Brighton, Colorado, is a beautiful and close-knit city with deep historical and agricultural. Brighton is located conveniently just 20 miles from downtown Denver. This northeastern Denver suburb is located along the banks of the South Plate River, and its strong cultural and historical roots are evident as one strolls down its main street. Brighton is positioned as the Adams County seat, and as such, the community and its businesses have access to regional decision-makers. Brighton has a population of over 41,000, with a median age of 33.2.
Brighton’s Beginnings
It all began when a group of five men decided to check out ranches along the Platte River, which is near the location of present-day Brighton. George Hazzard, Andrew Hague, William Hazzard, James Blundell and Thomas Donelson originally came to Colorado as gold prospectors, but instead, they stumbled upon better fortunes as farmers. They grew food for the mining communities on their river bottomland, where they cultivated grain, garden crops, and hay and kept a wide variety of cattle. After settling the prime river bottomland, other farmers organized themselves and built irrigation canals to support agricultural production in the other drier farmland.
These small farms were instrumental to the success and development of Denver as they provided food to mining communities which would have been shipped from New Mexico or the East. Brighton’s bright future was guaranteed when it was the county seat officially in 1904. The construction of the first county courthouse took place at 4th Avenue and Bridge Street, and today the building serves as city offices.
Brighton’s Population
Over the last two decades, Brighton’s population has grown significantly. This growth can be attributed to the Denver International Airport’s completion; Brighton was the closest municipality to the construction site and therefore offered accommodation to the construction workers. The influx of construction workers and other personnel involved caused the residential and commercial growth witnessed in the 1990s. Presently, Brighton is home to about 41000 people, with the city expecting continued growth due to increasing development pressure on historic resources.
Brighton’s Infrastructure
The opening of the G line and N commuter rail lines will create opportunities for economic development along with the system. The construction of these transit systems encourages the developer to buy land and set up transit-oriented actions, which benefits the entire community. The transit system gives employees faster and easier ways to reach their places of work.
Good passenger connections to Downtown Denver bolster Brighton’s infrastructure via the B, N and G-rail lines. The transit lines offer employer-focused programs, which results in smoother commuting from one place to another. Brighton’s innovative transit options like ride-sharing and biking are crucial aspects of its infrastructure, making travelling within Brighton easier.
Brighton Schools
Brighton fulfils your education needs as it offers many choices for both young and older scholars. From public schools to private preschools and even tertiary institutions, all the levels of education are well credited. Some of the notable learning institutions in Brighton include;
- 27J School District – The 27J School District offers Brighton’s youth a future they can be proud of in future. The school district is investing in more gifted, technical and world-class education that stands out from the rest of the region.
- Front Range Community College – This college offers clean energy and health information technology training to fill the demand for high tech jobs emerging in and around Brighton.
Some of the private schools around Brighton include; Pathway Christian Academy, Zion Lutheran School and Elmwood Baptist Academy.
Recreational Activities And Centres In Brighton
Annually, Brighton hosts the Adams County Fair, which has gained notoriety due to the infamous tomato-throwing contest where the contestants and some parts of the town are painted red! This fair can be an exciting way for families and friends to bond and should be on your bucket list if you consider a visit to Brighton. The county is also packed with farm stands displaying its agricultural riches, harvest festivals and farm tours, among many more during this fair.
Barr Lake State Park is the perfect choice for outdoor enthusiasts, and here visitors can enjoy wildlife viewing, fishing, boating, jogging and horseback riding. Barr Lake State Park is also home to the Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory, Which gives bird watchers a chance to view more than 300 different species in their natural habitat. Some of the best views are from the lakeside pavilion, where visitors can see even deer and red foxes.
The Armory Performing Arts Centre is a popular attraction in Brighton’s downtown area known for concerts, art shows and other special events. Consider this site when exploring downtown Brighton for shops, galleries, dining and brewery.
Brighton Museum is another popular attraction. The museum is located in the Royal Pavilion garden, in the heart of the city’s cultural quarter. It showcases diverse collections that combine art and history to paint a picture of the city and the world.
Neighbourhoods In Brighton
Some of the most popular residential places in Brighton include;
- The Village Estate
- Park Place Real Estate
- Water Tower Park Real Estate
- Brighton Terrace Real Estate
- Sheraton Park Real Estate
- EastgateVillage Real Estate
- Montview Trailer Park Real Estate
- Peach Hollow Estates Real Estate
Brighton offers a convenient place to live for you and your family because of its good transport network and proximity to the Denver International Airport, which can be convenient if your work involves out of state or international travel. Suppose you are looking to visit Brighton for tourism. In that case, you will not be disappointed as the town offers beautiful scenery and indoor and outdoor recreational activities guaranteed to meet your expectations.