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Moving to Colorado? Here’s Everything You Need to Know

For those who savor the great outdoors, Colorado is the place to be.

By Jim Hoehn on April 29, 2018

CO|Mountain Biking at Snowmass
Courtesy of Aspen Snowmass under a CC 3.0 license.

With its unparalleled Rocky Mountain beauty, Colorado is a year-round haven for outdoor enthusiasts and ranks annually among the healthiest states. The state is rich in culture of the American West and has a welcoming business climate.

Best Places to Live in Colorado

Four Temperate Seasons

An average elevation of 6,800 above sea level – the highest of any state – keeps temperatures and humidity moderate year-round for most of the state. Local weather is affected greatly by varying elevation. Although much of the state is rugged mountain terrain, the eastern region is more akin to the neighboring plains of Kansas and Nebraska, with hotter summer temperatures. Colorado’s annual snowfall totals, among the highest of western states, fuels the state’s world-renowned ski scene.

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Best Places to Live

Denver, the state capital and largest city, is comprised of a collection of neighborhoods from historic to hip. The “Mile High City†also is home to the state’s major professional sports teams – the Broncos, Rockies, Avalanche and Nuggets. Other communities that receive high marks include Boulder, Aurora, Colorado Springs, and Fort Collins. On a budget? Check out the most affordable cities in Colorado.

Strong Business Climate

Colorado ranks high among best states for business in a wide range of surveys, including Forbes. Tourism is a cumulative industry. In 2015, Colorado opened its Outdoor Recreation Industry Office (OREC), one of only two such offices in the nation.

The 5 Most Affordable Cities in Colorado

Healthcare, Aerospace Blend With Outdoors

Major employers include Lockheed Martin and several healthcare entities, including HealthOne Corp., Centura Health and SCL Health Systems. Colorado also ranks high in the niche market of outdoor recreation employers by industry observers. The state’s largest employer is Denver International Airport with 35,000 employees.

Take It Outside

Names like Vail, Aspen, Steamboat Springs and Breckenridge are almost synonymous with downhill skiing. Rocky Mountain National Park, with 77 mountains taller than 12,00 feet and more than 350 miles of hiking trails, is about 70 miles northwest of Denver. Colorado also has dozens of hot springs, including Glenwood Springs, home of the historic Hotel Colorado, a favorite of President Teddy Roosevelt. Mesa Verde National Park, in the southwest corner near the Four Corners with Utah, Arizona and New Mexico, is known for its Puebloan cliff dwellings and archeological sites. For music in an open-air setting, check out Red Rocks Amphitheater about 10 miles west of Denver for big-name concerts by the likes of Jason Isbell, Paul Simon, and Tom Petty.

7 Surprising Things About Living in Colorado

Cost of Living Near National Average

Colorado’s cost of living is only slightly higher than the national average, but that is offset by a median household income that is about 13% above the national average. The median home price in Colorado is on the rise, up 9.3 percent to about $336,000. In April 2017, the average price of a single-family home in the Denver metro area reached a new high of $487,974.

5 Best Cities for Families in Colorado

Driving in Mountains, Snow

It takes a while to learn the nuances of driving safely on mountain roads and snow-covered roads. The cotrip website is a good source for travel alerts and driving conditions. Denver International Airport is the sixth-busiest airport in the U.S. with more than 58 million passengers traveling through the airport each year. Other commercial airports include Colorado Springs and Grand Junction.

Why Colorado Might Be the Best State to Be a Freelancer

Education

Colorado has a 90 percent high school graduation rate, above the national average. Colorado School Grades, a coalition of 18 non-profit community organizations, offers an annual statewide ranking of high schools, middle schools and elementary schools. In addition to the flagship University of Colorado, other universities include Colorado State, University of Denver, Northern Colorado, Colorado College, and Colorado School of Mines. The U.S. Air Force Academy is located in Colorado Springs. The Colorado Community College System oversees 13 two-year colleges.

Festival Fever

Colorado offers a wide range of festivals centering on food, music and cultural heritage. For a quick introduction, check out 10 Colorado Festivals You Can’t Miss.

For those into Americana and Texas music, The Music Fest at Steamboat has grown into a six-day event featuring about 70 bands and bringing a multitude of fans to the ski resort town.

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