‘Northern Gateway’ builds on its strengths
WELLINGTON — A recent study from SmartAsset ranked the city that bills itself as “Colorado’s Northern Gateway” the 10th most affordable place to live in Colorado. While many of its residents commute to Fort Collins to work or study, Wellington has been taking steps to become a destination in its own right.
The town targeted its downtown district for a major facelift, thanks largely to more than $4.4 million in grant money awarded by various state and federal agencies. The Cleveland Avenue construction project is upgrading street infrastructure, stormwater drainage, pedestrian safety, lighting, parking and business access, according to the town. Adding ramps at all intersections in compliance with Americans with Disabilities Act standards will improve the overall accessibility downtown.
In January, Wellington announced the successful completion of nearly $93 million in major expansion projects at the town’s water-treatment plant and water-reclamation facility. The projects, which were necessary for the town to meet capacity needs and regulatory requirements, got underway in spring 2022. The newly expanded facilities double Wellington’s capacity to provide water and sewer utility services to its growing population while also accommodating commercial growth.
In January, Wellington announced the successful completion of nearly $93 million in major expansion projects at the town’s water-treatment plant and water-reclamation facility.”
Founded in 1902 and incorporated three years later, the town was named for C.L. Wellington, an employee of the Colorado and Southern Railroad. Extending the rail line was vital because the only other way to get the area’s beet crop to the sugar mill in Fort Collins was via horse-drawn vehicles on unpaved roads.
Wellington remained a small town through most of the 20th century. U.S. Supreme Court Justice Byron “Whizzer” White lived in Wellington as a child and returned often for his high school reunions. That old high school closed in 1964, but a new middle and high school opened in 2022 and saw its first graduating class this spring.
The town, its Parks, Recreation, Open Spaces, and Trails Advisory Board (PROST), Friends of Wellington and American Legion Post 176 are stepping up efforts to raise money for the Veterans Garden project, a tribute to local residents who served in the armed forces that’s planned for the east side of Wellington Community Park.
The town introduced a new “Movie Night in the Parks” series this summer at parks across town.
The series, sponsored by Comcast, consists of six evening movie screenings with family-friendly games set up for attendees to use before the movies start.