Livermore was founded as a ranching community and has retained that character. It is located in a broad valley north of LaPorte and just west of Highway 287.

The town was named for two early settlers, Adolphus Livernash and Stephen Moore, who built a one-room cabin at the site in 1863 and proceeded to prospect for minerals. Some of the early ranchers in the area came to this country from England as remittance men, and in 1880 a ranching school to train the young men was opened in Livermore.

In 1874 a post office was opened in Livermore, with mail delivered once a week by horseback. Daily mail service from Fort Collins was later provided.

A school district was formed in Livermore in 1871, offering a dugout schoolhouse with a dirt roof and floor. This was replaced by a frame building in 1883.

A community landmark, the Forks Hotel, was built by Robert O. Roberts in 1875. The hotel went through many changes in ownership and design before being destroyed by fire in 1985. It has since been rebuilt and operates as a restaurant and store.

In 1882, a community hall was built. The first Sunday School was organized in 1885, and the first church was built in 1933. Electrical power came to the community in 1948.

Some of the historical houses and businesses in Livermore, including the Livermore Hotel, have been remodeled into attractive homes. Today, about 850 families call Livermore home.