Colorado

COLORADO

POWER RANKING - TIED #5

Rocky Mountain view from Durango

ABOUT COLORADO

Oh, Colorado. The land of people who think Patagonia is formal wear and microbrews are a personality trait. You ever been to Denver? It’s like someone took a tech conference and threw it into a national park. You’ll meet a guy named Kyle—there’s always a Kyle—who looks like he’s ready to summit Everest but is really just heading to a Starbucks. Kyle’s got the beanie, the fleece vest, and probably a water bottle covered in stickers from all the “epic” hikes he’s done. He’ll tell you about climbing 14ers like it’s a part-time job. Meanwhile, he’s actually crunching numbers at a finance gig during the week. It’s like, “Hey, Kyle, you’re not Bear Grylls. Relax.”

Now, Colorado isn’t just about Kyle and his weekend adventures. The state’s a weird mix of nature-loving hippies, tech bros, and politicians who think they’re living in a Democratic utopia. They’re all about innovation, education, and diversity. Seriously, Joe Biden won the state by 13 points in 2020. That’s a landslide in political terms, but here? It’s just Tuesday. Everyone’s sipping craft beer, voting blue, and pretending they’re living in some kind of future tech-nature paradise.

Oh, and a fun fact: “America the Beautiful”? Yeah, that song was written by some lady after climbing Pikes Peak, which is over 14,000 feet high. I can barely walk up a flight of stairs without needing a break, but this woman climbs a mountain and writes a hit single. That’s Colorado for you—people doing ridiculous things and acting like it’s no big deal. “Oh, I just hiked a mountain; now I’m going to go work on my startup.” Sure, why not?

Denver, though? It’s like they looked at New York and said, “We can do that but with more nature and less attitude.” They’ve got skyscrapers, the Rockies in the background, and more breweries than you can shake a reusable metal straw at. Coors Field is right there, too, as if they decided to put a baseball stadium in the middle of a craft beer festival. And just in case you forget where you are, Denver International Airport looks like it was designed by a guy who couldn’t decide between “pioneer chic” and “Native American art tribute.”

But it’s not all mountain views and microbrews. Colorado has its share of problems, especially outside the cities. You’ve got rural counties shrinking faster than Kyle’s attention span during a work Zoom call. Kit Carson County? Down 16 percent in population since 2010 because they closed a prison. Yeah, they used to have a private prison there, but then mandatory sentencing changes came along, and poof, no more prison, no more people.

And let’s talk about the economy for a second. Sure, Denver’s booming with tech, aerospace, and financial services. But in the rural areas? Not so much. Median household income in those parts is about 29 percent lower than in the cities. That’s the part they don’t show you in all those “Visit Colorado” commercials. It’s not all mountain biking and hot-air ballooning in Boulder, people.

Speaking of Boulder, it’s like the Olympic training ground for people who don’t have jobs. They’re out there bungee jumping, snowshoe running, and mountain biking like it’s their 9 to 5. I swear, if you live in Boulder and don’t have a side hustle that involves some extreme sport, they probably kick you out.

And don’t think it’s all young people either. Colorado might be known for its youthful energy, but the old folks are starting to creep in. There are now more people over 60 than under 18, which has turned the real estate market into a war zone. You’ve got retirees looking for a cozy place to downsize, fighting it out with millennials trying to buy their first house. It’s like, “Hey, can’t we all just share a yurt and call it a day?”

But despite all that, people keep moving here. Why? Deep down, everyone wants to be Kyle.

VITAL STATISTICS

Nickname: Colorado is often informally referred to as “The Centennial State” because it became a state in the year 1876, one hundred years after the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

Joined Union: Colorado became the 38th state in the United States on August 1, 1876.

Size: Colorado covers approximately 104,094 square miles, making it the eighth largest state by land area in the country.

Ethnicity:

White: Approximately 80-82% of Colorado’s population identifies as White.Hispanic or Latino: Around 21-23% of the population in Colorado identifies as Hispanic or Latino.Black or African American: Approximately 4-6% of Coloradans are of Black or African American descent.Asian: The Asian population constitutes about 3-5% of the state’s residents.

