1. Boulderites Are All Outdoorsy Types On Steroids
Do Boulderites actually work? It seems kind of impossible, since everyone is outdoors 95 percent of the time. They’re drunk on the great outdoors, regardless of weather. They run in the rain, climb in the sun and fresh powder makes everyone scramble outdoors for skiing and snowboarding.
Boulderites don’t say, “Oh, I’m just going to stay at home this weekend.” Home? Indoors? Please.
They aren’t happy unless they’re exploring the more than 36,000 acres of recreational space around the city. Couch potatoes need not apply.
2. Everyone In Boulder Is a Food Nazi
Wait, you don’t eat organic, fair-trade, gluten-free and cage-free?
You’re not crazy over kale, kombucha and tofu? What?!
Then you’re not a true Boulderite, and they have no problem snubbing your food choices and educating you about what you should be eating.
Boulderites are proud to lecture you about what they can and cannot eat, and how might help you to eat that way, too. If you eat fast food and grab groceries at a ‘regular’ grocery store, keep it to yourself if you don’t want a lecture.
3. Boulderites Are All Walking Subaru Commercials
Admit it Boulderites, at one point you’ve tried to unlock someone else’s Subaru thinking it was yours, because there were 10 of the same color with the same bike rack on top in the same parking lot.
Boulderites don’t drive them because they are great on gas, great for rugged terrain and hold all their outdoor gear… driving a Subaru in Boulder says you’re hip, active, outdoorsy and you’re ready to pull that kayak and bike off the rack at any moment and prove it.
4. ...And Everyone’s Second Car Only Has Two Wheels
Some cities are just now hopping on the bike trend with bike lanes, trails and bike parks, but Boulderites have decades of community effort and planning under their belts, to make their city as bike friendly as it is.
They aren’t ranked the second-highest percentage of bike commuters in the United States for nothing. Boulderites aren’t just bike friendly, they are gearhounds.
And they don’t just ride street bikes or mountain bikes. There are commuter bikes, mountain bikes, casual bikes, weekend warrior bikes… and of course, the bike they take to Valmont Park, the local 40-acre bike playground.
5. Boulderites Think Fitness Clothes Count As Fancy Clothes
Boulderites aren’t the most fashion conscious crowd, unless the fashion is a brand name outdoor or fitness clothing company.
They’re more likely to ask the brand name of your bike than the brand name of your clothing. The standard attire, regardless of circumstance is yoga pants, fleece pullovers, sports bras, shorts, t-shirts, sneakers, biking shorts, and crocs.
Fancy? That’s essentially the same outfit, with the addition of a scarf around your neck or maybe a hat.
6. But Everyone In Boulder Still Looks Better Than You
There’s a reason Boulder is consistently ranked in the top three of healthiest, most active and most outdoorsy cities with the highest well being. All that hiking, biking, skiing and snowboarding does a body good.
And Boulderites don’t stop at the “traditional” exercise either. They get creative, with classes like aerial yoga, insanity Zumba, Lagree fitness (a class known as pilates-on-crack) and almost as many Crossfit studios as craft breweries, it’s no wonder they are in better shape than you. They take whatever they’re doing to the next level.
Like hiking and yoga? Try a yoga hike. Yep, there’s a class for that.
7. People In Boulder Count Down The Days To 4/20 Like Christmas
That photo just about says it all. Boulderites light up almost as much as they ride. They’ve worked hard to legalize weed in their state, and now they’re enjoying the fruits of their labor—not just on April 20th, but every day.
You’ll be hard pressed to find non-smokers here. Everyone smokes weed, it doesn’t matter if you’re a CU student or a grandma.
You’re sure to run into a few budtenders around town as well—the up and coming, hip new job in Boulder.
8. The Folks In Boulder All Love The Planet More Than You Do
Boulderites are nuts about being earth friendly, and if you’re not, you will be soon. If you think carrying reusable water bottles and bringing your own cloth bag to the grocer is being earth-friendly, you’ve got a few things to learn.
Don’t worry though, Boulderites will have no problem schooling you on what to do, like riding an upcycled bike, taking the green ride to the Denver airport, keeping grocery shopping strictly local and even making your home more green.
They’re not fooling around, which is why their city is consistently ranked as one of the greenest. After a little time in Boulder, you’ll know all about your individual and collective carbon footprint. And you’ll probably be constantly “reminded” to get working on reducing it.
9. Boulderites Are All Blue To The Bone
Let’s face it, Colorado would not be a blue state without Boulderites.
They’re left-leaning liberals with a penchant for change. They fight for their rights like greening up the city, making it bike friendly, enforcing local food laws, and keeping tobacco smoke out and smoking pot in.
It makes them stand out from the rest of the state, and they like it that way.
10. Everyone In Boulder Loves Living In The Boulder Bubble
Ah, the Boulder Bubble, aka “The Republic of Boulder.” It might be fraught with spandex-wearing cyclists that eat granola and refuse to drive anything but Subarus, but the people love their bubble and wouldn’t live anywhere else.
The love that Boulderites have for their city is palpable. You can feel it in the excitement they have when they’re out and about, riding their bikes, interacting with their neighbors, being involved in their community and enjoying some of the best food and brews in the country.
