Brighton
Colorado
Adams County Government
History:
In 1902, voters approved creation of Adams County which, prior to that time, had been part of an enormous Arapahoe County. The county was named after Alva Adams, a popular former governor who was in office at the time of this election.
In an election held November 8, 1904, Brighton was chosen as the permanent county seat and, as was befitting a new and prosperous county, a new courthouse was built at 4th and Bridge Street in 1906. That building still stands as the Brighton City Hall.
The first meeting of the Adams County Board of Commissioners was held Dec. 4, 1902, in Brighton. The first three commissioners of Adams County were Fred P. Watts, who was a former Arapahoe County Commissioner from the Brighton district, and John Benbow and Wilson R. Smith, both appointed by then governor of Colorado, James B. Orman. Smith served as county commissioner for only one month before resigning; he was replaced by Edward Fitzpatrick.
During this meeting the commissioners accepted Governor Orman's appointments for county officials: Christopher E. Lunney, county clerk; Charles R. Cook, assessor; Geroge M. Griffin, treasurer; Martin R. Bromley, sheriff; Rice Means, county judge; and Martin I. Dowling, surveyor.
Recent News
Adams County News - Deputy County Manager Chris Kline Credentialed by International Local Government Management Organization
Chris Kline, Deputy County Manager of Adams County, recently received the Credentialed Manager designation from ICMA, the International City/County Management Association. Kline is one of over 1,300 local government management professionals…
Read More »Adams County News - Anythink and Adams County Announce Kerrie Joy asInaugural Poet Laureate
Anythink and Adams County Announce Kerrie Joy as Inaugural Poet Laureate Part of Sincerely, a celebration of poetry in Adams County Adams County Parks, Open Space & Cultural Arts (POSCA) and Anythink are proud to announce Kerrie Joy as the…
Read More »Adams County Students Awarded More Than $1Million in Scholarships
Adams County News and Information Adams County Students Awarded More Than $1 Million in Scholarships Fifty-eight Adams County high school students were awarded scholarships totaling more than $1 million on Wednesday, June 7, through the Adams…
Read More »Adams County to Host Free Pride Event Followed by Bebe Rexha Concert
Free Pride Event Followed by Bebe Rexha Concert Riverdale Regional Park welcomes Adams County Pride back to the park on Saturday, June 10. Take pride in who you are and celebrate love, diversity, and equality at the free, family-friendly…
Read More »Adams County Government News - Adams County Secures Second Round Of Funding From American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA)
Adams County is proud to announce the distribution of its second round of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding, a total of $48,550,500. The Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) has identified several partnerships and initiatives to distribute the…
Read More »Adams County News - Bebe Rexha To Headline Concert At Adams County Pride
Adams County is excited to announce songwriter, performer, and LGBTQ+ supporter, Bebe Rexha, as the headlining act for this year’s Adams County Pride event. The much-anticipated event returns to Riverdale Regional Park, 9755 Henderson Rd.,…
Read More »Adams County News : Adams County Receives First Place IAFE Award for Pride Event
Adams County Parks, Open Space & Cultural Arts is proud to announce it received the prestigious "Non-Fair Facility Usage Award 2022" for its first-ever Pride event. The award, presented by the International Association of Fairs and Expos (IAFE),…
Read More »Adams County News - Adams County Launches First Health Department
The Adams County Health Department (ACHD) is proud to announce the official launch and grand opening ceremony of the county's first ever health department. This new department is responsible for promoting and protecting the health of all residents…
Read More »Adams County Government News - Adams County Welcomes Nikki Kimbleton As New Communications Director
Adams County is excited to announce the hiring of Nikki Kimbleton as the new Communications director for Adams County. With more than 20 years of experience in journalism, public relations, and crisis management, Kimbleton brings a wealth of…
Read More »Adams County News - Elected Officials and Judges Sworn in atInauguration
Adams County marked the commencement of new terms for seven elected officials and six judges in an Inauguration Ceremony on Tuesday, Jan. 10, at Riverdale Regional Park. Residents, employees, and family and friends filled the Waymire Dome to watch…
Read More »Adams County News - Health Department Closely Monitoring Detection of Influenza Virus in Wild Birds
Adams County News and Information Health Department Closely Monitoring Detection of Influenza Virus in Wild Birds Currently Very Low Risk to Public The Adams County Health Department has been informed by the Colorado Department of Public…
Read More »Adams County News - - Adams County Health Department Launches FirstProgram Before January 1
Adams County Health Department Launches First Program Before Jan. 1 New Website Goes Live and Now Available to Residents the Adams County Health Department (ACHD) launched its newly designed website, adamscountyhealthdepartment.org, which will…
Read More »Adams County News - Riverdale Animal Shelter Launches First Name Yourown Adoption Fee Event
Riverdale Animal Shelter, like many shelters in the Denver metro area, has been taking in a higher number of animals this year. To help more adoptable pets at the shelter find loving homes this holiday season, families can name their own adoption…
Read More »Adams County News - Adams County Commemorates Veterans Memorial onPearl Harbor Remembrance Day
Adams County Commemorates Veterans Memorial with Ceremony on Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day Adams County celebrated the progress of the new Veterans Memorial with a mast stepping ceremony. The new Adams County Veterans Memorial is a life-sized…
Read More »Adams County Government : North Pole Gift Shop Organized for Families in Need
Today, over 120 families are visiting the Adams County Human Services Center to shop for holiday gifts for their children, at no cost to them, thanks to the third annual North Pole Gift Shop. “During this holiday season, Adams County is…
Read More »Adams County News: LGBTQ And Memorial Being Placed at Government Centerto Remember Victims
This weekend, a horrifying act of mass murder at the Club Q nightclub stole away five lives, injured more than 25 others, and left countless loved ones shattered. As a memorial of those who lost their lives during the Colorado Springs terror attack…
Read More »Adams County Foster Families Become Forever Families on National Adoption Day
Today, 13 children in Adams County welcomed a new start on National Adoption Day. A special celebration took place at the Adams County Justice Center, 1100 Judicial Center Dr., Brighton. The Board of County Commissioners, Human Services…
Read More »Adams County News : Adams County Government Buildings Will Go toFive-Day Schedule January 1, 2023
Looks to Add Over 100 Employees and Four Locations for New Health Department As of Jan. 1, 2023, Adams County will be opening county buildings on Mondays and resuming a five-day schedule. The updated 2023 building schedule will continue to…
Read More »Invitation for Coverage - Adams County Celebrates National AdoptionDay
Adams County Celebrates National Adoption Day 13 adoptions to be finalized tomorrow, 120 to be finalized in 2022 What: Tomorrow, 13 children in Adams County will welcome a new start on National Adoption Day. A special celebration will take place…
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