1. A Love For The Outdoors Is Basically Mandatory
According to the CDC,
Colorado is the most active state in the country. That’s because with scenery like this, you staying indoors is reserved for working and sleeping. And even that is negotiable. So if you live here, prepare to get out and move around a lot. But even if you’re not used to it, don’t worry. With a topography that includes everything from the alpine mountains and the arid deserts with giant sand dunes to massive canyons and granite rock formations, you’ll be eager to explore.
2. Colorado’s Cities Are Full Of Surprises
Even if you know very little about Colorado, you’ve undoubtedly heard of
Denver, the biggest city and capital of the state. But there is much more to the Colorado than the Mile High City. The Denver-
Aurora-
Boulder area makes up 60 percent of the state’s residents for their vibrant energy, fun atmosphere, adventurous spirit, great food scene, and tons of amenities among other things.
Fort Collins is also listed as the 12th fastest growing city in the country according to Census data, which is what makes Colorado one of the most hipster-happy states in the country.
3. Colorado Living Ensures A Great Return On Investment
Living in Colorado doesn’t come with the cheapest price tag. Data shows that against a national median of 100, Colorado’s cost of living index is 111, almost 12 points higher than the national average. But the quality of life that you get in Colorado, from the good schools to the stable housing market and affordable utilities, makes it worth every penny.
4. Colorado Gets The Job Done
Colorado’s economy definitely helps with the cost of living. The Centennial State has an unemployment rate of 5.6 percent and has seen steady job growth as the country recovers from the recession. The projected job growth for Colorado over the next ten years is a solid 39.50 percent, helping to make you feel secure in your decision to live here.
5. Working In Colorado Comes With A Great Paycheck
The national income per capita is $28,051 and the median household income is $53,036, annually. But with an income per capita of $31,039 and a median household income of $58,244, it definitely pays to live in Colorado.
6. The Mountains Are Better Than GPS
In most other states, people will give you landmarks to help guide you through directions. In Colorado, they use mountains. Who needs a GPS when you have a map literally right in front of you? The Colorado mountains are truly something special, including an amazing 53 fourteeners (mountain peaks exceeding 14,000 feet).
7. Colorado Streets Are Mellow
Many people feared the repercussion to legalizing marijuana in Colorado would be a spike in crime rates. However, they did just the opposite. In the past year since pot became normalized, the overall crime rate of Colorado decreased 2.5 percent per capita. As with any state, knowing which neighborhoods and areas to avoid will determine how safe you are. The areas of
Columbine Valley,
Bow Mar,
Louisville,
Cherry Hills Village,
Erie,
Parker, and
Bloomfield are all highly desirable places to live in Colorado that boast low crime rates and a close proximity to the major cities.
8. Get Ready To Cheer For The Denver Broncos
The Denver Broncos are Colorado’s NFL team and the pride and joy of sports lovers throughout the state. If you don’t have a little blue and orange in your wardrobe, you will be asked to leave. (Not really. But I wouldn’t test it if I were you.)
9. Colorado Is Home To One Of The Coolest Outdoor Venues Anywhere
Red Rock Amphitheater is amazing enough to sell you on moving to Colorado alone. The sheer size and magnitude of this popular music venue can take your breath away every time you see it. And when you visit, you’ll find yourself feeling extremely that you get to live here.
10. Sweating Feels Even Better At Red Rock
Red Rock isn’t just for music. Locals use it as their own personal gym, too. Whether you’re climbing the stairs to work your glutes or posing in Downward Facing Dog with your best friend at one of their famous yoga sessions, going to the gym has never been so easy as it is thanks to this gem.
11. Coloradans Are Born With Snow In Their Veins
Late spring through early fall brings glorious weather to Colorado with July temperatures ranging from the low 80s to low 90s, depending on where you live. But winter time reigns as the season to reckon with here and if you can’t hack snow or the cold, you can’t hack Colorado. Everyone here knows how to make the most of it, though, and makes it just as fun as any other season.
