12 Pros and Cons of Living in Colorado
Colorado has become a popular place to move to recently, but does the traffic cost of living detract from a beautiful landscape and a strong economy?
Written by Amber Reed
Reviewed by Melanie Reiff
Table of Contents
- Pro: Get a job! No, really. There are lots of them.
- Con: Housing costs are mile-high, too.
- Pro: Behold, the wonders of nature!
- Con: Behold, the overcrowded landscape!
- Pro: Sports galore!
- Con: Are your ears popping, too?
- Pro: High quality of life and good healthcare
- Con: Increased urbanization and traffic
- Pro: Four beautiful seasons
- Con: Four seasons that can get a bit extreme and unpredictable
- Pro: Beer, beer, beer!
- Con: The locals might be reluctant to share with newcomers
- Is Colorado a good state to live in?
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Stunning natural beauty, a strong economy, and a healthy lifestyle can all be found in Colorado. But these pros also come with a few cons—high housing costs, unpredictable weather, and…a demonic horse statue?
The decision to move is never an easy one, especially if it’s a move to another state. Most things are different once you cross state lines—customs, cuisine,
car insurance
, climate...the list goes on! If you’re eyeing Colorado and thinking about making it your next home base, check out our list of some of the pros and cons of living in the Centennial State. Read on to see if relocation to the Rockies might appeal to you!
Pro: Get a job! No, really. There are lots of them.
If you’re moving to Colorado in hopes of finding work, then you’re not alone! Colorado’s local job market is incredibly strong. Colorado has a tax structure that is very friendly to big businesses and is consistently rated as one of the best states in the nation to do business in.
Many major corporations, like Kaiser Permanente, Lockheed Martin, and CenturyLink have chosen to make their headquarters in Colorado. There are also a lot of large government operations—such as the US Geological Survey, the US Air Force Academy, and NORAD—located in the Centennial State.
If the government or big corporate gigs aren’t your things, no problem. Tourism, craft beer, cannabis, and manufacturing are also major industries in Colorado. Some of the biggest employers in the state include the University of Colorado, Colorado State University, and Denver International Airport.
MORE: Colorado electric vehicle incentives
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Con: Housing costs are mile-high, too.
One of the downsides of being a great place to live is, well, everyone wants to live there. Word has gotten out about Colorado’s high quality of life—and it’s made the housing costs higher as well.
Colorado is consistently ranked as one of the most expensive states to buy a house in, with a median price of $573,600. This is quite a bit more expensive than the national average of $389,520, to say the least!
Renters won’t get a break either—the cost of renting a house or apartment in Colorado is about 30% higher than the national average. The median rent in Colorado is about $1,500 per month. And although it might be cheaper to rent than to buy in Colorado, that isn’t saying a whole lot.
Pro: Behold, the wonders of nature!
If you’re a fan of the great outdoors, then Colorado is a fabulous place to be. Natural beauty abounds, and opportunities to go hiking, biking, camping, climbing, and rafting are plentiful.
Colorado boasts four national parks—
Rocky Mountain National Park
, Great Sand Dunes National Park
, Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
, and Mesa Verde National Park
. Take a quick trip to enjoy some breathtaking scenery and captivating American history!You like to play in the snow, you say? Colorado has you covered. The state boasts 25 ski resorts, including some big names, like Vail, Breckenridge, and Telluride. If you love to ski or snowboard, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better state to call home than Colorado.
Con: Behold, the overcrowded landscape!
Have you ever heard the phrase that no good deed goes unpunished? Well, the fact that Colorado is such an outdoor enthusiasts’ wonderland has made things a bit crowded in some areas.
Competition can be as fierce for camping spots as it is for condos, and popular trailhead parking lots can often fill up before the day even dawns. Make sure you plan ahead and make any reservations as far in advance as you can, as there’s only so much Colorado-ey goodness to go around!
Pro: Sports galore!
Attention sports fans! No matter what your game of choice is, Colorado has a team for you to root for. All of the big national professional leagues have a team here—the Denver Broncos (NFL), the Denver Nuggets (NBA), the Colorado Rockies (MLB), the Colorado Avalanche (NHL), and the Colorado Rapids (MLS) are all ready for you to cheer them on.
There’s also no shortage of local and college teams to watch, as well as world-class marathons and winter sports competitions. Have you been getting the urge to watch a horse pull a skier or rider over a jump? There’s a name for that—it’s called skijoring, and you can watch it (or try it out for yourself) in Colorado.
Con: Are your ears popping, too?
