articles

“60 Years Celebrating Seeds of Innovation”

By Christine K Forster President, Purveyor of Passions My BIG Day, LLC September 5, 2022

We are thrilled to announce the largest celebration of innovation to ever take place in Loveland, CO!

Sixty years ago, Hewlett-Packard opened its first U.S. facility outside of the Bay Area—bringing a world of technology and innovation to Loveland, thanks to co-founder David Packard’s love for his home state. The company that made technology more available and accessible later made Loveland home to its calculator and personal computing business lines.

The 12,800-square-foot initial plant in Loveland employed 28 people and produced power supplies before expanding to PCs later that decade; it subsequently served as the company’s Components Building. Notably, the Loveland division sold Hewlett-Packard’s 15,000th desktop calculator in 1972.

Even after the personal computing division moved to Fort Collins in the 1970s, the Loveland site continued to prosper. Less than 20 years after it opened, the site boasted 3,000 employees—a full five percent of the company’s worldwide workforce.

In 2021, the City of Loveland contracted with Cultural Resource Historians to complete an architectural inventory on the Hewlett Packard property at 815 14th Street SW, with the support of the Loveland Historic Preservation Commission, that recognizes both the architectural and historical significance of this property.

Today, the now called, “Forge Campus”, has provided countless jobs, and helped Loveland, CO grow into the city we know it to be today. Families and nearly the whole west side of town weren’t there before this and wouldn’t be where it is today without it. The Warehouse Business Accelerator in Loveland drives prosperity in Colorado’s North Front Range by building community and support resources for innovative companies that create primary jobs, wealth, and economic influence. With a passion for helping businesses grow, the organization has brought in 13 member companies to Northern Colorado in four years, generating revenue exceeding $62 million.

Strong, sustainable businesses create prosperity for our community. Loveland is proud of its longtime connection to technology, its present work in driving a strong business community, and a limitless future to come.



Join us for 60 Years Celebrating Seeds of Innovation

Saturday, October 8, 2022 

9am – 1pm

Forge Campus: 815 14th St SW, Loveland, CO 80537 

FREE EVENT

Enjoy family-friendly activities, notable speakers, live music, food trucks, awards for outstanding businesses, students and citizens, tours of Forge Campus facility, an impressive historical timeline of innovation in Loveland, innovation displays, giveaways, and some surprises!

  • Food Trucks /Live Music 
  • Kids/Family Activities 
  • HUGE BUBBLE TOWER 
  • Historical Presentations 
  • Innovation Demonstrations 
  • 'DRONE ZONE' Play Space 
  • Car show 
  • Awards Ceremony 
  • Incredible Speakers 
  • Giveaways 
  • Campus Tours 
  • HP Round Table 
  • Gitanjali Rao, AMERICAN INVENTOR and "Time's Kid of the Year!"