Known as the Queen City of the Plains, Sterling is located in Logan County in the Northeastern corner of Colorado on Interstate 76. Having the largest population, estimated at approximately 13,900, of those communities in Colorado east of Pueblo, Sterling is the regional shopping hub for Northeast Colorado and Southwest Nebraska. The Logan County Chamber of Commerce has links to the local businesses in Sterling.

The City of Sterling relies upon various advisory boards for recommendations concerning City development. These boards include the Planning Commission, Public Works Board, Parks, Library and Recreation Board, Personnel Board, Sterling Urban Renewal Authority Board and Sterling Housing Authority (the final two being quasi-municipal boards).

Sterling was incorporated on December 13, 1884. The City of Sterling Charter was adopted on May 2, 1950 and became a Home Rule City on January 1, 1952.