Moving to Colorado

Colorado, otherwise known as ‘The Centennial State’, is a enjoyable state to work and live. If you are moving or relocating to CO, we have composed a detailed list of some important facts and useful tidbits to help make your move an easy transition.

Geography

Located in the Mountain Region of the country, Colorado is bordered by Arizona, Kansas, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Utah and Wyoming. With a total land area of over 104,093.57 Square Miles, it comes in as the 8th largest state.

Population

Currently, the population of CO is 5,540,545 making it the 21st most populated state in the union and the 12th least densely populated. The state capital, Denver, has a population of 556835. which is the 6th largest capital in the country.

Notable Coloradans

Colorado is home to various famous and some infamous citizens such as, Tim Allen a prominent actor is from Denver and Zachery Ty Bryan a prominent actor is from Aurora. Others include people like M Scott Carpenter a astronaut and Lon Chaney a actor .

Climate

Colorado has a varied climate due to its inland continental location and wide range of topography. Major geographic features include the High Plains in the east, the high mesas and canyons in the far west, and the Rocky Mountains in the central part of the state. Colorado’s semi-arid climate means temperatures vary widely from day to night. Temperatures can also vary dramatically over short distances due to elevational changes. The one hundred highest summits in the Rocky Mountains all lie within the state, and Colorado has the highest average elevation of any state, at 6,800 feet.

National Parks

Colorado is home to 4 beautiful national parks.

• Black Canyon of the Gunnison

  The park protects a quarter of the Gunnison River, which slices sheer canyon walls from dark Precamian-era rock. The canyon features some of the steepest cliffs and oldest rock in North America, and is a popular site for river rafting and rock climbing. The deep, narrow canyon is composed of gneiss and schist which appears black when in shadow.

• Great Sand Dunes

  The tallest sand dunes in North America, up to 750 feet (230m) tall, were formed by deposits of the ancient Rio Grande in the San Luis Valley. Abutting a variety of grasslands, shrublands, and wetlands, the park also has alpine lakes, six 13,000-foot mountains, and old-growth forests.

• Mesa Verde

  This area constitutes over 4,000 archaeological sites of the Ancestral Puebloan people, who lived here and elsewhere in the Four Corners region for at least 700 years. Cliff dwellings built in the 12th and 13th centuries include Cliff Palace, which has 150 rooms and 23 kivas, and the Balcony House, with its many passages and tunnels.

• Rocky Mountain

  Bisected north to south by the Continental Divide, this portion of the Rockies has ecosystems varying from over 150 riparian lakes to montane and subalpine forests to treeless alpine tundra. Wildlife including mule deer, bighorn sheep, black bears, and cougars inhabit its igneous mountains and glacial valleys. Longs Peak, a classic Colorado fourteener, and the scenic Bear Lake are popular destinations, as well as the historic Trail Ridge Road, which reaches an elevation of more than 12,000 feet (3,700m).

Crime Statistics

Safety and security should always be an important consideration when moving to a new state. A state’s crime rate affects more than just the security of its resident, it drastically affects property value, economics and the overall quality of life. Based on the last FBI Crime Statistics, Colorado’s violent crime rate is 30 per 10k residents which is less than the national average of 37.3. In addition, the state’s property crime rate is 253per 10k residents which is greater than the national average of 248.7.

Colorado ranks #29 in the US for violent crime and #26 for property crime.

Schools & Education

Whether you are a student, have children, or neither, a state’s educational system is not only important to those attending, it’s vital to the overall quality of life, culture and economics of the state. Based on data from multiple public and private sources, we were able to rank Colorado’s educational system.

Overall Grade: C

Colorado spends on average $9471.00 per pupil, which is less than the national average ($11,900). CO ranks #25 in the US compared to the rest of the country. While CO ranks #25 in spending, the latest graduation rate is 77.30%%.

Another important factor is the percentage of families that enroll their young children (ages 3-4) in an accredited pre-school program. Colorado ranks #8 with over 52.60% of children attending a early educational program.

Taxes

The current income tax rate for Colorado is 4.63% which ranks 16th favorable amongst other states. If you are purchasing property, you may want to consider the the property tax burden rate. This is the amount you pay in taxes per $1000 earned. CO’s rate is $28.55 which ranks 23rd in the US.

Currently, CO sales tax is $23.55 for which it comes in as 29th compared to other states.

Sports

Colorado fans are not only devoted but also very tried-and-true to their local major league teams. Colorado is home to the following teams: the Colorado Avalanche, the Colorado Rapids, the Colorado Rockies, the Denver Broncos, and the Denver Nuggets .

Utility Companies

Before you move to Colorado, it’s advised that you know who your utility companies are. We have an extensive list of both public and private utility companies in CO.

Other Resources

For more information about moving to Colorado, visit their website at http://www.state.co.us/