ome day, according to trail planners and cycling groups, you'll be able to ride your bike along uninterrupted paved pathways all the way from New Mexico to Wyoming. That's the vision for the Colorado Front Range Trail.
Today, however, the trail runs in spots just east of Colorado's Front Range. The Front Range Trail’s most consistent portion runs from Brighton south to Castle Rock.
According to History Colorado, the Colorado Front Range Trail was used by Native American Indians for thousands of years. Spaniards traveled it in the 1600s and 1700s, and many U.S. exploratory expeditions utilized it in the 19th century. The Mountain Men referred to its path as the Trappers Trail.
Pieces
As envisioned, the Front Range Trail begins in Trinidad along Colorado's southern border with New Mexico. It would continue to follow the shadow of Colorado's Front Range north for some 870 miles wrapping up at the Wyoming border. And unlike the East Coast's famous Appalachian Trail that crosses 14 states along its sometime rustic 2,200 mile path, the Front Range Trail would be mostly paved athletic path suitable for level walking and bicycling.
But the Front Range Trail is something less in practice. Of the planned 870 miles, more than half is in the planning stages or simply envisioned, with a rough idea of where the path would go.
SEE TRAILS, P5
The completed pieces, a little more than 300 miles, include a brief stretch between Pueblo and Lake Pueblo State Park and a path connecting Fort Collins and Greeley and Fort Collins and Loveland.
The longest completed pieces run from Castle Rock north through the Denver Metro Area. That comes in two branches, a planned western spur that, after breaking off to the west just south of Roxborough State Park, continues north along the mountains through Golden and intermit-
tently on to Boulder.
But the longest complete portion veers off to the East, running north from Castle Rock past Cherry Creek State Park and through Denver, where it meets the South Platte River and continues north to Brighton about 65 miles later.
Ken Mitchell looks north
Brighton made its first addition to the Front Range Trail in 2020 with the opening of the 600-acre Ken Mitchell Open Space
Brighton’s 600-acre Ken Mitchell Open Space has some spectacular view of the Denver’ Front Range and o ers good fishing.
and the 3.5 mile path that runs through it. Before, it was made up of three gravel mining cells and an operator’s quarry yard from Ready Mix Concrete.
Headed south from Ken Mitchell, the path provides a simple way south for bicycle commuters, through Adams County's Riverdale Regional Park and Valente Lakes Park and down the South Platte Trail to Denver's Confluence Park.
SEE TRAILS, P7
Aims with confidence.
Start today for free. Apply at aims.edu
Brighton's portion follows the South Platte north, crossing under Colorado Highway 7 and ending in Veterans Park.
The City of Brighton plans to extend the Colorado Front Range Trail to the roundabout in the western part of town from Veterans Park. This extension will make it accessible for the community to hike, run, or bike to the green spaces at Veterans Park.
During the trail construction, a new curb and gutter will be installed along a section of Bridge Street. Construction to enhance stormwater infrastructure. According to officials, the road shoulder along Bridge Street will be closed, and drivers should exercise caution and remain aware of periodic traffic lane changes during the construction.
The city is beginning work on a 400 foot
section connecting Veterans Park and the Colorado Trail to downtown, hopefully bringing some of that foot and bicycle traffic into the city.
“We see people currently using that area to access downtown Brighton and Veterans Park, especially as it is a key route to the Colorado Front Range Trail. The improvements will enhance pedestrian safety, making the area more accessible for everyone,” said Ryan Smith, Parks Planning, Development and Grant Manager.
Going north from Ken Mitchell less precise.
"The north connection plans rely on funding and commercial development," Smith said Ryan. "A portion of the trail will be built by a development along Baseline Road,
but a gap will remain to Veterans Park. We are actively monitoring future opportunities to complete the connections."
Plans call for the trail to continue north to Fort Lupton before turning west and meeting up with the St. Vrain Valley Legacy Trail that connects Dacono, Frederick and Firestone and continues north to Longmont.
From there, the plans for the trail split. One spur heads off to the west along the St. Vrain Greenway and some undetermined paths through Lyons and Berthoud on the way to Loveland. There, it follows the Loveland Recreation Trial to Fort Collins.
The Eastern spur would follow an undetermined route through Milliken and on up to Greeley and the Poudre River Trail, continuing to Fort Collins.
