About the Region

Our Northern Colorado Region concentrates on the areas of Boulder, Larimer, Morgan and Weld counties and the major cities of Boulder, Ft. Collins and Greeley. Smaller cities incorporated in the said area are Berthod, Estes Park, Lafayette, Loveland, Louisville and Windsor. The Northern Colorado Region closely borders Wyoming on the northern edge of Colorado. This region is a geographically scenic combination of broad Great Plains, picturesque Front Range Mountains and to the west, the famous Rocky Mountains. The area is located upon the northernmost end of the state's major growth corridor along Interstate I-25 and the Front Range.

Climate of the Region

Climate in the northern Colorado region, which again includes the counties of Boulder, Larimer, Morgan and Weld, ranges from the mild Great Plains climate of Ft. Collins, which has temperate winters and a relatively mild year-round climate, to the area of Boulder, which is in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains at an elevation of 5,430 feet above sea level and has more intense winters because of its proximity and placement.

History of the Area

The Native American Apache tribes were the first to pass through the area of Northern Colorado in the 1500's, in time being known as the first mounted riders on the plains of Colorado, paving the way for the Arapahoe and Cheyenne tribes who eventually fully-settled here in the 1800's. Union Colony formed in December 1869 and established by Nathan C. Meeker, was the first planned community in the "Great American Desert" based on the unspoiled ideals of the "perfect community" such as temperance, education, agriculture, cooperation and religion. Union Colony, later named Greeley, was the first successful advantageously planned neighborhood in Colorado and was also the first to begin a trend of organized community-like areas, like Colorado Springs and Longmont, to form all over the state.

Transportation of the Region

Transportation for the region of Northern Colorado encompasses regular fixed-route bus services in Fort Collins, Greeley and other smaller nearby cities. In the area of Fort Collins, Transfort, the area's major transportation service is dedicated to commuting passengers quickly and safely to their destinations. Dial-a-ride paratransit services within the Northern Colorado Region bring transportation options to citizens who are disabled and cannot make use of regular bus routes and stations. Also, there is a wide-range of convenient door-to-door pick up and drop off shuttle services to and from DIA within this region as well.

Attractions of the Area

Local tourist attractions in the area include the Poudre River Canyon, Rocky Mountain National Park, Estes Park, Colorado State University in Fort Collins, ghost town tours and Pawnee National Grasslands to name a few. The area also offers an excellent variety of eateries and top-drawer destination shopping. Review the list below for attractions in the major cities in Northern Colorado region:

Berthoud
A down-home mountain town at heart, Berthoud Colorado appeals to longtime Colorado natives as well as unacquainted tourists just visiting the area. Some attractions of the area include the Discovery Center Science Museum, the historic site of the Fort Vasquez Native American trading post and picturesque Barbour Ponds State Park.

Boulder
Boulder, an eclectic town of mysterious exuberance set among some of the most distinctive landscape in the country, the area provides residents the opportunity to visit nationally-recognized Colorado University. Also, more cultural artsy attractions include the Celestial Seasonings tour, a visit to the Leanin' Tree Museum of western art, and the Boulder Philharmonic Orchestra. The town also boasts its inclusion of several state parks paired with more urbanized shopping/dining experiences such as nearby local hot-spot; Augustina's Winery.

Broomfield
Colors reign in the city of Broomfield, a suburban area of Denver, powerfully interwoven into its majestic flatland beauty are the blazing hues of gold and azure. Being a mini-metropolis in and of itself, Broomfield claims bragging rights to area attractions like an array of newly developed shopping districts, gourmet restaurants and family-friendly sights like the Butterfly Pavilions, a nature discovery center.

Brush
Small and serene, the peaceful town of Brush offers a selection of attractions ranging from the minimally energetic to the adventure-filled all within the same area of the Centennial State. Such attractions include the Pike's Peak Cog Railway and nearby Jackson Lake State Park where fishing and boating are ways of life.

Estes Park
Estes Park, with its exquisite mountain backdrop and undisturbed atmosphere, this simple little mountain town has more than just the typical attractions to offer the Colorado resident and tourist. Home to Family Life Marriage Conferences, Rocky Mountain State Park and numerous quaint and quirky bed and breakfasts, take it from us, Estes Park is not a place to miss.

Fort Collins
With Denver only 65 miles away, the city of Fort Collins is a marriage between jade forest and metropolitan attitude. Fort Collins is a diverse combination of thrilling outdoor recreation like whitewater rafting trips, indoor enriching experiences like a visit to the Bas Blue Theater Company, or strictly entertainment only pastimes like Foam on the Range, the local multiple-brewery tour and the infamous Anheuser Busch Gardens, where you can view the majestic Clydesdale horses.

Greeley
Much like its neighbors Fort Collins to the northwest, and Colorado Springs to the south, a variety of attractions include shopping locales, fun dining experiences and cultural/historic sites such as the Centennial Village Museum, which offer an interesting look into the past.

Longmont
Sitting at the base of the Rocky Mountains, Longmont is the perfect location for snow skiing enthusiasts from around the country, offering easy access to 29 ski areas. Also putting on seasonal events like Halloween and Christmas parades, age-specific group activities such as various custom senior trips, and special regional events like Rhythm on the River, a music driven summer fair employing superior food, art and activity vendors - so much fun!

Louisville
Unique Life Cycle Balloon Adventures, presenting opulent daily champagne flights, rafting expeditions and games of golf offered at semi-private Coal Creek Golf Course are just some of the amusing attractions in the city of Louisville.

Loveland
Benson Sculpture park with 100 beautiful sculptures on display, Budweiser Event Center, which annually hosts many concerts and trade shows, a concentration of factory outlet stores and the integration of the city's art in public places ordinance make "The Sweetheart City" a truly singular place to live.

Windsor
The town of Windsor puts its best foot forward with the inclusion of the Porter House, a wonderfully superb bed and breakfast inn and Pelican Lakes Golf and Country Club, Windsor proves to be an enjoyable small town to stay in for Colorado tourists.

Throughout the area, seniors will find resources and amenities that make the area an excellent retirement destination. One of the standout attributes of the Region is its close proximity to the Denver metro area. Denver is 65 miles south of the region and is a short drive to football, basketball, ice hockey, Denver theatre and other cultural events. With the Colorado ballet, the Colorado Convention Center, home to special seasonal showcases, and the taste of Colorado festival in the summer only a short drive from Boulder, Larimer, Morgan and Weld counties, this region is not only dazzlingly beautiful, but provides the best selection of events east of the Rockies.

Senior Services in Northern Colorado

Both active and leisurely senior lifestyles are easily accommodated in the pristine municipalities of Northern Colorado. Presenting ample services and commodities to suit every standard of living, seniors will find that the counties in question will simplify daily living while boosting the quality of it. Services in the area include the Greeley Senior Activity Center, various sports and recreation facilities, assisted and retirement locations and a multitude of expertly experienced skilled nursing establishments, many in the industry of specialized Alzheimer's and dementia care.

Visit our Local Links web page to learn more about the Northern Colorado Region. Also use our Search Senior Services link to search our database to learn more about the variety of senior housing and support located in the area in Northern Colorado.

Northern Colorado About the Region
MB-December 2005