,_Thornton,_Colorado_(2378779561).jpg){kind=link}
.jpg){kind=link}
.jpg){kind=link}
Thornton, Colorado
Thornton is a city of 144,187 people in Adams County, Colorado, founded in June 12, 1956.
Why visit Thornton
Townapedia lists 5 museums and landmarks, 122 parks and trails, 256 places to eat, 15 places to stay and 2 attractions in and around town.
Highlights include Eastlake Farmers Co-Operative Elevator Company, Thede Farmhouse, Margaret W. Carpenter Park & Open Space and Riverwalk Ballfields & Batting Cages.
July is the warmest month, with average highs of 91°F; January lows average 19°F, and about 45 inches of snow fall in a normal year.
Weather in Thornton
Forecast from the National Weather Service. Full forecast
About Thornton
Thornton is a home rule city located in Adams and Weld counties, Colorado, United States. The city population was 141,867, all in Adams County, at the 2020 United States census, an increase of 19.44% since the 2010 United States census. Thornton is the sixth-most-populous city in Colorado and the 191st-most-populous city in the United States. Thornton is 10 miles (16 km) north of the Colorado State Capitol in Denver and is a part of the Denver-Aurora-Greeley, CO Combined Statistical Area and the Front Range Urban Corridor.
From the Wikipedia article Thornton, Colorado (this version), under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Things to do2
Museums and landmarks5
Eastlake Farmers Co-Operative Elevator Company
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 1.3 mi
Building in Colorado, United States
Thede Farmhouse
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 1.8 mi
Historic house in Colorado, United States
Parks, trails and playgrounds122
Margaret W. Carpenter Park & Open Space
Park · 1.7 mi
3498 East 112th Avenue, Thornton
Mo-Su 06:00-23:00
Riverwalk Ballfields & Batting Cages
Park · 3.2 mi
9830 Riverdale Road, Thornton
Mo-Fr 17:00-21:00; Sa-Su 13:00-21:00
Sintra Lewis Pointe Park
Park · 2.3 mi
14081 Grape Street, Thornton
Mo-Su 06:00-23:00
110 more on the map.
Restaurants and cafes256
Applebee's
Diner · American · 3.5 mi
100 West 104th Avenue, Northglenn
Fr-Sa 11:00-01:00; Su-Th 11:00-00:00
Ca Phe, Vietnamese Coffee and Banh Mi
Restaurant · Vietnamese
3911 East 120th Avenue, Thornton
Mo,Tu-Su 08:30-17:30
Cinzzetti's
Restaurant · Italian · 3.2 mi
281 West 104th Avenue, Northglenn
Mo-Fr 11:30-14:00,17:00-21:00; Sa 11:00-21:00; Su 10:00-20:30
Delectible Egg
Restaurant · Breakfast, Sandwich, Salad · 3.0 mi
1005 West 120th Avenue, Westminster
Mo-Su 07:00-14:00
Lazy Dog
Diner · American · 3.8 mi
14618 Delaware Street, Westminster
Mo-Fr 11:00-24:00, Sa-Su 09:00-24:00
Mugi Ramen & Poke
Restaurant · Asian · 3.1 mi
1181 West 120th Avenue
Sa-Su 11:00-21:00; Mo-Fr 00:00-24:00
244 more on the map.
History
Prior to European colonization, the Thornton region served as the ancestral homeland of Native American tribes, including the Arapaho and Cheyenne peoples.
Thornton consisted solely of farmland until 1953, when Sam Hoffman purchased a lot off Washington Street about seven miles (11 km) north of Denver. The town he laid out was the first fully planned community in Adams County, and the first to offer full municipal services from a single tax levy, including recreation services and free trash pickup. Thornton was named in honor of then-incumbent Colorado Governor Dan Thornton.
The Thornton Community Association (TCA) was formed in 1954 to help guide the new community's development. By the end of 1955, Thornton had 5,500 residents in over 1,200 homes. The TCA was instrumental in Thornton's incorporation on June 12, 1956. Oyer G. Leary was elected the first mayor.
