19 Pros and Cons of Living in Colorado in 2024

1. Pro: Productive Economy

Is Colorado a good place to live? Economically, yes. 

Colorado’s 6th best economy in the United States has a very low unemployment rate and higher job growth than the national average.

Colorado’s strong economy is one of the great benefits of living in Colorado, especially if you are early in your career.

Colorado is known as a hub for innovation and progressive thinking. In 2022, Colorado ended the “tampon and diaper tax” by exempting those items from state sales tax, showing support for local women.

Colorado Springs and Denver are good places to start a new business and use your degree.

They are two of the most educated cities in Colorado and rank in the top 15 educated cities in the United States for the number of people with a bachelor’s degree or higher.

2. Con: Higher Cost of Living

Depending on the Colorado city you choose, the cost of living can be significantly higher than the national average. 

In Boulder, the cost of living is 28% higher than the national average.  In other Colorado cities, like Fort Collins, the cost of living is only 10% higher than the national average. 

There are a few towns and cities in Colorado where the cost of living is lower than the national average. Still, if you are planning to move to Colorado, you should plan for a higher-than-average cost of living. 

3. Pro: Four Seasons

Colorado’s four seasons will not disappoint you, from the aspen trees’ fall colors to the spring and summer wildflowers.

Winter brings just enough snow for world-class skiing on the Front Range and Western Slope. 

Winters are often mild in the urban areas of Denver, Fort Collins, and Colorado Springs.

If you love yourself some sun, Colorado is your place. The average number of sunny days in Colorado ranges from 240-280 days. So don’t forget your Ray Bans if Colorado becomes your next home!

Fall is the best time in Colorado. There is nothing as spectacular as seeing golden aspen trees on the mountainside.

4. Con: Extreme Weather

Colorado has its share of extreme weather throughout the state, including snow, hail, and flash floods. There is the potential for tornados in the Eastern part of the state and blizzards on the Front range. 

Typically, May and June are the months with the worst weather in Colorado. The lingering cold air of winter with the warmer air of spring means that May can bring hail. 

Colorado’s most costly hail storm happened in Denver in May of 2017, racking up $2.3 million in property damage.

6. Con: Wildfires

Colorado is infamous for wildfires and one of the reasons to not live in Colorado

Wildfire season was once just August when temperatures were highest and water at its lowest. Today, the West’s wildfire season stretches from May through September. 

Wildfires are also growing in size. The 20 largest wildfires in Colorado’s history have happened over the last 22 years. 

Before moving to Colorado, consider your proximity to densely forested areas.

While Colorado may have you dreaming of living on the edge of the beautiful Rocky Mountain National Park, buying or building in a heavily forested area is a risky choice.

7. Pros: Diversity of Different Regions

When most people think of Colorado, they picture the mile-high city of Denver framed by the Rocky Mountains. 

Colorado certainly has mountain ranges. Five mountain ranges, to be exact. But Colorado also has diverse regions, including prairie and desert.

One of the most unique regions of Colorado is the Colorado Plateau, which makes up the arid Four Corners region, where Colorado meets three other states: Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah.

The Colorado Plateau is best known for Mesa Verde, which has been home to the Pueblo people for over 700 years. Mesa Verde National Park has over 600 cliff dwellings built into the sandstone. 

Mesa Verde is both a World Heritage Site and an International Dark Sky Preserve.

9. Pro: Great Urban Centers

The urban centers of Colorado are definitely an advantage.

Colorado has several midsize cities with unique flare. The metropolitan city of Denver is full of art, museums, and cultural events.

Fort Collins, the 4th largest city in the state, also has an impressive urban center. It’s the craft beer capital of the USA and home to Colorado State University.

The city is at the top of several lists for being business-friendly and bike-friendly, making it an inviting hometown!

10. Con: Traffic

Denver is the 21st worst American city in which to drive. 

Denver citizens spend approximately 36 hours per year in traffic. They are developing urban housing and upgrading their light rail, but you’ll need to download those podcasts for now! 

Not all of Colorado’s cities are as bad as Denver. Colorado Springs is not nearly as crowded with traffic comparatively.

If you are asking yourself, “should I move to Colorado,” but are not a fan of busy city streets, don’t move to Denver. Consider moving to a smaller town on the outskirts of Colorado’s metropolitan areas.

11. Pro: Great Craft Beer Culture

Colorado is home to a great beer scene. 

No one should be surprised that beer is a big business in Colorado. Coors Brewing (now Molson Coors) was founded in Golden, Colorado, in 1873.

Today’s Colorado beer scene is much more about craft beer. 

The front range, notably Fort Collins, is the capital of craft beer culture. With over 20 breweries in a city with less than 200,000 people, Fort Collins is serious about offering its locals a variety of homegrown craft brews. 

Denver, in particular, is also legendary in craft brewing. 

It is home to the largest craft beer festival in the United States, the Great American Beer Festival. The annual festival is held from late September to early October.

16. Con: Overcrowding

Denver and Colorado Springs, two of the largest cities in Colorado, are overcrowded.

The state is also experiencing overcrowding in the National and state parks, which is particularly problematic at Rocky Mountain National Park.

Rocky Mountain Park receives 4.5 million visitors annually, making it one of the most visited U.S. National Parks.

If you want a reservation to backpack in Rocky Mountain, you must apply for a backpacking permit as early as March. 

If you can experience the park in the early summer or late fall, when tourism is waning, the park is truly magical. Otherwise, you will need to plan in advance for permits and camping spots. 

17. Pro: Dog Friendly

Colorado is one of the most pet-friendly states. 

The superb trails and open spaces make Colorado great for your four-legged friend. The largest city, Denver, has nine off-leash parks alone. 

Colorado also has some of the best animal protection laws, and only Oregon ranks higher for pet protection. Your beloved furry will be safe in a Colorado home.

19. Pro: Connectivity to the Rest of the US and the World

The most significant benefit of moving to Colorado is its connectivity to the rest of the United States and the world.

Within an 8-hour drive from Denver, you can be in either Wichita, Kansas, or Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming. In 10 hours, you can get to Phoenix, Arizona, or Oklahoma City.

While Colorado is not exactly in the center of the United States, Denver is just 5 hours from Lebanon, Kansas – the official center point of the United States.

Denver International Airport (DIA) best serves Colorado air travel if driving isn’t your preferred mode of transit. Travelers can reach more than 215 destinations nonstop from DIA.  

If you want to travel, most likely you can get there from Denver.