Boulder, Colorado

Demographics:

Population:  104,668

Elevation: 5,430 ft

County: Boulder

Today, there are 45,000 acres of unspoiled outdoor beauty for visitors to explore via 300 miles of hiking and biking trails. Even in winter, visitors can do as the locals do and head outside, with plenty of opportunities for winter hiking, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and skiing at nearby Eldora ski mountain. Boulder offers countless year-round recreational activities. Take advantage of the 200 miles of public hiking and biking trails, approximately 43,000 acres of open space or the Boulder Creek Path, which runs through the middle of own.

This blissed-out enclave attracts young professionals, families, academics, scientists, transplants from both coasts,  and lovers of outdoor recreation. Boulder’s cultural landscape was transformed with the opening of the University of Colorado in 1867, laying the groundwork for the Boulder of today: a forward-thinking college town with a thriving tech startup and creative communities. Along with this progressive mindset comes a wealth of dining, shopping and artistic outlets. Much of the fun centers around historic downtown Pearl Street, a brick-paved pedestrian corridor that’s always alive with street performers, acclaimed restaurants, and dozens of independent shops. Two blocks away is the Boulder Farmers Market, named the best in the country by readers of USA Today. Boulder has more breweries per capita than any city in the country on the Boulder Beer Trail.

Boulder is also ranked third in the country when it comes to the number of working artists per capita. There are more than 30 art galleries, six local museums, a dozen movie and stage theaters and many festivals in town, including the Colorado Shakespeare Festival, Colorado Music Festival and Chautauqua Summer Series.

Ball Aerospace, Boulder Community Health, Boulder County, Boulder School District, City of Boulder, Google, IBM, Medtronic, and CU Boulder are among the top 10 employers in Boulder.

Getting Around

It’s easy to get around in Boulder with or without a car. The city offers more than 300 miles of bike and multi-use paths, plus frequent and convenient transit service.

The Regional Transportation District (RTD) owns and operates a majority of Boulder's Community Transit Network, while Via Mobility Services operates the HOP route. The City of Boulder collaborates with both RTD and Via to plan and fund Boulder's local bus service.

The Boulder Valley has more than 300 miles of bikeway, including 96 miles of bike lanes, 84 miles of multi-use paths, 50 miles of designated bike routes and a growing network of Neighborhood GreenStreets prioritized for bicycle and pedestrian travel.

A well-connected network of multiuse paths separated from vehicle traffic and more than 80 bike and pedestrian underpasses make it possible for almost completely uninterrupted travel, no matter where you’re headed.

Boulder has built a nationally recognized pedestrian-friendly community, earning the Gold-level Walk Friendly Community designation for 2020. The pedestrian-only Pearl Street Mall and extensive network of multiuse paths and hiking trails are Boulder icons that attract people from all over the country and world. The City of Boulder also supports a wide range of other initiatives to encourage and support walking throughout the community.