Arvada’s origins date to 1850, when Lewis Ralston and a small group of prospectors found a modest amount of gold near what is now known as Ralston Creek. The find was not significant, but the site was eventually found to be a fertile valley for farming. In 1904 Arvada incorporated as a town of 600 and continued to grow slowly until experiencing explosive growth in the post-World War II era.

Today Arvada is one of the larger cities in Colorado, but the city never lost its heart and soul: Historic Olde Town Arvada. The city’s most widely known attractions are the nationally renowned Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities and the city’s parks, trails, and open space systems, but Arvada is also rich in historical assets. Today Olde Town features a colorful streetscape, with restaurants and shopping.

Visit www.ci.arvada.co.us and www.historicarvada.org for more information.

Attractions in Arvada