CITY OF BRIGHTON
500 S. Fourth Ave., Brighton, CO 80601
303 655-2000
www.brightonco.gov info@brightonco.gov
CITY MANAGER’S OFFICE
Michael Martinez, City Manager Phone: 303 655-2165 mpmartinez@brightonco.gov
CITY CLERK’S OFFICE
Natalie Hoel
Phone: 303 655-2056 Fax: 303 655-2158 nhoel@brightonco.gov
BRIGHTON MAYOR
Greg Mills 303 655-2268 gmills@brightonco.gov
CITY COUNCIL - WARD 1
Matt Johnston 303 655-2265 mjohnston@brightonco.gov
Tom Green 303 655-2261 tgreen@brightonco.gov
CITY COUNCIL - WARD 2
Jim Snyder 303 655-2264 jsnyder@brightonco.gov
Ann Tadeo 303 655-2266 ataddeo@brightonco.gov
CITY COUNCIL - WARD 3
Chris Fiedler 303 655-2267 cfiedler@brightonco.gov
Jan Pawlowski 303 655-2263 jpawlowski@brightonco.gov
CITY COUNCIL - WARD 4
Peter Padilla 303 655-2269 ppadilla@brightonco.gov
Lloyd Worth 303 655-2260 lworth@brightonco.gov
ADAMS COUNTY GOVERNMENT CENTER
4430 S. Adams County Parkway, Brighton, CO 80601 720 523-6100
ADAMS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
District 1
Julie Duran Mullica jduranmullica@adcogov.org
District 2
Kathy Henson khenson@adcogov.org
ADAMS COUNTY CLERK & RECORDER
Josh Zygielbaum adams.recording@adcogov.org 720-523-6020
ADAMS COUNTY MANAGER
David Fraser dfraser@adcogov.org720 523-6829
District 3
Emma Pinter epinter@adcogov.org
ADAMS COUNTY SHERIFF
Gene Claps Geneclaps@adcogov.org 303 654-1850
District 4
Steve O’Dorisio sodorisio@adcogov.org
ADAMS COUNTY ASSESSOR
Ken Musso assessor@adcogov.org
District 5
Lynn Baca lbaca@adcogov.org
DISTRICT ATTORNEY For the 17th District (Adams and Broomfield) Brian Mason 303 659-7720 303 835-5522 (fax)
BELLE CREEK CHARTER SCHOOL
9290 E. 107th Ave. Henderson, CO 80640
303-468-0160
Executive Director: Dena Stavrevski
BRANTNER ELEMENTARY
7800 E. 133rd Ave. Thornton, CO 80602 720-685-5050
Principal: Heather Garcia
BRIGHTON HIGH SCHOOL
270 S. Eighth Ave., Brighton, CO 80601 303-655-4200
Principal: Dr. Kerry Chisnall
BROMLEY EAST CHARTER SCHOOL
356 Longspur Drive, Brighton, CO 80601 720-685-3297
Executive Director: John Novotny
EAGLE RIDGE ACADEMY
3551 Southern St. Brighton, CO 80601 303-655-0773
Principal: Scott Richardson
FOUNDATIONS ACADEMY
340 S. 45th Ave. Brighton, CO 80601 303-659-9519
Principal: Libby Rowe
HENDERSON ELEMENTARY
12301 East 124th Ave. Henderson, CO 80640 303-655-2700
Principal: Melynda Boehm
INNOVATIONS AND OPTIONS
(Alternative High School programs) 830 East Bridge St., Brighton, CO 80601 303-655-2871
Principal: Jennifer Alexander
NORTHEAST ELEMENTARY
1605 Longs Peak St., Brighton, CO 80601
303-655-2550
Principal: Fawn Guerra
OVERLAND TRAIL MIDDLE SCHOOL
455 N. 19th Ave., Brighton, CO 80601
303-655-4000
Principal: Eric Lambright
PADILLA ELEMENTARY
5505 Longs Peak St., Brighton, CO 80601
303-655-5100
Principal: Kevin Purfurst
PENNOCK ELEMENTARY
3707 Estrella St. Brighton, CO 80601
720-685-7500
Principal: Jennifer Oldweiler
PRAIRIE VIEW HIGH SCHOOL
12909 E. 120th Ave., Henderson, CO 80640
303-655-8800
Principal: Steve Shelton
PRAIRIE VIEW MIDDLE SCHOOL
12915 E. 120th Ave., Henderson, CO 80640
720-685-5400
Principal: Grace Bird
QUIST MIDDLE SCHOOL
13451 Yosemite St., Thornton, CO 80602
303-655-6950
Principal: Justin McMillan
It’s o cial, as members of Brighton High School’s Class of 2024 show their diplomas.
