Denver, Colorado — The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly
In the year 2000, I became one of the rare people who grew up in Colorado to leave for another state. Many people thought I was crazy to leave a place with stunning natural beauty and 300 days of sunshine a year.
After visiting Denver in the summer of 2023, I realized that although I’ve been homesick on occasion, I ultimately made the right decision for myself.
So, why was I homesick for a hometown I often dreamed of moving away from? Denver has some compelling advantages that are hard to find in any other U.S. metro area:
The climate. Denver’s mile-high altitude is where the magic comes from. With thinner and drier air, the hot doesn’t feel as hot, and the cold doesn’t feel as cold. Although I arrived during a heat wave, I noticed that even 95–100 degree temperatures felt 10 degrees cooler than they would in a low-altitude city. And when the sun goes down, it cools off dramatically, making it enjoyable to go outside during the evenings, even on the hottest days of the year. In the winter, it can snow overnight, then the sun comes out and the snow often melts by the evening rush hour! If you dream of a “livable” four-season climate, without months-long heat waves or December’s snow still on the ground in May, it’s hard to imagine a better place.
The political environment. I have lived in two red states since leaving Colorado. As a progressive, I believe that the other states I lived in (Texas and Indiana) were regressive and embarrassing. They were among the first to start banning books and limiting reproductive rights. However, Colorado has become more progressive, and now has solid Democratic majorities. If you want your kids to have the same (or more) rights than you have, they are more likely to enjoy them in Colorado.
The natural beauty. The Rocky Mountains provide a similar picturesque landscape as the Alps — and you don’t have to endure a red-eye flight to see them! Outdoor activities are big in Colorado, and even if you just want to take a leisurely stroll with your dog, you’ll probably enjoy it there! If you like to ski, fish, hike, or bike — Colorado is a destination for all of them!
Why would I want to leave a progressive paradise with beautiful weather and surroundings? There are some downsides that make living there very difficult:
The climate. Although Denver has a nicer climate than almost anyplace else, it is prone to extremes. In a typical year, you will experience at least one cold snap with Minnesota-like temperatures, and a heat wave with temperatures rivaling the Desert Southwest. Denver gets more snow than many Rust Belt cities, and Boulder’s annual snowfall of 89 inches is close to what Buffalo, New York gets! Although these extreme weather events don’t last forever, you will need good heating and air conditioning.
The cost of living. Colorado may be less expensive than the San Francisco Bay Area or New York City — but not by much! The average home price in the Denver metro area is over $600,000. Close to downtown, a condominium is over $800,000! That’s for an “average” building — not one of the swankiest high-rises! Everything else is about 1–1/2 times as expensive as in the Midwest. With prices approaching those of New York City and California, I can’t imagine how service workers, teachers, or even IT workers — can afford to live there.
Political excesses. Although I believe the progressive political environment is an advantage, some cities (especially Boulder) can take it to an extreme. Even in the 1980s, when CU-Boulder wanted to expand its research park, there was a huge flap about prairie dogs being relocated. But if you even mention building more houses, you’ll hear slogans like “we make growth pay its own way” or “the free market will decide who can live here.”
Crowds, traffic, and hassles. Some of the neighborhoods in downtown Denver almost reminded me of New York City. Cars parked bumper to bumper for block after block after block. Traffic has increased signficantly — traffic jams can pop up outside of rush hour, as often happens larger cities like Dallas and Chicago. Owning a car requires a stringent emission test and high registration fees. And during the winter, some communities rely on “solar snow removal” — meaning that they don’t plow the roads and allow the sun to clear the snow! (Which makes for treacherous morning commutes every time it snows.) Despite Texas and Indiana claiming to be “law and order” states — there’s a lot heavier police presence and a greater number of speed traps in Colorado.
Arrogant locals. Denverites are quick to criticize any other city if you bring up any of Denver’s shortcomings. When I mentioned that Minneapolis is equally progressive and half as expensive, people were quick to characterize its police force as a racist occupying army. (Despite the cops who murdered George Floyd being prosecuted and sentenced.) When I mentioned that Indianapolis had light snowfall and a new airport that I could get out of in 15 minutes — many Denverites would pounce on the humidity, bugs, or perceived stupidity of its people.
Although Colorado is a beautiful place with much to offer, it’s not perfect. It is my hope that political and business leaders in Colorado recognize these imperfections, and make it more affordable and enjoyable for non-wealthy people.