Weld County Communities
Over its history, Weld County has been attractive to a wide variety of settlers—and in the process, has spawned more than 30 cities and towns that remain today. These range in size from Grover, with an estimated population of 97, to the county seat of Greeley, with more than 86,000 citizens. At the same time, many Weld County residents choose a rural lifestyle, and with nearly 4,000 square miles of area, they have ample opportunity to do so.

Weld County’s largest communities:
· Greeley 86,487
· Evans 15,273
· Windsor 11,683
· Fort Lupton 6,392
· Johnstown 6,125
· Frederick 4,762
· Milliken 4,229

Weld County Workforce
Weld County’s workforce is reported at nearly 115,000, but that only tells part of the story. Due to good highway access, workers routinely commute throughout the area, suggesting that the actual labor shed available to employers is significantly larger than that figure. Unemployment reported for the end of 2006 was 3.8%.

Weld County employment growth for the first quarter of ’06 was 4%, compared to the nation’s average of 2.2%. Weld County wages grew by 10.7%, compared to 8.1% for the rest of the country during the same period. (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 11/06)
Greeley was identified as the #18 Hot Spot small city for five-year job growth. (INC. Magazine, May, 2005)
Weld County’s population is 30% Hispanic, providing employers access to a bi-lingual workforce.

Demographics
Greeley/Weld MSA was the fastest growing in the nation 2000—2003; second-fastest 2000—2005 (U.S. Census Bureau)

Greeley MSA identified as 11th fastest growing metro area economy in U.S. 1994—2004 (figures compiled by Global Insight for U.S. Conference of Mayors)

Greeley identified as #16 in list of U. S. small cities (less than 250,000 population) five year job growth, and #17 in salary growth (Milken Institute 2005 Best Performing Cities)

Greeley identified as #18 Hot Spot small cities for five-year job growth (INC. Magazine, May, 2006)

Eight of the ten fastest-growing cities in Colorado during 2000—2005 are located in Weld County (Rocky Mountain News)
- Firestone grew 236%, fastest-growing city in CO
- Erie—96%
- Evans—84%
- Frederick—168%
- Johnstown—89%
- Milliken—94%
- Severance—219%
- Windsor—50%

Cost of Living
One of Weld County’s competitive advantages has always been a favorable cost of living. Housing prices are generally lower than in many parts of Colorado, as are prices for other goods and services.

Upstate Colorado Economic Development participates in a Cost of Living Index, produced by the Council for Community and Economic Research (formerly ACCRA). The Index measures costs specific to the City of Greeley, as it is the only Weld County community large enough to be included in the Index. It is intended to provide a useful and reasonably accurate measure of living cost differences among urban areas. Items on which the Index is based have been carefully chosen to reflect the different categories of consumer expenditures. Weights assigned to relative costs are based on government survey data on expenditure patterns for professional and executive households. All items are priced in each place at a specified time and according to standardized specifications.

Taxes
Colorado ranks 48th among the 50 states in tax revenues compared to personal income. The State ranks 18th, with per capita state and local taxes averaging 5% lower than the national average.

Because of its extensive oil and gas activity, Weld County has been able to maintain a real estate property tax level that is significantly lower than the surrounding areas. This translates into a competitive advantage for businesses.

Weld County several of its Cities and Towns offer a rebate of up to 50% of personal property tax to qualifying businesses.

Education
Public Education—K-12
Weld County’s geographic area is served by 13 school districts, totaling more than 40,000 students.

RE-1 Gilcrest 1,868
RE-1J St. Vrain Valley (Dacono, Erie, Mead, Firestone & Frederick)
RE-2 Eaton 1,708
RE-3J Keenesburg 2,088
RE-4 Windsor 3,689
RE-5J Johnstown-Milliken 2,757
Dist. 6 Greeley/Evans 18,069
RE-7 Platte Valley 1,145
RE-8 Ft. Lupton 2,324
RE-9 Ault-Highland 853
RE-10 Briggsdale 145
RE-11 Prairie 150
RE-12 Pawnee 109

Charter Schools
Cardinal Community Academy Keenesburg
Frontier Academy Greeley
Knowledge Quest Academy Milliken
Union Colony Preparatory School Greeley
University Schools Greeley
Windsor Charter Academy Windsor

Higher Education

Aims Community College is one of the largest and most comprehensive two-year Colleges in Colorado, with 2,000 day, evening and weekend classes. www.aims.edu

The University of Northern Colorado, with an enrollment of 12,000 is home to the Monfort College of Business, the only business college in the country to receive the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award.

In addition to these two excellent institutions, Weld County is strategically located within easy commute distance to:www.unco.edu

Colorado State University- Fort Collins
University of Colorado- Boulder
Denver University- Denver
Colorado School of Mines- Golden

Housing Data
Weld County offers a full range of quality housing options—from apartments and rental homes to starter homes and luxury estates. Whether you are looking for a condominium or patio home in the heart of the city, or a secluded country home or ranch, you will find several quality choices.

Although real estate markets vary significantly, buyers from other parts of the country are frequently pleased to find housing at significantly lower prices than the area they moved from, and most certainly lower than one would find in much of Colorado.

Largest Employers
A quick look at the list of largest employers will underscore the fact that Weld County’s employment base is diverse. They include nationally and internationally known companies, such as Eastman Kodak, Swift & Company, O-I and State Farm Insurance.

A quick look at our top ten employers by number of employees:

Swift & Company 2,960
North Colorado Medical Center 2,700
State of Colorado, Including University of Northern Colorado 2,066
Weld School District 6 2,037
City of Greeley 1,490
State Farm Insurance Companies 1,478
Weld County 1,400
StarTek, Inc. 906
Walmart 856
Bonell Good Samaritan Center 660

Utilities
Upstate Colorado is served by three electric utilities, and one natural gas provider.

Electricity

Poudre Rural Electric Association, Inc. (REA)
P.O. Box 272550
Ft. Collins, CO 80527
(970)226-1234
1-800-432-1012
(970)226-2123 fax
www.pvrea.com

Xcel Energy
2655 North 63rd St.
Boulder, Colorado
(303) 245-2285
www.xcelenergy.com

United Power
500 Cooperative Way
Brighton, Colorado 80603
(303) 659-0551
www.unitedpower.com

Natural Gas

Atmos Energy
1200 11th Ave.
Greeley, Colorado 80631
(970) 304-2080
www.atmosenergy.com

Builders and developers can contact a specialized service representative regarding their energy needs, by visiting the website under “Business Service.