COLORADO NEWS

Colorado shines bright: 2 of the nation’s ‘Top 25 Places to Live’ are here!

Mar 2, 2024, 4:50 PM | Updated: Mar 23, 2024, 7:42 am

Colorado shines bright: 2 of the nation’s ‘Top 25 Places to Live’ are here!

Boulder has the second highest quality of life in the country according to a new study from U.S. News and World Report.

The ranking considers various factors such as crime rates, education quality, and well-being. Boulder, with a metropolitan population of slightly over 320,000, is renowned for being home to the University of Colorado Boulder, the largest university in the state.

Consequently, it is unsurprising that Boulder holds the distinction of being the most educated metropolitan area in the United States, with 63% of individuals aged 25 and above possessing a bachelor’s degree or higher.

Colorado shines bright: 2 of the nation's 'Top 25 Places to Live' are here!

Getty Images

U.S. News highlights the abundance of nature in and around Boulder as one of its notable features. Additionally, U.S. News acknowledges the vibrant downtown scene in Boulder, particularly the Boulder County Farmers Market, which operates from April to November.

Colorado shines bright: 2 of the nation's 'Top 25 Places to Live' are here!

Getty Images

Fort Collins, also made the top 25, coming in at No. 15.

The top 10 places with the highest quality of life:

  1. Ann Arbor, Michigan
  2. Boulder
  3. Madison, Wisconsin
  4. San Jose, California
  5. Portland, Maine
  6. Boston
  7. Green Bay, Wisconsin
  8. Hartford, Connecticut
  9. Rochester, New York
  10. Trenton, New Jersey
Colorado shines bright: 2 of the nation's 'Top 25 Places to Live' are here!

Getty Images

The report describes Boulder:

Snug against the foothills where the Great Plains give rise to the Rocky Mountains, Boulder is nothing if not a looker. This city reveals its spectacle at the crest of a hill on U.S. Route 36 from Denver with its iconic sandstone slabs rising from the mountains, prefaced by pine-clad mesas and cradled within the backdrop of the snow-capped Indian Peaks.

See the entire list of cities here

Colorado News

Dairy Queen Blizzard...

Kevin Kissner

3 new Blizzard flavors and Patriotic slush coming to Dairy Queen

With America celebrating it’s 250th birthday and the World Cup going on here in America, Dairy Queen decided to go all in and celebrate both events. DQ will introduce the […]

2 hours ago

Photo by RJ Sangosti/MediaNews Group/The Denver Post via Getty Images...

Shawn Patrick

Colorado’s iconic Hanging Lake Trail fully reopens after nearly five years and a $4.9 million rebuild

One of the most iconic hikes in Colorado is back — and better than before. Hanging Lake Trail in Glenwood Canyon officially reopened last week following a nearly $4.9 million […]

3 hours ago

(Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)...

Shawn Patrick

The new Bed Bath & Beyond at in Denver will actually accept your decades-old coupons

Remember that faded blue Bed Bath & Beyond 20% off coupon wedged behind the takeout menus in your kitchen drawer? The one you refused to throw away even after every […]

3 hours ago

Photo by David Paul Morris/Getty Images...

Shawn Patrick

Three Denver ice cream shops land on Yelp’s list of the most coveted in America

Denver just proved it can hang with San Francisco, New York and Los Angeles when it comes to ice cream — and honestly, nobody who’s ever stood in that line […]

3 hours ago

SANTA MONICA, CA - SEPTEMBER 02:  A general view of atmosphere during Dunkin' Donuts Santa Monica G...

Big Mic

4th Of July themed drinks coming to Dunkin

Next weekend Americaa will be celebrating its 250th birthday and Dunkin’ is getting in the spirit releasing a line of Independence Day themed drinks and a new collectible cup! In […]

4 hours ago

Denver Film...

Shawn Patrick

Denver’s free outdoor movie series, ‘Sunset Cinema,’ returns

Sunset Cinema, the free outdoor movie series produced by Denver Arts & Venues and Denver Film, kicks off its 2026 season tonight (June 23) in Sculpture Park at the Denver […]

1 day ago

Colorado shines bright: 2 of the nation’s ‘Top 25 Places to Live’ are here!