Adams County, Colorado

{{Infobox U.S. county

| county = Adams County

| state = Colorado

| flag = Flag of Adams County, Colorado.svg

| seal =

| founded date = April 15

| founded year = 1901

| seat wl = Brighton

| largest city wl = Thornton

| area_total_sq_mi = 1184

| area_land_sq_mi = 1168

| area_water_sq_mi = 16

| area percentage = 1.4%

| census yr = 2020

| pop = 519572

| pop_est_as_of = 2024

| population_est = 542973 {{gain}}

| density_sq_mi = auto

| web = www.adcogov.org

| named for = Alva Adams

| ex image = Adams County Government Center.jpg

| ex image cap = Adams County Government Center in Brighton

| district = 4th

| district2 = 6th

| district3 = 7th

| district4 = 8th

| time zone = Mountain

}}

Adams County is a county located in the U.S. state of Colorado. As of the 2020 United States census, the population was 519,572.{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/adamscountycolorado|title=U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts|access-date=September 4, 2021|publisher=U.S. Census Bureau}} The county seat is Brighton, and the largest city is Thornton.{{cite web|url=http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx|access-date=June 7, 2011|title=Find a County|publisher=National Association of Counties|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110531210815/http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx|archive-date=May 31, 2011}} The county is named for Alva Adams, an early Governor of the State of Colorado in 1887–1889.{{cite book|title=The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States|publisher=U.S. Government Printing Office|year=1905|pages=[https://archive.org/details/origincertainpl00ganngoog/page/n29 23]|author=Gannett, Henry|url=https://archive.org/details/origincertainpl00ganngoog}} Adams County is part of the Denver metropolitan area.

==History==

On May 30, 1854, the Kansas–Nebraska Act created the Territory of Nebraska and Territory of Kansas, divided by the Parallel 40° North (168th Avenue in present-day Adams County). The future Adams County, Colorado, occupied a strip of northern Arapahoe County, Kansas Territory, immediately south of the Nebraska Territory.

In 1859, John D. "Colonel Jack" Henderson built a ranch, trading post, and hotel on Henderson Island in the South Platte River in Arapahoe County, Kansas Territory. Jack Henderson was the former editor and proprietor of the Leavenworth (Kansas Territory) Journal and an outspoken pro-slavery politician who had been accused of vote fraud in eastern Kansas. Henderson sold meat and provisions to gold seekers on their way up the South Platte River Trail to the gold fields during the Pike's Peak Gold Rush. Henderson Island was the first permanent settlement in the South Platte River Valley between Fort Saint Vrain in the Nebraska Territory and the Cherry Creek Diggings in the Kansas Territory. Jack Henderson eventually returned to eastern Kansas and fought for the Union in the American Civil War. Henderson Island is today the site of the Adams County Regional Park and Fairgrounds.

The eastern portion of the Kansas Territory was admitted to the Union as the State of Kansas on January 29, 1861, and on February 28, 1861, the remaining western portion of the territory was made part of the new Colorado Territory.{{cite web|date=April 18, 2001|url=http://www.colorado.gov/dpa/doit/archives/arcgov.html|title=State Government History|publisher=State of Colorado, Department of Personnel & Administration, Colorado State Archives|access-date=November 28, 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061130002528/http://www.colorado.gov/dpa/doit/archives/arcgov.html|archive-date=November 30, 2006|url-status= dead}} The Colorado Territory created Arapahoe County, on November 1, 1861, and Colorado was admitted to the Union on August 1, 1876.

In 1901, the Colorado General Assembly voted to split Arapahoe County into three parts: a new Adams County, a new consolidated City and County of Denver, and the remainder of the Arapahoe County to be renamed South Arapahoe County. A ruling by the Colorado Supreme Court, subsequent legislation, and a referendum delayed the creation of Adams County until November 15, 1902. Governor James Bradley Orman designated Brighton as the temporary Adams County Seat. Adams County originally stretched {{convert|160|mi|km|abbr=off|sp=us}} from present-day Sheridan Boulevard to the Kansas state border. On May 12, 1903, the eastern {{convert|88|mi|km|abbr=off|sp=us}} of Adams County was transferred to the new Washington County and the new Yuma County, reducing the length of Adams County to the present {{convert|72|mi|km|abbr=off|sp=us}}. On November 8, 1904, Adams County voters chose Brighton as the permanent county seat.

