Just Outside of the City in Adams County, CO
Three unincorporated communities just outside of Denver are gaining attention.
Adams County is a fast-growing region that offers Colorado living at its finest, including plenty of parks for soaking up the sunshine, an exciting restaurant scene, plus ample job opportunities and entertainment options.
The well-connected region is also the most affordable in the Denver metro area, and those who put down roots here have options, from quiet, rural settings to friendly suburbs and energetic neighborhoods just outside of a major city.
Beyond the region’s metropolitan areas lie unincorporated communities with significantly smaller, yet growing populations. If you’re a newcomer, exploring Adams County and its environs for the first time, here’s a look into three of those communities – Midtown, Welby and Henderson – and why you may want to reconsider a larger city for one that has the potential to offer more for your money.
Experience Midtown
Just outside of Denver city limits, Midtown is one of the area’s hottest neighborhoods along the Front Range, and it’s experiencing residential and business growth. Beyond the modern homes, the community has amenities that bring neighbors together, including a clubhouse, a community garden, playgrounds, a dog park, open space and even a brewery.
Morgan Alu, who works for the Metro Denver Economic Development Corp., moved to Midtown in 2021 and loves that his neighborhood is a close-knit community. He’s in a neighborhood golf league, plays trivia with neighbors and lives near the dog park, a perk for his Bernedoodle, Heinz.
“It’s a nice change of pace,” Alu says. “I know all of my neighbors by name.”
Midtown has a Denver address but is in unincorporated Adams County. The neighborhood is just 5 miles from downtown Denver and has a nearby Regional Transportation District light rail station with routes that make commuting a breeze.
As residents move in, they bring with them their skills, talents and interests, which sparks more in business development and quality of life amenities.
Bruz Beers is among the small businesses that have sprouted up in Midtown. While many American breweries are taking over warehouses, co-founder Ryan Evans wanted his Belgian-style brewery to be nestled in a neighborhood much like European brew pubs. Local artists sell their works at the brewery, and Bruz hosts everything from trivia nights to special events like Girl Scout cookie and beer pairings.
“We’re the nucleus of the community,” Evans says.
Welcome to Welby
Welby strikes an ideal balance with its own small-town conveniences, as well as big-city perks that are a short drive away in nearby Denver and Aurora.
As a growing population moves this way, efforts are being made to create attractive neighborhoods, open green spaces, economic opportunities, and more arts and culture initiatives.
“I chose to move to unincorporated Adams County because I love the people, places and opportunities,” says Steve O’Dorisio, an Adams County commissioner. “There are many benefits to living in unincorporated Adams County neighborhoods like Welby, including proximity to all major metro roads, trails and rivers. Also, property taxes are often lower because we don’t have to pay additional city property taxes.”
One big asset of Welby: high-quality schools within the Mapleton Public Schools district. There’s even the Welby Community School of the Arts, which encourages students to engage in artistic experiences.
Happy in Henderson
Residents in Commerce City enjoy a great balance of suburban living and wide-open spaces, says Travis Huntington, community relations manager with the city.
A resident of the Henderson area – a community within the Commerce City boundary – is only minutes away from Barr Lake State Park, a beautiful wildlife preserve and bird-watching spot, and the Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge, which is home to bison, deer and raptors, Huntington points out. Still, downtown Denver is only about a 20-minute drive down the highway.
The Lakes at Dune Park is just one charming residential community in Henderson, and it is close to local go-to spots like the Palombo Farms Market, which is an example of the community’s thriving agriculture sector.
High-quality housing is available at lower prices than many other suburban communities around metro Denver, with many new master-planned neighborhoods popping up as the city continues its rapid growth.
Along with Welby, Henderson is located within an Adams County Enterprise Zone, and several businesses have benefited from tax incentives – just as they have benefited from ease of access to Denver International Airport.
“Commerce City is a community on the rise, with a high quality of life, plentiful recreation and open space opportunities, and exciting new amenities emerging all the time,” Huntington says.
Get to Know Adams County
Want to learn more about living and working in Adams County, CO? Check out the new edition of Livability Adams County Region, Colorado.
