The town is located 18 km (11 mi) west of the Calgary city limits along Highway 1A.

The town is a popular destination for ice cream and coffee in its quaint western-themed stores as well as for windsports, golfing, hiking and other adventure activities.

The hill is also a popular training ground for cyclists from the area, who take advantage of its 7% grade and 3.5 km (2.2 mi) distance.

Mixed forest, with white spruce most conspicuous, covers north-facing slopes and part of the Bow River valley.

According to Alberta's Municipal Government Act, a town is eligible for city status when it reaches 10,000 residents.

The Local Hockey Club played at the Original Cochrane Arena from 1984-2001/2018-2023 before our move to the SLS Centre.

As of October 19, 2021, the town council consists of mayor Jeff Genung and Councillors Susan Flowers, Patrick Wilson, Morgan Nagel, Marni Fedeyko, Tara McFadden, Alex Reed.

Cochrane is located in the federal electoral district of Banff-Airdrie and is represented by Blake Richards in the House of Commons.

He replaced long standing MP Myron Thompson, who was originally elected as a member of the Reform Party in 1993.

[43][44] COLT has a partnership with On-It regional transit, providing a connection between Cochrane and Calgary.

The Cochrane Christian Academy opened its doors at Mitford Middle School in September 2007, offering kindergarten to grade 4.