Essential Things To Know About Living In Colorado
Is Colorado a good place to live? Please allow me to help you decide by examining the pros and cons of living in Colorado. But first, let’s hit the question head-on.
Is Colorado A Good Place To Live?
Colorado is consistently ranked as one of the best places to live in the United States, supported by the high quality of life Coloradans enjoy. The state has a thriving economy, immense scenic beauty, a host of recreational options, and is conveniently located when you need to get away.
Next, let’s dive deeper by examining Colorado’s list of pros and cons.
Pros and Cons of Living In Colorado: Side By Side Comparison
| Living in Colorado Pros | Living in Colorado Cons |
| 1. Booming economy | 9. High cost of living |
| 2. Scenic beauty | 10. Bad traffic |
| 3. Enjoyable climate | 11. Overcrowding |
| 4. Outdoor recreation | 12. Skeptical locals |
| 5. Pro sports teams | 13. High elevations |
| 6. Healthy lifestyles | 14. Changeable weather |
| 7. Low taxes | 15. Risk of wildfires |
| 8. Conveniently located |
For a more complete review, I will tackle each of these pros and cons one at a time.
Disclosure: At no cost to you, I may get commissions for purchases made through links in this post.
Pros Of Living In Colorado
1. Colorado Has A Booming Economy To Maximize Your Earnings Potential
Colorado has a strong economy, low unemployment, and plenty of jobs. The state has excellent opportunities for both highly-skilled and lesser-skilled workers.
There is a diverse employer base representing multiple industries. Here are some examples.
Aerospace. Several of the top United States-based aerospace contractors operate in Colorado.
Technology. The region is becoming a development hub for the next generation of technologies.
Craft Beer. The state is home to hundreds of microbreweries and has one of the highest brewery counts of any state in the nation.
Cannabis. Colorado was the first state to legalize the possession and distribution of recreational cannabis, contributing nearly $1 billion in economic output.
Agriculture. Much of the state’s land is dedicated to growing crops and produce.
Tourism. People love to visit Colorado for all it offers.
Finally, Colorado businesses get a boost because the state is one of only a few with a top corporate tax rate of less than 5%. Capping it off, there is a well-educated workforce for companies to tap into.
2. You Will Enjoy Vast Scenic Beauty After Moving To Colorado
Colorado is a scenic, beautiful state.
The scenery is on full display in the state’s four National Parks. Make a point to visit these fantastic places after moving to Colorado:
- Rocky Mountain National Park
- Mesa Verde National Park
- Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve
- Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
3. There Is A Nice Climate And Four Season Living In Colorado
Colorado’s weather perfectly complements many outdoor activities.
Residents enjoy all four weather seasons. For example, spring wildflowers, warm summer days, the turning leaves of fall, and cold, snowy winter days highlight the seasons.
Two weather events you can always count on in Colorado include:
Sunshine. The state experiences hundreds of sunny days each year. It’s perfect if you need bright, clear skies to feel your best. Sunglasses and sunscreen come in very handy.
Low humidity. The climate is mostly arid. Thus, you won’t have to worry about sticky, humid weather slowing you down.
Finally, Colorado has several sub-climates because of the varied terrain across the state. The landscape consists of mountains, deserts, and plains. So, choose your location with your weather preferences in mind.
4. Colorado Has Awesome Outdoor Recreational Options
Colorado is one of the most outdoorsy states in the country.
You will find world-class skiing at the numerous resorts in the Rocky Mountains. Summers are for biking, hiking, backpacking, and exploring the beautiful and rugged terrain.
5. All The Major Professional Sports Leagues Call Colorado Home
Colorado is a great state to enjoy pro sports. Hit the couch after skiing and mountain biking and let these pro teams entertain:
- Baseball’s Colorado Rockies
- Basketball’s Denver Nuggets
- Football’s Denver Broncos
- Hockey’s Colorado Avalanche
6. Healthy And Fit People Live In Colorado
Colorado is a healthy state. The following things contribute to resident’s well-being and high quality of life.
First, people here are active, stay fit, and enjoy outdoor recreation.
Furthermore, active lifestyles and proper nutrition have led to one of the lowest obesity rates in the nation.
Finally, Colorado offers some of the best medical care in the country. U.S. News ranks Colorado near the top of its state healthcare rankings.
7. Coloradans Enjoy A Favorable Tax Environment
Colorado residents benefit from low taxes. As a result, you can plan on keeping more of the money you make after moving to Colorado.
I won’t bore you with a lengthy tax discussion. However, here are a few highlights you should be aware of:
The state has a flat income tax system. That means everyone pays the same tax rate no matter how much money they make.
Thus, you won’t be charged a higher tax rate for earning more. Better yet, state politicians have recently reduced the rate they charge.
