You told us you wanted What’s Happenin’ stickers — so we’ve been quietly working behind the scenes on brand-new designs (yes, Rocky may or may not be involved 🐐).

The question is…

Some towns have skyline views. Some have flashy new builds. And then there’s Longmont — quietly flexing one of the most underrated superpowers on the Front Range: that tree canopy.

Take a slow drive down Hover, cruise through Old Town, or loop around McIntosh on a golden-hour evening and tell me you don’t feel it. The way the branches arch over certain streets. The pops of red and orange tucked between historic homes. The kind of shade that makes a summer walk feel like a small luxury.

It’s not an accident, either.

Longmont’s Forestry team maintains over 21,000 publicly owned trees — yes, 21,000 — through the city’s official program. We’re also a proud Tree City USA community (flex 💪), and you can literally explore the urban forest through the city’s interactive tree inventory and virtual tree tour.

A few local spots where the canopy really shows off:

• 🌳 Thompson Park – One of the most diverse collections of tree species in town. It’s basically a living museum of shade.

• 🌅 Horizon Drive → McIntosh Lake – Especially in fall, this stretch feels like a postcard.

• 🏡 Old Town neighborhoods – The tall, established trees here give serious Midwest-meets-Front-Range energy.

• ⚰️ Mountain View Cemetery – Quiet, historic, and home to some of the oldest trees in the area.
  

And maybe the best part? You can drive just a few minutes outside city limits and you’re back to open farmland and big-sky views. That contrast — lush neighborhood streets to wide-open fields — is part of Longmont’s charm.

Are we the most forested place in the country? No.

Do we secretly punch way above our weight on tree coverage compared to much of the Front Range? Absolutely.

So here’s to the maples, the oaks, the ash (yes, we see you fighting the good fight against emerald ash borer), the elms, and every neighbor who’s ever planted a sapling with future shade in mind.

Longmont doesn’t just grow — it grows roots. 🌿

Monday, February 16

Tuesday, February 17

Full-time

Longmont dates are relaxed, local, and full of charm. Take a scenic walk along the St. Vrain Greenway, wander through Downtown Longmont for coffee and shops, or plan a picnic at Golden Ponds Park. For an easygoing night out, grab a pint at Left Hand Brewing Company and let the conversation flow.

👉 Vote and we’ll share the top picks—chosen by locals—in an upcoming issue. 💌