Future keeps brightening for Adams County seat
BRIGHTON — The town at metro Denver’s northeastern gateway benefits nearly as much from what it’s near as what it has and what it plans.
Brighton’s close proximity to Denver International Airport makes it an attractive target for new business, its residents live close enough to enjoy Barr Lake State Park and many of the urban advantages Denver has to offer. But despite its ranking as one of Colorado’s fastest-growing communities and its proximity to the state capital, Brighton has made an effort to distance itself from the “suburb” label, focusing in recent years on setting design standards, strengthening environmental initiatives and channeling commercial growth to specific neighborhoods.
Brighton, whose northern edge sits firmly in Weld County, is home to manufacturing facilities for Danish wind-turbine maker Vestas Wind Systems A/S, the world leader in wind energy, which unveiled the longest wind turbine blades ever produced in the United States..
Amprius Technologies Inc. of Fremont, California, moving into a former Kmart distribution center, manufacture lithium-ion cells in a 775,000-square-foot facility on East Bromley Lane. Meanwhile, Georgia-based supply-chain logistics company Broadrange Logistics LLC has a long-term lease on the remaining two buildings of the 76 Commerce Center totaling 1.13 million square feet.The Greater Brighton Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Bureau, founded in 1955, opened a visitor center in 2020 and works to promote the city as an agritourism destination.
Since its incorporation in 1887 as a farming community with a population of 175 and a depot for trains and stagecoaches, Brighton has hardly stopped expanding; in fact, it has more than doubled its population since the 2000 census.”
Since its incorporation in 1887 as a farming community with a population of 175 and a depot for trains and stagecoaches, Brighton has hardly stopped expanding; in fact, it has more than doubled its population since the 2000 census.
The city received a grant of $46,875 in May to assess its housing needs and create plan to improve conditions through the Colorado Department of Local Affairs.
The opening of the Prairie Center created opportunity for retailers and consumers alike, and the Pavilions Shopping Center brought more stores downtown, as well as a 12-screen movieplex.
Keeping up with the growth is a new $155 million water-treatment plant consisting of organic carbon removal, greensand filters for removing manganese and turbidity, chemical storage, pumping and more.
Health care also has enhanced the city’s economy. Brighton’s $138 million Platte Valley Medical Center has been cited as one of the nation’s top performers on key quality measures.
Brighton will launch an on-demand transit service this fall,
A new and unusual Veterans Memorial was added to the expanded Riverdale Regional Park; it’s a replica of the USS Colorado that juts out of the park’s Mann-Nyholt Lake. The city also is expanding its recreation center, renovating its Benedict Park skatepark, and hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony on May 19 to celebrate the grand opening of Cherry Meadows Park, a water-conscious, 4.38-acre neighborhood park at 1651 Zeno St.