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About Boulder County
Boulder County Overview
Boulder County is an exciting, diverse and dynamic 742 square miles situated in north-central Colorado. Bordered on its western edge by the Continental Divide, the county’s topography varies dramatically from the bucolic, agricultural regions of the eastern plains to the breathtaking, snow-capped peaks of the Rocky Mountain range. Adjacent counties include Larimer to the north, Weld and Broomfield to the east, Jefferson and Gilpin to the south, and Grand County to the west.
Eastern Boulder County begins in the High Plains, at just under 5,000 feet above sea level. Documenting his expedition into the area in the 1820s, explorer Stephen Long inaccurately referred to the territory east of the Rocky Mountains as the “Great American Desert” under the mistaken belief that the region was entirely unfit for agriculture. In contrast to Long’s assessment, the conditions in eastern Boulder County proved favorable for farming. The land is accented with lakes and streams as well as ditches used primarily for agricultural purposes, the result of the effort to convert the dry soil into productive land. In addition to the rich, irrigated farmlands and rolling pastures, the plains have also provided other natural resources, such as lignite coal, iron ore, and small amounts of oil and gas. It is here on these plains that many of Boulder County's principal communities— Longmont, Erie, Lafayette, Louisville, and Superior—were established as a result of the area’s agricultural and mining endeavors.
Heading west from the plains, the landscape begins its ascent toward the base of the Rockies. Nestled in these foothills and valleys are Lyons, Boulder, and Eldorado Springs, communities whose character is largely defined by their awe-inspiring surroundings: dramatic red rock formations typical of the region. The proximity of these towns to the mountains and rugged, rocky terrain make them ideal destinations for climbers, hikers, and outdoor enthusiasts of every kind.
Twisting and turning among the abruptly ascending rock formations are the canyons, which serve as gateways to the vast mountain range to the west. These spellbinding canyons bring the waters of the North and South St. Vrain, Left Hand, and North and South Boulder creeks to the plains. As the terrain rises, evidence of Boulder County's mining history comes into view. A handful of these mountain mining towns, such as Gold Hill and Eldora, founded during the county’s mining boom, have survived as communities; others like Jamestown, Ward and Nederland became incorporated municipalities.
The area west of the Peak to Peak Highway is largely owned by the federal government. It is managed by the U.S. Forest Service and the National Park Service. This area extends to the Continental Divide, which forms the western boundary of the county. Boulder County also contains major portions of some of the nation’s most beautiful national parks: Rocky Mountain National Park, Indian Peaks Wilderness and Roosevelt National Forest.
From rolling farmland to alpine tundra, from the bustle of urban activity to the solitude of a mountain summit, Boulder County is a unique and fascinating fusion of human enterprise and nature’s splendor.