Littleton, Colorado is much more than a suburb of Denver. If you are moving there for your job, to be near the slopes, or to take advantage of Littleton's stellar public schools, the good life lies in store for you here.

Geography

A suburb of Denver, Littleton sits west of I-25, ten miles south of Denver proper, and about 67 miles north of Colorado Springs. It comprises 13.9 square miles of area, .4 square miles of which are water. Neighboring areas include Highland Ranch, Cherry Hills Village and Bow Mar. Littleton is part of Arapahoe, Jefferson, and Douglas County. It is the county seat of Arapahoe County. The elevation of Littleton is 5,518 feet.

Local government

Littleton is a Home Rule Municipality, according to the Colorado state constitution, which means local government has the right to determine its own form of government as well as whether it is a city or town.

Transportation
 

Littleton is close to I-25 and a few other major state and federal roadways, which make it easy to zip up to Denver and Boulder and down to Colorado Springs. Denver's light rail system also extends into Littleton, which can be a big help if you are trying escape the financial blow of high gas prices. Light rail and bus fares are typically $1.75, and a monthly pass can be as little as $30.

Climate
 

Some would call the climate here mild. Littleton has an average high of 65 degrees and an average low of 36 degrees. It gets an average of 15 ½  inches of rain a year. A whopping 59 ½ inches of snow falls on Littleton each year. Despite all of the precipitation, Littleton residents can expect to see sun on no less than 256 days each year.

Demographics
 

The median age in this city of over 40,000 people is 39. Twenty-eight percent of households are families with children. Households  average 2.29 people; families average 2.96 people. As for income, the median annual income is $50,583 for the area and $64,671 for families. The per capita annual income for Littleton is $28,681 and 6% of the population lives below the poverty level.

Education

Littleton is known for its top-quality schools. The Littleton Public School system encompasses 16 elementary schools, five middle schools, and four high schools. Private schools include Littleton Academy Public Charter School and Littleton Preparatory School. Arapahoe Community College is the only post-secondary institution within Littleton's boundaries.

Things to do

With Denver just a short train or car ride away there is no shortage of happenings for Littleton residents. Whether you are an outdoor adventurer or in search of cosmopolitan nightlife you can find it all in and around Denver. The surrounding mountains offer some of the best ski slopes the country has to offer. But if you would rather stay closer to home, not to worry. Littleton has its share of goings-on. The Littleton area has a fair share of golf courses as well as hiking and biking trails. Restaurants here run the gamut and there are dozens from which to choose.

Points of interest

In the mood for a peaceful afternoon? Take a walk in lush, expansive Hudson Gardens and witness the diverse landscapes that thrive within its boundaries. Find out a little background on your new town at the Littleton Historical Museum. Later on, catch a production at the Town Hall Arts Center.

Experience the richness

Littleton was born out of the Pike's Peak gold rush of 1859. It is named for Richard Sullivan Little, a New Hampshire engineer who came west to help design the area's irrigation system. Since then the area has continued to grow. Littleton offers its residents the best of what Colorado has to offer without the congestion that often accompanies urban life.