| Westminster is a Home Rule Municipality in Adams and Jefferson counties in Colorado. Westminster is a northwest suburb of Denver. Situated on the growing Denver–Boulder corridor, Westminster is easily accessed from either metropolitan area. As of 2016 the estimated population was 113,875.
Gold discovered in the South Platte River Valley in 1858 brought national attention to the area that would become Westminster, Colorado. The promise of fortune and the Land Act of 1862 encouraged many settlers from the east to make Colorado their home instead of heading on to California. Before the settlements came, wildlife like antelope and buffalo made their homes in this area.
Westminster is an excellent place to live with an extensive trail network and open space system. The highlight of the trail system is the Big Dry Creek Trail which extends approximately 12 miles from the eastern boundary of the city to Standley Lake. Other trails parallel the Farmers' High Line Canal, Walnut Creek, and Little Dry Creek.
In addition, the city has preserved large expanses of land in the Standley Lake Regional Park, the Westminster Hills area, and various sites which reflect the city's history. Westminster City Park, City Park Recreation Center, and many other neighborhood and community parks provide various recreation facilities. Westminster has several golf courses, including Legacy Ridge Golf Course, The Heritage Golf Course at Westmoor and the Hyland Hills golf course.
The Butterfly Pavilion is a lush conservatory home to 1,600 free-flying butterflies, including the brilliant blue morpho and a giant endangered species from Australia. The pavilion is one of the area's most popular family attractions.
Those with kids in tow can also play a round at Adventure Golf & Raceway, or discover excellent hiking, camping, kayaking, fishing and wildlife watching at the town's Stanley Lake Regional Park. Stanley Lake, the Denver metro area's third-largest reservoir, is stocked regularly with walleye, bass and trout and offer opportunities to spot bald eagles, raptors, coyotes, red foxes, burrowing owls and mule deer.
Visitors will find conveniences ranging from popular chain stores to family-style restaurants located immediately off of U.S. 36. In addition, the Westminster Promenade, an outdoor pedestrian village, contains restaurants and cafes, a movie theater, sculptures, hotel facilities, performance areas, interactive water features, walking trails and a three-rink ice arena. |
