Centennial, Colorado
Population: 100,000
Located in Douglas County
Denver is a huge city, and so just a short while ago, some people decided to make their area, located to the south of Denver, a city in its own right. Residents got together in September 12, 2000 to choose the name Centennial, and elected they its first officials on February 6, 2001. Centennial officially became a city on February 7, 2001, and currently has a population of 103,000. It is one of the largest newly incorporated cities in America. Centennial is also one of a new ?breed? of cities where city leaders want citizens and private and non-profit corporations to step up to the plate and take over many of the public services themselves. In their "city of the future," citizens have an unusual degree of control over their government. The government, in turn, is small ? so lean, in fact, that it is almost invisible. Private companies deliver most public services. There is not, nor will be a city hall. There are a bare minimum of city ordinances and no army of code enforcers to intrude in people's lives. The key to achieving these goals, Centennial's leaders believe, will be preserving the sense of citizen involvement that initially started all of this. They hope to rely far less on public employees and professional managers than is common in more established jurisdictions. The motto of the people of Centennial is: "Govern yourselves, or somebody else will." One of the main challenges facing Centennial is that it was already a well-established and affluent neighborhood of Denver. Even though it was unincorporated, it was used to a certain number of services, which residents no longer get. And there are on-going repairs that come with any city, and new road construction to aid in the growing population. As the city and the surrounding county fill up, there's talk about preserving open space. Homes here are well-established, especially on the west side of the city. New homes are more frequently found on the north and east side. Single family and condos are under construction in this lovely part of Colorado. Most single-family homes here sell in the region of $200,000, although some sell for less. The cost of living here in Centennial is extremely reasonable in comparison to other communities surrounding it. The city has created a 1.5% sales tax and that?s it for the city! The cost of living in the Denver area is high, but because of the new measures implemented in Centennial, it is one of the most cost-effective cities in Colorado! Centennial ties into two public school systems for now. These schools are one of the most secure, and safe schools in the nation. Education is especially important to the residents of Centennial, as parents want to make sure their children are prepared for a future where they are responsible and committed citizens. Its location is ideal too! Based on the south side of Denver, it is a quick, easy drive to and from work daily, although there are plenty of corporations right in Centennial too. And if you are looking for recreation, well look no further than the Denver area! Skiing is the number pastime of folks, but don?t think that?s all Denver is famous for! Mountain climbing, hiking, trail riding, mountain biking, golf, rock climbing, tennis, swimming, water skiing ? if you can imagine it, you can do it here! Despite the challenges that Centennial faces, this is the face of the new generation of cities, of towns to come. Many people in other cities are watching Centennial very closely to see how to run a city that is not making ordinances left and right, that expect neighbors to resolve issues without expecting the city to step in and make things rights; and that expect its residents and citizens to take care of the day-to-day running of the city. Centennial is not a place for the faint of heart, or for those who want to be left alone! This is a city for people who are willing to work hard, to communicate and have a very big say in the future of their community. If you are tired of all the rules and regulations that have crept into your life and your community, Centennial is definitely the place for you!
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