Editing Mountain View, Colorado

{{short description|Town in Colorado, United States}}
{{for|other places named "Mountain View"|Mountain View (disambiguation)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{Infobox settlement
<!-- Basic info  ---------------->
|official_name            = Mountain View, Colorado
|other_name               = 
|native_name              = <!-- for cities whose native name is not in English -->
|nickname                 = 
|settlement_type          = [[Town]]
|motto                    = 
<!-- images and maps  ----------->
|image_skyline            = MountainViewTownHall.JPG
|imagesize                = 250px
|image_caption            = Mountain View Town Hall and Municipal Court
|image_map                = File:Jefferson County Colorado Incorporated and Unincorporated areas Mountain View Highlighted 0852350.svg
|mapsize                  = 250px
|map_caption              = Location of Mountain View in Jefferson County, Colorado
|image_map1               = 
|mapsize1                 = 
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|dot_y                    = 
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|pushpin_map_caption      = 
|pushpin_mapsize          = 
<!-- Location ------------------>
|subdivision_type         = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
|subdivision_name         = {{USA}}
|subdivision_type1        = [[U.S. state|State]]
|subdivision_name1        = {{flag|Colorado|name=Colorado}}
|subdivision_type2        = [[List of counties in Colorado|County]]
|subdivision_name2        = [[Jefferson County, Colorado|Jefferson]]<ref name=COMun>{{cite web | url = http://www.dola.state.co.us/dlg/local_governments/municipalities.html | title = Active Colorado Municipalities | publisher = [[Colorado|State of Colorado]], Department of Local Affairs | access-date = September 1, 2007 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20091212060308/http://www.dola.state.co.us/dlg/local_governments/municipalities.html | archive-date = December 12, 2009 }}</ref>
|subdivision_type3        = 
|subdivision_name3        = 
<!-- Politics ----------------->
|government_footnotes     = 
|government_type          = [[Colorado municipalities#Home rule municipality|Home rule municipality]]<ref name=COMun/>
|leader_title             = [[Mayor]]
|leader_name              = Emilie Mitcham {{citation needed|date=July 2024}}
|established_title        = [[Settled]]
|established_date         = 1879
|established_title2       = [[Platted]]
|established_date2        = 1888
|established_title3       = [[municipal corporation|Incorporated]]
|established_date3        = October 11, 1904<ref name=MuniIncCO>{{cite web | url = http://www.colorado.gov/dpa/doit/archives/muninc.html | title = Colorado Municipal Incorporations | publisher = [[Colorado|State of Colorado]], Department of Personnel & Administration, Colorado State Archives | date = December 1, 2004 | access-date = September 2, 2007}}</ref>
<!-- Area    --------------------->
|unit_pref                = [[Imperial units|Imperial]]
|area_footnotes           = <ref name="CenPopGazetteer2019">{{cite web|title=2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2019_Gazetteer/2019_gaz_place_08.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=July 1, 2020}}</ref>
|area_total_km2           = 0.24
|area_land_km2            = 0.24
|area_water_km2           = 0.00
|area_total_sq_mi         = 0.09
|area_land_sq_mi          = 0.09
|area_water_sq_mi         = 0.00
<!-- Population   ----------------------->
|population_as_of         = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
|population_footnotes     = <ref name="Census 2020">{{cite web |url=https://data.census.gov/profile/Mountain_View_town,_Colorado?g=160XX00US0852350 |title=Mountain View town, Colorado |author=United States Census Bureau|date= |website= |publisher= |access-date=April 22, 2023 |quote=}}</ref>
|population_note          = 
|population_total         = 541
|population_density_km2   = auto
|population_density_sq_mi = auto
<!-- General information  --------------->
|timezone                 = [[Mountain Standard Time|MST]]
|utc_offset               = -7
|timezone_DST             = [[Mountain Daylight Time|MDT]]
|utc_offset_DST           = -6
|coordinates              = {{coord|39|46|29|N|105|03|24|W|region:US_type:city|display=inline,title}}
|elevation_footnotes      = <ref name=gnis/>
|elevation_ft             = 5384
<!-- Area/postal codes & others -------->
|postal_code_type         = [[ZIP code]]<ref name=ZIPcode/>
|postal_code              = Denver 80212
|area_code                = Both [[Area code 303|303]] and [[Area code 720|720]]
|blank_name               = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
|blank_info               = 08-52350
|blank1_name              = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
|blank1_info              = 2413021<ref name=gnis>{{GNIS|2413021}}</ref>
|website                  = {{URL| https://www.tomv.org/}}
|footnotes                = 
}}

