Greeley was initially established as a farming and ranching town in northern Colorado. Today, the largest employer is Swift & Company, a meat packing plant. Greeley sits at the confluence of the Cache la Poudre and South Platte rivers. The location offers many outdoor activities as people can regularly be seen running and biking along the Poudre River Trail. Greeley is home to the University of Northern Colorado.
The Greeley Stampede is a tradition that dates back to the 19th century. It spans two weekends on or around the fourth of July. The event is a celebration of all things western, including a rodeo, art show, demolition derby, and festival games. In 1920, the Stampede was the largest festival in the world. Today, it remains Colorado’s second largest festival.
The Poudre River Trail is regarded as the best walking and biking path in Greeley. Visitors enjoy the scenery and often see wildlife along the trail. Greeley also has several parks on the water. A couple of the most popular are Sanborn Park and Bittersweet Park.
Greeley has several unexpected gems for visiting. One of the highest rated attractions is the Colorado Railroad Museum, where highly detailed model trains are on display. Another good option is the Greeley History Museum, which is stocked with local history and artifacts that paint a picture of how Greeley came to be.
Winters are dry and cool, with daily high temps in the mid-40s. Greeley is far from Colorado ski areas so it isn't a popular winter destination.
Spring is relatively the wet season. By the middle of May, daily high temps are hitting the high 70s.
Summer is hot, with temps hitting the mid-90s. The summer season is largely centered around the Greeley Stampede, and it is the busiest time of year for tourism.
Falls are mild and dry. October sees daily high temps in the low-70s.