WESTMINSTER COLORADO INFORMATION
WESTMINSTER COLORADO HISTORY
Westminster Colorado straddles Colorado Highway 36 starting just west of Federal Blvd and going north to Wadsworth Blvd. The Westminster Municipal Center is located 9 miles north-northwest of the Colorado State Capitol.
The history of Westminster Colorado goes back to 1858 when gold was discovered in the South Platte River Valley, bringing national attention to the area. The Land Act of 1862 encouraged settlers from the east to move west and make Colorado their home instead of California. After the first permanent settler, Pleasant DeSpain, built his home in 1870 on 160 acres (near what is now West 76th Avenue and Lowell Street), the area became known as DeSpain Junction and began attracting other settlers including horse breeder Edward Bruce Bowles who was instrumental in constructing the town's train depot in 1881. In 1885, Connecticut real estate developer C.J.Harris arrived in DeSpain Junction and began buying up land. Soon the town was renamed Harris, but was also known as Harris Park.
WESTMINSTER COLORADO REAL ESTATE
Recent statistics for the real estate market in Westminster Colorado show median sales price of $195,000* for January 1, 2009 - May 31, 2009 with 403 sales of residential homes for the same quarter. The Quintana Team works hard to keep up-to-date on homes and properties in Westminster’s neighborhoods of Amherst, Apple Blossom Lane, Arrowhead, Bradburn, Cedar Bridge, College Hills, Cotton Creek, Countryside, Harris Park, Hillsdale , Home Farm, Huntington Trails, Hyland Greens, Kings Mill, Lakeview Estates, Legacy Ridge, Les Lea Manors, Lexington, Madison Hill, Meadowlark , Northpark, Park Place, Park Terrace, Park View , Quail Crossing, Quail Hill, Ranch Reserve The, Rosewood , Shadow Ridge, Shadowridge At Briar Heights, Shaw Heights, Shaw Heights Mesa, Sheridan Green, Sheridan Green, Skyland Village, Skyline Vista, Sunset Ridge, Sunstream, The Ranch, The Village At Harmony Park, The Yacht Club, Torrey Peaks, Trendwood, Tuscany Villas , Wandering View, Weatherstone, Westminster, Westminster Heights, Westminster Hills, Westmoorland, and Wood Creek. As the expert in the area, the Quintana Team has the knowledge of current listings and the best home to fit your lifestyle in these great Brighton neighborhoods. Contact Mike Quintana today at (303) 464-7283 for assistance with locating your next home. Scroll Down to the bottom of the page for Area Listings. * The Statistics above are based on information from Metrolist, Inc. for the period of Jan 1, 2009 to May 31, 2009. Note: This representation is based in whole or in part on data supplied by Metrolist, Inc. Metrolist, Inc does not guarantee nor is in any way responsible for its accuracy. Data maintained by Metrolist, Inc. may not reflect all real estate activity in the market. WESTMINSTER COLORADO SCHOOLS
The City of Westminster is served by three school districts; two in Adams County and one in Jefferson County. Click the links below to see schools by county, or click here to see a complete list of Westminster Schools:
Adams 12 Five Star Schools
Adams County School District 50
Jefferson County Public Schools
WESTMINSTER COLORADO RECREATION CENTERS, PARKS, OPEN SPACE AND TRAILS Westminster offers residents a variety of parks and open space areas. Among the parks is Westminster's prized Armed Forces Tribute Garden designed to honor those who serve in any branch of the Armed Services. The Tribute Garden is a unique addition to City Park and is located on 104th Avenue just west of the Christopher Fields softball complex. This permanent tribute includes a central water feature with a bronze sculpture, seating areas for each of the service branches, engraved bricks and beautiful landscaping. The Department of Parks, Recreation and Libraries offers a wide variety of activities and programs including adult activities, adult arts and crafts, adult sports, swim lessons and aquatics classes, fitness and wellness programs, child/teen arts & crafts and activities, preschool and tot, youth/teen sports and classes for our mature adult population.
Preserving open spaces throughout the city has been a priority in Westminster for more than 20 years. The city has appropriated approximately 2,760 acres with open spaces located throughout Westminster designed to preserve essential view corridors in the city, enhance recreational opportunities for residents through a series of interconnected trails, and sustain a rich variety of plants and wildlife.
As part of the open space program, Westminster offers residents an extensive trail system. The Big Dry Creek Trail is one of the jewels of the open space system, extending approximately 10 miles from the eastern boundary of the city to Standley Lake. Other trails, available for jogging, biking, wildlife viewing and enjoying the outdoors, have been constructed along the Farmers' High Line Canal, Walnut Creek and Little Dry Creek. In addition, the city has preserved large expanses of land in the magnificent Standley Lake Regional Park, the Colorado Hills area, and areas reflecting the history of Westminster. Other significant open space areas are the lakes and ponds conserved at Ketner Lake Open Space, Hidden Lake Open Space, McKay Lake Open Space, Margaret's Pond and Vogel Pond, to name a few. City Park, the recreational centers and many other neighborhood and community parks provide facilities for all citizens.
