, and sold it to fruit farmers. He renamed the area Harris, Colorado, and a post office opened there in 1908.

In 1890, a man named Henry T. Mayham convinced a group to build a university on his land. The university, called Westminster University of Colorado, opened in 1908. It closed in 1917 when students left to fight in World War I, but the old university building is still important today.

In July 2006, Westminster was named one of the best places to live in the United States by Money magazine.

Bell Tower

Westminster City Hall has a tall bell tower with a pyramid-shaped top. It was built as a tribute to the famous clock tower in Westminster, England, known as Big Ben. The tower was completed in 1986, and the mayor of Westminster, England, attended the celebration. An English Oak tree, a gift from Westminster, England, can still be seen on the City Hall grounds.

Geography

Westminster is found in western Adams County and northeastern Jefferson County in Colorado. It shares borders with several nearby places: Broomfield to the north, Thornton to the northeast, Northglenn and Federal Heights to the east, and Arvada to the south, among others.

According to the 2020 United States census, Westminster covers a total area of 21,695 acres (87.796 km²), which includes 1,480 acres (5.990 km²) of water.

Demographics

2020 census

As of the census of 2000, there were 100,940 people living in the city. Many families and individuals called it home.

The city had many different kinds of people. Most were White, with smaller numbers of African American, Native American, Asian, Pacific Islander, and people from other races. Some families were also Hispanic or Latino.

Many households had children, and many were led by married couples. Some homes were just one person living alone. The city had a mix of ages, with many young people and adults in their prime years.

The income levels varied, but many families were doing well. Some people, especially children and older adults, faced financial challenges.

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1920	235		—
1930	436		85.5%
1940	534		22.5%
1950	1,686		215.7%
1960	13,850		721.5%
1970	19,512		40.9%
1980	50,211		157.3%
1990	74,625		48.6%
2000	100,940		35.3%
2010	106,114		5.1%
2020	116,317		9.6%
2024 (est.)	115,302		−0.9%
U.S. Decennial Census

Transportation

Westminster has many roads that connect it to other places, including I-25, US 36, US 287, SH 95, SH 121, and SH 128.

The Regional Transportation District (RTD) runs buses in Westminster. These buses go to Boulder and Denver using a fast bus service called the Flatiron Flyer that uses special lanes on US 36.

There is a big place to park and get on the bus called the Westminster Center park-n-Ride. It is close to U.S. 36 and Sheridan Boulevard. Many people use this place to get on buses every day.

In 2016, RTD started a train service called the B Line. This train goes from downtown Denver to the Westminster Station. The train ride is about 6 miles long and takes people from the center of Westminster to Union Station. At Union Station, people can switch to other trains and buses, including ones that go to Denver International Airport.

Westminster is close to two airports: Denver International Airport and Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport.

Economy

Westminster is home to many important companies, such as Vantor, Ball, and the Western Fuels Association.

The city’s biggest employers work in technology, medicine, energy, and other growing industries. Below is a list of the top employers as of 2019:

Education

Westminster has many high schools, including the Academy of Charter Schools, Hidden Lake High School, Jefferson Academy High School, Legacy High School, Mountain Range High School, Northglenn High School, Pomona High School, Standley Lake High School, and Westminster High School. In 2010, Adams County School District 50 opened a new Westminster High School, replacing the old one and Ranum High School.

There is also a Christian school called Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran School, which serves students from pre-kindergarten through 8th grade and follows the teachings of the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod.

Open space

Westminster has many trails and open spaces for people to enjoy. One of the main trails is the Big Dry Creek Trail, which stretches about 12 miles from the east side of the city to Standley Lake. There are also trails along the Farmers' High Line Canal, Walnut Creek, and Little Dry Creek.

The city started saving open spaces in 1985 when people voted to use part of their sales tax for this purpose. Today, Westminster owns more than 3,000 acres of open land. Some of the big areas include Standley Lake Regional Park and the Westminster Hills area. The city also has many neighborhood parks and recreation centers, along with several golf courses. Downtown Westminster connects to the U.S. 36 Bikeway, which links to a large trail system in the Front Range.

Retail

Westminster is home to The Orchard Town Center, a large outdoor mall with over 90 special shops, places to eat, and fun activities. It is located where two big roads meet, I-25 and 144th Avenue.

Before this, the city had a different big mall called Westminster Mall. It was taken down in 2012 to build a new area called Downtown Westminster.

Downtown Westminster

Downtown Westminster is a large area covering 105 acres, right in the middle between Denver and Boulder. It includes 18 acres of parks and public spaces. The area uses smart technology to save water and energy, with features like smart streetlights and parking systems. So far, over 300 homes have been built, including some that are priced affordably for families. Downtown Westminster also has a cinema and a small, stylish hotel with 125 rooms.

The downtown area is planned to grow even more. It will include space for 300 hotel rooms, 2,300 homes, and lots of office and shopping space.

Notable people

Main article: List of people from Westminster, Colorado

Some well-known people who were born in or have lived in Westminster include figure skater Mariah Bell, Texas newspaper publisher Frank Willis Mayborn, and silent film actor Pete Morrison.