​Community Wellness

A city's built environment can encourage community members to live a healthy lifestyle. It is easier for people to maintain healthy habits in neighborhoods with plenty of opportunity for exercise and physical activity, and easy access to fresh, healthy food. This is often referred to as "Healthy Eating, Active Living" ("HEAL").

Policy and land use decisions play an important role in the creation and enhancement of a healthy community. Community planning impacts the health, welfare and long-term vitality of Thornton's residents and businesses.  In recognition of this, the City strives to facilitate a healthy environment through a variety of long-range planning efforts, including the following.

Nourish Colorado (formerly known as LiveWell Colorado) Healthy Eating, Active Living Cities and Towns Campaign

In September 2013, Thornton City Council adopted a resolution affirming Thornton's commitment to encouraging healthy opportunities and choices for the community and joining LiveWell Colorado's* Healthy Eating, Active Living ("HEAL") Cities and Towns Campaign. Through this campaign, the former organization LiveWell Colorado, in partnership with the Colorado Municipal League (CML), provided training and technical assistance to help cities adopt policies that improve access to physical activity and healthy food in their communities.

* In late 2020, LiveWell Colorado became Nourish Colorado to rebrand the organization with a stronger focus on building a food system that nourishes all Coloradoans.

Health Impact Assessment (HIA)

Policy Planning collaborated with consultants and community organizations to produce a Health Impact Assessment (HIA) of the South Thornton Revitalization Plan area. The report identifies opportunities for increasing access to healthy food and active living in this area. The report was completed and accepted by City Council Resolution on April 10, 2012.

Complete Streets

Thornton has incorporated Complete Streets principles into its Standards and Specifications to ensure roadway design that is safe, comfortable, and convenient for drivers, bicyclists, transit vehicles and their users, trail users, and pedestrians of all ages and abilities. Prior to incorporating these principles into the City's regulatory framework, the City first adopted a "Complete Streets Policy" in April 2011 as an amendment to the Transportation Plan.

Thornton Boomer Bond Assessment (2020)

The City conducted an assessment process utilizing the Denver Regional Council of Governments (DRCOG) Boomer Bond Assessment Tool to evaluate how Thornton's existing resources, plans, regulations, programs, and community design features serve older adult residents. The assessment addressed mobility and access, housing, community living, and support services. The City completed a Boomer Bond Summary Report in March 24, 2020 to report key findings and recommendations to improve quality of life for older adults.