About the Loveland, Colorado Area 

Loveland is south of the county seat at Fort Collins, but the two cities have been growing toward one another over the decades, and the area is considered to be a single metropolitan area by the U.S. government. The region is often recognized as one of the best places to live, and has received Awards from Money Magazine, USA Today, and AARP magazine, among others. There is a large population of artists in the community, and its location on the way to Estes Park and Rocky Mountain National Park, draws many tourists to Loveland, especially during the summer. The estimated population of Loveland in July 2004 was 57,784. 

Location
Loveland is a city in Larimer County, in the Fort Collins-Loveland metropolitan area, in north-central Colorado. It is located in an area of Colorado called the “Front Range”, which includes the cities and towns north of Denver, with the mountainous terrain to the west.  

Denver is 47.5 miles south of Loveland. It is the nearest city with a population of over 500,000. Cheyenne, Wyoming is 58 miles north of Loveland. Fort Collins is 10 miles to the north, and Longmont is 16 miles to the south. Boulder is 40 miles south of Loveland. 

Geography
Loveland, Colorado is at an elevation of 4982 feet, in the Colorado Front Range region, in the foothills. Nearby Denver is called the “Mile High City”, with an elevation of 5277 feet. While the mountains rise to the west of Loveland, the Great Plains extend eastward.  

The cities on the north-south access in central Colorado, such as Denver, Boulder, Loveland, Greeley and Fort Collins, all have the rising mountains to the west and the expanse of the plains to the east. Loveland is located on the Big Thompson River, just east of the mouth of Big Thompson Canyon, and the total land area is 24.6 square miles. Lake Loveland, an agricultural reservoir, is located within the city limits. 

Jobs
Almost half (46.3%) of the residents of Loveland also work in the city. For those who are employed elsewhere, the average commute is 23 minutes. The major industries providing employment are manufacturing (17.8%), educational, health and social services (17.4%), and retail trade (14.9%). 

Major manufacturing companies with branches located in Loveland include Hewlett-Packard, Teledyne, and Hach (a water quality analysis equipment manufacturer). 

Housing
Northern Colorado is a great place to buy a home. The beautiful natural surroundings and year-round recreational opportunities make it an ideal location to live, or own a second home. The median price for a home in Loveland is $233,000 (a 10% increase from the previous year). There is an abundance of new construction, providing housing styles for every taste. There are also many lovely condominiums available in Loveland. 

Recreation
The most spectacular area in Colorado is Rocky Mountain National Park, a
400 square mile preserve north of Denver. There you will find forests and meadows, creeks and ponds, and glorious views above timberline. The Rocky Mountain wilderness is an unparalleled wonder in the U.S., with athletic and recreational opportunities year round.  

Other areas to explore are Poudre Canyon, Red Feather Lakes, and the majesty of the Peak-to-Peak Highway. Boyd Lake State Park is also near Loveland. In the warmer seasons, biking, hiking, and fishing are immensely popular. 

Colorado is a golfer’s paradise, with many courses boasting a mountain-view backdrop. Within the city of Loveland, there are two 18-hole public courses, Mariana Butte Golf Course, and the Olde Course at Loveland. 

Special Attractions/Events
The main attraction in northern Colorado is the scenery, and all the outdoor activities provided by the mountainous terrain. However, the region is also rich in cultural opportunities. Denver is an hour’s drive south, and eclectic Boulder is only 40 miles away. 

Denver is the capitol city of Colorado; also called the “Mile High City”, with an altitude of over 5,000 feet. Here, arts venues abound, including the Denver Center for the Performing Arts, the Denver Art Museum, Opera Colorado and the Colorado Symphony. The Denver Museum of Nature and Science, and the Denver Zoo and Aquarium, provide entertaining and educational exhibits. Nearby, Red Rocks Amphitheatre is a popular music venue set in a unique natural grotto of red rock formations. 

In Loveland, the Loveland Museum/Gallery is a center for cultural events. The museum hosts exhibits, art classes, workshops, and poetry readings, and the gallery has local, national and international exhibitions. Outside the museum/gallery, there are special events, including musical performances and concerts. 

The Benson Sculpture Garden in Loveland is located in a beautiful setting with the Rocky Mountains as a backdrop. Each summer, Loveland hosts “Sculpture in the Park” featuring the work of artists from around the world. It is known as one of the finest outdoor juried exhibitions of three-dimensional artwork in the United States, and attracts art lovers and collectors to the event each year. 

Interesting Facts
Loveland was founded in 1877, along the newly constructed Colorado Central railroad. During the first half of the 20th century, the city was dependent on agriculture. Sugar beets and sour cherries were the primary crops. Late in the 20th century, the economy became diversified with major manufacturers opening sites in Loveland.  

The community of Loveland was named after William A.H. Loveland, railroad president. The beginning of the community was coincident with the construction of the Colorado Central Railroad in 1877. Failed prospectors in the area ultimately became wealthy through farming.  

Loveland is known as Colorado’s Sweetheart City. It has become famous for its Valentine’s Day love stamp program. Thousands of people mail their valentines through the Loveland Post Office each year, for the postmark. Every year, valentines are packaged inside larger envelopes and sent to Loveland, where the valentines are hand-stamped with a valentine’s verse, and sent on the recipient. Leading up to Valentine’s day, downtown Loveland is decorated with red hearts, complete with personalized messages to loved ones. 

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