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Cochrane is approximately 35km west of Calgary city centre. In 2004, the population was 12,418. It is part of Calgary's Census Metropolitan Area (1,037,100 in 2004) and a member community of the Calgary Regional Partnership (CRP), which has a population of about 1.1 million. Cochrane was established in 1881 as the Cochrane Ranche by Senator Matthew Cochrane. It became a village in 1903 and a town in 1971. Cochrane is at the base of Big Hill and is a centre for paragliding instruction, with the renowned Mueller family operating a school at the top of the Big Hill. The hill is also a popular training ground for cyclists from the area, who use its [7%] grade and [3.5km] distance.