You’re driving south on Broadway, maybe looking for a specific thrift store or headed to a show at the Gothic Theatre, and you cross that invisible line. One minute you're in Denver, and the next, things feel... different. A bit more relaxed, maybe?
If you've ever found yourself wondering exactly where you are, you aren't alone. One of the most common questions for new residents and lost tourists is simple: englewood co is in what county?
The short answer is Arapahoe County.
But honestly, the story of how Englewood ended up there—and why it stays so fiercely independent from its giant neighbor to the north—is a lot more interesting than just a line on a map. Englewood isn't just a suburb; it's a "home rule" municipality with a history of gold rushes, "fancy women," and a very lucky horse.
Why the County Line Matters More Than You Think
Most people assume that because Englewood is basically glued to Denver, it must be part of Denver County. Nope.
Englewood is firmly planted in Arapahoe County, which, fun fact, was actually the first county created in what was then the Kansas Territory back in 1855. Back then, Arapahoe County was huge—it stretched all the way to the Kansas border. Over time, it got chopped up into smaller pieces, but Englewood stayed put.
Being in Arapahoe County affects everything from who you vote for to where your property taxes go. While Denver has its own consolidated city and county government, Englewood operates under its own charter.
📖 Related: Weather San Diego 92111: Why It’s Kinda Different From the Rest of the City
A Quick Geography Lesson
If you're looking at a map, Englewood is tucked into the South Platte River Valley. It's bordered by:
- Denver to the north and west.
- Sheridan to the west.
- Cherry Hills Village and Greenwood Village to the east.
- Littleton to the south.
It's a small city, covering only about 6.6 square miles. You can literally drive across the whole thing in ten minutes if the lights on Santa Fe hit right.
The Wild West Roots of Arapahoe County's Favorite City
Before it was a suburban hub, Englewood was a place for people who didn't necessarily want to play by Denver's rules.
In 1858, a guy named William Green Russell found gold in Little Dry Creek. This was a massive deal. It actually triggered the "Pikes Peak or Bust" gold rush. Everyone thinks of Denver as the gold rush city, but the spark really happened right here in what would become Englewood.
By the late 1800s, the area was known as Orchard Place. It wasn't exactly a family-friendly destination. Legend has it the town consisted of seven saloons, a grocery store, and two "sporting houses" (which is a polite 19th-century way of saying brothels).
The Election That Changed Everything
In 1903, the citizens decided they wanted to become a real city. There was a big fight between Thomas Skerritt—often called the "Father of Englewood"—and Jacob Jones. Jones wanted to clean up the town and make it a place for families. Skerritt was a bit more old-school.
👉 See also: Weather Las Vegas NV Monthly: What Most People Get Wrong About the Desert Heat
Jones won the mayor's seat by a tiny margin, and the town was renamed Englewood.
But Denver didn't want to let it go that easily. In the 1920s, there were two different elections where Denver tried to annex Englewood. We’re talking nail-biters here—the locals voted to stay independent by just four votes in one election and six in another. If a handful of people had stayed home that day, Englewood would just be another Denver neighborhood today.
Life in Englewood: More Than Just a Zip Code
When you live here, you realize that being in Arapahoe County gives the city a different flavor. It’s got a "small town in a big city" vibe.
Take the Cherrelyn Horse Car, for example. This is a bit of local lore that everyone should know. Back in the day, a horse would pull a streetcar up the hill on South Broadway. Once they got to the top, the horse would hop on the back of the car, and they’d both coast back down the hill by gravity. It was the only gravity-powered streetcar of its kind. You can still see a replica of it today.
Major Landmarks You’ve Probably Visited
Even if you didn't know which county you were in, you’ve probably spent time in Englewood:
- Swedish Medical Center: One of the biggest employers in the region and a massive Level 1 trauma center.
- Craig Hospital: World-renowned for spinal cord and brain injury rehab. People come from all over the globe to go here.
- The Gothic Theatre: Built in 1929, this Art Deco beauty is one of the best places in the state to catch a concert.
- Pirates Cove: If you have kids and it’s July, you’ve been here. It’s the go-to water park for the south metro area.
Sorting Out the Mail (The Zip Code Confusion)
Here is where it gets confusing for people. Some addresses that say "Englewood" aren't actually in the City of Englewood.
✨ Don't miss: Weather in Lexington Park: What Most People Get Wrong
Because of how the Post Office works, many parts of Centennial, Greenwood Village, and unincorporated Arapahoe County use an "Englewood" mailing address. This leads to people thinking Englewood is ten times bigger than it actually is.
If you want to know if you're actually in the city limits, look at your water bill or see who provides your police services. If it’s the Englewood Police Department and not the Arapahoe County Sheriff, you’re in the actual city.
Modern Day Englewood: Millennials and Meds
Today, Englewood has a reputation for being a hub for two things: healthcare and young professionals.
It actually has the third-highest concentration of millennials in Colorado. Why? Because it’s cheaper than Denver but has two light rail stations that get you downtown in 15 minutes. Plus, the "CityCenter" development—built where the old Cinderella City mall used to be—is a textbook example of how to do transit-oriented development right.
The city is also a medical powerhouse. Between Swedish, Craig, and Kaiser Permanente, there’s a higher ratio of physicians to residents here than almost anywhere else in the country.
Actionable Tips for Navigating Englewood
If you’re moving here or just visiting, here are a few things to keep in mind:
- Check the Parking: Downtown Englewood (near the Gothic) has some tricky parking rules. Read the signs or you will get a ticket from the city, not the county.
- Parks are Everywhere: Roughly 65% of residents live within walking distance of a park. Belleview Park is the crown jewel—it has a miniature train and a petting zoo that’s been a staple since the 60s.
- The Light Rail is Your Friend: Use the Englewood or Oxford-CityCenter stations. It’s much easier than fighting traffic on Santa Fe Drive (US-85).
- Know Your Districts: Englewood Schools is its own district, but some kids in the city limits actually go to Littleton or Cherry Creek schools depending on exactly where the house sits. Always double-check the boundary maps before buying a home.
So, the next time someone asks englewood co is in what county, you can tell them it's Arapahoe. But you can also tell them it’s the place where a horse once rode its own trolley and where the gold rush actually started.
To get a true feel for the city’s independent spirit, head over to the Englewood Depot. It’s one of the oldest buildings in the city, now serving as a letterpress museum. It perfectly captures that vibe of honoring the past while carving out a very specific, non-Denver identity. Just make sure you've got your bearings on Broadway before you head out.