REUNION ELEMENTARY
11021 Landmark Drive, Commerce City, CO 80022
720-685-8500
Principal: David Felten
RIVERDALE RIDGE HIGH SCHOOL
13380 Yosemite St., Thornton, CO 80602
303-655-6800
Principal: Cody Clark
SECOND CREEK ELEMENTARY
9950 Laredo Drive, Commerce City, CO 80022
720-685-7550
Principal: Ana Marlatt
DRIVERS LICENSE BUREAUS
Northglenn (Adams County) 11900 Washington St., Northglenn, CO 80233 720-929-8636
8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday
Greeley (Weld County) 2320 W. Reservoir Road, Greeley, CO 80634 303-205-5600
8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday
UTILITIES
United Power
500 Cooperative Way, Brighton, CO 80601 303-637-1300 www.unitedpower.com
Xcel Energy
12466 County Road 2 1⁄4 Brighton, CO 80601 1-800-895-4999 www.xcelenergy.com
LIBRARY
Anythink Brighton
327 E. Bridge St. Brighton, CO 80601 303-405-3230 www.anythinklibraries.org/location/anythink-brighton
ANIMAL CONTROL/SHELTER
Riverdale Animal Shelter 12155 Park Boulevard, Brighton 303 720-523-7387
11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday-Friday; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday
Lifeline Puppy Rescue 15171 Riverdale Rd. Brighton, CO 80601 303-655-9696
11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday
COMMUNICATION SERVICE
CenturyLink (formerly Qwest) 1-866-642-0444
Retail location at Orchard Town Center, 14456 Delaware St., Westminster, CO 80020 (303) 457-1881
Comcast
800-934-6489
Service Center at 965 E. Bridge St. Brighton, CO 80601
Allo Fiber 720 967-8050
Service Center at 139 Main St. Brighton, CO 80601
SEWER AND WATER
City of Brighton
500 S. Fourth Ave. Brighton, CO 80601
Issues: 303-655-2068
Billing: 303-655-2009
After Hours: 303-696-4061
EMISSIONS TESTING
Air Care Colorado
303-456-7090
8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday-Friday
8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday 1950 E. 112th Ave. Northglenn, CO 5222 Silver Peak Ave. Dacono, CO 80514
HOSPITAL/MEDICAL
Platte Valley Medical Center
1600 Prairie Center Parkway, Brighton, CO 80601
303-498-1600
www.pvmc.org
MUNICIPAL COURT
Police and Municipal Court Building 3401 E. Bromley Lane
Brighton, CO 80601
Phone: 303-655-2064
8 a.m.to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday
Visitors allowed 24 hours a day, some limits for Critical Care and medical/ surgical/pediatric/newborn areas.
LICENSE PLATES
Adams County Government Center
4430 S. Adams County Parkway 1st Floor, Suite E2001 Brighton, CO 80601-8215
720-523-6010
7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday
PROPERTY TAXES
Adams County Office of the Assessor 4430 S. Adams County Parkway Brighton, CO 80601-8203 Phone: 720-523-6038
Fax: 720-523-6037
8 a.m.to 4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday
POLICE/CODE ENFORCEMENT
Brighton Police Department
Chief of Police: Matt Domenico 3401 E. Bromley Lane, Brighton, Colorado 80601 303-655-2300
Emergencies: Call 911 Non-Emergency: 303-288-1535
Crimestoppers: 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or 1-800- 444-3776 Code Enforcement Office: 303-655-2025
Email: code.enforcement@brightonco.gov Graffiti hotline: 303-655-2097
FIRE DEPARTMENT
Greater Brighton Fire Protection District Fire Chief: Brycen Garrison 500 S. Fourth Ave., third floor Brighton, CO 80601 Phone: 303-659-4101 Fax: 303-659-4103 brightonfire.org
CULTURAL
The Armory at Brighton Cultural Center 300 Strong St. Brighton, CO 80601 303-655-2026 www.brightonarmory.org info@brightonarmory.org
GOLF
Riverdale Golf Course 13300 Riverdale Road, Brighton 303-659-6700 www.riverdalegolf.com
Todd Creek Golf Club 8455 Heritage Drive, Thornton 303-655-1779 www.toddcreekgolfclub.com
STATE PARKS
Barr Lake State Park
Brighton’s Barr Lake, 13401 Picadilly Road, was designated a state park space in 1977. It features fishing and boating, a wildlife refuge that’s home to various species of raptors as well as nesting space for bald eagles.
An 8.8-mile trail circles the lake itself, and the park also has a 12-lane archery range. Park hours are 5 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Nature Center hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday to Friday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. To reach the park’s entrance, head east on Bromley Lane from I-76 and take Picadilly Road south.
PARKS/ OPEN SPACE
Benedict Park
Located at 1855 Southern St., Benedict Park offers five shelters, disc golf, a horseshoe pit, a skate park, picnic areas, a playground and a soccer eld. It features the Emi Chikuma Plaza and Splash Pad.
BJAA PARK
The Brighton Japanese American Association Park
Located at 1220 Longs Peak St., features a baseball diamond, picnic areas, a playground and a shelter.
