Firestone

Situated midway between Fort Collins and Denver, both only 20 minutes away, and with spectacular views of the Rocky Mountains, it's no surprise Firestone has experienced one of the fastest growth rates in the state over the last decade.

The town of Firestone was established in 1908. According to Green Light on the Tipple by Eleanor H. Ayer, Firestone can claim perhaps more firsts than many of its neighbors. It had the first saloon, first post office and the first lumber store in the area.

More recently, this sleepy community gained recognition for its fabulous network of park and recreation areas. Firestone's 10,000 residents have access to 18 parks and five miles of trails, which connect to the St. Vrain Legacy Trail as well as the Front Range Trail System.

A few miles to the south, I-25 connects with the E-470 Beltway, providing direct access to the Denver International Airport. Even with the growing commerce and transportation, life still moves a little bit slower here. Stop by and have a soda at the local store — there's no hurry in Firestone.