Sheridan, Colorado

The City of Sheridan is a home rule municipality located in Arapahoe County, Colorado, United States. Sheridan is a part of the Denver–Aurora–Lakewood, CO Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 6,105 at the 2020 census.

History
Sheridan was originally part of the Indian Territory and has always been a small community. The first white settler of what would become Sheridan was John McBroom in the spring of 1859. He homesteaded 160 acre. The town was initially named Petersburg. McBroom built his first log cabin near Bear Creek which he later abandoned in 1866 when he married Emma J. Bennett. He prospered as a farmer and found a viable market in Denver for his goods. He was joined by his brother, Isaac McBroom, in June 1860, who also homesteaded a little over 160 acre. The laying out of the town of Sheridan is credited to Isaac. He was also responsible for the name change from Petersburg to Sheridan. Isaac McBroom's cabin can be toured at the Littleton Historical Museum.

Another prominent figure in Sheridan's early history was Peter Magnes. Originally from Sweden, Magnes was a farmer who immigrated to the United States at the age of 26. In 1859, his first daughter was born on the banks of Cherry Creek. He also purchased 160 acre of land and built a small log cabin. In 1865 Magnes laid out the town of Petersburg and encouraged Swedish families to immigrate to his town. The town had a railroad, hotel, blacksmith, church, newspaper, post office and, of course, taverns. The state of Colorado was formed in 1876, putting Sheridan within its new boundaries.

Citizens began moving toward incorporation of Sheridan in January 1890. There was some dispute among the petitioners about boundaries, and the final results were filed in February 1890. On April 14, 1890, the town of Sheridan was incorporated.

Sheridan gets its name from U.S. Army General Philip H. Sheridan. General Sheridan established Fort Logan, which was originally known as the "Camp close to Denver". It was on the site known as the Johnson Tract, south of the city, with a water supply, the proximity of the railroad, "available space for a parade ground, artesian well possibilities, the beautiful view and the distance from Denver and its saloons." Because of the military post Sheridan continued to flourish. However, eventually the post was shut down, and it is now a mental health facility that borders Sheridan.

Sheridan has remained a community that continues to influence the surrounding areas, most recently with current redevelopment projects.

Geography
Sheridan is located at 39.64889°N, -105.01778°W (39.648920, -105.017681).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 5.9 km2, of which 5.7 km2 is land and 0.2 km2, or 2.91%, is water.

Education
The Sheridan School District operates area public schools.

Higways
Three highways run through the city of Sheridan:
 * US 85.svg US 85 (South Santa Fe Drive) runs along the city's eastern edge, both entering and exiting Sheridan via Englewood
 * US 285.svg US 285 runs east-west within the city. It runs from the city's eastern border with Englewood to its western border with Denver.
 * Colorado 88.svg State Highway 88 (South Federal Boulevard) runs from the city's southern border with Englewood to its northern border with Denver.

Mass transit
The Regional Transportation District provides bus and light rail service to Sheridan. Light rail service to the city began on July 14, 2000, on the C and D Lines, however C Line opperation ended on January 10, 2021. Oxford-City of Sheridan station serves as the sole light rail station within the city. While the station platform is located within the city, the only entrance to the station is in Englewood.

In popular culture
Sheridan was the setting for the short-lived western TV series Legend. When the writers originally chose the name, they were not aware that the town of "Sheridan, Colorado" existed. The show takes place in 1876, some time before Sheridan was incorporated.