Editing Thornton, Colorado

{{short description|City in Colorado, United States}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2024}}
{{Infobox settlement
<!-- Basic info  ---------------->| name               = Thornton, Colorado
| settlement_type    = [[List of municipalities in Colorado#Home rule municipality|Home rule municipality]]<ref name=COMun>{{cite web |url=https://dola.colorado.gov/lgis/municipalities.jsf|title=Active Colorado Municipalities|publisher=[[Colorado|State of Colorado]], [[Colorado Department of Local Affairs]], Division of Local Government|access-date=January 28, 2021}}</ref>
| motto              = <!-- images and maps  ----------->
| image_skyline      = Thornton, CO, welcome sign IMG_5209.JPG
| imagesize          = 
| image_caption      = Thornton welcome sign on [[Interstate 25 in Colorado|Interstate 25]]
| image_flag         = Flag of Thornton, Colorado.svg
| flag_size          = 
| image_seal         = 
| seal_size          = 
| image_shield       = 
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| image_blank_emblem = 
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| image_map          = Adams County and Weld County Colorado Incorporated and Unincorporated areas Thornton Highlighted 0877290.svg
| map_caption        = Location of the City of Thornton in [[Adams County, Colorado|Adams]] and [[Weld County, Colorado|Weld]] [[List of counties in Colorado|counties]], [[Colorado]]
| pushpin_map        = USA Colorado#USA
| pushpin_relief     = yes
| pushpin_label      = Thornton
| pushpin_label_position = 
| pushpin_map_caption = Location of Thornton in the {{nowrap|[[United States]]}}
<!-- Location ------------------>| subdivision_type   = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
| subdivision_name   = {{flag|United States}}
| subdivision_type1  = [[U.S. state|State]]
| subdivision_name1  = {{flag|Colorado}}
| subdivision_type2  = [[List of counties in Colorado|Counties]]<ref name=COcounty>{{cite web |url=https://dola.colorado.gov/lgis/counties.jsf|title=Colorado Counties|publisher=[[Colorado|State of Colorado]], [[Colorado Department of Local Affairs]], Division of Local Government|access-date=January 28, 2021}}</ref>
| subdivision_name2  = [[Adams County, Colorado|Adams County]]<br />[[Weld County, Colorado|Weld County]]
| subdivision_type3  = [[List of municipalities in Colorado|City]]<ref name=COMun/>
| subdivision_name3  = Thornton
<!-- Politics ----------------->| government_footnotes = 
| government_type    = [[Colorado municipalities#Home rule municipality|Home rule municipality]]<ref name=COMun/>
| leader_title       = Mayor
| leader_name        = Janifer "Jan" Kulmann (Since 2019)
| leader_title2      = City Manager
| leader_name2       = Tansy Hayward (Since 2024)
| leader_title3      = 
| leader_name3       = 
| leader_title4      = 
| leader_name4       = 
| established_title  = 
| established_date   = 
| established_title2 = 
| established_date2  = 
| established_title3 = [[Municipal corporation|Incorporated]]
| established_date3  = June 12, 1956<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>
| named_for          = [[Daniel I.J. Thornton]]
<!-- Area --------------------->| unit_pref          = US
| total_type         = Total
| area_footnotes     = <ref name=2020_Census>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census/about/rdo/summary-files.html|title=Decennial Census P.L. 94-171 Redistricting Data|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]], [[United States Department of Commerce]]|date=August 12, 2021|access-date=September 4, 2021}}</ref>
| area_total_km2     = 98.282
| area_land_km2      = 93.043
| area_water_km2     = 5.239
<!-- Population ----------------------->| population_as_of   = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
| population_footnotes = <ref name=2020_Census/>
| population_total   = 141,867
| population_rank    = [[List of municipalities in Colorado|6th]] in Colorado<br />[[List of United States cities by population|191st]] in the United States
| population_density_sq_mi = 3,949
| population_metro   = 2,963,821 ([[List of metropolitan statistical areas|19th]])
| population_blank1_title = [[Denver-Aurora, CO Combined Statistical Area|CSA]]
| population_blank1  = 3,623,560 ([[List of primary statistical areas|17th]])
| population_blank2_title = [[Front Range Urban Corridor|Front Range]]
| population_blank2  = 5,055,344
<!-- General information ----------------------->| timezone1          = [[Mountain Time Zone|MST]]
| utc_offset1        = −07:00
| timezone1_DST      = [[Mountain Time Zone|MDT]]
| utc_offset1_DST    = −06:00
| coordinates        = {{coord|39|54|11|N|104|57|16|W|region:US-CO_type:city|display=inline,title}}
| elevation_footnotes = <ref name="GR3">{{cite web|url=http://geonames.usgs.gov|access-date=January 31, 2008|title=US Board on Geographic Names|publisher=[[United States Geological Survey]]|date=October 25, 2007}}</ref>
| elevation_m        = 1631
| elevation_ft       = 5351
<!-- Area/postal codes & others -------->| postal_code_type   = [[ZIP code]]s<ref name=ZIPcode>{{cite web|url = http://zip4.usps.com/zip4/citytown.jsp | title = ZIP Code Lookup| format = [[JavaScript]]/[[HTML]] | publisher = [[United States Postal Service]] | access-date=January 6, 2008}}</ref>
| postal_code        = Denver 80221, 80229, 80233, 80241, 80260<br />Brighton 80602
| area_code          = Both [[Area code 303|303]] and [[Area code 720|720]]
| blank_name         = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
| blank_info         = 08-77290
| blank1_name        = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
| blank1_info        = [http://geonames.usgs.gov/pls/gnispublic/f?p=gnispq:3:::NO::P3_FID:0181265 0181265]
| blank2_name        = [[state highways in Colorado|Highways]]
| blank2_info        = [[File:I-25 (CO).svg|26px|link=Interstate 25 in Colorado]] [[File:I-76 (CO).svg|26px|link=Interstate 76 in Colorado]] [[File:US_87.svg|26px|link=Interstate 25 in Colorado]] [[File:Colorado_7.svg|26px|link=Colorado State Highway 7]] [[File:Colorado_44.svg|26px|link=Colorado State Highway 44]] [[File:Colorado_224.svg|26px|link=Colorado State Highway 224]]
[[File:E-470.svg|26px|link=E-470]]
| website            = [http://www.cityofthornton.net/ City of Thornton]
| footnotes          = {{center|'''Sixth most populous Colorado city'''}}
}}