The '''Town of Mountain View''' is a [[Colorado municipalities#Home rule municipality|home rule municipality]] located in [[Jefferson County, Colorado|Jefferson County]], [[Colorado]], United States. Mountain View is situated west of, and adjacent to, the [[Denver|city and county of Denver]]. As of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], the population of Mountain View was 541.<ref name="Census 2020" /> The Denver Post Office ([[ZIP Code]] 80212) serves Mountain View.<ref name=ZIPcode>{{cite web | date = December 14, 2006 | url = http://zip4.usps.com/zip4/citytown.jsp | title = ZIP Code Lookup | format = [[JavaScript]]/[[HTML]] | publisher = United States Postal Service | access-date = October 16, 2007 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20101104123722/http://zip4.usps.com/zip4/citytown.jsp | archive-date = November 4, 2010 }}</ref>

== History ==
Mountain View was incorporated in 1904 on the land occupied by the Berkeley Annex subdivision established in 1888, which itself was part of the Berkeley Farm founded by John Brisben Walker in 1879.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://home.att.net/~mvpd/history.html |title=History of Mountain View |access-date=March 1, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080720031016/http://home.att.net/~mvpd/history.html |archive-date=July 20, 2008 }}
</ref>

The town grew to approximately 500 residents living in 272 houses by 2008, with approximately 20 businesses in operation, but occupying a total of only 12 square blocks "sandwiched between [[Wheat Ridge, Colorado|Wheat Ridge]] and Denver."<ref name=dp20090414/>

By 2009, several businesses had closed down, sales taxes declined, and city workers were paid late on three occasions over two months. The town council added a {{USD|162}} fee to sewer bills in order to maintain basic services. The [[Government of Colorado|Colorado state government]] stepped in to pay for getting the city's financial records in order. The town wrote a letter to its residents saying, "'Our town is in serious trouble and we need your help!' [offering] three options: Get some more businesses into town, unincorporate and be absorbed into Jefferson County or let a neighboring community annex the town."<ref name=dp20090414>
{{cite news |last1=Sherry|first1=Allison |title=A Colorado town in trouble |url=http://www.denverpost.com/ci_12143468 |access-date=March 6, 2015 |work=Denver Post |date=April 14, 2009 }}</ref>{{update after|2015|3|6}}<!-- so what happened after 2009? -->

== Geography ==
Mountain View is located on the eastern edge of Jefferson County and is bordered to the north by [[Lakeside, Colorado|Lakeside]], to the west and south by [[Wheat Ridge, Colorado|Wheat Ridge]], and to the east by [[Denver]].

According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], Mountain View has a total area of {{convert|0.24|sqkm|order=flip|2}}, covering 12 square blocks, all of it land.<ref name="Census 2010">{{Cite web| url=https://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/G001/1600000US0852350| title=Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Census Summary File 1 (G001): Mountain View town, Colorado| publisher=U.S. Census Bureau| work=American Factfinder| access-date=April 25, 2018| archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213103436/https://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/G001/1600000US0852350| archive-date=February 13, 2020| url-status=dead}}</ref>

== Demographics ==
{{US Census population
|align=left
|1910= 390
|1920= 372
|1930= 664
|1940= 711
|1950= 878
|1960= 826
|1970= 706
|1980= 584
|1990= 550
|2000= 569
|2010= 507
|2020= 541
|footnote=[[United States census|U.S. Decennial Census]]
}}
<!--
As of the [[census]]<ref name="GR2">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=January 31, 2008|title=U.S. Census website}}</ref> of 2000, there were 569 people, 272 households, and 130 families residing in the town. The population density was {{convert|6,229.4|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 287 housing units at an average density of {{convert|3,142.1|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|units&nbsp;|units|}}. The racial makeup of the town was 52.4% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 8.6% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 1.5% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.3% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.3% [[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 3.87% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 1.93% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 36.7% of the population.

