Fizz’s Top 5 TV Shows Set in Colorado
May 11, 2026, 9:19 AM
1. “South Park” (1997-present) — No show has done more for Colorado’s reputation. And by “more,” we mean Trey Parker and Matt Stone have spent nearly 30 years convincing the world that a tiny mountain town is home to foul-mouthed fourth graders, an immortal kid who dies every week and a restaurant called Casa Bonita. Somehow, Parker and Stone loved the place so much they bought the real Casa Bonita. That’s commitment to a bit.
2. “Paradise” (2025-present) — Sterling K. Brown plays a Secret Service agent protecting a former president (James Marsden) in what looks like the most boring gated community in America — until you find out (spoiler alert) the whole thing is an underground bunker buried in the Colorado mountains after the end of the world. So if you ever wondered what a doomsday HOA looks like, this is your show.
3. “Resident Alien” (2021-25) — Alan Tudyk plays an alien who crash-lands near the fictional town of Patience, Colorado, and disguises himself as a small-town doctor. His mission? Destroy all humans. His problem? He’s starting to like us. It’s basically what would happen if your weird neighbor who “moved here from out of state” turned out to be from way further out of state.
4. “The Ranch” (2016-20) — Ashton Kutcher plays a washed-up semi-pro football player who returns to the fictional Iron River Ranch in Garrison, Colorado, to work cattle with his dad, played by Sam Elliott. Honestly, the show is worth it just to hear Sam Elliott growl, “What in the f— is almond milk?” That line alone should be on the Colorado tourism website.
5. “Community” (2009-15) — Joel McHale, Donald Glover and Alison Brie star in this cult-favorite comedy set at fictional Greendale Community College in Colorado. The school’s mascot is a human being (literally called “The Human Being”), the dean has a costume addiction and paintball games somehow turn into full-scale action movies. It’s the most fun you can have at a school no one wanted to attend.
