Colorado’s Population Has Grown 162% in 50 Years… 9 Reasons People Are Flocking to the Mountains

Colorado was once the hidden gem of the United States. Not anymore, though. Over the last 60 years, the state has seen a rise in population from 1.7 million people to 5.7 million. Between 1990 and 2000 saw the biggest jump in new inhabitants, going from 3.3 million to 4.3 million. As of today, you’d think Denver County would be the most populated county in Colorado. However, Denver County comes in second place, behind El Paso County. Denver County only includes the city of Denver. El Paso County includes Colorado Springs, which almost has 500,000 people, and the surrounding cities. There are 740,000 people in El Paso County and only 713,000 in Denver County. Arapahoe County comes in third, with Jefferson and Adams Counties rounding out the top five. So what exactly has made Colorado such a popular place to relocate to?

Colorado Has Amazing Weather

South Park is a popular show that’s given Colorado a reputation for always being snowy and cold. While there are certainly times during the year this is true, Colorado has all four seasons of weather. Fall in Colorado looks like it’s right out of a Hallmark card. The leaves are changing colors and the weather is cooling down, with the average temperature getting down to 40 in Denver. Snow does fall in the winter in Colorado. Ironically enough, March averages the most snow in the city of Denver. You’ll see average temperatures between 30 and 35 during the winter months.

Springtime in Colorado is filled with sunny days and beautiful plants. The weather isn’t too hot, with the average temperature between 50 and 70 degrees in Denver. Summer days in Denver vary between 80 and 90 degrees, with one or two days per summer reaching 100 degrees. This is the perfect time to spend with family and friends doing one of the countless outdoor activities in Colorado.

Colorado Has Tons of Outdoor Activities

No matter who you are, there’s an outdoor activity for you in Colorado. It’s also rare to not be able to go outside, as Colorado is the sixth sunniest state in the United States. Heading to the mountains to hike, mountain bike, fish, or have a picnic is common during the spring, summer, and fall. There’s also countless areas to ski and snowboard at during the winter months. Cities like Boulder and Colorado Springs have some of the most breathtaking views you’ll see. There are tons of National Parks in Colorado to explore. You can easily get a group of friends and go rafting down one of the many rivers in the mountains.

Red Rocks, one of the most gorgeous concert venues, is in Colorado. The stage is situated right at the base of the mountains with a clear view of Denver in the background. Red Rocks is a must visit for any music fan. If you’re not a mountain person, the city life in Denver is amazing as well. With the population spiking up, tons of outdoor bars and clubs have opened. Coors Field is one of the best atmospheres in baseball, drawing in fans from around Colorado looking for a fun night out. Colorado has some spectacular golf courses. One perk to golfing in Colorado is the thin air, meaning your ball will fly further than in most places.

You Can Easily Walk and Bike Around Downtown Denver

The benefits of walking and biking places has been studied and put into practice. Denver is easy to get around, and it’s a place you’ll want to do so. Even if you live outside of the city, you can take the train to Union Station and easily get where you need to go. In fact, Denver ranks fifth as the most bike friendly city in the United States. If you live or near downtown Denver, you’ll be able to easily get to your job by walking or biking. This is something locals love doing, especially when the weather is nice. You can also access some of the best breweries and places to eat by walking around.

Colorado Has Some Great Food and Breweries

Chipotle, Coors Brewing, Smashburger, and Quiznos are just some of the restaurants and breweries founded in Colorado. While these are all known everywhere, Colorado has a lot of other restaurants and breweries making their own path. Every year, Denver sets up for A Taste of Colorado. This is where all the local breweries come and food trucks come out and have their own tent to showcase their product. There’s live music and it takes place in downtown Denver. This is one of many different events throughout the state that takes this type of model. Mountain towns love to host these events, especially because so many people who attend are from out of state. If you live in the state, you can enjoy these events whenever they come up.

The Views in Colorado Are Second to None

The Rocky Mountains make it as if you were in a Bob Ross painting. You can visit other places such as Boulder, Colorado. The city sits right at the base of the flat irons and has amazing nature. You can drive to Sand Dunes National Park and hang out at amazing dunes while still in the mountains. Grand Junction looks rockier than most other parts of the state, with sunsets reflecting in a beautiful way.

Down in Colorado Springs, you’ll find two amazing places. Pikes Peak is so gorgeous, it inspired Katherine Lee Bates to write “America the Beautiful.” You’ll have stunning views of the rest of the state if you reach the summit of the mountain. Another place in Colorado Springs is Garden of the Gods. This park is home to rocks that have a red tint to them. If you’re planning a hike in the mountains, you’ll want to ensure you get to both Hanging Lake and Maroon Bells. These are just some of the many views in Colorado that captured the hearts of many people who visited and didn’t want to leave.

People Who Live in Colorado Are Known For Being Nice

Along with being one of the sunniest, Colorado is ranked as the seventh nicest state. It’s known that when the sun is out, people are in a better mood, compared to when it’s not. People notice this when visiting and want to be around the good energy all the time. There’s such a great sense of community in Colorado and some of the nicest suburbs in the United States. It’s easy to ask your neighbor for help if you need something. People walk around with smiles on their face, and manners are still a thing in Colorado.

Some of the Best Mountain Towns in the World Are in Colorado

If cute mountain towns are what you’re looking for, Colorado is the perfect place for you. There’s something special about visiting a mountain town, especially in the winter time during the holiday season. Living in Colorado means you have access to towns like Winter Park, Breckenridge, Vail, and Aspen. Going to these towns helps you appreciate how beautiful this world is, and gives you a great reset.

When you arrive in any of these spectacular towns, you’ll notice everybody is talking and enjoying each other. That’s because during the day, especially ski season, large groups of friends go together. They meet another group of people and hit it off. Typically, after a day on the slopes, everyone goes out on the Main Street in whatever town they’re in. You’ll meet more people and so on and so forth. You also will get some of the best pictures for your memories in these towns. Being able to meet new people and create constant memories helped draw so many new citizens to the state.

Colorado Has Great Schools

If you have a family or are thinking of starting a family, you’re thinking about the quality of education your child will get. According to U.S World and News, Colorado ranks fourth in the United States for quality of schools. Noticing this inspired lots of people to give their children the best possible future they can. This isn’t just for kindergarten through high school, there are also some fantastic universities. If you’re looking to get into engineering, Colorado School of Mines should be at the top of your list. The United States Air Force Academy is also located in Colorado Springs. The University of Colorado and Colorado State University are also two of the most respected colleges. There are plenty of opportunities to grow as a person through education. Whether you’re a parent looking for the best or a student, Colorado is a popular choice.

The Ambiance of Colorado Makes You Immediately Fall in Love

There’s something to be truly said for how a city and state feels when you walk around. Walking around in Colorado will make you feel at home. Having people always smiling and not in a down mood helps elevate how you feel. It’s also encouraged to get outside and appreciate all the scenery and beauty. During the summer, brunch places are filled to capacity with outdoor seating taking over. There are plenty of food trucks and dessert shops people venture to and are willing to wait for, thanks to how amazing their product is. Once you land in Colorado and feel the ambiance, you’ll understand why people have flooded there.

Colorado is no longer a secret. With more than 4 million people moving in since 1960, Colorado has become one of the most populated states. It’s amazing it took this long for people to realize what they were missing by not living in Colorado. There are truly endless reasons for why people packed up and headed to one of the most amazing places in the world. All of these things make Colorado special, and it’s important for those who are moving in to keep the magic alive.