Lafayette

Lafayette is a municipality in Colorado that is popular among families. The small town is outside the hustle, bustle, and traffic of the city while still offering excitement and connections among the close-knit community. Lafayette frequently holds special events and hometown festivals as well as provides opportunities to get involved in local art, culture, and education of Lafayette’s history.

The beautiful Waneka Lake is a small neighborhood oasis where many hold family picnics, go fishing, and bike or stroll down the 1.2-mile trail. There’s lots of activity at the pool during summers and family-friendly events year-round at Festival Plaza, where there are also unique boutiques and dining establishments.

Lafayette started as a family-centric town, and the spirit still remains. Almost 150 years ago, newlyweds Lafayette and Mary E. Miller streamed in with some of the first pioneers to trek across the Great Plains. They started a family on their farm, and when Mary’s husband passed away suddenly, she did more than raise six children on her own—she started building an entire town. Picturesque farmland that was important to the town’s early beginnings is still pocketed throughout Lafayette today, but as the population grows, so does new construction. Housing developments are thriving with new sleek homes rising—especially impeccable golf course homes.

What to Love

• Quiet neighborhoods
• Excellent schools
• Family-friendly activities
• Gorgeous homes

People & Lifestyle

The quaint town is north of Denver and east of Boulder and the Rocky Mountains. The schools are highly rated and diverse, some teaching students to become bilingual as young as elementary school age.

Lafayette is full of kind individuals; residents pride themselves in being welcoming and saying hello to one another. With a population of 27,000, you’ll see many familiar faces but also have the exciting opportunity to meet new people when desired. The town is very walkable and has easy access to public transport for farther places. The excellent parks system and lively downtown area with coffee shops, breweries, and boutiques make it a great place for young people looking to start families.

Dining, Entertainment & Shopping

Lafayette restaurants are full of healthy dining options, vegetarian and vegan cuisines, and hearty, memorable meals. The brewery and cider scene has made some noise and even receives visitors from out of town.

Post Brewery has award-winning craft beers and juicy, crispy fried chicken that’s cooked in gluten-free flour. Acreage has specialized cider and a delicious menu. Try the pickled vegetables, beets, or grilled greens along with your choice of cold beverage. Another great place to eat out is Tangerine—one of the most iconic breakfast and brunch places in town. The menu puts an innovative and fresh spin on your favorite classic morning foods. Most everything is made from scratch, which makes it extra delicious. They also offer vegetarian and gluten-free options, so there’s something for everyone in Lafayette.

Stroll down the streets of Old Town Lafayette for a beautiful day or evening of shopping and exploring. There are art and antique galleries, food joints, museums, theaters, boutiques, and other quirky stores at which to pick up something special.

Things to Do

Lafayette has a creative array of events and festivals each year, including a wine festival and even an oatmeal festival. One of the most popular events is the Lafayette Peach Festival. Enjoy fresh peach pies, peach cobbler, and peach smoothies—all inspired by the famous all-natural peaches from Palisade, Colorado. There are vendors, food, crafters, antique dealers, and kid-friendly activities as well.

If you like to get outdoors, Greenlee Wildlife Preserve is a woodsy sanctuary where you can go to see beautiful natural landscapes and animal friends. If you get lucky, you might spot some of the birds, foxes, deer, or amphibians who have created a habitat there. Indian Peaks Golf Course has 18 holes and offers lessons for every age. Inside, you’ll find a bar and grill, where you can still gawk at the breathtaking mountain views.

Schools

Schools in Lafayette are zoned to the Boulder Valley School District. Highlights include:

• Lafayette Elementary School, Public, PK-5
• Pioneer Elementary School, Public, PK-5 (Bilingual)
• Angevine Middle School, Public, 6-8
• Centaurus High School, Public, 9-12
• Peak to Peak, Charter, K-12
• Dawson School, Private, PK-12