It should come as no surprise that out-of-staters are flocking to the Centennial State like mad for jobs and our distinct lifestyle, but where they are moving does come as a surprise. Are they moving to the mountains? A few. The Plains? Here and there, yes. Where most of them are moving to is actually this surprising place that is being called one of the most livable places in the country:
Outside Magazine has spoken and has named Aurora, Colorado as one of the most livable places in the country!
As per its The 20 Most Livable Towns and Cities in America, Outside Magazine chose the "most diverse places and evaluated them according to the factors that matter today: sustainability, affordability, and outdoor equity," making Aurora a no-brainer.
According to Outside, "Aurora was once written off as a sprawling Denver suburb with a mostly white and aging population, but this vast expanse of plains ten miles east of the capital has emerged as the state’s most multicultural city," adding that while it isn't as close to the mountains as other suburbs, it does boast 8,000 acres of open space, 100+ miles of trails, and 11.2% of city that's parkland.
Incorporated in 1929, Aurora is reported to be the 3rd most populous city in Colorado and the 51st most populous city in the country, thanks to its lower cost of living (for Colorado, that is) and ample job opportunities.
For many years now, we here at Only in Colorado have been bringing you some of the best restaurants, attractions, hikes, and more from around our beautiful state... but do you want to know what we realized? We have never really discussed all the fantastic things that can be done only in Colorado. With this article, though, we're going to change that. Here are 11 unique things to do in Colorado - and the way we do them is often what makes life in Colorado so special.
Yes, we get a lot of snow - but we could wake up to a blizzard in the morning, and head out for a hike in the sunny and gorgeous afternoon on that same day. Welcome to Colorado!
2. Casa Bonita: The Disney World of Mexican restaurants
The food definitely isn't Dole Whips and popcorn, but the atmosphere is pretty rad! (Well, minus the unbearable humidity and long lines... maybe it is like Disney!). The creators of South Park are Casa Bonita's latest proprietors, so it could end up being more West World than Disney World.
This photo of Pikes Peak makes me want to write a song! "O beautiful for spacious skies, For amber waves of grain. For purple mountain majesties
Above the fruited plain!" Oh wait... somebody already beat me to writing these lyrics? Well, shoot.
Living in Colorado in such a special experience with so many unique opportunities for every type of person! For more Only in Colorado fun, check out these 14 Things Coloradoans Do that seem insane to everyone else. And for the full experience of life in Colorado, try out Airbnb Experiences for all sorts of events, courses, shared meals and more offered up by locals.
Whether you're a Colorado native or a Colorado transplant, there's a great sense of pride in being a Coloradan. I sure feel that way. We are so lucky to live in the best state in the nation, with the best mountains, the best weather, the best people, and so much more. Of course, life in Colorado is not without its quirks. There are certain things about Colorado that make us, well, us - and that's beautiful, too! While reflecting upon that fact, I put together this collection of photos that only Coloradans will understand - because if you're on our winning team, you definitely know what we're talking about!
Every Coloradan has visited Red Rocks Ampitheater, whether for a concert, a photography sesh, movie night, or challenging climb just for fun. But locals know it's even better in winter.
Only in Colorado does it make sense that some people want to run up 2,768 steps at a 68% grade to get to the top of a mountain. Nevertheless, the Manitou Incline remains one of the most popular spots in the state.
Only Coloradans truly understand the incredible feeling of landing at DIA at the end of a long journey to finally greet the iconic Blucifer once again. Welcome home!
This strange statue of Mike the Headless Chicken in Fruita is a tribute to one of our state's most beloved tales of survival. Only Coloradans truly understand good ol' Mike.
Yes, we have a festival dedicated to a headless chicken. We also have a festival dedicated to a cryogenically frozen dead man. Frozen Dead Guy Days has since moved to Estes Park from Ned, where it began, but it still retains much of its old charm. Only Coloradans could look at this picture of the coffin races and immediately know what's happening without even needing this caption.
Coloradans didn't invent the sport of skijoring, but we sure do love it. Of course - it combines cowboys and skiing! It doesn't get much more Colorado than that.
When most people hear the word "columbine" they immediately think of one of the saddest tragedies in semi-recent history. However, if you are a Coloradan, you remember that before that happened, a columbine was and is a flower first - and it's our State Flower, too. May the victims of the 1999 tragedy continue to rest in peace.
Yes, we have dinosaur tracks that you can still see clearly at Dinosaur Ridge in Morrison. No big deal; that's just normal for us. Also, paleontologists found the first nearly complete stegosaurus skeleton ever in Cañon City in 1885, and we're darn proud of that fact.
What's the most visited grave in your state? In Colorado, it's Buffalo Bill's. This soldier, hunter, and showman is still a legend after all these years. Pretty cool, if you ask me. You'll find Buffalo Bill's gravesite just a half hour outside of Denver.
10. Mutton Bustin' & The National Western Stock Show
Surely, kids try to wrangle sheep in other states, too, but in Colorado, it's the best part of the "best 16 days in January" at the National Western Stock Show. People come from all over to attend the National Western Stock Show, but we're lucky to have it right here.
There are commercial hot springs and then there are undeveloped, natural hot springs. Lots of places have both but ours are the most beautiful! Anyone seeing this picture will guess pretty quickly that it's of our home state, Colorado!
If you're a Coloradan, then you know what this place is from any angle and in any photo. You also know that the iconic Stanley Hotel is one of the most creepy and most beautiful hotels in the entire nation.
If you live in Colorado, then you know our mountains are the biggest and best mountains in the nation. Yes, there are some that are taller in other states, but we have the most numerous peaks over 13,000 feet - and it's not even close!
Whether you've been brave enough to try them or not, if you've been living in Colorado for long, you know almost from birth what Rocky Mountain oysters are made of. Yuck!
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Ahh, just working my way through these Colorado photos filled me with a huge sense of appreciation and pride for the state in which we live. Hooray for life in Colorado! This is our culture. Thanks for being my neighbor!
Thinking about taking a road trip to revisit some of these incredible things? Check out our Ultimate Road Trip Packing List to help you determine what you need to bring along. Safe travels, friends!