Brian Aragon Skate Park
Located at 1101 Judicial Center Drive, there are multiple bowls for skaters to traverse, as well as a grill and picnic shelters.
Brighton Park
Located at 555 N. 11th Ave., the park is situated next to the Brighton Recreation Center and features four shelters in addition to trails, fields, fishing and a playground.
Sports Complex
Located at 1111 Judicial Center Dr., the complex is home to baseball and softball diamonds.
Bromley Farm/ Koizuma-Hishinuma Farm
Located at 1594 E. Bromley Lane, is a historic farmstead celebrating Brighton’s agricultural heritage with a working farm and events.
Carmichael Park
One of Brighton’s newest parks, it is located behind City Hall at 650 Southern St. Includes playground, basketball court, a skate park, picnic shelters, a soccer field and trails.
Colorado Park
Located at 254 Miller St., features a football field, picnic areas, tennis court and horseshoe pit.
Dewey Strong Park
Located at 468 Longspur Drive, Strong Park features a soccer field, picnic shelters, trails and volleyball.
Donelson Park
Located at 4500 Midland St., the park features a shelter seating 48 as well as football/soccer field.
Farmers Park
Located at 320 Chapel Hill St., the park features a basketball court, playground, picnic areas and grill.
Happy Trails Dog Park
Located near the Sports Complex, the off-leash dog park is open from sunrise to sunset every day.
Ken Mitchell Park & Lakes
Located at 889 Kinglet Court, the park features a fishing pier and boardwalk. Shelters are on a first-come, first-served basis. Fishing is from the pier only; boats are not allowed on the lake.
Dave Lockman Park
Located at 605 Tumbleweed Drive, it features a playground and picnic tables.
Malcom Park
Located at 16 N. Fifth Ave., it features a playground, picnic areas, basketball, baseball/softball and horseshoe pits.
Mayeda Park
Located at 30 Jessup St., it features a playground, trail, picnic shelter, basketball court and grill.
Denver Buddhist Temple Minyo Kai Dancers perform traditional Japanese folk dances called Hanahasa from Yamagata Prefecture, the State of Colorado’s sister city in Japan.PHOTO BY BELEN WARD
Montoya Park
Located at 221 N. Ninth Ave., it features, a playground, basketball court, picnic shelters and open space for baseball/softball.
Pheasant Ridge Park
Located at 200 Octillo St., it features a playground.
Sister Cities Park
Located at 3469 Rock St.
Sugar Beet Bike Park
Located near the Skate Park, it features a BMX track and bike trail.
Veterans Park
Located at 405 W. Bridge St., it features a playground, access to nearby trails and shelters.
Water Tower Park
Located at 4204 Crestone Peak St. It features a football field.
Youth Sports Complex
Located at 1100 Voiles St., features baseball and softball diamonds.
TRAILS
Brighton Lateral Trail
Begins off of Sister Cities Park, 3469 Rock St. This trail currently follows along the Brighton Lateral Ditch from Bromley Lane to Southern Street.
Brighton Memorial Parkway
The parkway is a 3,600-foot-long asphalt bike/hike trail path that winds from Bromley Lane to Southern Street. There are four small wood shade shelters with back-to-back benches at intervals along the trail and memorial plaques honoring local citizens who have made significant contributions to the community’s parks and recreation programs.
Bromley Park Community Park Trail
This is on the far east side of Brighton, just west of Interstate 76 at Bridge Street, Take the Bromley Lane exit off I-76, turn north on the frontage road and proceed to Bridge Street. The trail will then end at the Bromley Park Community Park.
Fulton Ditch Trailhead
Easily accessed from Bridge Street, between 20th and 22nd avenues. Trail follows along the Fulton Ditch, a major water source for many farmers. There are benches along the way, and it connects to other trails.
North Outfall Trail
The combination of the Fulton Ditch and North Outfall trails follows the ditch and ends at the Brighton Recreation Center. You can connect to the trail on the east side of Brighton at Bridge Street and 22nd Avenue or on the north side of Brighton at the Recreation Center at 555 N. 11th Ave. At the recreation center, a trail circles around Brighton Park.
South Platte River Trailhead
460 W. Southern St. ADA accessible, with asphalt pathway. You can hike/bike this 1⁄2 mile easy trail along the Platte River. This trail goes through a riparian area with wildlife, lots of cattails, and bird viewing.
Southern Street Trail
Just off of Telluride Street this trail goes east and west along Southern Street. This trail is a rather short trail, but well worth the visit.
Getz/Morgan Smith Nature Area
Begins in Veterans Park, 405 W. Bridge St. and follows the Platte River north of the park. The user walks along a soft surface trail through 30 acres of a riparian corridor.