Living in Eastern Colorado or the Front Range is generally milder, with January temperatures reaching up into the low- to mid-40s with most cities seeing anywhere from 30 to 40 inches of snow every year. Boulder is the exception – they get slammed with 88 inches of white stuff every winter. Western Colorado barely makes it out of the 30s and places like
Aspen get buried in an average of 180 inches of snow a year.
12. Colorado Knows Craft Beer
The craft beer since across the Centennial State has exploded over the past decade, making it one of the premiere brewing destinations in the country. Metro Denver alone has over 20 craft breweries and brewpubs to choose from.
13. Games At Coors Field Are Always A Grand Slam
These National League champs are every Coloradan baseball lover’s dream team. They might not always win, but with a huge variety of hot dogs, the Blue Moon Brewery, and a rocky view like that at Coors Field, how could any game ever be a bad time?
14. The Night Comes Alive When The Stars Come Out
With an unlimited craft beer scene, unique music venues like Red Rock, and major cities in a commutable metro, there is always something to do after the sun goes down in Colorado.
15. How To Eat Colorado Style
Most states have the foods that they’re best at. But the food in Colorado is definitely unique. When you overhear someone order something “Colorado style,” that’s code for “loaded with green chilis.” Green chilis are a big thing in the Centennial State and also while you’ll notice that the actual chili here is green.
Rocky Mountain Oysters are a popular appetizer around the state. But you might be better off not knowing that they’re deep fried bull, pig, or sheep testicles.
16. Two Wheels Are All You Need In The Centennial State
Colorado’s average daily commute time is 24.2 minutes each way. That might be lower than the national average, but on the flip side of the bell curve, places like Denver come in over the average with 26.9 minutes daily, each way.
So, where you live will make the difference. Luckily, cities in Colorado are incredible bike friendly. With an overall Bike Score of 71 and Downtown Bike Score of 93, getting around on two wheels in Denver is a breeze along with other cities like Boulder and Fort Collins. And with unlimited bike events, bike swap and share programs, bike lanes, races, and festivals, not having a bike makes you the oddball here.
17. What Smashburger Is All About
Forget everything you know about fast food. Colorado’s own Smashburger redefines burgers on the go and will become one of your favorite go-to spots for a quick but delicious meal in the Centennial State.
18. The Art Scene Is What Makes Colorado The Colorful State
Colorado is a state filled with free spirits and fittingly, the arts scene here is booming. With the Denver Art Museum, Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center, University of Colorado Art Museum, Boulder Museum of Contemporary Arts, Clyfford Still Museum in Denver, Museum of Outdoor Arts in
Englewood, and Museum of Contemporary Art Denver along with a huge variety of galleries, festivals, and fairs, there’s a something to bring a little extra color to every corner of Colorado.
19. The Mile High City Really Is A Mile High
Keep in mind that Denver’s “Mile High” moniker isn’t clever, it’s for real. The city is actually one mile above sea level which does make for a noticeable change in altitude and it can take a short while to acclimate to it. But, some studies suggest that higher altitudes can be beneficial for people with asthma. So if you have trouble catching your breath, you might just need to hit the trails more often.
20. Speaking Of High…
Yes, marijuana is legal in Colorado. And not just for medicinal purposes. It’s completely legal here for recreational use. And no, the Earth hasn’t opened up and swallowed them whole as of yet. All reports that have returned thus far have shown great results since legalizing pot including a huge revenue increase for the state.
21. Don’t Forget To Look Up
You may have heard that Denver gets 300 days of sunshine every year. Well, don’t believe everything that you read. At best, the state averages 285 days of sunshine in
Alamosa. Denver sees 245,. Regardless, that’s still pretty good. And it could be a major contributor to why Colorado consistently ranks as one of the happiest and healthiest states in the country. So when you come to Colorado, don’t forget to look up. Take in the sun. Take in the view. And remember not to neglect the night sky, either, which can be just as magnificent.
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