'''Thornton''' is a [[List of municipalities in Colorado#Home rule municipality|home rule municipality]] located in [[Adams County, Colorado|Adams]] and [[Weld County, Colorado|Weld]] counties, [[Colorado]], United States.<ref name=COMun/> The city population was 141,867, all in Adams County, at the [[2020 United States census]], an increase of 19.44% since the [[2010 United States census]].<ref name=2020_Census/> Thornton is the [[Colorado municipalities by population|sixth-most-populous city]] in Colorado and the [[List of United States cities by population|191st-most-populous city]] in the United States. Thornton is {{convert|10|mi|km}} north of the [[Colorado State Capitol]] in [[Denver]] and is a part of the [[Denver–Aurora–Lakewood, CO Metropolitan Statistical Area]].

==History==
Thornton consisted solely of farmland until 1953, when Sam Hoffman purchased a lot off Washington Street about {{convert|7|mi|km|spell=in}} north of Denver. The town he laid out was the first fully planned community in Adams County, and the first to offer full [[municipal services]] from a single [[tax]] levy, including recreation services and free trash pickup. Thornton was named in honor of [[List of governors of Colorado|then-incumbent Colorado Governor]] [[Dan Thornton]].<ref>[https://www.thorntonco.gov/about/Pages/thornton_history.aspx "Thornton History"], City of Thornton website</ref>

