Longmont Visitors Guide

When Longmont was awarded "All-America City" status in 2006, it affirmed what the residents of this community already knew: Longmont is a city that willingly accepts challenges and works together as a community to create a quality of life unmatched by
many other cities.

The All-America City (AAC) Award program is the nation's oldest community recognition effort. Founded in 1949 by then National Civic League (NCL) board chair George Gallup, Sr., the AAC Award recognizes communities of all sizes - including neighborhoods, towns, cities, counties and regions - who have made major progress in meeting their most important needs.

"All-America Cities symbolize the best of our nation - the ability of citizens, government, businesses and nonprofit organizations to come together, effectively address their issues and produce tangible results," said Christopher T. Gates, president of the National Civic League. "The accomplishments of these 10 All-America Cities serve as an inspiration to communities across the United States that are facing similar issues."

The people of Longmont swelled with pride when the community delegation returned from Anaheim, California, with this coveted award. A few months later, something even more remarkable happened. Longmont was named as one of the Top 100 Best Places to Live in America by CNN/Money Magazine.

In the August 2006 issue, the magazine wrote: "So for this year's installment of Best Places to Live, we set out to find small livable cities that had the best possible blend of good jobs, low crime, quality schools, plenty of open space, comparable home prices and lots to do."

You can imagine the delight and pride of the citizens of Longmont when Money magazine awarded Longmont the Best Places to Live award again in 2008. Longmont was ranked number 50 in 2008 and the website says "it's a Coloradoan oasis, with over 300 days of sunshine and a spectacular view of the Rocky Mountains."

"Sure, the 1,500 acres of parks and open space attract outdoor enthusiasts, but a vibrant restaurant scene and high-tech employers such as Seagate and Amgen and popular shoe company Crocs keep them here."

While awards are very gratifying, they will eventually fade from memory. What endures is something more important to all residents - the residents who care deeply about maintaining Longmont's excellent quality of life.