Seniors Enjoy Colorful Longmont

The City of Longmont, senior travelers discover, is located northeast of the county seat of Boulder and 33 miles north-northwest of the Colorado State Capitol in Denver. The local Chamber notes that Longmont is a vibrant and dynamic community of just over 90,000 along what is called the Northern Front Range of Colorado.

While the Rocky Mountains rise dramatically to the west of the city and its borders, the Great Plains and agricultural fields stretch endlessly to the east of the city. Longmont and the Front Range are known for a mild four-season climate, 300 days of sunshine a year, beautiful views and an impressive array of outdoor recreation possibilities, attractive to seniors.  Sounds ideal to me.

Seniors Enjoy Longmont’s Interesting History

Longmont has lots of history behind its current status as a great place to live. Starting off in an unusual fashion, in 1870, a group of prominent men in Chicago decided to start a brand new town in Colorado. To do this, they sold membership in the new town, called “The Chicago-Colorado Colony.”

They then used the cash to purchase 60,000 acres of land in a carefully chosen site in northern Colorado. They brought people, lumber, and building materials to the barren site, and by 1871, a new town had sprung up. They gave it the name “Longmont,” after closeby Long’s Peak, which was named after renown explorer Stephen H. Long.

Today Longmont works hard to cling to its historic past. Since 1971, over 120 structures have been designated as local landmarks. In addition, nine of Longmont’s local landmarks and two residential areas have been recognized as National Register Historic Districts that you will enjoy touring on foot.

Seniors Discover Longmont’s Craft Brewing Industry

The Left Hand Brewing Company and the Longmont Museum & Cultural Center rate high for senior visitors. I love the old Longmont Fire Department building on Fourth Avenue (now an art gallery) that dates to 1907. It, too, is on the National Register of Historic Places.

 Of interest to some seniors is fact that in 2011 Longmont was rated the 2nd safest city in Colorado.  For folks who enjoy an occasional good brew, Longmont supports a thriving craft brewing industry that includes Lefthand, Oskar Blues, 300 Suns, and GrossenBart. Check out the local Farmer’s Market and the Dickens Opera House on Main Street.

Enjoy your stop in Longmont. Enjoy the hospitality and the beautiful Colorado landscape. jeb