8 Reasons People Love Living in Colorado

With its majestic mountains, delicious craft beer, and plenty to do outdoors, there are a lot of reasons residents love living in Colorado.
When Katharine Lee Bates wrote the America the Beautiful line, “For purple mountain majesties above the fruited plain,” she was probably talking about Colorado. While this Rocky Mountain state is best known for its mountains and world-class skiing, Colorado is really a mix of deserts, canyons, and grasslands with the Arkansas River cutting through it for good measure. Nature is one the greatest attractions in this beautiful state, but the friendly people, the high quality of living, and the delicious food and beer scene make living here truly a treat. It’s not hard to see why the population of Colorado is exploding.

1. The Vibe: The Midwest Meets the Mountains

Colorado is comprised of friendly people more interested in climbing mountains and drinking craft beer than focusing on the typical stresses of life. This laid-back culture has made the state very appealing in recent years, as younger crowds from all over the country have flocked to rapidly growing Colorado cities like Denver in pursuit of a life that’s simply more fun. If you’re looking for a state that’s got a growing economy, plenty of outdoor sports, and some of the most spectacular natural attractions in the country, Colorado is calling your name.

2. Local Flavor: There’s Always a Reason to Celebrate Here

With tons of sunshine and a vibrant tourism industry, the state of Colorado is constantly throwing some sort of party. From the long list of world-class concerts hosted at the famous Red Rocks Amphitheater to the many Oktoberfest celebrations spread throughout both tiny picturesque mountain towns and the big cities, there’s always something to do. Two of the most unique events include the Winter Carnival in Steamboat Springs with ski jumping, chariot racing, and a crazy fireworks display, as well as the Pikes Peak Marathon, a foot race in which runners race to the summit of Pikes Peak—an elevation of more than 14,000 feet—and back down to Manitou Springs.

3. Cuisine: Game Meats and Green Chili

People from all around the world are attracted to Colorado, making the food in this state as diverse as the people. With all the local wildlife, game meats are very popular—expect to see bison burgers and elk sausage on the menu on a regular basis in this state. Colorado also has excellent Mexican food, especially the green chili. Something that’s often featured as a condiment as well as a soup, green chili gets put on everything, whether it’s being ladled over a massive breakfast burrito or topping the famous Colorado “slopper” burger. Every recipe for this spicy sauce is a little different, but they’re all delicious. If you’re daring, don’t forget to try Rocky Mountain oysters. Mostly a novelty nowadays but still something that’s worth sampling. Here’s a tip: They don’t come from the sea.

4. Nightlife: The Folks Around Here Sure Love Their Beer

With a mix of ski towns that burst with people and energy during the winter and a growing Denver nightlife scene that seems to double every year, it’s hard to go wrong when it comes to finding some nighttime entertainment in Colorado. The people in this state love being social and they love drinking local beer, meaning there are always plenty of people out and about. If you want more of a big city experience, Denver is your best option for both local watering holes and upscale dining with neighborhoods like LoDo, Baker, and the Highlands leading the charge. However, if you’re looking for something a little more low key, you’re never far from a great brewery in Colorado,—there are over 200 across the state.

5. Weather: Sunny Days with a Side of Snow

Coloradans are just as excited for blizzards as they are for sunny days, so it’s hard to complain about the weather in Colorado. With warm, dry summers and some of the sunniest days in the country year-round, it’s no wonder people are always outside. Come winter, the first snowfall brings thousands of skiers and snowboarders to the state. Despite heavy snowfall in most parts of Colorado, warm midday temperatures often melt away problems on the roads and the time-tested snow readiness infrastructure typically takes care of the leftovers. The average temperature in Denver during the summer months is around 70 degrees, while winter months drop down to a still tolerable average of 34 (colder in the mountains). With enough snow for skiing and enough sunshine for warmth, Colorado winters are actually the best of both worlds.

6. Cost of Living: An Affordable Hot Spot

Despite the huge number of people moving to Colorado, prices have stayed relatively low, especially outside of Denver. While Denver’s uptick in popularity has driven the state’s average housing prices way up, there are plenty of affordable cities in Colorado. Places like Colorado Springs, a city with close to 500,000 residents has a median home price of $330,000. South of Denver, Pueblo boasts a median home price of $195,000 while Thornton is close to Denver and a cheaper alternative to the city with a median price of $393,000. Hot spots like Boulder and Vail are expensive, but there are plenty of places around this state that won’t break your bank.

7. Sports: There’s Always Something to Cheer For

Snow sports aren’t the only thing that have people cheering in this state, Colorado is also home to a large range of professional and collegiate sports as well as the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Training Center. Denver houses a team in each of the big five professional sports—the Broncos (NFL), the Nuggets (NBA), the Rockies (MLB), the Avalanche (NHL), and the Rapids (MLS). College teams like the CU-Boulder Buffaloes and the Air Force Academy Falcons in Colorado Springs also make for a great afternoon at the big game. There’s always someone to root for in the Centennial State.

8. Nature: The Greatest Outdoors

The state greeting “Welcome to colorful Colorado” couldn’t ring more true with beautiful natural attractions stretching to every corner of this state. Home to 58 mountain peaks over 14,000 feet tall (more than any other state), over 30 ski resorts, over 40 state parks, and four national parks, there’s always something to do outside in Colorado. Even just driving through the state can be jaw-dropping. Beautiful mountain roads like Loveland Pass make high altitude scenes visible for anyone with a car, while the Pikes Peak Highway takes visitors to the summit of one of America’s most famous mountains. This is one state where you’ll have no problem getting a breath of fresh air.