Boulder, Beyond the Sunshine: A Closer Examination of the Presence of Crime’s Impact on Quality of Life

For individuals who embrace outdoor experiences, appreciate a unique and vibrant culture, and enjoy 360 days of sunshine, Boulder, Colorado possesses an undeniable charm that is hard to resist. Boulder has been praised continuously over the years for its unique features, establishing a robust reputation for itself. Between National Geographic, US News and Worlds Reports, and the Boulder Colorado Government, this community has garnered titles like ‘Best Quality of Life,’ ‘Best Place to Live,’ ‘Happiest City in the United States,’ ‘№1 Place in America to Call Home,’ and many more. These distinctions stem from a blend of factors encompassing health, comfort, and happiness. Boulder’s enduring appeal is rooted in its natural beauty, abundant outdoor opportunities, outstanding schools, a thriving economy, and a reputation for low crime, consistently earning top accolades until 2021. While I can readily attest to these distinctions, given that Boulder has been my home for the past four years and one of my all-time favorite places, the recent decline in rankings prompts me to delve into the reasons behind it. Despite enjoying incredible hikes, embracing daily sunshine, and explorng unique establishments, the emergence of crime has cast a shadow on my comfort and ease in fully enjoying all that Boulder has to offer. Consequently, I aim to investigate how crime activity is impacting the quality of life and reputation of Boulder, Colorado.

Boulder undeniably excels in various aspects highlighted by its accolades. Through my research, I have aimed to comprehend both Boulder’s strengths and weaknesses, seeking to identify factors contributing to its recent decline in national rankings and potential harm to its reputation. To conduct this analysis, I delved into diverse datasets encompassing demographic information, crime statistics, and broader analytical data from 2021, the last year Boulder held a top-ranking distinction. Additionally, I gathered abundant research from the Boulder community to help further derive insights into aspects of the city that need improvement.

Turning to the benefits of living in Boulder, I initially focused on health, a pivotal component of overall quality of life. Pressumably, Boulder is an incredibly active city, situated amidst mountains that allow easy access for climbing, hiking, skiing, and just about any other outdoor endeavor. Given this, Boulder is swarming with activity, which has a very positive impact on health — mentally and physically. Analysis of 2021 data revealed a remarkable healthy community, as illustrated in the bar chart below:

Notably, 96.21% of the Boulder population has access to exercise opportunities, aligning with the city’s natural surroundings. This prevalence of physical activity correlates with lower obesity rates, improved mental and physical health, and enhanced nutritional well-being. Accordingly, living in the mountains not only makes exercising more enjoyable through diverse outdoor activities, but the fresh air and disconnection from the internet while in nature has been proven to reduce stress levels, control anxiety, enhance mindfulness, and increase happiness (New Direction Foundation). The Boulder community thrives in regard to health, and this data helps to show some of the benefits that living in the mountains has on fitness and individual well-being.

Shifting focus to Boulder’s economy, known for its diversity and innovation, particularly in technology and startups, I briefly examined its status. According to the Department of Numbers, as of October 2023, Boulder boasts an unemployment rate of 3.0%, below the national average of 3.9%. Additionally, my analysis below indicates an upward trend in median household income since 2013, reaching a peak of $92,466 in 2021 — significantly higher than the US average of about $70,000 during that period:

2021 analytical data also suggests that 95.50% of Boulder has health insurance, 91% has broadband access, and about 65% graduate from college, showing patterns of economic prosperity for the city. While a comprehensive economic evaluation requires in-depth analysis of budget reports, property values, taxes, and debt levels, the general consensus from my research suggests that Boulder’s economy is robust with a predicted trajectory of growth, fueled by top industries and technology, health care, and strong educational systems. This economic stability contributes to the city’s high liveability rankings, ensuring sufficient access to resources that elevate the overall standard of living.

In summarizing my brief analyses, Boulder emerges as a city with robust health indicators and flourishing economy — key elements contributing to its national success and overall quality of life. With this foundation, I chose to delve into crime data and research, seeking insights into how an increase in unlawful activity might negatively impact the Boulder community, potentially causing its decline in rankings and overall reputation.