The Thornton Community Association (TCA) was formed in 1954 to help guide the new community's development. By the end of 1955, Thornton had 5,500 residents in over 1,200 homes. The TCA was instrumental in Thornton's 1956 [[municipal incorporation|incorporation]] as a city. Oyer G. Leary was elected the first mayor.<ref>{{cite book | title = Adams County: Crossroads of the West | last = Wagner | first = Alvin | volume = II | publisher = Board of Adams County Commissioners | location = Brighton, Colorado | chapter = Thornton Was First Planned Community | year = 1977 | isbn = 0-930952-01-4 }}</ref>

==Geography==
Thornton is located at {{Coord|39|54|11|N|104|57|16|W|type:city}} (39.903043, -104.954406).<ref name="GR1">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/geographies/reference-files/time-series/geo/gazetteer-files.html|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=April 23, 2011|date=February 12, 2011|title=US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990}}</ref>

At the [[2020 United States census]], the town had a total area of {{convert|98.282|km2|acre|order=flip}} including {{convert|5.239|km2|acre|order=flip}} of water.<ref name=2020_Census/>

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
| align = left
| 1960 = 11353
| 1970 = 13326
| 1980 = 42054
| 1990 = 55031
| 2000 = 82384
| 2010 = 118772
| 2020 = 141867
| estyear = 2023
| estimate = 144922
| estref = <ref name="USCensusEst2023">{{Cite web |title=Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023 |url=https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time-series/demo/popest/2020s-counties-total.html |access-date=March 24, 2024 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}}</ref>
| footnote = [[United States census|U.S. Decennial Census]]
}}

===2020 census===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
|+'''Thornton, Colorado – Racial and ethnic composition'''<br><small>{{nobold|''Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.''}}</small>
!Race / Ethnicity <small>(''NH = Non-Hispanic'')</small>
!Pop 2000<ref name=2000CensusP004>{{Cite web|title=P004 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Thornton city, Colorado|url=https://data.census.gov/table/DECENNIALSF12000.P004?g=160XX00US0877290|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref>
!Pop 2010<ref name=2010CensusP2>{{Cite web|title=P2 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Thornton city, Colorado|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=p2&g=160XX00US0877290&tid=DECENNIALPL2010.P2|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref>
!{{partial|Pop 2020}}<ref name=2020CensusP2>{{Cite web|title=P2 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Thornton city, Colorado|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=p2&g=160XX00US0877290&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref>
!% 2000
!% 2010
!{{partial|% 2020}}
|-
|[[Non-Hispanic or Latino whites|White]] alone (NH)
|59,635
|71,147
|style='background: #ffffe6; |72,316
|72.39%
|59.90%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |50.97%
|-
|[[Non-Hispanic or Latino African Americans|Black or African American]] alone (NH)
|1,106
|1,903
|style='background: #ffffe6; |2,660
|1.34%
|1.60%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |1.87%
|-
|[[Native Americans in the United States|Native American]] or [[Alaska Native]] alone (NH)
|560
|566
|style='background: #ffffe6; |748
|0.68%
|0.48%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |0.53%
|-
|[[Asian Americans|Asian]] alone (NH)
|2,013
|5,058
|style='background: #ffffe6; |8,250
|2.44%
|4.26%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |5.82%
|-
|[[Pacific Islander Americans|Pacific Islander]] alone (NH)
|64
|97
|style='background: #ffffe6; |130
|0.08%
|0.08%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |0.09%
|-
|[[Race and ethnicity in the United States census|Some Other Race]] alone (NH)
|78
|184
|style='background: #ffffe6; |658
|0.09%
|0.15%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |0.46%
|-
|[[Multiracial Americans|Mixed Race or Multi-Racial]] (NH)
|1,345
|2,215
|style='background: #ffffe6; |5,713
|1.63%
|1.86%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |4.03%
|-
|[[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic or Latino]] (any race)
|17,583
|37,602
|style='background: #ffffe6; |51,392
|21.34%
|31.66%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |36.23%
|-
|'''Total'''
|'''82,384'''
|'''118,772'''
|style='background: #ffffe6; |'''141,867'''
|'''100.00%'''
|'''100.00%'''
|style='background: #ffffe6; |'''100.00%'''
|}