There were 572 households, out of which 23.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 30.5% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 11.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 52.2% were non-families. 41.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.09 and the average family size was 2.91.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 20.2% under the age of 18, 7.6% from 18 to 24, 34.1% from 25 to 44, 24.1% from 45 to 64, and 14.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 96.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.8 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $41,364, and the median income for a family was $42,250. Males had a median income of $32,917 versus $27,063 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the town was $21,425. About 12.2% of families and 13.0% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 31.8% of those under age 18 and 14.9% of those age 65 or over.-->{{clear|left}}

== Economy ==
As of 2024, Mountain View relies primarily on tax revenue from the three dispensaries within the 12 square blocks of town.<ref name="ngazette.com">[https://ngazette.com/planning-the-towns-2023-budget-is-a-group-effort/]</ref> In 2023 the Colorado Department of Revenue reported that Jefferson County, which includes the Town of Mountain View, did over $5.3 million in retail marijuana sales,<ref>[https://cdor.colorado.gov/data-and-reports/marijuana-data/marijuana-sales-reports Marijuana sales]</ref><ref>[https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1br_cwfHy24d2R2bcXacb2KarOIBKGrbR/edit#gid=1124953479]</ref> and reported $837,027 in the state share of retail marijuana sales tax.<ref>[https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1EhlDIrXjJdmg_ob2eMFeN5xtyvTq2jtr/edit#gid=1167615199 marijuana sales tax]</ref> Mountain View's Mayor, Emilie Mitcham, said the following about the 2023 town budget: "We’re lucky to have healthy sales tax revenue, with roughly half of our sales tax income coming from the three dispensaries in town, and the other half from the remaining businesses. Even after necessary salary increases, as well as substantial increases in health insurance spending (we cover 100 percent of the premiums for employees and their dependents), our financial situation is strong. We spend less than we bring in, each year. Fiscally, we are well protected in the event of any unexpected downturn or calamity."<ref name="ngazette.com"/>

With its land area of only 12 square blocks, Mountain View previously had a tiny retail sales tax base from which to raise revenue<ref name=dp20090414/> and relied primarily on [[traffic ticket]]s to pay its police and municipal employees.<ref name=9News20140522>{{cite news |url=http://www.9news.com/story/news/investigations/2014/05/20/9wtk-tiny-metro-town-addicted-to-tickets/9312621/ |archive-url=https://archive.today/20140520161112/http://www.9news.com/story/news/investigations/2014/05/20/9wtk-tiny-metro-town-addicted-to-tickets/9312621/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=May 20, 2014 |title=2-part investigation: Town 'addicted' to tickets |author=Jeremy Jojola |date=May 22, 2014 |publisher=KUSA 9News |access-date=March 6, 2015 }}</ref>

The town called an emergency meeting on March 2, 2009, to get input on its future. The town sent a letter<ref>[http://home.att.net/~mvpd/urgent_letter_3_2_09.pdf]{{dead link|date=February 2018|bot=InternetArchiveBot|fix-attempted=yes}}</ref> to all residents stating that it faced a growing debt crisis, with a budget shortfall between six and eight thousand dollars a month. The letter stated that its police officers had been paid late three times in the last two months, 40 percent of the town's businesses had closed, and that it had petitioned the Attorney General of Colorado to use [[Drug Enforcement Administration|DEA]] seizure money to pay police department salaries, which was declined in May 2009.

The letter proposed imposing additional fees for police services and even streetlights, noting in its last sentence that being annexed into a neighboring community was one possible outcome of the fiscal crisis.<ref name=dp20090414/>{{update after|2015|3|6}}

==Community events==

In 2022, after Mayor Emilie Mitcham was elected into office, she issued a Mayor's letter stating the following about community events in Mountain View: ''"You may have noticed that we’re having more town events these days. The events are designed to create community and encourage neighbors to get to know each other. But there are other benefits as well. They are really good opportunities to interact with your police officers and your elected officials. They create many low-key, entertaining ways to build relationships, thereby making it easier to stay engaged in the business of your town."'' <ref>[https://ngazette.com/events-help-keep-a-community-engaged/]</ref>