In analyzing crime data, I scrutinized Boulder’s crime rates over the years, focusing on yearly property crime and crimes against people. The heatmaps below depict a worsening crime scene in the city, which is shown by dark red coloring:

The alarming escalation of both property crime and crime against people since 2008 is evident. Crimes against people surged from 968 cases in 2008 to 3492 cases in 2021, while property crimes spiked even more, increasing from 5214 cases in 2008 to 15,242 in 2021. This data prompted further research into crime activity in Boulder to gain more insight into recent studies.

According to Neighborhood Scout and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Boulder compared to communities of similar size ranks high nationally in crime rates. It was reported that individuals in Boulder have a 1 in 23 risk of being a victim of any kind of crime. Furthermore, the violent crime rate is 4 per 1,000 people, motor vehicle theft is 4.03 per 1,000 people, and property crime rate is 40 per 1,000 people. These statistics align with my personal experiences witnessing crime incidents in my neighborhood, ultimately lowering my level of comfort in Boulder. Additionally, research conducted by Denver 7 News interviewed with the business owner of T/ACO, Boulder’s oldest taqueria and coincidentally my favorite restaurant. Owner Peter Waters remarks, “The streets aren’t what they used to be…we had a gentleman we refused to serve…He revealed a very sizeable machete.” With a restaurant tenure dating back to 2012, Peter Waters expresses his surprise at the increased prevalence of crime and violence over the past decade. According to Boulder PD, violent offenses have risen consistently every month since 2021, totaling 521 violent offenses since then. Out of these occurrences, 350 incidences took place on Pearl Street, the prominent shopping and dining district, while 95 cases occurred on University Hill, a residential area housing 29,000 individuals, a significant portion being college students. While police efforts have increased to regulate crime, the reports collectively affirm that crime is on an upward trajectory, impeding community safety.

In addition to general crime data, I investigated how drugs and homelessness contribute to crime prominence within Boulder. Homelessness, stemming from a variety of predecessors, including a lack of affordable housing, unemployment, poverty, mental illness, and substance abuse issues, is a rising concern. The Metro Denver Homeless Initiative reported an alarming increase in Boulder’s homeless population from 689 in 2022 to 839 in 2023, with a quarter of the population sleeping on the streets and a quarter having substance use issues. Despite nearly $4 million spent on homelessness in 2021 for shelters and programs, certain guidelines, such as sobriety, restrict homeless individuals from accessing these services. My analysis of drug violations in Boulder reveal inconsistent regulation over the years, as indicated by fluctuation in the graph below:

Additionally, a slight correlation between crime activity and drug/narcotic violations emerge from the scatterplot below, with property crime and drug/narcotic violations having a correlation of 0.27, and crime against people and drug/narcotic violations having a correlation of 0.36:

While the correlation is slight, Boulder police data from 2020 indicated that 36% of serious offenders were homeless out of a total of 490. Clearance of homeless encampments exposed traces of drugs, human waste, propane tanks, and hypodermic needles, signaling an active engagement in drug use. The interplay between homelessness, drugs, and crime is further supported by my time series and scatter plot analyses and within Boulder police data.

In light of this comprehensive research, it is evident that crime has become a prevailing issue within the Boulder community, raising concerns among residents. Interviews conducted by the police and the formation of Safer Boulder, a group established in 2015 by crime victims advocating for increased enforcement of encampments, testify to the shared concern. The group expresses a sense of insecurity in public spaces, including the business districts, bike paths, and parks, where issues related to homelessness, drugs, and crime are particularly noticeable. Safer Boulder actively engages in initiatives such as writing petitions, testimonies, and campaigns, aiming to connect offenders with essential services like mental health and drug abuse assistance to address the underlying causes of crime. The ongoing efforts of this group further underscore the impact of crime on the Boulder community and the perceived threat it poses to the safety and comfort of individuals.

In conclusion, the escalating crime activity in Boulder is disheartening, especially for a city offering a weath of opportunities, from outdoor activites to a thriving job market, and boasting a well-regarded reputation with numerous accolades accumlated over the years. The impact of crime extends beyond harming innocent individuals within the community, as potential sources such as homelessness and drug abuse also compromise security. Popular communal spaces like Boulder Creek and Pearl Street face challenges with homelessness and drug-related issues, causing discomfort for individuals and community concerns. By shedding light on the rise in crime activity through an analysis of external factors, statistics, and recent reported incidences, there is hope for developing effective solutions to restore safety and enhance the overall quality of life, ensuring the beloved city of Boulder can persist in fulfilling its utmost potential.