Why Longmont
Longmont is a home rule city situated in northeastern Boulder County and extending into western Weld County in northern Colorado. Positioned northeast of Boulder, the city rests at an elevation of 4,978 feet above sea level, with St. Vrain Creek flowing past its central district. Longmont takes its name from Longs Peak, a prominent mountain summit visible across the town. Its layout covers roughly 27.6 square miles, a small portion of which consists of water features.
Established in 1871 by settlers from Illinois known as the Chicago-Colorado Colony, Longmont was laid out in a grid pattern within a single square mile, marking it as Boulder County's initial planned community. The settlement grew rapidly as an agricultural hub following the arrival of the Colorado Central Railroad in 1877, leading to its formal incorporation in 1885. Over the decades, the community shifted away from its agricultural origins toward high-technology and manufacturing industries, attracting major corporate facilities. Downtown Longmont underwent a significant revitalization starting in the late 20th century, while the southern part of the municipality became home to Prospect New Town, the state's inaugural New Urbanist neighborhood.
Longmont boasts a long civic history, having hosted Colorado's earliest library in 1871 as well as a historic Carnegie library structure opened in 1913. Today, the municipality is widely recognized for its maker community and a prominent craft brewing sector that includes two major national craft breweries. On Saturdays, the city hosts a local farmers market. Visitors and residents benefit from hospitality and travel services tied to nearby Rocky Mountain National Park, alongside businesses geared toward outdoor pursuits such as rock climbing, cycling, and snowsports.
Navigating Longmont and reaching nearby destinations is facilitated by several major roadway corridors. U.S. Highway 287 bisects the city along Main Street, providing direct northern access to Loveland and leading south toward Denver. State Highway 119 runs south of downtown, offering connections southwest to Boulder and east toward Interstate 25. Public transit options include Regional Transportation District bus routes connecting to Denver and Boulder, along with regional bus lines traveling north to Berthoud, Loveland, and Fort Collins. Recognized nationally as a silver-level bicycle-friendly community, the city also contains Vance Brand Airport, a municipal facility catering to general aviation.
The region experiences a cold semi-arid climate. Local weather patterns can fluctuate, with historic temperature extremes ranging from a high of 106 degrees Fahrenheit recorded in the summer months to a low of minus 38 degrees Fahrenheit in winter.
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