Longmont Changes Name To Stashmont

Note: This post was originally published on 4/1. Take that as you will.

Big news today in the FIRE community! The epicenter of the FIRE movement, Longmont, is changing its name. And it relates to the FI movement. With permission from local newspaper The Longmontian, I’m republishing an article from today’s edition.

In a stunning development, Longmont officials have decided to change the name of the city to Stashmont. The decision came during after a heated, closed door city council debate on Thursday evening. Mayor John Pack said, “This is not a decision Council took lightly. Longmont is over 150 years old and it has a storied and colorful history. But the name has too much baggage associated with it. It was time for a change.”

Why Stashmont?

Local Financial Independence personality Mr. Money Mustache (MMM) made Longmont his home almost two decades ago. Back in 2014, he expressed his love for the city in a viral blog post. He affectionately referred to Longmont as Stashmont. Here’s an excerpt:

After fifteen years of living next to the Rocky Mountains, I am definitely still in love with my own patch of the world. Colorado in general, and old-town Longmont in specific, agree very well with me. The fine balance between warmth and cold, freedom and social order, affordability and fanciness, and even perfection and ugly flaws, seems just about right to keep life vigorous and interesting.

MMM’s huge effect on Longmont is undeniable. His devotees (they refer to themselves as “Mustachians”) have come from all over the world to visit the MMM HQ Coworking and Event Space on Main Street for various happenings. And many have even made Longmont their home after reading the MMM blog. Former Wisconsin resident, Sarah Raymond said, “Wisconsin is OK, but after a bitterly cold February where the sun failed to make an appearance for 3 straight weeks, I knew it was time for a change. After reading MMM, I thought I’d give Longmont a try.”

City council has decided to commemorate the new name by making some big changes that reflect MMM’s values:

• Main Street will be converted to a pedestrian and bike-only thoroughfare
• 98% of all car parking lots will be converted to high density housing, gardens, and parks
• The city water tower will be adorned with a 42 foot wide mustache
• Bike racks and EV chargers will be installed throughout the city

Mixed Feelings

Not everyone is happy with the changes. Former resident Gerry Johnson voiced dismay: “So what if founding father Cornelius Longmont owned three brothels and an opiate den? It was a different time. This is a stupid decision. I’m moving.” Johnson has since relocated to Goat City, Tennessee.

Longmontian Allison Cortland, who moved to Longmont in 2006, was more enthusiastic: “It’s going to take folks some time to get used to the name change but this is a good thing. Go Longmont, er Stashmont!”

Mayor Pack encourages everyone to embrace the change: “I realize that not everyone is going to like the new name, but it was inevitable. I think that most are going to come to embrace it. I encourage residents and visitors alike to put on their best mustache and come out for the first ever Mustache Festival next month. There will be a mustache competition, mustache themed food and drinks, and a carnival with mustache rides! See you in Stashmont!”

More 1500 Days!!!

You can also find me (and the dinosaurs) at:

Mile High FI podcast:

• Listen on Apple, Google, YouTube, and Spotify

Also here:

• Facebook: Facebook group and page
• YouTube: My channel is mostly devoted to home improvement, but I have some other material coming up soon too.
• Instagram: Pretty pictures of dinosaurs, sunsets, and nail guns!
• Twitter: Spontaneous, often insane, ramblings
• Coworking space: On the surface, MMM HQ is a coworking space. Look a little deeper and you’ll see that we’re really building community. The members of MMM HQ are some of the finest people I know.