Arvada Celebrates 120 Years!

did you know
Written By Amy Carter

The City of Arvada, in partnership with Visit Arvada, the Arvada Economic Development Association, the Olde Town Business Improvement District, the Arvada Chamber of Commerce and other local partners will be celebrating the 120th anniversary of the incorporation of Arvada, Colorado, this summer.

120 Years: Arvada Has Grown By Leaps and Bounds
“In 120 years, Arvada has grown from just 500 residents to more than 120,000 spread over two counties, Jefferson and Adams,” City Manager Lorie Gillis said. “As we celebrate our unique past this summer, we also look to the future and continue our journey of making Arvada, Colorado, a great place to live, work and play.”

The Celebration Begins on June 22

The festivities begin in June with the recognition of the first documented discovery of gold in the Rocky Mountain region. On June 22 in 1850, Lewis Ralston, a Georgia prospector, was headed for the California gold fields. That day, though, he found a quarter ounce of gold in a small stream near its mouth at Clear Creek in Arvada. It was worth $5 in 1850 and would be worth more than $1,000 today!

Events will be held throughout the summer, with special recognition of the 120th Anniversary during the Arvada Chamber of Commerce’s Taste of Arvada on July 11, the Arvada Festival’s Commission’s Arvada on Tap on July 13 and culminating with a celebration that will be held on August 24 during Arvada Days with free, old-fashioned family fun at Clear Creek Valley Park.

The Early Beginnings – A City of Firsts

The City of Arvada was formally incorporated on August 14, 1904. It’s always been a city of “firsts” – from the first documented gold strike to the first King Soopers grocery store and the first traffic light in Jefferson County at the intersection of Grandview and Olde Wadsworth Blvd. Many miners who didn’t discover gold turned to farming and Arvada was the first "Celery Capital of the World."

Arvada Now
Today, Arvada is home to more than 3,000 businesses from world-class glove and golf club cover manufacturers to breweries, food manufacturers and car wash developers. Many of these businesses began as “firsts.” School House Kitchen and Libations in Olde Town is housed in the first Arvada school built in 1882 and it now serves 1882 different kinds of whiskey. The Arvada Tavern, also in Olde Town, dates back to Prohibition when it became the first establishment to legally serve alcohol in 1933, and the first establishment to receive a delivery of Coors Beer. Carly’s Boutique/Eli Ashby in Olde Town is the oldest building in Arvada. It was built in 1874 by Dr. Richard Russell who also became Arvada’s first Mayor in 1904.

The city is home to 100+ parks; the hope is every resident can find one within a 10-minute walk. Arvada is also home to 7 breweries, 10 locally-owned coffee shops, 3 golf courses, 2 disc golf courses and a world-class performing arts center. With hiking and biking trails covering 797 miles, numerous swimming pools, tennis and pickleball courts, skating rinks and skate parks, there is something for everyone. 

Head to Arvada for these fun events! Or check out the 2024 Arvada Summer Guide to plan your adventure!

Celebrate 120 Years with Fun Specials and Promotions From Local Businesses

(Insider Tip: Keep checking back! We will add offers as we receive them!)

  • Odyssey Beerwerks: Enjoy $2 off a full pour of GOLD STRIKE KOLSCH June 15–July 15. Light, crisp, and refreshing, this golden elixir was named for the site of the first gold discovery in Colorado, just across the street from the brewery.

  • LUKI Brewery: Celebrate with a special late-summer beer: Arvada Amber! And from now until the end of August. you can get a 5oz. taster for only $1.20.

  • La Patisserie Francaise: 120th Anniversary branded cookies! Available beginning on June 22.

  • Hilton Garden Inn: Book your staycation at the Hilton Garden Inn Arvada and receive 12.0% off of their standard rate at the time of booking.

  • The Butchery: $120 per couple special menu / Special Arvada Anniversary Cocktail.

  • The Lashing Room: Receive $120 Arvada anniversary eyelash extensions through September 30.

  • Outside The Box: FREE Swedish dishcloth with the 120th Arvada anniversary logo (while supplies last on Saturday, June 22)! And don’t miss the pallet coasters with the 120 logo for purchase.

  • School House Kitchen and Libations: Featuring 120 whiskeys for $12 or under. Also, enjoy a 120ml of Frosé for just $1.20 from June 1–August 24.

  • Secret Level: Enjoy a Chicken Wrap or Buffalo Chicken Wrap with Waffle Fries for just $12...that's 120 dimes!

  • SOCK and Super Zoom Bang Bang: Spend $120 or more in a single transaction to save 12% off of your order June 1–August 24

  • Arvada West Family Medicine: Vitamin IV therapy for $120

  • Arvada Community Room: Please enjoy 12% off any full-day reservation (including Saturdays) through 2024 at The Arvada Community Room. Use code Arvada120. The coupon can be used until Sept 30, 2024.

  • Club Pilates Arvada: Waived Enrollment Fee $149 (Promo Code: ArvadaAnniversary)

  • Juniper Family Law: In need of legal advice? Juniper Family Law will meet with you for a 60 to 90-minute session for just $120, a savings of $180.

  • Arvada Appliance: Trade in your olde appliance! In celebration of Arvada's 120th Year, receive a $120 trade-in allowance on any appliance—functional or not! Not valid with any other offer.

  • Scrumptious Ice Cream: Get 12.0% off the Scooper Dooper Ice Cream Club (while supplies last).

  • Kitchen Tune-up: 25% off of all kitchen accessories. Drawer Boxes, Rollouts, Spice Rack Roll-outs.

  • The Trichy Hairapist: $120 Partial Foil available in the month of July. Toner additional.

People are talking about Arvada’s 120th! Read more below.

Colorado Public Radio

Arvada Press

Great Day Colorado

Denver Gazette

Amy Carter
Previous

Arvada Businesses: Join Visit Arvada's Summer Marketing Campaign
Next

The 2024 Arvada Summer Guide