1980s

In 1981, Thornton had a population of 43,000 citizens was 19 square miles in size.
The Police Department now had 91 officers and 47 firemen filled the ranks of the Fire Department.
February 1981, the City's Charter is reviewed by citizens and Council.
May-June 1981 the City celebrates it's 25th anniversary.
On June 3, 1981, at 2:30 p.m. the worst tornado in the Denver metro area’s history touched down in the City of Thornton, just a few days before the City was to celebrate its silver anniversary.
In 1982, the City joins the Two Forks project.
In 1982, Thornton faced another weather-related problem with the "Blizzard of 1982" hit the metro area. Between five and six feet of snow was dumped on the metro area on Christmas Eve of 1982.
In 1983, the City opened the Thornton Civic Center off I-25 and Thornton Parkway, a site formerly known as 9-Mile Hill, to house its municipal offices, courts, police and fire departments.
In August 1984, the Thornton Senior Center opened at the former Public Safety building on Dorothy Blvd.
In 1985, Thornton created an urban renewal district to raise $3.5 million to build an I-25 interchange at the Thornton Parkway (92nd Avenue), and to assist in a face lift in the City’s original business district mainly along Washington Street between 84th Avenue and 92nd Avenue.
In 1985, the current City Manager Jack Ethredge was hired.
In 1986, the City Council passed a resolution declaring certain undeveloped City land to be public open space.

Site Map