Community >> Loveland
Sitting just a short 10 miles south of the booming populous of Fort Collins is Loveland, Colorado. Known as the “Sweetheart City”, Loveland is the 14th most populous city in the state and the second largest in Larimer County.
Loveland was first settled in 1877 along the two popular amenities—the Colorado Central Railroad and the Big Thompson River. Loveland’s early years were heavily dependent on the agricultural industry. Major productions included sugar beets and sour cherries, and the two major produces were the Great Western Sugar Company (1901-1985) and the Spring Glade Orchard (1920-1960).
After the early part of the 20th Century, Loveland continued to expand as a city. Since it is located so close to the Fort Collins metropolis, by U.S. government standards, Loveland and Fort Collins are now so geographically close that they are considered one major metropolitan area. With the construction of the Budweiser Events Center and the Centerra development, Loveland’s presence among Interstate 25 has made it one of the major hubs of Northern Colorado.
Loveland’s elevation reaches 4,982 feet above sea level—just below one mile above sea level. The total population in Loveland is roughly at 50,000 people, and the city covers 25.5 square miles of area. Average summer temperatures in July reach 72 degrees Fahrenheit, and the average winter temperature in January is at 28 degrees Fahrenheit. Loveland sees an annual snowfall of 53 inches of snow.
Currently, Loveland boasts itself as one of the major “art” cities of Colorado. All throughout the town are numerous murals, sculptures, paintings and other art-worthy pieces. The Benson Sculpture Garden is considered one of the country’s largest public displays of sculpture. The Loveland Museum Gallery and the Lincoln Gallery are also top-notch arts facilities. Overall, roughly 300 pieces are on display for the public across the city.
Also with its close and convenient location to the mountains, many residents of Loveland enjoy many outdoor recreational activities such as hiking, camping, biking, skiing and snowboarding. Devil’s Backbone, just miles west of Loveland, provides some beautiful hiking trails and Boyd Lake State Park is home the gorgeous Boyd Lake.
Current top industries in Loveland include construction, health care, computers/electronics products, accommodation/food services, and professional/technical services. Top employers include Aims Community College, Thompson School District, Hach Company, City of Loveland, and the Medical Center of the Rockies.