Aerial view of the Denver suburb of Thornton, Colorado, during autumn.

Thornton, Colorado

Thornton is a small home-rule municipality situated in Adams and Weld Counties in the US State of Colorado. Thornton is an ideal place for anybody who enjoys exploring nature's magnificence. This beautiful town with stunning mountains, fantastic restaurants, and wonderful residents is just incredible. Thornton is one of the greatest doorways for exploring the extensive outdoor activities accessible in Colorado, with over 230 acres of conserved open space and 1,000 acres of established park and recreation complexes.

Geography And Climate Of Thornton

Aerial view of the Denver suburb of Thornton, Colorado, during autumn.
Aerial view of the Denver suburb of Thornton, Colorado, during autumn.

Thornton covers a total area of 98.282 sq. km, of which 93.043 sq. km is occupied by land, and 5.239 sq. km is covered by water. Forming a portion of the "Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, Metropolitan Statistical Area," Thornton is situated approximately 16 km north of Denver - the state capital. The elevation of Thornton is about 1,631 m above sea level, and flat and undulating hills make up Thornton's surroundings. Thornton is also considered the state's 6th most populous city and the country's 191st most populous city. 

On average, Thornton receives 16 inches of rain and 46 inches of snow yearly. Throughout the year, the temperature ranges from 22°F to 88°F, with temperatures seldom falling below 5°F or rising over 97°F. According to the tourist score, the ideal time of year to visit Thornton for warm-weather activities is from mid-June to early September.

History Of Thornton

Thornton welcome sign on Interstate 25
Thornton welcome sign on Interstate 25. Image Credit: Billy Hathorn via Wikimedia Commons

Up until 1953, all of Thornton was farmland. However, Sam Hoffman bought an area of property along Washington Street, around seven miles north of Denver. In Adams County, the town he designed was the first entirely planned community to provide complete municipality services from a single tax levy, including recreation programs and cost-free garbage removal. Thornton was given its name in honor of Dan Thornton, a former Governor of Colorado. Founded in 1954, The Thornton Community Association (TCA) helped steer the development of the new community. Thornton had 5,500 inhabitants in nearly 1,200 households by the end of 1955. The TCA aided Thornton's establishment as a city, and the first mayor in the city was Oyer G. Leary.

Population And Economy Of Thornton

As per the latest US Census, Thornton has a population of 146,487 people. The city is now expanding at a rate of 1.60% each year, with a median age of 33.8 years for males and 34.4 years for females. Thornton's racial demographics are White (78.05%), Two+ (9.17%), Asian (4.91%), Other race (4.76%), and Black or African American (2.22%).

Thornton has an average family income of $93,814 and a poverty rate of 8.50%. The city's economy employs 75,900 people. Retail Trade, Health Care and Social Assistance, and Construction are the most common industries in Thornton.

Attractions In And Around Thornton

Prairie Playhouse

The Prairie Playhouse has been offering home-grown entertainment to regional performance enthusiasts for almost a decade. This Thornton Playhouse, located on Garfield Way, is well-known for delivering incredible Broadway-style shows to a small town. The majority of the performers and production crew are volunteers from the community. Seeing a concert or two is a terrific way to receive a good dose of low-cost entertainment while also supporting the city.

Maize In The City

Thornton has hosted a yearly fall corn maze from the end of September to the end of October for almost twenty years. The famous 'maize maze' makes its way across more than 20 picturesque acres. Although it is possible to become lost for prolonged periods, no one has gone missing, making it suitable for families traveling with children. The maze is held in conjunction with other fall activities, such as pumpkin carving competitions, corn cannons, and animal rides, as well as a variety of excellent choices for food and beverages.

Elitch Gardens Theme And Waterpark

Elitch Gardens Theme And Waterpark, located near downtown Denver on Elitch Circle, is one of the city's finest attractions and is usually open from May to October. The venue offers a lot to do, with amusement park-style attractions and loads of aquatic alternatives, including slides, pools, and tubing sections. Although it is clearly a kid-oriented attraction, adults frequently have a good time as well. There are many covered dining places near the action for those who like to watch things from a safe distance.

Colorado Shakespeare Festival

The Colorado Shakespeare Festival is a yearly event running for over 60 years. It is one of those events that draw many returning attendees every year, and it is held at the Mary Rippon Outdoor Theatre on University Avenue in neighboring Boulder. Theater enthusiasts regularly cite the festival's shows as some of the greatest they've ever seen. They are the outcome of countless hours of preparation. Visitors may anticipate delicious cuisine, handmade crafts, as well as other live entertainment.

Wings Over The Rockies Air And Space Museum

When visiting Thornton, history, military, and aviation enthusiasts should go to Wings over the Rockies Air And Space Museum. The museum's collection, housed in a historic Air Corps hangar more than eight decades old, spans more than 100,000 ft of ground and features an astounding mix of civilian and military aircraft from bygone periods.

Thornton is one of the greatest places to explore Colorado's extensive outdoor attractions. This lovely city offers a pleasant atmosphere that is ideal for all cultural, recreational, and outdoor enthusiasts. Three festivals are held in the city each year: Thorntonfest, which takes place in May; Harvest Fest, held in September; and Winterfest, the final festival of the year, which is held in December. Thornton is thus the perfect place to visit when in Colorado. It is a destination that tourists can visit at any time of the year and enjoy their every moment here.

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