Pros and Cons of Living in Colorado

Colorado is one of the diverse states where you can choose to live in the US right now and it offers most agricultural farming plains in the east. Moreover, the urban metroplex centers in the central portion of the state desert in the south and east, and then there are the majestic Rocky Mountains to think about when living here.

History of Colorado

That is likely one reason why the history of Colorado goes back more than 14,000 years ago and the Folsom culture archaeological site offers artifacts that date to approximately 88^th century B.C.

This state was it made it to the union on August 1, 1876, and it experienced a gold rush in 1850. It saw a war between allied groups of Native American tribes and American settlers during the civil war years. It also continues to see economic benefits from mining activities that today include the gas and oil industries.

Here are the pros and cons of living in Colorado to consider, before you decide to make the move.

Pros of living in Colorado

First of all, let’s have a look at the most cited pros of living in Colorado and these are as follows:

1) Incredible Food in Colorado

You will remember the first time when you bite into the Palisade peach and green chili is another local favorite fruit that everyone enjoys. Make sure that you take some time when living in Colorado to visit the Olathe sweet corn festival and when you visit a farmers market in the state.

Then spend a weekend touring in the vineyards around Mr. Garfield. You would swear that you were in Napa Valley.

2) Craft Breweries Everywhere

Beer is one of the industries that help make the state economy tick when you live in Colorado and you will find large breweries and microbreweries are all present throughout the state.

From corn to Breckenridge brewery, there is something that appeals to everyone’s tastes that are found on store shelves, and as a bonus, the 3.2 percent beer law that came out from the prohibition era went away on January 1, 2019. So now you can buy your preferred products at whatever store you wish to shop.

3) Liberal and Conservative Elements in Colorado

When comparing liberals and conservatives, the political leanings in Colorado are about 50-50. You will find that liberal centers tend to be along the interstate corridor that runs parallel to the Rocky Mountains and conservative areas run along the eastern and western portions of the state.

There will always be some people who feel uncomfortable about their perspectives as compared to where they live. But it is a state where most people are willing to have an honest debate instead of offering a random judgment.

4) Puts you a Trip to Almost Anywhere

One of the best trips that Colorado offers is for people who live in the west and you can make it to Las Vegas in about 8 hours if you start the drive from Grand Junction.

Moreover, if you don’t want to travel that far then everyone in the state can make it to Moab, UT, for a day of adventure at Arches National Park or Canyonlands and there are plenty of fun trips to take within the state as well that there are all within 4 hours of driving for most people.

Rocky Mountain National Park, Mesa Verde National Park, Vail, and all mountains towns that are along the 1-70 corridor, the hot springs at Glenwood Springs, and Black Canyon national park. You can even make it up to Yellow stone national park to do some weekend exploring if you get up early in the morning. Here to more than a dozen national parks or monuments, you are centrally located when you live here.

5) Option for Legalized Marijuana in the State

Colorado was the first state in the country to formalize the recreational marijuana market and it earns several billion dollars in the revenue that helps to fund educational programs and infrastructure projects. Look for green signs and you will see products sold in most communities frequently and you will find a lot of competition here. But it has also the best infrastructure available out of any state that has also shifted their perspective on this item here if you want to get involved within the industry.

6) Four Season Outdoor Sports Here in Colorado

You will find outdoor activities waiting for you in every season of the year when you live in Colorado and the winter months are dominated by skiing opportunities in world-class facilities like Vail or Breckenridge.

You can also go hiking in the spring in the mountains to enjoy the expansive fields of wildflowers and summer allows you to conquer numerous fourteeners that offer stunning summits.

It also gives you stunning colors to enjoy when autumn rolls through, the aspen trees in the western part of the state in places like Grand Mesa. Then there always seems to be a call to do something outside and when you will find these benefits with low humidity levels and extra sunshine that are available.

Cons of Living in Colorado

It’s time to switch towards cons of living in Colorado and these are as follows:

1) Bad Traffic in Colorado

The rush hour traffic is something that you expect to manage at some level especially if you live in Colorado. You know that if you travel during off hours then you can handle your driving times wisely and that is the case when you live in Colorado.

Rush hour happens all day, every day in almost every area of the state, and weekends are particularly bad because everyone else is going to the mountains or going to the city. Unless you drive during the overnight hours that means a 60-minute drive can become a 6-hour journey.

2) New Residents Not Treated With Respect

When you first move there, you will find two different attitudes from residents in Colorado. There is a general acceptance of your presence assuming that you are there to contribute in some way when you live in a rural community. Then be prepared to receive the stink eye more often than not especially if you move to the state from Colorado and many residents here blame transplants for low housing inventories.

Listed above are the pros and cons of living in Colorado.