As of the [[2010 United States census|2010 census]], there were 118,772 people, 41,359 households, and 30,254 families living in the city. The population density was {{convert|3,409.1|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 43,230 housing units at an average density of {{convert|1,240.8|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of the city was 77.4% [[White American|White]], 4.4% [[Asian American|Asian]], 1.8% [[African American]], 1.1% [[Native Americans in the United States|American Indian]], 0.1% [[Pacific Islander]], 11.4% from other races, and 3.8% from two or more races. [[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanics and Latinos]] of any race were 31.7% of the population.<ref name="GR2">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=March 19, 2015|title=U.S. Census website}}</ref>

There were 41,359 households, out of which 43.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.7% were married couples living together, 6.2% had a male householder with no wife present, 12.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.9% were non-families. 20.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 4.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.86, and the average family size was 3.32.<ref name="GR2"/>

The distribution of the population by age was 29.5% under the age of 18, 9.1% from 18 to 24, 32.6% from 25 to 44, 22.3% from 45 to 64, and 6.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32.0 years. The gender makeup of the city was 49.5% male and 50.5% female.<ref name="GR2"/>

The median income for a household in the city was $65,578, and the median income for a family was $74,233. Males had a median income of $49,154 versus $39,596 for females. The city's [[per capita income]] was $26,100. About 7.8% of families and 9.9% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 14.1% of those under age 18 and 7.4% of those age 65 or over.<ref name="GR2"/>
{{clear|left}}

==Recreation==
Thornton has 81 city parks and nearly {{convert|2000|acre|km2}} of parks and open space.<ref>[http://www.cityofthornton.net/Departments/CommunityServices/Parks/Documents/TrailMapUsersBrochure.pdf Thornton city parks and recreation facilities] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100706022026/http://www.cityofthornton.net/Departments/CommunityServices/Parks/Documents/TrailMapUsersBrochure.pdf |date=July 6, 2010 }}</ref> There are over {{convert|80|mi|km}} of trails throughout the city. Recreational facilities include the Margaret Carpenter Recreation Center<ref>[http://www.cityofthornton.net/Departments/CommunityServices/Recreation/Pages/default.aspx Margaret Carpenter Recreation Center] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100223072925/http://www.cityofthornton.net/DEPARTMENTS/COMMUNITYSERVICES/RECREATION/Pages/default.aspx |date=February 23, 2010 }}</ref> and the Thornton Community Center.<ref>[http://www.cityofthornton.net/Departments/CommunityServices/Recreation/General/Pages/CommunityCenterInfo.aspx Thornton Community Center]</ref> [[Golf course]]s include the Thorncreek Golf Course<ref>[http://www.thorncreekgc.com Thorncreek Golf Course]</ref> and Todd Creek Golf.<ref>[http://toddcreekgolfclub.com/ Todd Creek Golf]</ref>

==Transportation==
===Highways===
Six [[highways]] run through the city of Thornton:
* [[File:I-25 (CO).svg|25px]] '''[[Interstate 25 (Colorado)|Interstate 25]]''' passes through Thornton twice. First it enters from [[Sherrelwood, Colorado|Sherrelwood]] and [[Welby, Colorado|Welby]] to the south, then passing through [[Northglenn, Colorado|Northglenn]], before reentering Thornton. It then exits the city north into [[Broomfield, Colorado|Broomfield]].
* [[File:I-76 (CO).svg|25px]] '''[[Interstate 76 (Colorado)|Interstate 76]]''' briefly passes through the southeastern edge of Thornton.
* [[File:Colorado 7.svg|25px]] '''[[Colorado State Highway 7|State Highway 7 (East 160th Avenue)]]''' runs along much of northern Thornton. It enters the city from [[Todd Creek, Colorado|Todd Creek]] to the east and exits to [[Broomfield, Colorado|Broomfield]] to the west.
* [[File:Colorado 44.svg|25px]] '''[[Colorado State Highway 44|State Highway 44 (East 104th Avenue)]]''' begins in Thornton and then heads east into [[Commerce City, Colorado|Commerce City]].
* [[File:Colorado 224.svg|25px]] '''[[Colorado State Highway 224|State Highway 224 (East 74th Avenue)]]''' runs along Thornton's southern border for less than {{convert|1,000|ft|m}}.
* [[File:E-470.svg|25px]] '''[[E-470]]''' runs through northern Thornton in between [[Todd Creek, Colorado|Todd Creek]] to the east and [[Broomfield, Colorado|Broomfield]] to the west.

