GREELEY, COLORADO

Civic Building In 1869 the community of Union Colonywas established at thejunction of the South Platte and Cache la Poudre Rivers. A year later the city became know as Greeley when New York Tribune agricultural editor Nathan C. Meeker named it in honor of his publisher, Horace Greeley. Founded originally as a farming and ranching area, today the economy is also supported by education and industry. The largest city in Weld County, Greeley is 50 miles north of the Denver Metropolitan area and supports a population of nearly 95,000 people. Listed below are some of the major attractions of the area.

For more information, check out the links for these attractions, or visit the following sites:

Centennial Village Museum: a five-acre landscaped village featuring 31 structures and exhibits on the development of the area from the 1860s to the 1930s. Open mid-April to Mid-October, the village hosts special programs throughout the season.

Rocky Mountain National Park: Located 40 miles west of Greeley near the town of Estes Park, the 265,000 acres of Rocky Mountain National Park are a premier vacation destination. Take some time to travel Trail Ridge Road through the park, the nation's highest continuous paved highway.

Union Colony Civic Center (right): For the best in local and national entertainment, the 1700 seat arts complex is located in downtown Greeley near Lincoln Park. The UCCC is home to the Greeley Philharmonic Orchestra and the Greeley Chorale, and hosts performances including theater, dance, music, and Broadway productions.

Greeley Stampede: Held each summer for two week through the July 4 holiday, the Greeley Stampede is the largest of all the national rodeos held on this holiday. Since 1922 this event features PRCA rodeos, nationally known music artists, a parade, fireworks, art exhibits and the Miss Rodeo Colorado pageant.

The University of Northern Colorado: Once the state Normal School begun in 1890, UNC now contains 6 colleges and an annual enrollment of more than 11,000 students. Two adjacent campuses serve the community with cultural events, NCAA Division II sports, and educational opportunities in undergraduate, graduate, and continuing education courses.

Aims Community College (left): Offering Associate Degrees, technical training, personal interest and continuing-education courses, Aims Community College is one of the largest community colleges in Colorado with campuses in Greeley and Fort Lupton. More than 14,000 students attend Aims each year.