Jefferson County, often referred to as “Jeffco,” was established in 1861 alongside the creation of the Colorado Territory. It was one of the 17 original counties in the territory, named after Thomas Jefferson, the 3rd President of the United States. The county seat is Golden City, which later became known simply as Golden.
During its early years, like many Colorado counties, Jeffco’s economy was rooted in mining, farming, and ranching, providing a stable income for its first settlers.
The area was originally inhabited by Native Americans, many of whom were later relocated to reservations. The early days saw frequent skirmishes as pioneers arrived to mine gold, and the native population resisted these encroachments.
In 1874, the Colorado School of Mines was established in Jefferson County, becoming a prominent institution for training geologists and mining engineers.
Another notable chapter in Jeffco’s history is the founding of the Coors Brewery by German immigrant Adolph Coors and his partner Jacob Scheuler in 1873. The brewery remains a significant local employer and a popular tourist attraction to this day.
The current Jefferson County Sheriff is Jeff Shrader, and the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office is located in Golden.