Westminster, Colorado is situated in Adams County and Jefferson County. It is considered a Denver suburb as it is just 9 miles south-southwest of the city of Denver. As of the 1st of April, 2010, the population is estimated to be approximately 106,100, making it the 7th most inhabited city in Colorado and the 237th most inhabited city in the US. Westminster is a member of the Denver-Aurora-Broomfield, CO Metropolitan Statistical Area and the Denver-Aurora-Boulder Combined Statistical Area. Money magazine ranked the city as the country's 24th best place to reside in during the month of July, the year 2006.
It was when the discovery of gold on Little Dry Creek in 1858 that folks started to settle in the area of Westminster. Four years afterward during the year 1862, the newly created Homestead Act helped bring in more eastern settlers that helped to strengthen the small community. Pleasant DeSpain was the very first permanent settler in the city of Westminster. He constructed his home on 160 acres of farmland during 1870. As time wore on, the region became called DeSpain Junction. Shortly after DeSpain constructed his own house, other settlers began to follow suit. Among the most important was Edward Bruce Bowles, who was a horse breeder. His huge brick home still stands at present and is being used as a local Museum. C.J. Harris was another early settler. He originated from Connecticut and was a prominent real estate developer. The city of Westminster was inspired to change it's name to Harris and, in the year 1911, the city of Westminster was incorporated. Nevertheless, when Westminster was incorporated it went through another name change to Westminster, in honor of the local Westminster University.
Westminster proudly boasts numerous recreational, historic, and artistic activities like the Bowles House Museum. This particular Museum offers an opportunity to experience colonial life and the way things used to be. It is located within a farmhouse constructed between 1871 and 1876. People who are interested in butterflies and insects will be drawn to the city's Butterfly Pavilion and Insect Center. There are interactive displays that offer insight into science, conservations and invertebrates. There is an extremely amazing indoor tropical rainforest that is home to over 1,200 live butterflies. In order to see a gorgeous view of the Rocky Mountains, climb up the 181 stairs at Westminster's City Hall to the bell tower. One more popular place is the Westminster Promenade, that is an outdoor area that consists of numerous entertainment venues and stores. There are some play areas intended for children, as well as numerous cafes, trails and restaurants.
Within the city of Westminster, there are many nature trails and a large open space system. The Big Dry Creek Trail is part of the open space system stretching from Standley Lake to the eastern boundary of the city, a span of more than 10 miles. There are several other trails situated along the Little Dry Creek, Farmers' High Line Canal and Walnut Creek. Land has been preserved by Westminster in the Standley lake Regional Park, the Westminster Hills area, as well as several other areas that have historic significance to the city. Several facilities, like Westminster City Park and the City Park Recreation center, offer interesting recreational activities for the inhabitants of Westminster. There are two beautiful golf courses in Westminster: the Heritage Golf Course at Westmoor and the Legacy Ridge Golf Course.