Windsor is a rapidly-growing northern Colorado community with a particular focus on the green industry.
That's because it's home to one of wind turbine-maker Vestas' four Colorado facilities, producing blades for windmills.
The "green" focus doesn't stop at the blades, either: Windsor also supports ethanol production and has a massive recycling facility.
The town is home to about 23,000 people and about 950 businesses — plus several recreational areas and even a world-renowned archaeological site.
This story is part of our weekly 9Neighborhoods segment. We'll be spotlighting Windsor today on Instagram. Where should we check out next? Drop us a line at webteam@9news.com!
FROM A PREHISTORIC HUNTING GROUND TO BEETS
An archeological site that was accidentally uncovered during construction activity in 1997 offers some cool glimpses into the prehistoric history of Windsor, which is near the Cache la Poudre between the mountains and the plains.
The Kaplan-Hoover Bone Bed site is the largest bison kill site in Colorado, and shows how more than 2,700 years ago, Archaic-era people in the region directed bison into the creek, where they were trapped, killed and butchered.
This archeological site is on the National and State Registers of Historic Places, and offers a rare glimpse into the lives of Colorado’s earliest settlers. Work finished at the Kaplan-Hoover Bone Bed in 1999, and it’s now on private property. You can still see the site from the Poudre Trail, though.
One of the earliest settlers came to Windsor in 1873. His name was J.L. Hilton, and he built a small house between Greeley and Fort Collins that directed travelers between the two cities, according to the Town of Windsor's website.
This same route was later adopted by the railroads, which brought both investors and farmers to the area.
Wheat used to be Windsor’s big product, but that was later replaced with the sugar beets, which were far more lucrative.
This ultimately led to Windsor’s growth as a town, including the booming Main Street and a number of new schools.
The beet industry in Windsor drew to a close in 1966, and was replaced with the green energy business.
A NORTHERN COLORADO TOWN WITH A LOT OF THINGS TO DO
Windsor might still be a fairly small town, but there’s a lot to keep you occupied – and that includes plenty of open spaces.
They include Belmont Ridge Open Space and Highland Meadows Golf Course on the western side; Eastman Park in the middle of town; and Diamond Valley Community Park on the eastern edge of town. Windsor Lake, in the northern part, has a boardwalk and a park to sit back and enjoy the views, particularly in summertime.
It's also a spot where you can learn how to standup paddleboard.
Once you’ve worked up an appetite from all that physical activity (or just watching other people exert themselves), there are some good eats just across the street from Boardwalk Park.
Chimney Park Restaurant & Bar (406 Main St.) is fine dining at its classiest. If you're more into the casual thing, Hearth Restaurant and Pub (205 1/2 4th St.) is just across the street.
And if you ever thought it's difficult to find authentic Hawaiian food, look no further than Okole Maluna Hawaiian Grill (431 Main St.), which serves sandwiches, salads and other lunch/dinner plates in a laid-back space.
That same stretch of road also has some shopping options, including the quaint Li'l Flower Shop (417 Main St.) and Four & Twenty Blackbirds (505 Main St.), a unique gift shop. You can also find some one-of-a-kind items at My Favorite Things (414 Main St. A) and Faded Rose Antiques (203 4th St.).
Elsewhere in town, Look Who's Cooking (8400 Castaway Dr.) offers tasty comfort food, and Sol De Jaisco (1345 Water Valley Pkwy) is a great Mexican joint.
And if you're looking for a good spot to kick back with a beer, High Hops Brewery (6461 CO-392) is it. The brewery sits right in the center of a hops field and cycles through 40 beers for all palettes, plus offers live music and food.
SO YOU WANT TO LIVE IN WINDSOR …
Living in Windsor is pretty affordable compared to Denver. The median home price for all-size properties is $380,000, according to Trulia.com. Rent for a two-bedroom currently stands at $1,547.
