Brighton is located northeast of Denver and is also the County seat for Adams County. The community was named after Brighton Beach NY. The city was incorporated in 1887 but didn’t become the county seat until 1904.  Before that time, the area was known as Hughes Station (Junction).  The city has a long history in agriculture and was established as a major commerce center for the area in the 1880’s.    The city has a both a large German and Hispanic population.  The area’s German heritage dates back to before 1876.

The very first “industry” of Brighton was the creamery.  The Brighton Creamery was established in 1884, giving local farmers a place to sell their milk.  Then in 1889 the Brighton Canning Company opened to support the area’s produce farmers.  Since there have been vinegar and pickle companies which all failed until Max Kuner opened a small sauerkraut and pickle company in 1907.  This small company was later sold to Stokely-Van Camp and continues to support local farmers today.  In the 1970’s the area became known to some as the “Sugar City” with the operation of the GW Sugar refinery.  Sugar became the most important industry in the area by processing six hundred tons of sugar a day until 1977 when the Great Western Sugar Co. closed the facility.

The early part of the century brought the railroad and bicyclists to the area.  With railroad construction in high gear, many Japanese laborers came to the area and eventually settled cutting the path for the current Japanese-American Association in Brighton.  While, the “wheelmen” or bicyclists of the early 1900’s are credited for the creation of the county’s interlocking system of hiking and biking trails of today.  The popularity of the car later overwhelmed the club but paths they took remain.

While Brighton still maintains its roots as a small rural, agricultural town, it is becoming better known as a growing suburb of the Denver metro area.  Today Brighton is home to companies such as Intertape Polymer Group, Kmart Distribution Center, Platte Valley Medical Center, United Power, Wayne’s Electric and Western United Electric Supply Corp. Part of the attraction to the area is the affordability and easy access to DIA.  The opening of the 470 corridor and new homes constructed in the area over recent years has made this a desirable “small town” close to all the conveniences.