Where is Brighton, Colorado, USA?

Written and Fact-checked by | Updated On: April 28, 2026 | 14:51 ET

Where is Brighton Located? - Brighton is a city located in the Adams County seat County of Colorado, United States. Brighton lies between 41.3462 Degrees North latitudes and 73.0790 Degrees West longitudes.

Location Map of Brighton, Colorado

Where is Brighton, Colorado

Brighton Map, Colorado, USA

Where is Brighton?: The Google Map showing the location of Brighton in the U.S. state of Colorado.

Where is Brighton Located?

Brighton is a city located in the Adams County seat County of Colorado, United States. Brighton lies between 41.3462 Degrees North latitudes and 73.0790 Degrees West longitudes. According to 2020 U.S.census, the population of Brighton city is 40083 people and the city has a total area of 21.18 sq mi. The city has numerous parks and recreational facilities.

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Brighton, Colorado Quick Facts

FactDetails
CityBrighton
CountyAdams County
StateColorado
State CapitalDenver
CountryUnited States
US RegionWest
Latitude39.9853°N
Longitude104.8205°W
Elevation4,984 ft (1,519 m)
Land Area21.96 sq mi
Water Area0.29 sq mi
Total Area22.25 sq mi
Population (Census 2020)40,083
Population DensityApproximately 1,825 per sq mi
ZIP Codes80601, 80602, 80603
Area Code303, 720
Time Zone StandardMountain Standard Time (MST, UTC-7)
Time Zone DaylightMountain Daylight Time (MDT, UTC-6)
CurrencyUnited States Dollar (USD)
FIPS Code08-08285
Congressional DistrictColorado's 8th Congressional District

Nearby Cities and Towns to Brighton, Colorado

  • Commerce City, Colorado - 10 mi South
  • Thornton, Colorado - 12 mi Southwest
  • Northglenn, Colorado - 14 mi Southwest
  • Fort Lupton, Colorado - 12 mi North
  • Henderson, Colorado - 8 mi South
  • Greeley, Colorado - 28 mi North
  • Denver, Colorado - 20 mi Southwest
  • Westminster, Colorado - 18 mi Southwest
  • Longmont, Colorado - 25 mi Northwest
  • Erie, Colorado - 20 mi West

Brighton, Colorado Climate and Weather Overview

MonthAvg High (°F)Avg Low (°F)Avg Precipitation (in)
January45170.5
April62341.2
July92611.6
October66360.8
Annual633815.0
Climate AttributeDetails
Climate ClassificationCold semi-arid (Köppen BSk)
Annual PrecipitationApproximately 15.0 inches
Annual Sunshine DaysAbout 245 days
Severe Weather RiskLow to moderate - hailstorms, snow, thunderstorms, occasional tornado risk
Annual SnowfallApproximately 40–50 inches

Driving Distances from Brighton, Colorado

CityStateDistance (mi)Approx. Drive Time
Commerce CityColorado1015 min
ThorntonColorado1218 min
NorthglennColorado1420 min
Fort LuptonColorado1218 min
GreeleyColorado2830 min
DenverColorado2025 min
WestminsterColorado1822 min
LongmontColorado2530 min
ErieColorado2025 min
BoulderColorado3540 min

Transportation and Connectivity in Brighton, Colorado

TransportationDetails
Nearest AirportRocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport
IATA CodeBJC
Nearest Major AirportDenver International Airport
Major HighwaysInterstate 76, U.S. Route 85, E-470 Toll Road
Rail ServiceBNSF Railway (freight only)
Local TransitRTD Denver Bus Services
  • Interstate 76 connects Brighton directly to Denver and northeastern Colorado communities.
  • U.S. Route 85 runs north–south through the region linking Weld County and Denver suburbs.
  • Denver International Airport, about 15 miles away, is the main air hub for the region.
  • RTD transit system provides bus connectivity to nearby metro Denver areas.

Key Landmarks and Places to Visit in Brighton, Colorado

LandmarkType
Carpenter Recreation CenterCommunity Recreation Center
Barr Lake State ParkState Park
Brighton Oasis Family Aquatic ParkWater Park
Founders ParkCity Park
Historic Downtown BrightonHistoric District
Adams County FairgroundsEvent Venue
Brighton Armory Performing Arts CenterArts Venue
Henderson ParkNeighborhood Park
Riverdale Regional Park (nearby)Regional Park
South Platte River TrailRecreation Trail

Colleges and Universities in Brighton, Colorado

InstitutionTypeLevelNotable For
Front Range Community College (Westminster Campus nearby)PublicCommunity CollegeTransfer degrees, workforce training
Metropolitan State University of DenverPublicUniversityBusiness, aviation, education, arts
University of Colorado BoulderPublicResearch UniversityEngineering, science, law, business
University of DenverPrivateUniversityLaw, business, international studies
Adams State University (regional access)PublicUniversityEducation, liberal arts, health sciences
Aims Community CollegePublicCommunity CollegeTechnical programs and associate degrees

Waterbodies in Brighton, Colorado

South Platte River, Barr Lake, Todd Creek, Box Elder Creek, St. Vrain Creek (regional), East Lake, Brighton Ditch system, Sand Creek (regional), Cherry Creek (regional), Big Dry Creek.

Golf Courses in Brighton, Colorado

Buffalo Run Golf Course, Riverdale Golf Courses (North & South), Todd Creek Golf Club, The Ranch Country Club (nearby), Eagle Trace Golf Club, Saddle Rock Golf Course, Hyland Hills Golf Course, Antelope Hills Golf Course.

Brighton, Colorado - Key Historical Facts

  • Brighton was originally a small agricultural settlement established in the late 19th century along the railroad line.
  • The city was named after Brighton Beach in New York, reflecting the origins of some early settlers.
  • Irrigation from the South Platte River helped turn the area into a productive farming community.
  • Brighton developed steadily through the 20th century as part of the greater Denver metropolitan expansion.
  • The arrival of highways and suburban growth in the late 20th century transformed it into a commuter city.
  • Today, Brighton is known for its mix of agriculture, residential neighborhoods, and growing industrial development.

References

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