Fort Lupton was started as a trading post in 1836 by Lieutenant Lancaster Lupton, who came to the area in 1835 and saw the areas potential as a trade stop to the West. He found great success with both farming and trade until the blizzard of 1844. The storm took out wildlife and trade and thus Lt. Lupton abandoned his fort to head to California. He died there, never to return to his fort.

Eventually, in 1859 two businessmen saw the same potential of Ft. Lupton’s strategic location and settled the Fort again. Again, the Fort proved a success as many people traveled west to find their fortune in gold and later ranching. As settlers saw the completion of the railroad in 1879, they discussed incorporating and becoming a “real town”. However, state laws required an adequate number of people before incorporating. In 1889 the settlers got their wish following an impressive growth rate. To follow in short order were businesses, schools, churches, and social and community organizations. Following the Industrial Revolution in the early 1900’s came a brickyard, condensed milk plant, cannery and sugar factory, moving the area away from a strictly agricultural based economy.

Fort Lupton became an official city in 1974 and today large businesses such as a truss manufacturer, a tomato greenhouse and an oil engineering and construction company all call the city home. The Fort still carries the small town feel but with the modern convenience of the car Denver is only a short drive away.