Carbon Valley town rides wave of growth
FIRESTONE — The cost of living in Denver is one of the nation’s highest, so it’s only natural that homeowners would seek a more affordable option. That’s where Firestone comes in.
Firestone’s rich history revolves around coal mining, but the booming community — once known as one of the “Tri-Towns” along with Dacono and Frederick — is discovering even more riches by mining its location in the heart of Northern Colorado’s dynamic growth. The Carbon Valley town has seen steady population growth just since the 2020 census, and homebuilders and businesses are paying attention.
The Staenberg Group of St. Louis recently began site work for a 128,660-square-foot Target store on an 11-acre parcel just west of Home Depot in the City Centre development.
Firestone mostly has single-family homes and some multifamily options, but some new housing types may ultimately be located at Central Park, a 252-acre, town-owned property on Colorado Boulevard that surrounds the Carbon Valley Regional Library and Firestone’s municipal campus.
Besides newly added retail development along Firestone Boulevard, an expanded and upgraded $13.1 million mobility hub now serves the Colorado Department of Transportation’s Bustang route between Denver and Fort Collins, and a water treatment plant the town opened in 2023 offers alternative sources other than Colorado-Big Thompson water.
Besides newly added retail development along Firestone Boulevard, an expanded and upgraded $13.1 million mobility hub now serves the Colorado Department of Transportation’s Bustang route between Denver and Fort Collins, and a water treatment plant the town opened in 2023 offers alternative sources other than Colorado-Big Thompson water.”
Named for Ohio investor Jacob H. Firestone, the town was established in 1908 to support local coal miners and their families. Five coal mines operated in Firestone until they all closed in 1947. The train track that carried Firestone’s coal was decommissioned with the mines and transformed into the 12-mile-long Firestone Trail. St. Vrain State Park is the only Colorado state park to be annexed into a town.
Reolink, a home security system company, ranked Firestone as one of the 10 safest places to live in Colorado. Its rankings were based on the most recent FBI crime report data and factored in rates of violent crime (murder, assault, rape) and property crime (burglary, theft, vehicle theft). In addition, it utilized population size and access to amenities.
The Reolink report said Firestone “offers a friendly small-town environment. Its violent and property crime rates are a fraction of the national average. Parks and recreation centers provide plenty of family activities. New neighborhoods are being constructed as Firestone grows. It’s near major employment centers while retaining its peaceful atmosphere.”