Where is Thornton Located? - Thornton is a city located in the Adams County of Colorado, United States. Thornton lies between 41.6718 Degrees North latitudes and 72.9493 Degrees West longitudes.
Location Map of Thornton, Colorado

Thornton Map, Colorado, USA
Where is Thornton?: The Google Map showing the location of Thornton in the U.S. state of Colorado.
Where is Thornton Located?
Thornton is a city located in the Adams County of Colorado, United States. Thornton lies between 41.6718 Degrees North latitudes and 72.9493 Degrees West longitudes. According to 2020 U.S.census, the population of Thornton city is 141867 people and the city has a total area of 35.89 sq mi. The city has numerous parks and recreational facilities.
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Thornton, Colorado Quick Facts
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| City | Thornton |
| Counties | Adams County and Weld County |
| State | Colorado |
| State Capital | Denver |
| US Region | Western United States |
| Latitude | 39.8680° N |
| Longitude | 104.9719° W |
| Elevation | Approximately 5,351 ft (1,631 m) |
| Land Area | 27.2 sq mi |
| Water Area | 0.3 sq mi |
| Total Area | 27.5 sq mi |
| Population (2020 Census) | 141,867 |
| Population Density | Approximately 5,210 per sq mi |
| ZIP Codes | 80229, 80233, 80241, 80260 |
| Area Code | 303, 720 |
| Time Zone Standard | Mountain Standard Time (MST), UTC−7 |
| Time Zone Daylight | Mountain Daylight Time (MDT), UTC−6 |
| Currency | United States Dollar (USD) |
| FIPS Code | 08-77290 |
| Congressional District | Colorado's 8th Congressional District |
Transportation and Connectivity in Thornton, Colorado
| Transportation | Details |
|---|---|
| Airport Name | Denver International Airport |
| IATA Code | DEN |
| Regional Airport | Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport |
| Port | No major port; inland Colorado city |
| Major Highways | Interstate 25, Interstate 76, E-470, US Highway 85 |
| Train/Amtrak Service | RTD commuter rail and Amtrak service available in Denver |
| Local Transit Service | Regional Transportation District (RTD) bus and rail services |
- Interstate 25 (I-25) — Major north-south highway connecting Thornton with Denver, Fort Collins, and Colorado's Front Range communities.
- Interstate 76 (I-76) — Provides connections toward northeast Colorado and the Great Plains region.
- E-470 — Toll highway providing access around the eastern Denver metropolitan area and Denver International Airport.
Top Places to Visit in Thornton, Colorado
| Landmark Name | Type |
|---|---|
| Carpenter Park | Public Park |
| Eastlake Nature Preserve | Nature Preserve |
| Thornton Arts & Culture Center | Cultural Center |
| Trail Winds Recreation Center | Recreation Facility |
| Riverdale Regional Park | Park and Recreation Area |
| Cherry Creek State Park | State Park |
| Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge | Wildlife Refuge |
| South Platte River Trail | Outdoor Trail |
| Denver Premium Outlets | Shopping Center |
| Boondocks Food & Fun | Entertainment Center |
Driving Distances from Thornton, Colorado to Nearby Cities
| City | State | Distance (mi) | Approx. Drive Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Denver | Colorado | 10 mi | 20 minutes |
| Boulder | Colorado | 25 mi | 35 minutes |
| Westminster | Colorado | 10 mi | 20 minutes |
| Arvada | Colorado | 15 mi | 25 minutes |
| Fort Collins | Colorado | 55 mi | 1 hour |
| Colorado Springs | Colorado | 85 mi | 1 hour 30 minutes |
| Vail | Colorado | 130 mi | 2 hours 30 minutes |
| Cheyenne | Wyoming | 100 mi | 1 hour 45 minutes |
| Albuquerque | New Mexico | 450 mi | 6 hours 30 minutes |
| Salt Lake City | Utah | 540 mi | 7 hours 45 minutes |
Colleges and Universities Near Thornton, Colorado
| Institution Name | Type | Level | Notable For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Front Range Community College - Westminster Campus | Public | Community College | Associate degrees, technical training, and workforce programs |
| University of Colorado Boulder | Public | University | Research, engineering, science, and liberal arts programs |
| University of Colorado Denver | Public | University | Business, health sciences, architecture, and research programs |
| Metropolitan State University of Denver | Public | University | Professional programs, business, and applied sciences |
| Adams 12 Five Star Schools | Public | K–12 District | Local public education |
Waterbodies Near Thornton, Colorado
Standley Lake, Barr Lake, South Platte River, Big Dry Creek, Clear Creek
Golf Courses and Stadiums Near Thornton
Golf Courses: Thorncreek Golf Course, Todd Creek Golf Club, Hyland Hills Golf Course, Legacy Ridge Golf Course. Stadiums: Empower Field at Mile High, Ball Arena, Coors Field, and local Thornton sports facilities.
Key Landmarks and Places to Visit in Thornton, Colorado
| Landmark Name | Type |
|---|---|
| Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge | Wildlife Refuge |
| Eastlake Nature Preserve | Nature Preserve |
| Thornton Arts & Culture Center | Cultural Center |
| Carpenter Park | Public Park |
| Trail Winds Recreation Center | Recreation Facility |
| Riverdale Regional Park | Park and Recreation Area |
| South Platte River Trail | Trail System |
| Denver Museum of Nature & Science | Museum |
Thornton, Colorado — Key Historical Facts
- Thornton was founded in 1953 and named after former Colorado Governor Daniel Thornton.
- The city began as a planned suburban community north of Denver and was one of Colorado's first fully planned communities.
- Thornton experienced rapid growth as the Denver metropolitan area expanded along the Front Range.
- The development of residential neighborhoods, parks, and transportation connections helped transform Thornton into a major suburban city.
- Today, Thornton is known for its family-friendly communities, outdoor recreation, access to Denver, and views of the Rocky Mountains.
References
- United States Census Bureau
- City of Thornton Official Website
- Adams County Official Website
- State of Colorado Official Website
- Visit Denver Tourism
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