City Facts
Arvada is Denver’s first-ring suburb city. It spans 23,000 acres and boasts a population of over 107,000, yet it retains a small-town ambiance. The city is located near three interstate highways, allowing convenient access to metro Denver and the Denver International Airport. Residents in Arvada enjoy a high quality of life–thanks in part to its low crime rate, as well as quiet, beautifully tree-lined neighborhoods and plenty of open space and parks.
History
Arvada’s rich historical roots began with the discovery of gold in Colorado in 1850. The city was established 20 years later in December 1870 when settler Benjamin Franklin Wadsworth purchased some land and built a home there in 1869. A year later, Wadsworth developed a plat for a town on his acres of land. The town was named after his wife’s brother-in-law, Hiram Arvada Haskins. Arvada officially became a town on December 1, 1870.
Economy
A highly educated labor force and a diverse economic base helped make Arvada one of the most attractive and competitive cities in Colorado. Businesses and residents have access to prestigious institutions such as the Colorado School of Mines, the University of Colorado, and the Arvada campus of Red Rocks Community College.
Recreation
Residents and tourists in Arvada have a variety of amenities at their disposal. The historic downtown district offers plenty of dining and shopping venues. The downtown district is also the future site of one of three transit stops as part of a new light rail system currently under development. Arvada is also home to one of the largest multi-disciplinary art and cultural centers in the country, the Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities Center.