College Grads:

Bachelor’s degree: Roughly 41-43% of Coloradans aged 25 and older hold a bachelor’s degree.Master’s degree: Approximately 16-18% of the same age group have earned a master’s degree.

GROWTH OF THE STATE

Population: As of the most recent estimates, Colorado has a population of over 5.9 million people, making it the 21st most populous state in the U.S.

* ABOVE PER MOVEBUDDHA ** UNITED VAN LINES 2024 NET MIGRATION = 0.82

HIGH CRIME AREAS

WARNING: From 2018-2023, the cities of Denver and Pueblo have been in the FBI UCR top 25 for at least 3 of those years

Cities with crime rate over the National Average: According to the FBI UCR data, in 2022, among Colorado cities with a population of at least 10K,

Denver suburb Lone Tree had the highest Total Crime Rate per 100K residents (11,546.04)

Denver suburb Greenwood Village (8,253.53),

Pueblo (8,085.74),

Denver suburb Englewood (8,023.44)

Denver (7,525.69).

National Average (2500)

IN PRAISE OF

Rocky Mountains: Colorado’s got the Rocky Mountains, and let me tell ya, they’re a sight to behold. You wanna talk about breathtaking? These mountains are like the godfather of scenery—big, bold, and ready for action. You got all sorts of outdoor stuff happening: hiking, skiing, snowboarding, mountain biking. If you’re not out there enjoying it, what the hell are you doing with your life?

● Outdoor Recreation: Colorado’s got national parks, state parks, and wilderness areas coming outta its ears. It’s a paradise for anyone who loves the great outdoors. You wanna explore Rocky Mountain National Park? Go for it. Fishing, kayaking, whatever floats your boat—it’s all right there. You’ve got diverse ecosystems, plenty of places to stretch your legs, and no excuse to be cooped up inside.

● Cultural Scene: And the culture? Forget about it! Colorado’s got a vibrant scene that’ll knock your socks off. Denver’s where it’s at, with art, music, and theater everywhere. Have you ever been to the Red Rocks Amphitheatre? It’s like nature decided to throw a concert. Beautiful backdrop, killer acoustics—you’re missing out if you’re not catching a show there.

● Craft Beer Culture: Colorado’s practically a brewery playground. You want a cold one? There are craft breweries on every corner, serving up all kinds of styles. Denver’s buzzing with beer enthusiasts, and they even throw events like the Great American Beer Festival. It’s like a beer lover’s paradise—who wouldn’t want to dive into that?

● Healthy Lifestyle: Here’s the kicker: Colorado folks take their health seriously. This place ranks high in all that wellness stuff. The fresh air, the mountains, all the outdoor activities—it’s like they’ve created a culture where being active is the norm. You have trails, parks, and fitness events everywhere. It’s all about living your best life, capisce?

DO NOT MISS!

Telluride, nestled in a stunning box canyon in southwestern Colorado, is a hidden gem surrounded by the majestic San Juan Mountains, featuring rugged peaks, impressive waterfalls, and serene alpine meadows. This outdoor paradise offers world-class skiing and snowboarding in winter, while summer invites hiking, mountain biking, fly fishing, and whitewater rafting. The historic charm of Main Street, with its colorful storefronts and Victorian buildings, creates a picturesque atmosphere perfect for relaxing in cozy cafes. Additionally, Telluride boasts a vibrant cultural scene with year-round festivals and concerts, making it a fantastic destination for beauty, adventure, and entertainment.

POWER STRUCTURE

You’ve got a booming energy sector that’s like a two-headed monster—on one side, oil and gas are flexing their muscles, and on the other, you’ve got renewable energy sources like wind and solar trying to keep up. Big players like BP, Chevron, and Xcel Energy are all up in the mix, lobbying harder than a kid trying to convince their parents for a puppy. And let’s not forget about Denver—this place isn’t just the capital; it’s the cultural and economic heartbeat of the state, pumping out innovation faster than you can say “tech startup.”

If you want to read more, please buy my book: https://www.amazon.com/Vinnys-Scouting-Report-2025-26-season/dp/B0FDTWVPHR