Known as the tri-towns, the rural southwest Weld County communities of Dacono, Frederick, and Firestone attract young families and professionals looking for affordable living and a short commute to the Boulder or Denver areas. The small-town feel, breathtaking views of the Rocky Mountains, sprawling open spaces, and affordable home prices lure people to the area, creating rapid population growth and new housing developments. Located in Carbon Valley – now the heart of Northern Colorado’s dynamic growth – they are three of the 10 fastest-growing municipalities in Colorado, according to U.S. Census data from 2000 and 2010.

Frederick, Dacono, and Firestone are growing at twice the rate of the state of Colorado during a time when statewide populations are booming. Compared to Colorado's 1.5 percent, officials estimate 3-4 or 3-5 percent growth per year, reports the Greeley Tribune.

In 2010, the census reported Frederick's population was 8,679. By the time the 2020 census is completed, it could double in size, according to BizWest. Firestone's meteoric rise of 431 percent from 1,908 in 2000 to 10,147 in 2010 made it the fastest growing town in the state.

Today, the area's growth includes new retail, industrial, and office development near Interstate 25.

All three towns began as coal-mining towns settled by immigrants – mostly Italian – from Europe and Latin America. Though the mines closed in the 1920s, the coal-mining heritage is celebrated with an annual Miners Day in the Fall.

Each town holds community events to celebrate and connect with their neighbors – new and old. Frederick's events include Chainsaws & Chuckwagons, a community barbecue tour, Downtown Sounds, Festival of Lights, and Tiny Terror Town Halloween activities. Dacono presents Carbon Valley Holiday Festival, Carbon Valley Music Festival, Music & Movie Summer Series, among others.

Recreational opportunities abound throughout the community's trails, parks, and open space. Firestone includes St. Vrain State Park, the only Colorado state park annexed into a town. St. Vrain Park is connected along the 12-mile Firestone Trail that runs from Settler's Park to Coronado Park. Frederick's outdoor recreation includes a nine-hole golf course, several parks, and recreation areas with fishing, biking, and a dog park.

Schools in Frederick and Firestone are part of the St. Vrain Valley School District and include senior high schools, elementary schools, a middle school, and a charter academy. Dacono is located within two different school districts, St. Vrain Valley School District and Weld County RE-8 School District.

Economy: Regional Community with Burgeoning Local Businesses 

New residents of the tri-town area typically work in one of the major employment centers of Boulder or the Denver area. Significant employers include IBM and other Denver- and Boulder-based companies. 

But that is changing. As the population grows, local businesses are expanding, and new companies are moving in.

One example is pharmaceutical ingredient maker Agilent Technologies. Agilent recently opened a new state-of-the-art $185 million, a 135,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in Frederick, according to BizWest Economic Profile & Market Facts.

Other businesses include Frederick's Otterbox warehouse and Firestone's Wild Cider Brewery, American Furniture Warehouse, Home Depot, King Soopers, and Safeway.

In 2012, the number of building permits in Frederick tripled since the recession. Now, 20 out of 37 neighborhoods are 80 percent developed or more, according to the Frederick Planning Department.

Driven by people looking for more affordable housing, Frederick, Firestone, and Dacono have several new residential developments in various stages of build-out. Median prices range from the low $ 300,000s in Dacono to the upper

$300,000s in Frederick and Firestone. Families and professionals looking for a place to own have beautiful homes to choose from in the tri-towns.

The tri-towns are gaining notice and have been acclaimed for the following:

Firestone, No. 1 Safest City in Colorado, Backgroundchecks.org, 2019

Frederick, No. 3 Safest City in Colorado, Backgroundchecks.org, 2019

Firestone, No. 24 Best Places to Live among America's Small Towns, Money Magazine, 2013

For more information see

https://bizwest.com/2019-economic-profile-market-facts/

https://www.frederickco.gov/

https://www.firestoneco.gov/

https://www.cityofdacono.com/

https://upstatecolorado.org/