From the History section of Thornton, Colorado on Wikipedia, under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Where to stay15
Holiday Inn Express & Suites Denver North - Thornton
Motel and hotel · 2.3 mi
12030 Grant Street, Thornton
Fairfield Inn & Suites Denver North/Westminster
Motel and hotel · 2.8 mi
12080 Melody Drive, Westminster
Quality Inn & Suites Denver North - Westminster
Motel and hotel · 2.8 mi
12085 Delaware Street, Westminster
Cottonwood Suites Westminster
Motel and hotel · 3.2 mi
12095 Mariposa Street, Westminster
Churches and places of worship30
Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church
Church · Roman Catholic · 2.5 mi
11385 Grant Drive, Northglenn
Saint John Paul II Catholic Church
Church · Roman Catholic · 1.0 mi
3951 Cottonwood Lakes Boulevard, Thornton
Crossroads American Baptist Church
Church · Baptist · 3.8 mi
10451 Huron Street, Northglenn
Mountain States Baptist Church
Church · Baptist · 0.9 mi
3751 Cottonwood Lakes Boulevard, Thornton
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Church · Mormon · 2.6 mi
100 Malley Drive, Northglenn
Shopping34
Gas and EV charging49
Schools, colleges and libraries76
Healthcare15
Action Behavior Centers - ABA Therapy for Autism
Clinic and pharmacy · 1.6 mi
1401 East 120th Avenue, Thornton
Saint Joseph Hospital Emergency Department - Northglenn
Hospital · 2.3 mi
11900 Grant Street, Northglenn
Kaiser Permanente
Clinic and pharmacy · 3.2 mi
11245 North Huron Street, Westminster
Advanced Heart & Vein Center
Clinic and pharmacy · 3.2 mi
805 East 144th Avenue, Thornton
UCHealth Urgent Care
Clinic and pharmacy · 1.6 mi
13631 Colorado Boulevard, Thornton
Map of Thornton
250 places. The map loads OpenStreetMap tiles when you open it.
Climate by month
Monthly table
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Snow |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 48°F | 19°F | 0.5 in | 6.0 in |
| Feb | 50°F | 20°F | 0.5 in | 7.6 in |
| Mar | 58°F | 28°F | 1.2 in | 8.2 in |
| Apr | 64°F | 35°F | 1.9 in | 6.5 in |
| May | 72°F | 44°F | 2.4 in | 1.2 in |
| Jun | 85°F | 53°F | 1.5 in | 0.0 in |
| Jul | 91°F | 59°F | 1.7 in | 0.0 in |
| Aug | 89°F | 57°F | 1.3 in | 0.0 in |
| Sep | 82°F | 49°F | 1.2 in | 0.1 in |
| Oct | 67°F | 37°F | 1.1 in | 2.4 in |
| Nov | 56°F | 27°F | 0.7 in | 6.9 in |
| Dec | 48°F | 19°F | 0.5 in | 5.9 in |
U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020 for Northglenn (4 mi away), NOAA NCEI.
People and cost of living
American Community Survey 5-year estimates, 2020-2024, U.S. Census Bureau. Estimates have margins of error, larger for small towns.
Disaster history
Adams County has had 9 federal disaster declarations since 2000, most often for floods.
- 2020-03-28: Covid-19 Pandemic (Biological)
- 2020-03-13: Covid-19 (Biological)
- 2015-07-16: Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Flooding, Landslides, And Mudslides (Flood)
- 2013-09-14: Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, And Mudslides (Flood)
- 2013-09-12: Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, And Mudslides (Flood)
- 2007-01-07: Snow (Snowstorm)
OpenFEMA disaster declarations summaries.
Getting there and nearby towns
Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport (BJC) is the nearest airport with scheduled flights listed in OpenStreetMap, 9 miles away.
- Northglenn 2 mi west, about 4 min by car
- Federal Heights 5 mi southwest, about 9 min by car
- Welby 6 mi south, about 9 min by car
- Broomfield 6 mi west, about 10 min by car
- Derby 6 mi south, about 9 min by car
- Todd Creek 6 mi northeast, about 9 min by car
- Westminster 7 mi southwest, about 11 min by car
- Sherrelwood 7 mi southwest, about 11 min by car
- Shaw Heights 7 mi southwest, about 11 min by car
- Commerce City 8 mi east, about 13 min by car
Drive times are estimates from straight-line distance, not routes.
Local news
Headlines from INDB, the NEMICO news database.
Reviews, tips and questions
Loading what members have shared...