Since then, a variety of community events<ref>[https://www.tomv.org/sites/g/files/vyhlif8376/f/uploads/savethedate2024-color.pdf]</ref> have been hosted in Mountain View: 
- National Night Out
- Annual Town Picnic
- Annual Spring Fling
- Outdoor Movie Night
- Santa Visit and Toy Drive

== Police department history and ticketing ==

The Town of Mountain View and Mountain View Police Department held their [[National Night Out]] on August 1, 2023, at the Town Hall. Neighbors came out to meet with police officers, enjoy hot dogs and play games even in the wet weather. National Night Out is an annual community event that promotes police and community partnerships.<ref>[http://The%20event https://5280fire.com/2023-incidents/national-night-out-2023-mountain-view/]</ref> joins residents, law enforcement agencies, community groups, businesses, and local officials to build lasting relationships and reduce crime.

In 2023, Mountain View's Town Council <ref>[https://ngazette.com/mountain-view-announces-promotion-of-new-police-chief/]</ref> announced the appointment] of Police Chief Michael Nesbitt, effective Aug. 21. He has been with the town since 2018 and prior to being appointed, served as the Town's Interim Chief for four months. Previous to his work in Mountain View, he served in Edgewater, Red Rocks Community College and Northglenn.

In 2014, The Mountain View Police Department was criticized for its overuse of issuing citations for menial traffic violations. Officers have frequently issued tickets for such violations as cracked windshields or objects such as air fresheners hanging from rearview mirrors. In 2013, the department issued more citations than the cities of Denver, [[Aurora, Colorado|Aurora]], and [[Boulder, Colorado|Boulder]], combined. Nearly half of the town's revenue comes from court fees and citations, according to its 2014 budget. A typical "obstructed view" citation alone can run someone $80, which includes a $30 surcharge. It is alleged that the excessive enforcement of these laws is motivated to raise revenues for the police department, a force with only nine full-time or part-time officers.<ref name=9News20140522 />

In 2014, the Mountain View Police Department was mentioned in a "Best of the Worst" piece on [[Reason TV]], pointing out that Mountain View police fund their own jobs in part by over-ticketing out-of-town motorists for obstructed view citations.<ref name=rtv20141215>
{{cite AV media |last=Balaker|first=Ted |date=December 15, 2014 |title=The Best of the Worst of 2014: Don't Cops Have Better Things to Do? |medium=video |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NHZgrkjErg4 | archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/NHZgrkjErg4| archive-date=December 11, 2021 | url-status=live|access-date=December 16, 2014 |time=0:48 |publisher=Reason TV }}{{cbignore}}</ref>

Mountain View PD was again featured in a 2015 interview with [[9news.com|9NEWS KUSA]] reporter Jeremy Jojola following an [[investigative journalism|investigation]] by 9NEWS of all 270 Colorado municipalities with respect to budgets and police ticketing of motorists. In 2014, Mountain View brought in 53 percent of total town revenue from police tickets. Mountain View issues tickets for the [[primary enforcement]] of a [[Seat belt legislation in the United States|seat-belt violation]]s in addition to the "obstructed view" violations previously mentioned.<ref name=9news2015>
{{cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TkZoJvlLwjw | archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/TkZoJvlLwjw| archive-date=December 11, 2021 | url-status=live|title=9News Jeremy Jojola on Denver Metro Speed Traps |at=4:55–7:30 |date=June 8, 2015 |work=9News }}{{cbignore}}</ref>

== See also ==
{{portal|Colorado}}
*[[Denver-Aurora-Broomfield, CO Metropolitan Statistical Area]]

==  References ==
{{Reflist|2}}

== External links ==
*[https://www.tomv.org/ Town of Mountain View official website]
*[https://dtdapps.coloradodot.info/staticdata/Downloads/CityMaps/MOUNTAIN%20VIEW.pdf CDOT map of Mountain View]

{{Jefferson County, Colorado}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Towns in Jefferson County, Colorado]]
[[Category:Towns in Colorado]]
[[Category:Denver metropolitan area]]