With an average elevation of 6,800 feet, Colorado is the highest state in the continental US. Denver (aka the Mile High City) sits at 5,280 feet, and about three-quarters of US land that’s over 10,000 feet in elevation is in Colorado. This makes for a landscape that is not only figuratively breathtaking, but literally too.
Most people who move to Colorado need an adjustment period when it comes to the elevation, but elevation sickness can affect even seasoned locals too. Symptoms include headache, fatigue, nausea, and problems sleeping.
Take it easy, know your limits, and stay hydrated! Oh—and you know those “high altitude directions” that you sometimes see on cake mixes? You’re going to need to start paying attention to those.
Pro: High quality of life and good healthcare
Colorado consistently ranks as a state where residents have a high quality of life. In general, Colorado residents are in better physical health and report higher levels of overall happiness than the national average.
If you do need to visit the doc, you’re in a good place: Colorado has one of the better healthcare systems in the nation. A recent study by US News placed Colorado’s healthcare in the top ten nationwide in terms of quality and availability of care and the overall health of residents.
MORE: The best ghost towns to visit in Colorado
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Con: Increased urbanization and traffic
More people almost always means more cars as well. The influx of residents and tourists has not only made the great outdoors more crowded, but it’s also increased congestion in the urban areas.
Traffic in Colorado Springs and Denver can be particularly bad, especially during rush hours. A recent study found Denver to have the 15th worst traffic in the nation, with the average driver losing 40 hours a year to congestion.
MORE: How bad is Denver traffic?
Pro: Four beautiful seasons
Colorado has some lovely weather year-round: colorful springs, warm summers, autumn beauty, and picturesque snowy winters. The further west you go, the more sunshine you’ll get, so there’s likely to be a climate to suit any taste.
Even the hotter areas cool off at night due to the elevation, making for summers that are warm and dry during the day and cool and comfy at night.
Con: Four seasons that can get a bit extreme and unpredictable
Here’s the thing: the weather in Colorado is both a pro and a con. While it can be utterly gorgeous in all four seasons, it can also be a little wild and intense. The mountainous areas can get some severe snowstorms that can be difficult to bear and make travel basically impossible—and we all know how that ended up in The Shining.
Tornadoes occasionally make an appearance on the eastern plains, and all areas of the state can see severe thunder and hail storms. The state is also prone to drought, and wildfires are becoming more and more of a problem as the effects of climate change become more severe.
Pro: Beer, beer, beer!
If you enjoy a pint every now and then, you’ll be in good company in Colorado. The state boasts more than 350 breweries, from major outfits like Coors to tiny boutique microbreweries. Denver is host to the annual
Great American Beer Fest
, one of the country’s largest and most popular beer festivals. If the hoppy stuff is not for you, no worries. Wineries and distilleries also abound, and the craft coffee and foodie scene is bursting at the seams as well.
MORE: Everything you need to know about driving in Denver
Con: The locals might be reluctant to share with newcomers
And let’s be honest—can you really blame them? Folks in Colorado are extremely kind and friendly overall, but some new arrivals might feel a bit of a chilly reception from long-time residents who are less than thrilled about the massive growth and changes their state has been experiencing in recent years.
Best advice? Play nice, embrace local customs, and get your Colorado license plate as soon as you can!
Is Colorado a good state to live in?
Yes! Colorado is a great state to live in and has seen increasing popularity, but it’s certainly not for everyone. If you love the great outdoors and an active lifestyle, then you’ll find many kindred spirits in the Centennial State.
On the downside, housing is expensive, the cost of living is high, and the weather can be a tad unpredictable.
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Is cannabis legal in Colorado?
Yes. Cannabis has been legal for medical use in Colorado since 2000 and for recreational use since 2012. It’s regulated much like alcohol, so make sure you familiarize yourself with
Colorado’s marijuana laws
to avoid running afoul of the authorities.What are the winters like in Colorado?
Winters in Denver are surprisingly mild! Average daily highs are around 45 degrees Fahrenheit and 60-degree days are not uncommon. The plains can get quite chilly, though—with temperatures dipping into the negatives.
What’s the deal with the Denver airport?
If you’re a fan of conspiracy theories, then you’ll know that there are quite a few surrounding Denver International Airport. Secret underground tunnels, the Illuminati, Lizard people…you name it. The airport itself has actually gotten in on the fun and has integrated some of the rumors into a
cheeky ad campaign
. We can confirm the presence of an enormous creepy blue horse statue with glowing eyes. The locals call him Blucifer
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