Recreation- Prior to the 1850s, the area that was to become Westminster, Colorado was inhabited by small herds of buffalo nd antelope and was dotted with small marshy ponds. There is strong evidence that the Arapaho Indians maintained a semi-permanent encampment in the vicinity of Gregory Hill.

The discovery of gold on Little Dry Creek in 1858 encouraged pioneers to settle in Colorado rather than continue on to the promise of riches in California. The Homestead Act of 1862 also brought many people form the east to settle in the Colorado Territory.

Jim Baker, for whom Baker Elementary School, Jim Baker Reservoir, and the Baker area is named, has been called the ‘Forgotten Mountain Man.’ He served the Government as a Scout, Guide and Interpreter. He knew several Indian dialects and was Chief of the Shoshoni for a time. He married Marina in 1846, settled on land near 52nd and Tennyson in 1859, and homesteaded in 1863. He operated a toll ferry and store across Clear Creek, where the old Cherokee Trail crossed the stream, which became known as Baker’s Crossing. Jim Baker left the area in 1871 to live in Snake River, Wyoming.

Recreation- Westminster offers a city hall where you can climb the 181 stairs to the top of the bell tower for a fabulous view of the entire metro area and the Rocky Mountains. While at the City Hall, you can also tour the sculpture garden and the other gardens located around the building.

There is so much more to do in Westminster, such as catching a movie at one of the many movie theaters around town, recreation centers, golf courses, parks, open space trails, ice skating and roller skating, soccer, miniature golf, swimming, and hundreds of restaurants and retail stores.