Sources and licences
- NCES EDGE (Public domain): public schools
- NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020 (Public domain): climate by month
- OpenFEMA (Public domain): disaster declarations
- OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL 1.0): places, airports, map data
- U.S. Census Bureau (Public domain): population, income, housing, education, commute
- Wikidata (CC0 1.0): elevation, founding date, time zone, website, landmarks and historic places
- Wikimedia Commons (see each image): photos
- Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0): overview and history text
Photo credits
- Exit 223 to 120th Avenue (S.R. 128), Thornton, Colorado (2378779561), Ken Lund from Reno, Nevada, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0
- 12121 Grant Street, Thornton, Colorado 2020-08-27, Xnatedawgx, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Food Pavilion at Denver Premium Outlets, Thornton, CO 2026-06-26, Xnatedawgx, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Benches at Denver Premium Outlets, Thornton, CO 2026-06-26, Xnatedawgx, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Exit 225 to 136th Avenue, Interstate 25, Thornton, Colorado (2378780031), Ken Lund from Reno, Nevada, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Cabela's Store in Thornton, Colorado (55252890839), Tony Webster, CC BY 4.0
- Exit 221 to 104th Avenue, Interstate 25, Thornton, Colorado (2378779065), Ken Lund from Reno, Nevada, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Eastlake Farmers Co-Operative Elevator Company, 2011, Jeffrey Beall, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Eastlake Farmers Co-Operative Elevator Company, Jeffrey Beall, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Northglenn 112th station RTD, ECTran71, CC BY-SA 4.0
- 2015-04-13 22 14 48 View of Denver, Colorado at night from an airplane departing Denver International Airport, Colorado, Famartin, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Colorado-South Park, 05-1972. - Flickr - The U.S. National Archives, The U.S. National Archives, No restrictions
- San Luis Valley after rain, 05-1972 (7065950125), The U.S. National Archives, No restrictions
- Thunderclouds over grassy plateau, 05-1972. (7065644559), The U.S. National Archives, No restrictions
- Thunderclouds over grassy plateau, 05-1972. (7065760267), The U.S. National Archives, No restrictions
- Vacationers on motorcycles, 05-1972. (7065654643), The U.S. National Archives, No restrictions
- Harvest moon ducks (1812706711), joiseyshowaa from Freehold, NJ, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0
- ISS056-E-27331 - View of Earth, Earth Science and Remote Sensing Unit, NASA Johnson Space Center, Public domain
- ISS045-E-25511 - View of Earth, Earth Science and Remote Sensing Unit , Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center, Public domain
- ISS029-E-18114 - View of Earth, Earth Science and Remote Sensing Unit , Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center, Public domain
- ISS056-E-27329 - View of Earth, Earth Science and Remote Sensing Unit, NASA Johnson Space Center, Public domain
- ISS045-E-25512 - View of Earth, Earth Science and Remote Sensing Unit , Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center, Public domain
- ISS060-E-72387 - View of Earth, Earth Science and Remote Sensing Unit, NASA Johnson Space Center, Public domain
- ISS056-E-27330 - View of Earth, Earth Science and Remote Sensing Unit, NASA Johnson Space Center, Public domain
- ISS040-E-56879 - View of Earth, Earth Science and Remote Sensing Unit , Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center, Public domain
- ISS040-E-56878 - View of Earth, Earth Science and Remote Sensing Unit , Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center, Public domain
- ISS056-E-27328 - View of Earth, Earth Science and Remote Sensing Unit, NASA Johnson Space Center, Public domain
- Park N Ride in Northglenn, Colorado, Jeffrey Beall from Denver, Colorado, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Bike racks and lockers at Denver Premium Outlets 2026-06-26, Xnatedawgx, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Children's Play Area at Denver Premium Outlets 2026-06-26, Xnatedawgx, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Converse store at Denver Premium Outlets 2026-06-26, Xnatedawgx, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Old Navy Outlet store at Denver Premium Outlets 2026-06-26, Xnatedawgx, CC BY-SA 4.0
- The North Face and corridor at Denver Premium Outlets 2026-06-26, Xnatedawgx, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Toys "R" Us store at Denver Premium Outlets 2026-06-26, Xnatedawgx, CC BY-SA 4.0
- ISS007-E-7836 - View of Colorado, Earth Science and Remote Sensing Unit , Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center, Public domain
- ISS038-E-48504 - View of Earth, Earth Science and Remote Sensing Unit , Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center, Public domain
- ISS007-E-7837 - View of Colorado, Earth Science and Remote Sensing Unit , Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center, Public domain
.jpg){kind=link}
.jpg){kind=link}
.jpg){kind=link}
.jpg){kind=link}
.jpg){kind=link}
.jpg){kind=link}
Page built October 30, 2026. Spotted a mistake? Tell us or suggest a place.