If you’re thinking of moving to Colorado, you’re choosing a state with breathtaking scenery, incredible cities, and plenty of open space. Residents who live in Colorado enjoy abundant outdoor recreation opportunities along with the high quality of life the state offers. Before you plan your move to Colorado, check out this list of things to know to help you settle into your new home and state.
Good Economic Growth
Jobs in construction, information technology, health care, and aerospace have skyrocketed in the past decade. However, there’s plenty of competition in these sectors due to the surge of new residents moving to Colorado.
Before considering moving to Colorado, check out the job market and see what kind of positions you qualify for and where they’re located. You’ll find different job opportunities in bustling Denver than you will in quiet Pagosa Springs. The largest employers include Lockheed Martin and the Denver International Airport. The outdoor industry also offers many job opportunities, from seasonal recreational jobs to the manufacturing and selling of outdoor gear.
Expensive Housing and Taxes
You’ll want to have a good job when you move to Colorado since housing can get pretty expensive depending on where you want to live. Most of the new construction runs along the Front Range Urban Corridor, with Denver, Fort Collins, and the artsy town of Boulder commanding the highest prices for apartment rentals. If you head west toward Grand Junction or to the Eastern Plains to cities like Burlington, rental prices drop.
On the other hand, Colorado offers a statewide flat sales tax. However, counties and cities can add their own hefty sales taxes. It’s important to do your research so you know which area you can afford to rent an apartment in and the sales tax rate.
Varying Rental Rates Across the State
Colorado has one of the highest rental rates in the nation, with the biggest demand in Boulder County with an average rental rate of $1,412 for a one-bedroom apartment. Adams, Arapahoe, Clear Creek, Denver, Douglass, Elbert, and Jefferson counties all come in around $1,260 for a one-bedroom. You’ll find cheaper rates between $540 and $840 in the less populated areas of the Eastern Plains and Western Slope.
Higher Cost of Living Index
Overall, Colorado’s cost of living comes in about 12% higher than the national average with the exception of utilities, groceries, and transportation. According to PayScale.com, expect to pay less than 6% for utilities, 2% less for groceries, and about 6% more for transportation than the national average.
Great School Systems
In 2019, Colorado had one of the highest high school graduation rates in the United States, at approximately 80.7%. You can find 10+ two-year colleges within the Colorado Community College System. Four-year colleges include the University of Colorado, Colorado State, University of Denver, Colorado School of Mines, Colorado College, and the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs.
Four Distinct Seasons
You can enjoy moderate temperatures year-round throughout most of Colorado, with the average elevation being 6,800 feet above sea level. Rugged mountains dominate most of Colorado, but when you head east of the Front Range, you run into dry plains that resemble Nebraska and Kansas, with milder winters and hotter summers. Because of the mountainous terrain and high elevations, Colorado has some of the highest snowfall amounts in the United States, which is why you can find so many world-class ski resorts.
Skiing Opportunities
Speaking of world-class ski resorts, moving to Colorado means moving to a place where you’ll have 26 ski resorts to choose from. Whether you want to mingle with the affluent crowd in Aspen or Vail or want to ski some of the most challenging slopes in the United States at Telluride or Crested Butte, you won’t have trouble finding what you’re looking for. If you know how to ski already, it’s easy to hit the slopes, and if you’re new to the sport, many of the ski resorts offer ski lessons so you can learn the nuances of this fun winter activity.
A Robust Outdoor Culture
Whether you enjoy hiking, fishing, hunting, bird-watching, or just being in nature, moving to Colorado means you’ll have plenty of opportunities to partake in your favorite outdoor activity. You have four National Parks and 42 diverse state parks to explore and enjoy. In addition, there are plenty of national forests scattered throughout Colorado to recreate in. In particular, Colorado Springs is known for its outdoor options.
Driving in the Snow
Whether you’ve settled in the quiet area of southwestern Colorado near the San Juan Mountains or in the Rocky Mountains near Aspen and Vail, you’re bound to drive in the snow. If you’re moving from a warm-weather climate that doesn’t see ice and snow to the mountains of Colorado, take time to learn how to properly drive in the snow and ice. In addition, make sure you winterize your car with good tires and keep emergency supplies in your vehicle.
Legal Marijuana Use
The state of Colorado legalized recreational marijuana in 2012, and legal sales at dispensaries began in 2014. However, even though marijuana is legal, Colorado has strict laws regarding how and where you can use it. In order to purchase marijuana, you need a state-issued ID, you must be 21-years or older, and you can only buy one ounce.
Amendment 64 of the Marijuana Law passed in 2016 stipulates that you can’t smoke in open and public places, so be sure to follow state, county, and city laws and policies. Keep in mind that not all cities in Colorado allow recreational sales dispensaries, so check before traveling to cities such as Grand Junction or Colorado Springs.
Craft Beers and Breweries
With over 400 registered breweries throughout the state, you can find something to suit your beer palate. You can find favorites such as Coors, brewed in Colorado since 1873, and Fat Tire Amber Ale, produced at the New Belgium Brewing Company. You can also enjoy more obscure beers like Dylan’s Brown Ale made by the Goat Patch Brewing Company. Plus, Denver topped our list of the best cities for beer drinkers.
Moving to Colorado allows you to enjoy a healthy, outdoor lifestyle with plenty of job opportunities and reasonable rental rates. We hope this guide helps learn everything you need to know about moving to Colorado.
Ready to think more seriously about moving to Colorado? Check out thousands of apartments for rent on Zumper and find your next home.
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