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<br />2.2 Community Description <br /> <br />Jefferson County is located in north-central Colorado. It covers <br />an area of 789 square miles with mounta1ns along the west and <br />sem1arid plains in the east adjacent to the City and County of <br />Denver (Reference 3). In addition, Jefferson County is bounded by <br />the C1ty of Littleton and Arapahoe, Adams, and Douglas Counties to <br />the east; Teller County to the south; Park County to the south and <br />southwest; Clear Creek and Gilpin Counties to the west; and <br />Boulder County to the north. <br /> <br />The population of Jefferson County, including the incorporated <br />communities, is approximately 390,000. Most people reside in the <br />eastern part of the county. Approximately 100,000 people live in <br />unincorporated Jefferson County. It is projected that the county <br />will continue to grow at a steady rate, with an expected total <br />population of 475,000 1n 1992 (Reference 4). <br /> <br />Jefferson County was named in honor of Thomas Jefferson. The <br />county was created in 1861 and was one of the 17 original counties <br />of the Colorado Territory. The early history of Jefferson County <br />centers on two groups of people, fur trappers and gold prospectors <br />exploring the sands of Clear Creek for placer gold in 1858. <br />According to the Colorado State Historical Society, in November <br />1858 a pioneer mining camp known as Arapahoe City was located a <br />few miles east of the present site of Golden. Reportedly, <br />George A. Jackson and John H. Gregory went on from there to make <br />theu historic gold discoveries near Idaho Springs and Central <br />City. <br /> <br />The City of Golden, which is the county seat, was founded in 1859 <br />and was first called Golden City. Golden was the capital of the <br />Jefferson Territory from 1862 to 1867. A part of Jefferson County <br />was added to Park County 1n 1900. <br /> <br />The development of Jefferson County began with the discovery of <br />gold and the result1ng gold mining. Other types of mining have <br />gradually become more important than gold mining, with uranium now <br />one of the leading mining products. Agriculcure also assumed a <br />prominent role in the development of Jefferson County and, until <br />the end of World War II, the county depended primarily upon a <br />mining and agricultural economy. <br /> <br />Industry, which has developed since World War II, has produced a <br />more diversified economy. Federal and local government activities <br />also play a major role in the economy of the county. <br /> <br />Jefferson County is situated in that part <br />Rocky Mountain Province known as the Front <br />and its accompanying hogback foothills, <br />west- <br /> <br />of the complex Southern <br />Range. The Front Range <br />occupying most of the <br /> <br />5 <br />