A 1989 vote transferred {{convert|53|mi2|km2|abbr=off|sp=us}} of Adams County to the City and County of Denver for the proposed Denver International Airport, leaving the densely populated western portion of the county as two oddly-shaped peninsulas. Adams County lost the tip of its northwest corner when the consolidated City and County of Broomfield was created on November 15, 2001.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of {{convert|1184|sqmi}}, of which {{convert|1168|sqmi}} is land and {{convert|16|sqmi}} (1.4%) is water.{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/geographies/reference-files/time-series/geo/gazetteer-files.html|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=April 23, 2011|date=February 12, 2011|title=US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990}}

Adams County surrounds (and surrendered the land for) most of Denver International Airport which are in the City and County of Denver.

=Adjacent counties=

Weld County – north
Morgan County – northeast
Washington County – east
Arapahoe County – south
City & County of Denver – southwest
Jefferson County – west
City & County of Broomfield – northwest

=Major highways=

20px Interstate 25
20px Interstate 70
20px Interstate 76
20px Interstate 225
20px Interstate 270
{{jct|state=CO|BS|70|dab1=Strasburg}}
20px U.S. Highway 6
20px U.S. Highway 36
20px U.S. Highway 40
20px U.S. Highway 85
20px U.S. Highway 287
20px State Highway 2
20px State Highway 7
20px State Highway 36
20px State Highway 40
20px State Highway 44
20px State Highway 79
20px State Highway 128
20px State Highway 224
20px State Highway 265
E-470 (tollway)
[ [File: Colorado 95. Svg| 20px]] State Highway 95
[ [File: US .87.svg|20px]] U.S. Highway 87

=National protected area=

Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge

=State park=

Barr Lake State Park

=Historic trail=

South Platte Trail

=Recreational trails=

Demographics

{{US Census population

|1910= 8892

|1920= 14430

|1930= 20245

|1940= 22481

|1950= 40234

|1960= 120296

|1970= 185789

|1980= 245944

|1990= 265038

|2000= 363857

|2010= 441603

|2020= 519572

|estyear=2024

|estimate=542973

|estref={{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time-series/demo/popest/2020s-counties-total.html|title=County Population Totals and Components of Change: 2020-2024|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=May 21, 2025}}

|align-fn=center

|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html |title=U.S. Decennial Census |publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=June 7, 2014 }}
1790-1960{{cite web|url=http://mapserver.lib.virginia.edu|title=Historical Census Browser|publisher=University of Virginia Library|access-date=June 7, 2014}} 1900-1990{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/population/cencounts/co190090.txt|title=Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=June 7, 2014}}
1990-2000{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf|title=Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=June 7, 2014}} 2010-2020

}}

As of the census{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov |publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=May 14, 2011 |title=U.S. Census website }} of 2000, there were 363,857 people, 128,156 households, and 92,144 families residing in the county. The population density was {{convert|305|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|people |people}}. There were 132,594 housing units at an average density of {{convert|111|/mi2|/km2}}. The racial makeup of the county was 77.29% White, 2.97% Black or African American, 1.19% Native American, 3.21% Asian, 0.12% Pacific Islander, 11.73% from other races, and 3.49% from two or more races. 28.19% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 128,156 households, out of which 37.80% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.80% were married couples living together, 12.10% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.10% were non-families. 21.20% of all households were made up of individuals, and 5.50% had someone who was 65 years of age or older living alone. The average household size was 2.81 and the average family size was 3.27.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 28.60% under the age of 18, 10.30% from 18 to 24, 34.00% from 25 to 44, 19.40% from 45 to 64, and 7.80% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 31 years. For every 100 females, there were 102.80 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 102.10 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $47,323, and the median income for a family was $52,517. Males had a median income of $36,499 versus $28,053 for females. The per capita income for the county was $19,944. About 6.50% of families and 8.90% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.90% of those under age 18 and 7.30% of those age 65 or over.

