COLORADO NEWS

Colorado continues to fall in ‘U.S. News’ best states rankings

May 7, 2024, 4:15 PM | Updated: May 8, 2024, 4:56 pm

Remember not that long ago when Colorado was at the top of nearly every list of the best states to live in? Well, the times they are a changin’, and according to one of the more definitive lists, Colorado is slipping.

U.S. News and World Report’s annual ranking of the best states in the country ranks all 50 states in categories like crime and corrections, economy, education, fiscal stability, healthcare, infrastructure, natural environment and opportunity.

Colorado is the 16th-best state in 2024, down one spot from number 15 in 2023.

Colorado ranked the following in each category in 2024:

  • Crime and Corrections: 47th
  • Economy: 4th
  • Education: 5th
  • Fiscal Stability: 36th
  • Healthcare: 12th
  • Infrastructure: 12th
  • Natural Environment: 26th
  • Opportunity: 39th

Utah was the best overall state in the U.S., while Louisiana was last.

Colorado’s oldest amusement park opens for it’s 117th season this weekend

Colorado News

Photo by Rick Kern/Getty Images for Dallas Area Rapid Transit...

Shawn Patrick

You can help name Colorado’s new passenger train that’ll run from Ft. Collins to Pueblo

At this point I don’t care what they call it, I am just excited that a passenger train is coming to Colorado’s front range to help alleviate traffic on I-25! […]

3 hours ago

Jim's Burger Haven...

Shawn Patrick

Burgers at Denver-favorite Jim’s Burger Haven may taste a little different after one of their ingredients goes ‘extinct’

If you were to ask a bunch of people around Denver who has the best burger, you’d get Jim’s Burger Haven from a lot of them. But their iconic burgers […]

3 hours ago

(Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)...

Shawn Patrick

The main event at the UFC fight happening at the White House features a Colorado fighter

The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) announced it will host a landmark event on Sunday, June 14 with the Octagon set up on the South Lawn of the White House. The […]

4 hours ago

Photo by Brandon Bell/Getty Images...

Shawn Patrick

Formerly homeless Colorado man turns ‘tough’ day around winning $1million on a scratch ticket

I love a good redemption story, so if anyone’s going to win big playing the lottery I hope it’s a guy like this… Jonathan G, a cellphone sales representative from […]

4 hours ago

SCOTTSDALE, ARIZONA - MARCH 04: Relief pitcher Seth Halvorsen #54 of the Colorado Rockies pitches a...

Big Mic

Not one Colorado Rockies player named to ESPN’s Top 100 players list

ESPN ranked the MLB’s 2026 top 100 players, and not a single player on the Colorado Rockies made the list. We are just weeks away from Opening Day and as […]

7 hours ago

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - DECEMBER 02: A Starbucks coffee shop stands in Manhattan on December 02, 2025 ...

Big Mic

Starbucks rewards new tiers begin this week

Starbucks Rewards is getting a new look beginning March 10th! As many restaurants and businesses continue to adjust their rewards programs to keep their most passionate customers coming, Starbucks is […]

7 hours ago

Colorado continues to fall in ‘U.S. News’ best states rankings