Loveland’s rich history begins with the first settler, Mariano Medina, in 1858. Medina picked a location on the Big Thompson Ricer near Namaqua just West of where the city sits today. In 1877, the Colorado Central Railroad established a line from Denver to Cheyenne. A local farmer, David Barnes, learned of the railroad plans, purchased land along the line and began to plan the beginnings of a town that would eventually become the city of Loveland. Barnes named the town after his good friend and President of the Colorado Central Railroad, William A.H. Loveland.
Loveland’s roots are in agriculture, mainly sugar beets and sour cherries, with the railroad acting as the farmer’s lifeline. In addition, the railroad provided for cattle ranchers and lumber companies to do business from the Loveland locale. The Great Western Sugar Company opened its doors in 1901 and employed many in and around Loveland until its closure in 1985. The Spring Glade and other cherry orchards produced millions of dollars in cherries until miserable weather conditions began to wither the industry.
Towards the end of the 20th Century, Hewett-Packard, Teledyne, Hach and other manufacturing facilities moved in and became the primary employers of the region. The recent arrival of Centerra has created many new jobs. The city of Loveland has been growing steadily since its inception and continues to grow each year.
The original Loveland school, Loveland High School first opened its doors in 1964. Loveland High has successfully implemented contextualized courses that integrate real world scenarios into classroom learning. Loveland High offers international Baccalaureate as well as Advanced Placement programs. In addition to a broad core curriculum, Loveland High offers extra- and co-curricular activities to enrich the lives of its students. These activities include arts, music , physical education, Student Council as well as many clubs.
http://lhs.thompson.k12.co.us/
Loveland’s Ferguson High School is an alternative high school that addresses the needs of students who seek methods of learning not used at traditional high schools. The school is small and thrives on the relationships built between teens, their peers and their teachers. The school provides a Teen Parent program that provides enrolled teen parents childcare for their children in order for them to attend classes and earn a high school diploma. Ferguson High School offers rolling enrollment and graduates students four times per year. The school focuses on the individual and supports each student to reach his or her potential.
It’s all about the community at Mountain View High School in Loveland. Relationships between students and teachers and the community at large are important to this ultra-modern high school. Incoming freshman are started out in a smaller learning community to ease the transition to high school. Mountain View offers a broad curriculum, including traditional core classes as well as foreign language, industrial technology, performing and visual arts and business.
http://mvhs.thompson.k12.co.us/
Loveland’s Thompson Valley High School offers a rigorous curriculum as an Advanced Placement focus school. Students are supported to develop skills to achieve personal goals and to contribute to society. Extracurricular activities include forensics, student government, mentorships and internships, clubs, sports, music, and student exchange programs.
Success for every student is the goal at Loveland’s Bill Reed Middle School. Along with a supportive atmosphere, Bill Reed’s students enjoy a multitude of educational options and extracurricular activities. Facilities include a state-of-the-art media center, two gyms and a photography darkroom.
Conrad Middle School in Loveland focuses on educating the whole child. Along with high academic standards, the school supports students socially and emotionally by providing a caring climate where every student belongs. Enrichment activities include forensics, photography, clubs, student government, music, athletics and more.
At Lucile Erwin Middle School in Loveland, the unique needs of early adolescents are met by addressing academic, social, physical and emotional needs of students. Lucile Erwin achieves this by providing a safe environment where students feel accepted, challenged, and supported. Extracurricular programs available to students include Builder’s Club, Odyssey of the Mind, yearbook, drama, sports and music.
A small Loveland middle school, Walt Clark Middle School creates lasting relationships between students and teachers. Students are challenged to achieve personal academic potential and are encouraged to grow socially and emotionally. Homework completion is expected and supported by a program that requires students to attend an after-school study session when homework is absent. Walt Clark Middle School also offers a variety of activities including many clubs and athletics as well as student government, lego robotics and greenhouse.
At Loveland’s B.F. Kitchen Elementary, the health and wellness of each child is a priority. High academic expectations coupled with positive choice support, balanced nutrition and rigorous physical activity allow students to thrive in all areas.
Nature and science are the focus at Big Thompson Elementary School in Loveland. Along with a high standard academic curriculum, the outdoor education center and integrated science activities allow students to explore the natural world around them, including neighboring Devil’s Backbone and wildlife in the Rocky Mountain foothills.
With a whole child focus, Carrie Martin Elementary School in Loveland provides a positive and supportive learning environment to encourage academic, social and emotional growth. Special programs include a Gifted and Talented program, literacy intervention, special education, and character education.
Promoting a love for learning is key at Loveland’s Centennial Elementary School. By fostering a joyful and respectful learning environment, Centennial Elementary supports students in reaching personal and academic goals. Parents are an essential component to Centennial and are encouraged to participate in the school’s learning community.
Loveland’s Cottonwood Elementary offers a strong curriculum as well as a broad enrichment program including art, PE and music. Student achievements as well as positive choices are celebrated and recognized as part of a positive reinforcement model.
By fostering an enthusiastic and friendly environment, Garfield Elementary School in Loveland supports students’ social and emotional needs while holding high academic expectations. Along with a strong traditional curriculum, Garfield offers a well-rounded art and music program as well as many clubs and after school activities.
Students at Laurene Edmondson Elementary School in Loveland enjoy a warm and supportive learning environment. Science and technology are largely integrated into the daily activities of students. The school offers a unique variety of enrichment courses including yoga, tai kwon do, art and more.
Loveland’s Lincoln Elementary School ignites a passion for learning through a model that encourages critical thinking in the classroom. High academic expectations are coupled with positive behavior support to encourage students to excel academically and socially.
