Commerce City, Colorado

From its beginning as a junction for railroads and highways, Commerce City has always meant business. Throughout much of history, Commerce City has supplied Denver, first with agriculture, now with technical and industrial resources. With the nearby Denver International airport as well as the Rocky Mountain National Speedway, Commerce City now serves the entire Denver metro area.

Several Colorado towns have benefited from the federal government handing over land to local authorities, and Commerce City is no exception. The city named its 917-acre acquisition the Prairie Gateway. Much of the land makes up one of the largest urban nature preserves in the country, with wildlife ranging from large mouth bass to bald eagles. The gateway also contains one of the few remaining short-grass prairies in existence.

Located on the gateway is a new stadium for the Colorado Rapids, Denver’s professional soccer team. With a 20,000-seat capacity and an announcer who can yell Gooooaaaall!, this facility brings in pro soccer teams from all over the country.