Centennial

History

The City of Centennial was incorporated on February 7, 2001, from portions of unincorporated Arapahoe County, including the former Castlewood and Southglenn census-designated places (CDPs). The citizens of the area had voted to incorporate on September 12, 2000, choosing Centennial as the official name during the vote. The name reflects Colorado's admission to the Union as the 38th state in 1876, the centennial year of the United States Declaration of Independence. The state of Colorado is nicknamed the "Centennial State". The taxes generated from businesses in unincorporated portions of Arapahoe County funded the majority of the county's services, including road work. A number of court cases eventually established the right of incorporation to take precedence over the right of annexation. In 2008, Centennial voters approved a referendum by approximately a 2-to-1 margin making Centennial a home rule city. Centennial Airport, formerly the Arapahoe County Airport, lies adjacent to Centennial, but is located in unincorporated Arapahoe County. The airport is not named after the city, as it predates the city by over 30 years.

Geography

Centennial is roughly divided in half by Interstate 25, with most of its business and entertainment centers lying west of the highway. Centennial has many hills, gullies and ravines, and its open spaces are usually accompanied by recreational trails and parks, including Dry Creek Dam, DeKoevend Park, the High Line Canal Trail, Willow Creek Trail, as well as Big Dry Creek and Little Dry Creek Trails. Centennial hosts most native wildlife and is a good reflection of Colorado's front range ecosystem. Centennial has seen a boost in coyote populations in recent years, leading to resident education on how to deter coyotes from eating family pets. At the 2020 United States census, the city had a total area of including of water.

Race & ethnicity

Largest nearby schools

• Cherry Creek High School
  High · GREENWOOD VILLAGE · 3,797 students · 20.1:1 ratio
• Eaglecrest High School
  High · CENTENNIAL · 3,093 students · 20.1:1 ratio
• Cherokee Trail High School
  High · AURORA · 2,924 students · 19.2:1 ratio
• Grandview High School
  High · AURORA · 2,774 students · 18.7:1 ratio
• Smoky Hill High School
  High · AURORA · 2,252 students · 19.1:1 ratio
• Overland High School
  High · AURORA · 2,109 students · 17.4:1 ratio
• Aurora Central Campus
  Other · AURORA · 2,084 students · 17.2:1 ratio
• Rangeview High School
  High · AURORA · 2,051 students · 21.4:1 ratio