The City and County of Broomfield turns 25 this year. The City of Broomfield turns 65. The farmhouse at 640 Main Street turns 118, and in early December it hosts one of the last events of the anniversary year.
That gap is the story of Broomfield's 2026 holiday season. The banners along Community Park Road celebrate a young government. The December events that close out the celebration take place in a farmhouse and a Grange hall built about half a century before there was a city to take them in. The city's own holiday storytime fills a third old building, a 1909 railroad depot.
Four Anniversaries Under One Banner
Since last fall, Broomfield's anniversary activities have run under one name. Broomfield 2026! is a group of local nonprofits and government representatives. It formed to plan events for four milestones that all land this year: the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, the 150th anniversary of Colorado statehood, the 65th anniversary of the founding of the City of Broomfield, and the 25th anniversary of the City and County of Broomfield.
You have probably seen the banners already. According to the Broomfield Historical Society's December 2025 Broomcorn Express newsletter, they went up on the light poles along Community Park Road near the library in mid-September 2025. The Historical Society, the Front Range Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution and the Broomfield Depot Museum worked on them together. Designer Rachel Courtney of Pretty Nice Creations created them, local firm Fast Signs produced and installed them, and a dedication ceremony was held on the library lawn on September 18.
The group's calendar promised to "continue to add events every month." For December, the events it lists are held in the old buildings.
The Buildings Are Older Than the City
Broomfield's Historic Landmark Board keeps a list of designated historic properties. Three of them host December events this year.
| Building | Built | Landmark status | Address | December 2026 event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brunner Farmhouse | 1908 | Local landmark, 2006 | 640 Main Street | Olde Time Holiday Market, Dec. 5 |
| Depot Museum | 1909 | Local landmark, 2006; State Register, 2016 | 2201 W. 10th Avenue | Polar Express Storytime, Dec. 12 |
| Crescent Grange | 1916 | Local landmark, 2018 | 7901 W. 120th Avenue | "People of the Sacred Land" talk, Dec. 10 |
The farmhouse and the depot were both standing more than 50 years before the City of Broomfield was founded. The Grange is the youngest of the three, and it was built 45 years before the city. All three now serve as gathering places, a museum, or both. December puts them to that use.
Dec. 4 and 5: The Civic Center, Then the Farmhouse
The December run starts at the newest address on the route. The city's Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony is on Friday, Dec. 4, at the George Di Ciero City and County Building, 1 DesCombes Drive. The city's event calendar lists a 5:30 p.m. start, and its recreation program listing runs the event from 6 to 8:30 p.m. If you arrive by 5:30, you'll be there in time under either listing.
The next afternoon, the calendar moves back more than a century. The Broomfield Historical Society's Olde Time Holiday Market runs Saturday, Dec. 5, from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Brunner Farmhouse and Gardens. It is the only Broomfield 2026! event this month held in a farmhouse.
The building has moved before. It is tied to the Brunner family, one of Broomfield's earliest families, and the landmark list describes it as typical of early-1900s farmhouse design. A city council background memo says the house was moved in 1998 to the northeast corner of Main Street and Midway Boulevard. It originally stood near West 120th Avenue and Ash Street. So the farmhouse in today's civic core started out on the same 120th Avenue corridor where the Grange still stands.
Dec. 10: The Grange Hosts the History Talk
On Thursday, Dec. 10, the Crescent Grange at 7901 W. 120th Avenue hosts People of the Sacred Land: The Untold History of Colorado, a talk by Richard Williams on the Broomfield 2026! calendar. The calendar's description opens with a question: "What is the truth of our history in Colorado? We live on the land of ancient Native nations who held aboriginal title when the United States..."
The Grange is a fitting place for a talk about who held this land first. The city's landmark list says the 1916 building "showcases and honors the agricultural heritage of the community, and represents the farmers and ranchers that established Broomfield." It also records that the Grange organized food and clothing distribution in hard times and supported soldiers and their families during both world wars. The Grange was a place for community service long before it was a landmark, and the city now lists its use as a community gathering place, programming space and gardens.
Dec. 12: Nine Storytimes at the 1909 Depot
Two days later, the Broomfield Depot Museum hosts the event with the most room for families. This one comes from the city's Arts and History Division and the library rather than the Broomfield 2026! calendar. Polar Express Storytime takes place on Saturday, Dec. 12, at 2201 W. 10th Avenue. It is free and you don't need to register. Children under 12 need an adult with them.
The Broomfield Library's event page lists nine readings:
- 9 a.m., 9:30 a.m., 10 a.m. and 11 a.m.
- 10:30 a.m., read in Spanish and English
- 12:30 p.m., 1 p.m. and 2 p.m.
- 1:30 p.m., read in Spanish and English
After you pick a time, you can stay for more activities after the story. Pajamas or a holiday outfit are welcome but optional.
Reading a train story in a train depot is the obvious draw. The building is also a reminder of how Broomfield started. The landmark list describes it as a working railway depot that once included living quarters for railway employees. The city made it a local landmark in 2006, and it joined the State Register in 2016.
The Rest of the Calendar Runs on Newer Ground
The anniversary events gather in the old buildings. The rest of the season happens at the places Broomfield uses every week. Here it is in date order, starting Friday, Nov. 20:
- Friday, Nov. 20: The Holiday Bridge Tournament runs from noon to 4 p.m. at the Broomfield Community Center.
- Thursday, Nov. 26: The Broomfield Turkey Day 5K and 10K both start at 9 a.m. at Broomfield County Commons, 13200 Sheridan Blvd. The 10K is $54, or $44 for ages 16 and under. The 5K is $44, or $34 for ages 16 and under. The untimed kids' fun run is $22.
- Thursday, Dec. 17: The Holiday Playdate runs from 9:15 to 10 a.m. at the Broomfield Community Center, 280 Spader Way.
- Friday, Dec. 18: The Lakeshore Holiday Lunch runs from noon to 1 p.m., also at the Broomfield Community Center.
- Now through Thursday, Dec. 24: Photos with Santa at FlatIron Crossing, at the base of the Grand Staircase. Visits are free, and photo packages cost extra. Santa's hours change from day to day, so check the posted schedule before you go.
If you put both lists together, Dec. 4 through Dec. 12 is the busiest stretch. That's four events in nine days, at the civic center, the farmhouse, the Grange and the depot. The 120th Avenue corridor appears twice in that stretch: once where the Brunner house used to stand, and once where the Grange still stands.
Many of the homes I help people buy and sell in Broomfield are a short drive from these four addresses. I'm always glad to talk about the parts of town that don't show up on a listing sheet. If you're thinking about what your place near Main Street, 120th Avenue or the old depot is worth, or you just want to compare notes on the season, Sold With Kathryn is here. Get your home valuation or schedule a consultation, and we'll start there.