===Mass transit===
The [[Regional Transportation District]] provides [[bus]] and [[commuter rail]] service to Thornton. Commuter rail service to the city began on September 21, 2020, on the [[N Line (RTD)|N Line]]. There are three commuter rail stations within the city, [[Original Thornton/88th station]], [[Thornton Crossroads/104th station]], and [[Eastlake/124th station]], which currently serves as the northern terminus of the N Line.

==Education==
Thornton is served primarily by four school districts: [http://www.adams12.org Adams County School District 12], Adams County School District 14 [http://www.mapleton.us Mapleton Public Schools], and [[Brighton School District 27J]]. These include: Eight high schools ([[Thornton High School (Colorado)|Thornton High School]] and [[Horizon High School (Thornton, Colorado)|Horizon High School]] {Both Adams 12}, [[Riverdale Ridge High School]] {Brighton 27J}, and five of Mapleton's small-by-design high schools), eleven middle schools (Five in Adams 12, one in Brighton 27J, five in Mapleton) and twenty elementary schools (Twelve in Adams 12, two in Brighton 27J, and six in Mapleton).

There are also several charter schools in or near Thornton, including [[Stargate School]], Colorado Virtual Academy, New America School, and Westgate Community Charter School.

Lord of Life Lutheran School is a Christian Pre-K–8 school of the [[Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod]] in Thornton.<ref>{{cite web |title=Lord of Life Lutheran School |url=https://school.lordoflife.net/ |access-date=February 27, 2020}}</ref>

Thornton has several libraries and is served by the Rangeview Library District, also known as Anythink Libraries.<ref>[http://www.anythinklibraries.org/ Rangeview Library District]</ref>

==Retail==
Thornton has several shopping areas, such as Larkridge Mall, Thornton Town Center, and Thorncreek Crossing Shopping Center. Larkridge is home to national anchor tenants, big box retailers and restaurants, and has a pedestrian village.  [[DaveCo Liquor Store]] is the largest liquor store in the world.<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/largest-off-licence-(liquor-store)/| title = Largest off licence (liquor store) {{!}} Guinness World Records}}</ref>

