The Local area

Greeley’s History

Greeley, Colorado was established in 1870 by Nathan Meeker, the agricultural editor of Horace Greeley’s New York Tribune, who was attracted to the scenic beauty and pure environment of the Rocky Mountains, which he felt would be ideal for setting up a community based on temperance, religion, education, agriculture, irrigation, cooperation, and family values. The town was named after Horace Greeley, who paid the community one visit in 1870 and never returned. The extensive agriculture gave the city the nickname of “The Garden Spot of the West.” 

Around the 1900s, sugar beet production was introduced During the period of 1900-1910, new commercial and residential construction took place. To address water shortages, the Colorado-Big Thompson Project was approved in 1937. The 1950s were boom years in Greeley, with the establishment of numerous businesses, industries, schools, public institutions, and commercial establishments.  Cattle-feeding became a key industry and steaks from Greeley were the specialty of the house in many New York restaurants in the mid-1900s.  

Over the years, Greeley has gone from a utopian society to a thriving city of 111,000 people (and growing). With both the University of Northern Colorado and Aims Community College, higher education is a key focus for our community.  Two major hospitals, leading industry headquarters and branch offices, hundreds of locally owned businesses, and a vibrant arts and music scene make Greeley “The Place to Be”!

With 300 days of sunshine to hold wonderful events and promote great attractions, visitors, and residents alike, find Greeley to be a small city with big-time amenities. Greeley was recently ranked 4^th best place to live in Colorado, 8^th in the US Most Dynamic Metropolitans, 30^th in the Fastest Growing Cites in the Nation, and 35^th in the Top Rising Housing Markets.

 As Greeley and Weld County residents chart their path into the future, we will continue to exert influence beyond our jurisdictional boundaries. In addition to occupying the confluence of two of Colorado’s major rivers, this vibrant and diverse community is positioned at the junction of some of Colorado’s most prominent economic, political, and cultural currents.