Colorado has one of the country’s lowest real estate tax rates (Source: WalletHub).
For anyone thinking about retiring in Colorado, some seniors are eligible for tax breaks. An income tax exemption on retirement income and reduced property taxes are available.
Finally, everyone’s tax situation is unique. I recommend consulting with a tax advisor to understand how moving to Colorado will impact your taxes.
Related reading: Another tax-friendly state to live in
8. Colorado Is Conveniently Located For When You Need To Get Away
Colorado is an excellent location from which to enjoy your next getaway.
You can dedicate a travel day and find yourself in diverse places. Here are some of the possibilities.
Take advantage of everything Las Vegas offers in the state of Nevada.
Visit the Sierra Nevada mountain range located in eastern California.
Travel to the nearby state of Wyoming to visit Yellowstone National Park or Grand Teton National Park.
Finally, Colorado is home to Denver International Airport. The massive state-of-the-art facility has hundreds of non-stop flights to the U.S. and international destinations.
Okay. That concludes the benefits of living in Colorado. Now, it’s time to turn the tables and look at the reasons not to move to Colorado in the first place.
Cons Of Living In Colorado
9. There Is A High Cost Of Living In Colorado
Colorado’s average cost of living is 7% more than the national average (Source: MERIC). Here are several points anyone living on a tight budget needs to know.
First, the state’s median home price is 44% more than the comparable national figure (Source: Redfin and the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis).
Perhaps buying a home in Colorado is not your plan. If so, you won’t catch a break because renters pay, on average, 19% more than the national average for their units (Source: World Population Review).
Finally, Coloradans also pay more for fuel, groceries, and other necessities. Denver is exceptionally pricey.
We use Rakuten for all our online purchases to offset some of these high costs. The Rakuten money-back app is a great way to save a little money.
10. Traffic Is Bad In Certain Parts Of Colorado
Colorado has been impacted by population growth. The influx of residents and tourists has downsides, especially in the larger metropolitan areas like Denver and Colorado Springs.
More people combined with the vibrant economy means heavy rush hour traffic as workers commute to their jobs.
You won’t catch a break on the weekends either. Those same drivers head to the most popular recreation areas.
11. Colorado Has A Problem With Overcrowding
Crowds of people descend on some of the most beautiful places in Colorado.
For example, consider a mid-summer day in Rocky Mountain National Park. There can be 40,000 people there. Of course, the most scenic and popular spots attract the biggest crowds.
Large numbers of people turn natural beauty into controlled chaos.
12. Fitting In With The Colorado Locals Can Be A Challenge
Long-time Colorado locals have taken notice of all the changes. They feel population growth and urbanization are ruining their little slice of paradise.
So, when moving to Colorado, beware. You might not find the locals to be the most welcoming of new arrivals.
13. Be Prepared For The Unpleasant Effects Of High Elevation
Altitude sickness is an issue in Colorado because 75% of the state’s land is more than 10,000 feet above sea level. The symptoms include headaches, fatigue, nausea, and difficulty sleeping.
Severe symptoms will usually go away after a day or two. However, research has shown that because of the high elevations in this state, many people in Colorado experience mild altitude sickness during their daily routines.
To feel your best at altitude, take time to acclimate, stay hydrated, and limit strenuous activities when feeling symptoms.
14. Living In Colorado Means Extreme And Changeable Weather
Colorado gets its fair share of extreme weather events.
First, most of the state experiences severely cold winter weather. Snow is frequent and accumulates by the foot.
Colorado’s weather changes quickly. It’s common to experience cold, heat, rain, and snow in relatively short periods.
Thus, be prepared for extreme weather here. Dress accordingly, using layers to combat the changes.
15. There Is A Risk Of Wildfires In Colorado
Coloradans face the risk of wildfires polluting the air and damaging property. The state averages about 2,500 wildfires each year.
The wildfire threat in Colorado increases in late June, peaks in early July, and remains high through August and early September.
Okay. That’s all I have for you today. Please allow me to wrap up with some parting thoughts and additional resources.
Pros And Cons Of Living In Colorado – A Good Place To Live?
I hope this article has helped you consider these critical questions:
- What is living in Colorado like?
- Should I move to Colorado?
- Is Colorado a good place to live?
Best of luck, no matter where you choose to settle down.
More Reading About Living In Colorado And Beyond
Here are some related articles you might enjoy:
- “Best Of” where to live articles from Dividends Diversify
- What each state is known for
- Smart tips about each state
Author Bio: Tom Scott founded the consulting and coaching firm Dividends Diversify, LLC. He leverages his expertise and decades of experience in goal setting, relocation assistance, and investing for long-term wealth to help clients reach their full potential.
