Best Cities for Outdoor Enthusiasts in Colorado
Colorado ranks #15 of 50 for outdoor enthusiasts, with a outdoor enthusiasts score of 55.8. Broomfield is its best city for outdoor enthusiasts at 74.6.
- Colorado, all states
- #15 of 50
- Population
- 76,304
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: 103.1) keep outdoor lifestyles manageable. Safety (50/100) is worth researching at the local level, and the overall health infrastructure (75/100) 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 | Environment | Safety | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1Broomfield | A+ | 74.6 | 68.1 | 96 | 86 | 76,304 |
| 2Castle Rock | A | 66.1 | 66.8 | 52 | 97 | 79,123 |
| 3Centennial | A | 64.9 | 65.5 | 52 | 84 | 108,201 |
| 4Parker | A | 64.5 | 63.3 | 52 | 87 | 61,783 |
| 5Fort Collins | B+ | 63.5 | 59.7 | 53 | 76 | 170,229 |
| 6Loveland | B+ | 63.4 | 60.1 | 53 | 86 | 78,410 |
| 7Highlands Ranch | A+ | 61.1 | 68.0 | 52 | — | 102,257 |
| 8Grand Junction | C+ | 61.0 | 54.5 | 70 | 56 | 68,142 |
| 9Thornton | B | 60.2 | 58.5 | 60 | 74 | 144,187 |
| 10Longmont | B+ | 59.8 | 60.8 | 44 | 67 | 99,406 |
| 11Boulder | B+ | 59.4 | 59.0 | 44 | 67 | 106,433 |
| 12Arvada | B+ | 58.4 | 62.1 | 36 | 70 | 122,634 |
| 13Westminster | B | 55.9 | 58.5 | 36 | 67 | 115,484 |
| 14Commerce City | C+ | 53.6 | 54.8 | 60 | 42 | 66,445 |
| 15Colorado Springs | C | 52.4 | 51.2 | 47 | 41 | 487,887 |
| 16Aurora | C | 52.3 | 51.5 | 52 | 41 | 394,432 |
| 17Denver | C+ | 50.6 | 54.6 | 43 | 21 | 718,877 |
| 18Greeley | D | 49.5 | 46.4 | 51 | 46 | 110,806 |
| 19Lakewood | C+ | 48.8 | 53.7 | 36 | 31 | 156,583 |
| 20Pueblo | F | 45.5 | 42.6 | 65 | 12 | 111,561 |
City outdoor enthusiasts scores use each city's own data, with the category weights rescaled over the categories the city has; outdoor access has no city-level measure and is left out.
Compare: States with Similar Outdoor Enthusiasts Rankings
Also See: Colorado for Other Lifestyles
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Colorado a good state for outdoor enthusiasts?
Colorado ranks #15 out of 50 for outdoor enthusiasts with a persona-weighted score of 55.8/100. Its strongest relevant category is Health (75/100) and its weakest is Growth (31/100).
What is the best city for outdoor enthusiasts in Colorado?
Broomfield ranks #1 in Colorado for outdoor enthusiasts with a score of 74.6/100, followed by Castle Rock and Centennial.
What factors are most important for outdoor enthusiasts in Colorado?
Rankings weighted toward outdoor access (parks, public land, recreation), environmental quality, safety, health infrastructure, and affordable housing — for those who prioritize access to nature and an active lifestyle.