Want to learn more about all that Westminster's open space offers? Click here to learn more about the trails and click here to see a photo gallery.
DENVER SPORTS For the sports fans, the Denver metropolitan area hosts teams for all the major sports including the Denver Bronos football team, the Denver Colorado Rockies Baseball team, and the Denver Nuggest Basketball team. Denver Broncos www.denverbroncos.com Colorado Rockies rockies.mlb.com/ Denver Nuggets http://www.nba.com/nuggets/
WESTMINSTER AND DENVER ATTRACTIONS
16th Street Mall
http://www.denver.com/16th-street-mall/
16th St., Denver, CO 80202
16th Street Mall is Denver’s hub of shopping, dining and entertainment that stretches for 16 blocks in the heart of downtown between Market and Broadway Street. Locals and visitors alike enjoy strolling down the Mall’s wide, pedestrian friendly sidewalks to people watch and visit with friends. The street is also wi-fi friendly for business people and students. Children's Museum of Denver
http://www.mychildsmuseum.org
2121 Children's Museum Dr., Denver CO 80211 - (303) 433-7444
A hands-on children's museum for newborns to eight-year-olds and their parents, the Children's Museum of Denver features mini-sized 'Playscapes' for children, an 'ARTS a la carte' attraction where children can sing, act and create, a pretend grocery store and a giant magnetic wall for building over-sized words and numbers.
City Park and Pavilion
whttp:ww.cityparkpavilion.com
2001 Steele Street, Denver CO 80205 - (303) 376-4872
A great place for wedding receptions, private parties, corporate picnics, fundraisers, and just a great place to get away on one of those beautiful Denver days. Just a couple of miles south of I70 and west of Colorado Blvd, it is conveniently located to all those in Denver. Colorado State Capitol
http://www.state.co.us/gov_dir/leg_dir/lcsstaff/Scrollpages/TourScroll.htm
Lincoln and Colfax Sts., Denver CO; Tel. 303.866.2604
Denver is well known as "the mile-high city," but visitors will be surprised to find that it is also one of the flattest major U.S. cities-- it's actually located on a wide Rocky Mountain platte. For confirmation that you really are a mile high, climb the front stairs of the State Capitol Building until you reach the 15th step (marked for your convenience), an official 5,280 feet above sea level. In addition to being able to check off another box on your list of Denver tourism stops, take a tour of the Corinthian-style Colorado granite Capitol with its gold leaf covered dome. Denver Botanic Gardens
http://www.botanicgardens.org
1005 York St., Denver CO; Tel. 720.865.3500
There are several reasons that Denver's fine botanic paradise in the city was just named one of the top ten such public gardens in the nation by Country Living Gardener magazine, but here's one of the most touching: This garden takes advantage of all the senses, providing touchable, smellable, tasty, colorful and aural outdoor experiences all rolled into one. The therapeutic garden also serves as a landscape-design model for the facilities that cater to patrons with disabilities or special needs, featuring wheelchair-accessible paths, raised beds, container plantings and other amenities. (Review: Westword) Denver Museum of Nature & Science
http://www.dmns.org
2001 Colorado Boulevard, Denver, Colorado 80205 - (303) 322-7009
The Denver Museum of Nature & Science is the Rocky Mountain region’s leading resource for informal science education. A variety of exhibitions, programs, and activities help Museum visitors experience the natural wonders of Colorado, Earth, and the universe. The Denver Museum of Nature & Science also includes an IMAX theater and the Gates Planetarium.
Elitch Gardens
http://www.elitchgardens.com
2000 Elitch Circle, Denver, Colorado; Tel. 1.303.595.4386
Imagine an amusement park located a quick five-minute drive from downtown Denver's excitement. Load the kids into a taxi and head to Elitch Gardens, home of the Minderaser coaster and the looming Tower of Doom, both of which offer stunning views of the mountains and downtown—at a price. Should you have a heart murmur, or just a fear of free falling, visit the 350-foot observation tower at Denver's Elitch Gardens or relax on the vintage 75-year-old carousel. Over 40 other rides and a Looney Toons playland for the kids complete the amusement park experience.
Denver Zoo
http://www.denver.com/denver-zoo/
2300 Steele St., Denver CO 80205; Tel. 1.888.638.5648
Whether you’re young or old, a trip to the zoo is always an exciting thing. At the Denver Zoo, kids and grown-ups alike can marvel at over 4,000 animals, from lions and tigers to kangaroos and giraffes to grizzly bears and arctic wolves. Visitors can explore recreated rainforests, wander down pathways flanked by tundra wildflowers, study Asian elephants in their natural habitats and have a picnic without ever leaving the park. The Denver Zoo is one of the most exciting family-friendly attractions in Denver.
Lumber Baron Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre
Denver's Murder Mystery Mansion
http://www.denver.com/lumber-baron-inn/murder-mystery.html
2555 W. 37th St., Denver CO 80211; Tel. 1.888.803.8298
The Lumber Baron Dinner Theatre, located a short drive from downtown Denver in beautiful Historic Highlands, is an exciting way to break out of the normal dinner routine. Performers interact with guests to try to solve a murder mystery, all while enjoying a delicious gourmet meal. The Lumber Baron Inn & Gardens has five spacious suites for those who wish to make it a truly memorable night. The Lumber Baron Dinner Theatre is perfect for parties, receptions, showers and unique get-togethers of all kinds while in Denver.
