About Us

In 1956, President Dwight D. Eisenhower proposed the people-to-people concept that lead to the development of Sister Cities International. It was Eisenhower’s belief that strong relationships established between cities in the United States and cities of the world would lesten the potential for world conflicts.

Based on this concept, in 1991 local businesses and city government joined togather to establish Longmont’s first Sister City Association with Chino, Japan. In 1995 the Longmont Sister City Association(LSCA) was founded to manage the sister city relationship and to relieve city employees of the many tasks and responsibilities associatted with coordinating sister city activities. Shortly thereafter LSCA became the member of the Sister Cities International(SCI) organization.

In 1998 Ciudad Guzman, Mexico became Longmont’s second sister city. The connection between Longmont and Ciudad Guzman is based on similarities of the two cities and Longmont’s large Hispanic population.

Adults also have an opportunity to participate in the Student Exchange Program. Just like the students, adults living in the Longmont area are encouraged to submit an application to serve as a chaperone. Following a series of interviews and background checks, chaparones are selected to oversee the student exchange, manage fund raising activities and accompany the students to Japan or Mexico.

The Longmont Sister Cities Association maintains a key role in the city of Longmont through its partnerships with the city museum and civic organizations to promote cultural awareness.