city, Adams and Jefferson counties, north-central Colorado, U.S., a northern suburb of Denver. Settled in 1863 by Pleasant DeSpain, a homesteader, it was named DeSpain Junction and developed as a shipping point for local farm produce. Later renamed Harris, the community was incorporated and was then named after the local Westminster University (1891–1917). Economic development was stimulated following the arrival of the Denver, Western and Pacific Railway in 1881 and the formation of the Farmer's High Line Canal and Reservoir (1885) and Allen Ditch (1890) irrigation companies. Following a period of explosive growth, one of the fastest in the nation, in the late 1980s, the city government imposed a controversial moratorium on new housing and later developed a comprehensive plan to manage expansion. The city is now a centre of high-technology manufacture and contains several major health-care facilities. Inc. 1911. Pop. (1970) 19,432; (1990) 74,625; (2000) 100,940.

city, seat (1837) of Carroll county, northern Maryland, U.S., 31 miles (50 km) northwest of Baltimore. It was founded in 1764 by William Winchester and was commonly called Winchester in its early years. Because the town was confused with Winchester, Virginia, it was renamed for the London borough of Westminster. It was an important supply base for the Union Army during the Battle of Gettysburg (Gettysburg, Battle of) in the American Civil War. The city is now primarily a residential community. It is the seat of Western Maryland College (1867). Of interest are the Historical Society of Carroll County (museum), Carroll County Farm Museum, and the Union Mills (Shriver family) Homestead (1797). The first rural free mail delivery in the country began at Westminster in 1899. Inc. 1837. Pop. (1990) 13,068; (2000) 16,731.