Red Rocks
http://www.redrocksonline.com/pages/concerts/index.asp
8300 West Alameda Parkway, Morrison, CO 80465; Tel. 1.720.865.2494
The 868-acre Red Rocks Park and Amphitheater, nestled in the Rocky Mountain Foothills just 15 miles outside of Denver near Morrison, was once listed among the Seven Wonders of the World—and with good reason. Ship Rock and Creation Rock, the largest of the monoliths, tower 300 feet above the Red Rocks Amphitheater. These massive brick-colored sandstone monoliths are taller than Niagara Falls.
U.S. Mint
http://www.usmint.gov/mint_tours/index.cfm?flash=yes&action=StartReservation
320 W. Colfax, Denver Colorado; Tel. 1.303.405.4761
Originally opened in the mid-1800s to change gold and silver found by miners and prospectors in the surrounding hills into coins and ingots, the Denver facility was bought by the US Treasury in 1863 and transformed into a US Mint. However, it wasn't until 1906 that the Denver facility began actually minting coins after being an Assay Office for the interim years. Today, free twenty-minute tours at the Denver based US Mint show visitors how blank ore become treasury coins.
WaterWorld
http://www.waterworldcolorado.com
1800 W. 89th Ave., Federal Heights, CO 80260 - (303) 427-7873
Water World, one of America's largest family waterparks, is located just 15 minutes north of downtown Denver, Colorado, on 64 beautifully landscaped acres. Water World is celebrating its 26th year of operation. They feature the biggest variety of attractions (42) in America, from Wally World for the tots, to Voyage to the Center of the Earth for the entire family. Water World has more family tube rides than any other park in America. Thrill rides are in abundance also, like the Red Line speed slide. Plenty of picnic areas are available, from covered pavilions to beautifully landscaped grass areas. Their operating season is generally from the last weekend in May through Labor Day.
BROOMFIELD AND DENVER WEEKEND GETAWAYS
SKIING AND SUMMER HIKES:
Aspen Colorado - http://www.aspen.com/
Beaver Creek Colorado - http://beavercreek.snow.com/home/
Breckenridge Colorado - http://breckenridge.snow.com/home/
Copper Mountain Colorado - http://www.coppercolorado.com/index.htm
Keystone Colorado - http://keystone.snow.com/Home/Ski-And-Snowboard.aspx
Steamboat Colorado - http://www.steamboat.com/
Summit County Colorado - http://www.summitcountycolorado.com/
Vail Colorado – www.vail.com
Winter Park Colorado – http://www.skiwinterpark.com/index.htm
Other Colorado Attractions
Estes Park - http://www.estes-park.com/
Rocky Mountain National Park and Roosevelt National Forest surround the village of Estes Park, Colorado with spectacular mountain scenery, abundant wildlife habitat, miles of hiking trails and scenic drives including Trail Ridge Road over the Continental Divide and the Peak to Peak Scenic Byway. Estes Park is home to The Stanley Hotel where the movie The Shining was filmed. http://www.stanleyhotel.com/ GLENWOOD SPRINGS COLORADO - http://www.hotspringspool.com/
Glenwood Springs is home of the famous Colorado Hot Springs. Great hotels, hiking, and small town quaintness makes this a great weekend getaway.
HANGING LAKE - http://hike.mountainzone.com/hotw/co/hanging/index.html
True to its name, Hanging Lake is tucked away on a high ledge in a narrow canyon and offers visitors a view of one of the most spectacular Colorado Waterfalls. Scenic, to say the least, this precious jewel of a lake offers a just reward for all who hike the steep but short trail up.This hike begins at the Hanging Lake rest stop along Interstate 70 in Glenwood Canyon, through which the Colorado River flows. Westbound travelers must exit a few miles farther west at the Grizzly Creek exit and double back on the eastbound lane to the Hanging Lake exit. Eastbound travelers can drive east from Glenwood Springs directly to the Hanging Lake exit. The return access to Interstate 70 from Hanging Lake is westbound only, so drivers who wish to continue east on Interstate 70 must travel west to the Grizzly Creek exit to get back on track after the hike. Upon reaching 1.5-acre Hanging Lake, hikers are immediately rewarded with is secretive, Eden-like ambience. Walled in by limestone cliffs and leafy cottonwoods, Hanging Lake resulted from the collection of water in a geologic fault. Because the lake's fragile shore has been built up from carbonate deposits, visitors are required to stay on the boardwalk that rings the south shore. Dropping into the north end of the lake is Bridal Veil Falls, a small but beautiful cascade of water. Of special interest are the schools of trout that teem in the lake's clear waters. Because of the fragile nature of this lake, both swimming and fishing are prohibited. Follow a short side trail just west of the lake to visit nearby Spouting Rock, a waterfall that has cut a passage through solid limestone.
|