Best Cities for Outdoor Enthusiasts in Colorado
Why Colorado Works for Outdoor Enthusiasts
Colorado ranks #15 out of 50 for outdoor enthusiasts, offering strong outdoor access alongside reasonable livability. The outdoor access score of 45/100 indicates limited public outdoor infrastructure compared to western and northeastern states. With 36.2% of the state as public land, there's no shortage of space to explore.
Environmental quality matters when you spend significant time outdoors. Colorado's environment score of 46/100 is middling — air quality (AQI: 42) is moderate, though environmental policy could be stronger. Natural disaster risk is low, meaning fewer disruptions to outdoor plans.
The practical side: average living costs (index: 101) keep outdoor lifestyles manageable. Safety (52/100) is worth researching at the local level, and the overall health infrastructure (67/100) supports an active lifestyle with good access to sports medicine and emergency care.
All 20 Cities Ranked for Outdoor Enthusiasts
| # | City | Grade | Outdoor Enthusiasts Score | Overall | Outdoor Access | Environment | Safety | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Parker | A+ | 59.9 | 66.1 | 45 | 46 | 80 | 60,115 |
| 2 | Castle Rock | A+ | 59.5 | 69.8 | 45 | 46 | 95 | 81,401 |
| 3 | Broomfield | A+ | 58.0 | 64.2 | 45 | 46 | 79 | 76,860 |
| 4 | Centennial | A+ | 56.2 | 64.8 | 45 | 46 | 75 | 106,873 |
| 5 | Arvada | B+ | 55.5 | 60.1 | 45 | 46 | 74 | 123,517 |
| 6 | Fort Collins | B | 54.9 | 55.9 | 45 | 46 | 70 | 170,368 |
| 7 | Boulder | B | 54.1 | 55.3 | 45 | 46 | 61 | 105,893 |
| 8 | Loveland | B+ | 53.7 | 56.6 | 45 | 46 | 65 | 79,353 |
| 9 | Highlands Ranch | A+ | 52.9 | 64.2 | 45 | 46 | 52 | 103,195 |
| 10 | Longmont | B | 52.5 | 56.1 | 45 | 46 | 55 | 99,306 |
| 11 | Thornton | B | 52.4 | 56.3 | 45 | 46 | 67 | 144,889 |
| 12 | Grand Junction | C+ | 51.9 | 52.1 | 45 | 46 | 51 | 69,406 |
| 13 | Westminster | B | 51.8 | 54.5 | 45 | 46 | 59 | 114,882 |
| 14 | Commerce City | B | 49.0 | 55.1 | 45 | 46 | 36 | 68,248 |
| 15 | Colorado Springs | C | 48.4 | 48.9 | 45 | 46 | 36 | 488,670 |
| 16 | Lakewood | C+ | 47.6 | 50.1 | 45 | 46 | 26 | 155,973 |
| 17 | Greeley | C | 46.3 | 49.6 | 45 | 46 | 35 | 112,614 |
| 18 | Denver | C+ | 46.0 | 51.8 | 45 | 46 | 2 | 716,577 |
| 19 | Aurora | C | 45.8 | 48.5 | 45 | 46 | 18 | 394,701 |
| 20 | Pueblo | D | 40.3 | 39.8 | 45 | 46 | 2 | 111,081 |