Town linking Boulder, Weld is U.S.’ 15th fastest growing

Dallas Heltzell

ERIE — Because a town with its feet in two worlds, part in Boulder County and part in Weld County, offers so many options, maybe it’s not surprising that once-sleepy Erie has become the  No. 15 fastest-growing city in the nation.

Depending on where they locate, residents can choose to be in the Boulder Valley or St. Vrain Valley school district. They can choose a more rural lifestyle in Weld County or a neighborhood with pools and clubhouses in Boulder County. And according to BoLo Realtors, Erie’s median single-family sales price is lower than that of neighboring communities in Boulder County.

Besides committing to meeting Boulder County’s goals of having at least 12% of new homes slated as affordable, Erie also passed an ordinance last year requiring all new developments with eight or more units to reserve 15% of the units as affordable housing.

And yet Erie earned national recognition this year as one of the fastest-growing wealthy suburbs in America. According to a recent GoBankingRates study. Erie ranked No. 4 on the list, with its high median income of $163,644.

Its position also means Erie is at the forefront of battles between energy producers, homebuilders, environmentalists and agribusiness. It’s a challenging tightrope to walk, but Erie often makes it work through compromise and collaboration. That makes Erie an extremely attractive area for growth, with new retail, industrial and residential projects abounding — but with an ever-sharper focus on sustainability and diversity in all those sectors.

Because a town with its feet in two worlds, part in Boulder County and part in Weld County, offers so many options, maybe it’s not surprising that once-sleepy Erie has become the  No. 15 fastest-growing city in the nation.”

New developments are sprouting along Colorado Highway 7 at Sheridan Parkway, at “Nine Mile Corner” near U.S. Highway 287 and Arapahoe Road, and the Four Corners mixed-use development at County Line Road and Erie Parkway, where the town purchased land for the Town Center development.

Zelios Colorado LLC combines Weld’s agricultural heritage with Boulder’s green culture by separating CBD and other cannabinoids from hemp plants. The town also is providing 25 publicly available electric-vehicle charging stations this year and partners with the nonprofit Being Better Neighbors for Juneteenth and Pride celebrations.

Erie’s commitment to sustainability includes a water-saving irrigation system in its public parks, a thermal solar system installation at the Erie Community Center and a town-wide interconnecting trail system. The $30 million Boulder-to-Erie Regional Trail will eventually turn an out-of-service Regional Transportation District railway into an 8½-mile trail that will not only connect the city and town but also make parks along the way more accessible.

Located just west of Interstate 25 and with quick access to Denver International Airport via the E-470 tollway, Erie boasts a 20,000-square-foot library, new schools and scenic trails.