Where is Thornton, Colorado, USA?

Written and fact-checked by | Reviewed by WhereIG Editorial Team | Last updated: August 14, 2026, 18:45 ET

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

Where is 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

AttributeDetails
CityThornton
CountiesAdams County and Weld County
StateColorado
State CapitalDenver
US RegionWestern United States
Latitude39.8680° N
Longitude104.9719° W
ElevationApproximately 5,351 ft (1,631 m)
Land Area27.2 sq mi
Water Area0.3 sq mi
Total Area27.5 sq mi
Population (2020 Census)141,867
Population DensityApproximately 5,210 per sq mi
ZIP Codes80229, 80233, 80241, 80260
Area Code303, 720
Time Zone StandardMountain Standard Time (MST), UTC−7
Time Zone DaylightMountain Daylight Time (MDT), UTC−6
CurrencyUnited States Dollar (USD)
FIPS Code08-77290
Congressional DistrictColorado's 8th Congressional District

Transportation and Connectivity in Thornton, Colorado

TransportationDetails
Airport NameDenver International Airport
IATA CodeDEN
Regional AirportRocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport
PortNo major port; inland Colorado city
Major HighwaysInterstate 25, Interstate 76, E-470, US Highway 85
Train/Amtrak ServiceRTD commuter rail and Amtrak service available in Denver
Local Transit ServiceRegional 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 NameType
Carpenter ParkPublic Park
Eastlake Nature PreserveNature Preserve
Thornton Arts & Culture CenterCultural Center
Trail Winds Recreation CenterRecreation Facility
Riverdale Regional ParkPark and Recreation Area
Cherry Creek State ParkState Park
Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife RefugeWildlife Refuge
South Platte River TrailOutdoor Trail
Denver Premium OutletsShopping Center
Boondocks Food & FunEntertainment Center

Driving Distances from Thornton, Colorado to Nearby Cities

CityStateDistance (mi)Approx. Drive Time
DenverColorado10 mi20 minutes
BoulderColorado25 mi35 minutes
WestminsterColorado10 mi20 minutes
ArvadaColorado15 mi25 minutes
Fort CollinsColorado55 mi1 hour
Colorado SpringsColorado85 mi1 hour 30 minutes
VailColorado130 mi2 hours 30 minutes
CheyenneWyoming100 mi1 hour 45 minutes
AlbuquerqueNew Mexico450 mi6 hours 30 minutes
Salt Lake CityUtah540 mi7 hours 45 minutes

Colleges and Universities Near Thornton, Colorado

Institution NameTypeLevelNotable For
Front Range Community College - Westminster CampusPublicCommunity CollegeAssociate degrees, technical training, and workforce programs
University of Colorado BoulderPublicUniversityResearch, engineering, science, and liberal arts programs
University of Colorado DenverPublicUniversityBusiness, health sciences, architecture, and research programs
Metropolitan State University of DenverPublicUniversityProfessional programs, business, and applied sciences
Adams 12 Five Star SchoolsPublicK–12 DistrictLocal 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 NameType
Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife RefugeWildlife Refuge
Eastlake Nature PreserveNature Preserve
Thornton Arts & Culture CenterCultural Center
Carpenter ParkPublic Park
Trail Winds Recreation CenterRecreation Facility
Riverdale Regional ParkPark and Recreation Area
South Platte River TrailTrail System
Denver Museum of Nature & ScienceMuseum

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

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