==Notable people==
Notable individuals who were born in or have lived in Thornton include:
* [[Tesho Akindele]] (born 1992), soccer forward<ref>{{cite news | last = Groke | first = Nick | title = Tesho Akindele of Colorado Mines takes unusual route to MLS | newspaper = The Denver Post | date = January 28, 2014 | url = http://www.denverpost.com/rapids/ci_25006385/tesho-akindele-colorado-mines-takes-unusual-route-mls | access-date = April 27, 2016}}</ref>
* [[Josh Bredl]] (born 1991), pro wrestler<ref>{{cite web | title = Josh Bredl | publisher = WWE Tough Enough | url = https://www.wwetoughenough.com/competitors/Josh | access-date = April 27, 2016}}</ref>
* [[Edward Casso]] (born 1974), Colorado state legislator<ref>{{cite web | title = Edward Casso's Biography | publisher = Vote Smart | url = http://votesmart.org/candidate/biography/66685/edward-casso#.VyEVmPkrKXI | access-date = April 27, 2016}}</ref>
* [[John Denney]] (born 1978), football long snapper<ref>{{cite web | title = John Denney | publisher = Miami Dolphins | url = http://www.miamidolphins.com/team/roster/John-Denney/578673c8-1c68-46d9-a054-80b0900a82f6 | access-date = April 27, 2016}}</ref>
* [[Dalton Knecht]] (born 2001), forward for the [[Los Angeles Lakers]]
* [[Mike Manning (actor)|Mike Manning]] (born 1987), actor<ref>{{cite news | last = Samuelson | first = Ruth | title = Meet Real World DC Cast Member Mike | newspaper = Washington City Paper | date = November 2, 2009 | url = http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/housingcomplex/2009/11/02/meet-real-world-dc-cast-member-mike/ | access-date = April 27, 2016}}</ref>
* [[Nikki Marshall]] (born 1988), soccer forward, defender<ref>{{cite web | title = Nikki Marshall | publisher = University of Colorado Athletics | url = http://www.cubuffs.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=600&ATCLID=536847 | access-date = April 27, 2016}}</ref>
* [[Beth Martinez Humenik]], Colorado state legislator<ref>{{cite web | title = Beth Martinez Humenik's Biography | publisher = Vote Smart | url = http://votesmart.org/candidate/biography/105654/beth-martinez-humenik#.VyEb4vkrKXI | access-date = April 27, 2016}}</ref>
* [[Mike McCoy (cornerback)|Mike McCoy]] (1953–2016), football cornerback<ref>{{cite web | title = Former Packers defensive back Mike C. McCoy dies at age 62 | publisher = ESPN | date = February 22, 2016 | url = https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/14827129/former-packers-db-mike-c-mccoy-dies-age-62 | access-date = April 27, 2016}}</ref>
* [[Adrian Mora]] (born 1978), welterweight boxer<ref>{{cite web | title = Adrian Mora | publisher = BoxRec | url = http://boxrec.com/boxer/80464 | access-date = April 27, 2016}}</ref>
* [[Joseph Salazar]], Colorado state legislator<ref>{{cite web | title = Joseph Salazar's Biography | publisher = Vote Smart | url = http://votesmart.org/candidate/biography/138752/joseph-salazar#.VyEaqPkrKXI | access-date = April 27, 2016}}</ref>
* [[Kyle Sleeth]] (born 1981), baseball starting pitcher<ref>{{cite web | title = Kyle Sleeth | website = Baseball-Reference.com | url = https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.cgi?id=sleeth001kyl | access-date = April 27, 2016}}</ref>
* [[Neal Ulevich]] (born 1946), photojournalist<ref>{{cite web | title = Member Profile: Neal Ulevich | publisher = Blurb | url = http://www.blurb.com/user/nulevich | access-date = April 27, 2016}}</ref>

==See also==
{{portal|Geography|History|North America|United States|Colorado}}
*[[Colorado]]
**[[Bibliography of Colorado]]
**[[Index of Colorado-related articles]]
**[[Outline of Colorado]]
*[[List of places in Colorado]]
**[[List of counties in Colorado]]
**[[List of municipalities in Colorado]]
*[[List of statistical areas in Colorado]]
**[[Front Range Urban Corridor]]
**[[North Central Colorado Urban Area]]
**[[Denver-Aurora, CO Combined Statistical Area]]
**[[Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO Metropolitan Statistical Area]]
{{clear}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{sister project links|auto=1}}
*[http://www.cityofthornton.net/ City of Thornton website]
*[http://dtdapps.coloradodot.info/staticdata/Downloads/CityMaps/THORNTON.pdf CDOT map of the City of Thornton]

{{Geographic Location
|state=expanded
|title = '''Surrounding communities'''
|Centre    = Thornton
|North     = 
|Northeast = [[Todd Creek, Colorado|Todd Creek]]
|East      = [[Commerce City, Colorado|Commerce City]]
|Southeast = [[Derby, Colorado|Derby]]
|South     = [[Welby, Colorado|Welby]], [[Sherrelwood, Colorado|Sherrelwood]]
|Southwest = [[Federal Heights, Colorado|Federal Heights]]
|West      = [[Westminster, Colorado|Westminster]], [[Northglenn, Colorado|Northglenn]]
|Northwest = [[Broomfield, Colorado|Broomfield]]
}}
{{Adams County, Colorado}}
{{Weld County, Colorado}}
{{Colorado|show}}
{{authority control}}

[[Category:Thornton, Colorado| ]]
[[Category:Cities in Adams County, Colorado]]
[[Category:Cities in Weld County, Colorado]]
[[Category:Cities in Colorado]]
[[Category:Denver metropolitan area]]