In 2000, the largest denominational groups were Catholics (with 60,429 members) and Evangelical Protestants (with 25,552 members).{{cite web |url=http://www.thearda.com/mapsReports/reports/counties/08001_2000.asp|title=County Membership Reports |access-date=August 22, 2011 |work= thearda.com | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110712002622/http://www.thearda.com/mapsReports/reports/counties/08001_2000.asp| archive-date= July 12, 2011 | url-status= live}} The largest religious bodies were the Catholic Church (with 60,429 adherents) and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (with 6,808 adherents).{{cite web |url=http://www.thearda.com/mapsReports/reports/counties/08001_2000_Adherents.asp|title=County Membership Reports |access-date=August 22, 2010 |work= thearda.com }}

Government

Adams County has a Board of Commissioners that operate as a collective governing board. There are five members that form the Board of Commissioners with each elected to represent a district or portion of the county.{{Cite web |title=Board of County Commissioners {{!}} Adams County Government |url=https://adcogov.org/board-county-commissioners |access-date=October 21, 2023 |website=adcogov.org}} There are other elected officials that oversee an aspect or department of county operations.

class="wikitable sortable"

|+Adams County Commissioners{{Cite web |title=Elected Officials {{!}} Adams County Government |url=https://adcogov.org/elected-officials |access-date=October 21, 2023 |website=adcogov.org}}

!District

!Commissioner

!Party

District 1

|Julie Duran Mullica

|Democratic

District 2

|Kathy Henson

|Democratic

District 3

|Emma Pinter

|Democratic

District 4

|Steve O'Dorisio

|Democratic

District 5

|Lynn Baca

|Democratic

class="wikitable sortable"

|+Adams County Elected Officials

!Title

!Official

!Party

Assessor

|Ken Musso

|Democratic

Clerk and Recorder

|Josh Zygielbaum

|Democratic

Coroner

|Monica Broncucia-Jordan

|Democratic

Sheriff

|Gene Claps

|Democratic

Surveyor

|Bryan Douglass

|N/A

Treasurer and Public Trustee

|Alex Villagran

|Democratic

Adams County lies within the 17th Judicial District which is represented by District Attorney Brian Mason.{{cite web |title=Meet Brian Mason |url=https://adamsbroomfieldda.org/About-Us |website=Colorado's 17th Judicial District Attorney's Office |access-date=2024-12-29}}

Politics

Adams County is predominately Democratic, not having voted Republican since Ronald Reagan in 1984. In 2016, Hillary Clinton won the county without a majority, becoming the first Democrat to do so since her husband Bill Clinton in 1992. In the 2020 election, Joe Biden easily won the county with a majority of the vote, a percentage similar to Barack Obama in 2012 and 2008 but with a much larger vote count.

Education

The school districts serving Adams County are:{{cite map|author=Geography Division|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st08_co/schooldistrict_maps/c08001_adams/DC20SD_C08001.pdf|title=2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Adams County, CO|publisher=U.S. Census Bureau|date=December 16, 2020|accessdate=July 19, 2022}} - [https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st08_co/schooldistrict_maps/c08001_adams/DC20SD_C08001_SD2MS.txt Text list]

The county is also home to the Westminster campus of Front Range Community College, the largest community college by enrollment in Colorado.

Communities

=Cities=

=Town=

Bennett (part)
Lochbuie (part)

=Census-designated places=

Berkley
Derby
North Washington
Shaw Heights
Sherrelwood
Strasburg (mostly in Arapahoe Co.)
Todd Creek
Twin Lakes
Watkins (mostly in Arapahoe Co.)
Welby

=Other unincorporated communities=

License plate code

Up until 1999 when Colorado ceased coding license plates by county, Adams County used the following codes on license plates issued to passenger vehicles: TE-UF, GA-GG, SAA-SEW, and SEY-TZZ.{{Cite web|url=http://www.15q.net/coco.html|title=Colorado County Codes|website=www.15q.net|access-date=April 12, 2018}}

In popular culture

Adams County was featured as the fictional rival of South Park's peewee hockey team in the South Park episode "Stanley's Cup".

References

External links

[http://www.adcogov.org/ Adams County Government website]
[https://web.archive.org/web/20080504023009/http://www.co.adams.co.us/index.cfm?d=standard&b=3&c=71&s=245&p=587 History of Adams County, Colorado]
[https://web.archive.org/web/20070926231506/http://www.co.adams.co.us/index.cfm?d=standard&b=1&c=18&s=92&p=189 Adams County Community Development]
[http://www.AdamsCountyEducation.org Adams County Education Consortium]
{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20200409193409/https://www.adamscountyed.com/ Adams County Economic Development]}}

{{coord|39.87|-104.35|display=title|type:adm2nd_region:US-CO_source:UScensus1990}}

{{Geographic Location

|Centre = Adams County, Colorado

|North = Weld County

|Northeast = Morgan County

|East = Washington County

|Southeast =

|South = Arapahoe County and City and County of Denver

|Southwest =

|West = Jefferson County

|Northwest = City and County of Broomfield

}}