Depth of understanding is a priority at Mary Blair Elementary in Loveland. By basing instruction on critical thinking and comprehension, students learn to use and analyze information in a more meaningful way.
Monroe Elementary School in Loveland provides a positive school climate with a focus on academics. Community involvement is encouraged through family activities as well as many parent support programs.
Inspiring students to achieve individual goals, Namaqua Elementary in Loveland promotes lifelong learning and academic excellence in every child. Students are supported with a high standard academic model as well as a broad enrichment program that includes art, music, and physical education.
Academic and character achievements are celebrated at Sarah Milner Elementary in Loveland. To focus on literacy, all teachers and staff are trained in a comprehensive early literacy learning program to better support students in reading, writing and speaking. All students participate in weekly art, music and PE programs.
Loveland’s Stansberry Elementary School provides support to the whole child by focusing not only on academics, but social and emotional needs as well. Thinking strategies are integrated in all instruction to develop critical thinking skills. With a small school setting, students develop meaningful relationships with fellow students as well as teachers.
At Truscott Elementary in Loveland, a core knowledge curriculum is used to build a strong academic foundation. Diversity and community are celebrated and partnerships in the community allow students to access a variety of local resources and activities such as scouts and the Healthy Kids Club.
At Loveland’s Van Buren Elementary School, high expectations support and challenge students in academic achievement. Students enjoy a variety of enrichment activities including drama, art, PE, music and more!
With its foundations in a strong sense of community, Winona Elementary in Loveland offers students a supportive learning environment devoted to academic success. Winona Elementary maintains a strong core curriculum and also provides a variety of learning opportunities including a Gifted and Talented program, special education and English Language Acquisition.
Featuring 132 works of original sculpture in a single location, Benson Sculpture Garden in Loveland is a Loveland favorite. The Benson Sculpture Garden hosts the annual Sculpture in the Park Show in its beautiful garden setting.
Loveland is home to 27 public parks as well as three public golf courses. Parks feature tennis, horseshoe and racquetball courts, athletic fields, picnic and bbq areas and playgrounds with incredible views of the Rocky Mountains.
Visitors to Loveland’s Boyd Lake State Park will enjoy recreational fun from swimming, boating and water skiing to camping, hunting and fishing. The lake include a six-lane boat ramp as well as a smaller ramp to launch small craft like jet skis. Pets are allowed.
Located in the serene foothills of southwest Loveland, Carter Lake provides a variety of outdoor experiences. Windsurfing, swimming, boating, sailing and water skiing are available as well as miles of hiking and horseback riding trails around the reservoir.
A geological landmark made of stunning rock formations, the Devil’s Backbone in West Loveland is a popular location for hiking and running. The Devil’s Backbone is protected as open space and wildlife preserve.
Loveland’s Flatiron and Pinewood Reservoirs are stocked with a variety of fish and are open to the public. Boating is not allowed on the Flatiron Reservoir but wakeless boating is allowed on Pinewood Reservoir.
The Chapungu Sculpture Park at Centerra boasts more than 80 sculptures rendered from Zimbabwean rock. The sculptures can be viewed along a wandering trail in a serene park setting in Loveland.
Every year, on the second weekend in August, Loveland hosts an Art Show Weekend that is comprised of three separate events. The first, Sculpture in the Park, set in Loveland’s Benson Sculpture Garden, presents works from over 200 international sculptors. The second event, Loveland Sculpture Invitational, is one of the largest sculpture shows and sales in the nation. Works from more than 250 sculptors can be viewed and purchased. The event is held at Loveland High school. Held at North Lake Park, the third event, Art in the Park, is an arts and crafts festival featuring local and national artists and artisans.
Known as the Gateway to the Rockies, Loveland’s Big Thompson Canyon’s winding, sheer gorge is a sight to see. Carved out by the Big Thompson River, the Canyon is a scenic drive with incredible views as it winds towards Estes Park and Rocky Mountain National Park. Wildlife are abundant – deer, elk and even big horn sheep can be spotted in this picturesque canyon.
Loveland’s Historic Downtown is home to hundreds of local businesses. Unique retail shops, a diversity of restaurants and even art galleries and a museum come together on Loveland’s historic downtown. The business community hosts community events including art gatherings, an ice cream social and night on the town.
The Larimer County Fair and Rodeo is hosted at the Ranch in Loveland every July. This five-day event is the largest fair in Northern Colorado and features a rodeo that attracts many great cowboys. The fair’s large carnival boasts rides and games for all ages. 4H and other agriculturally-oriented exhibits are on site with a variety of farm animals on display.
Loveland’s Budweiser Events Center, located at the Ranch, is home to the Central Hockey League Colorado Eagles and the United Indoor Football League’s Colorado ICE. The venue also hosts many sports events, musical tours and trade shows.
Community Official Sites: | loveland.co.us |
Chamber of Commerce: | loveland.org |
Local Newspaper: | www.reporterherald.com |
Public Schools: | thompson.k12.co.us/ |
Offered at $3,690,000
3 Beds | 4 Baths | 1 Full Baths
MLS#: 847105
Listing courtesy of Group Mulberry
Offered at $2,750,000
5 Beds | 7 Baths | 1 Full Baths
MLS#: 824776
Listing courtesy of Liv Sotheby's Intl Realty
Offered at $7,200,000
5 Beds | 7 Baths | 5 Full Baths
MLS#: 818958
Listing courtesy of Re/Max Alliance-Loveland
Offered at $4,200,000
2 Beds | 1 Baths | 1 Full Baths
MLS#: 826002
Listing courtesy of Re/Max Alliance-Ftc South