10 Best Places to Live in Colorado for Families
- Fort Collins
- Castle Rock
- Broomfield
- Littleton
- Loveland
- Centennial
- Louisville
- Greenwood Village
- Colorado Springs
- Erie
1. Fort Collins
The best place to live in Colorado for families is Fort Collins. This Northern Colorado city offers plenty of natural beauty and low crime. It’s a health-conscious city with over 50 parks and miles of hiking and walking trails. Rocky Mountain National Park is also under an hour away, offering more outdoor recreation. Livability ranked Fort Collins as the fourth best city in the US to raise a family in 2018 based on the availability of childcare, quality of public schools, housing affordability, and more. Plus, it has a stable economy supported by energy and technology, making it a great place to settle down.
2. Castle Rock
Castle Rock is another one of the best places to live in Colorado. Castle Rock is a home-rule town in Douglas County, Colorado, located about 30 miles south of Denver. The town is full of community parks and near various family-friendly attractions, including Jelly Stone Park at Larkspur and the Edge Ziplines and Adventure Park. The violent crime rate in Castle Rock is 86% lower than the national average, making it one of the safest places in Colorado. Castle Rock is also zoned for the well-respected Douglas County Public School System, one of the highest-performing districts in Colorado.
3. Broomfield
Another one of the best places to raise a family in Colorado is Broomfield, a peaceful suburban city located about 18 miles northwest of Denver. Surrounded by the idyllic backdrop of the Rocky Mountains, Broomfield is a gorgeous city full of parks and open spaces. The city is zoned for the highly acclaimed Boulder Valley School District, which ranks within the top 5% of all Colorado school systems. Plus, with a violent crime rate that is 70% lower than the national average, it’s a very safe, walkable city with a welcoming atmosphere.
4. Littleton
Situated 11 miles south of Denver, Littleton is also of the best places to live in Colorado for families. The town has over 1400 acres of parkland and plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities. The Littleton Public School System was awarded the designation for Accreditation with Distinction by the Colorado Department of Education in 2016, making it the only district in the Denver Metro area to receive that award for six years in a row. So, with a high rate of employment, top schools, and an easy commute to Denver, Littleton is the perfect place for families.
5. Loveland
Loveland is also one of the best places to live in Colorado with kids due to the area’s strong sense of community and plenty of outdoor recreation. Located in northern Colorado, 50 miles north of Denver, Loveland is a quiet, family-friendly city with breathtaking views of the Rocky Mountains. It’s zoned for the Thompson School District, one of the best districts in the state. It’s also very safe, with a crime rate that is 28% lower than the national average. Loveland offers a small-town atmosphere with access to big-city amenities, making it one of the best places in Colorado to raise a family.
6. Centennial
Centennial is a home rule municipality in the southeast corner of the Denver metro area that is also among the best places in Colorado to raise a family. Centennial is full of parks and recreation areas, including the massive Cherry Creek State Park, which features a large reservoir for water sports and plenty of campgrounds. It’s also one of the safest communities in Colorado, with a violent crime rate of 55% lower than the national average.
7. Louisville
Situated 10 miles outside of Boulder, Louisville is another one of the top places to live in Colorado. It’s in a central location in a growing technology sector located between Denver and Boulder, with a charming, historic downtown full of great local shops and restaurants. Money Magazine has consistently ranked it at the top of its list of best places to live in the country because it offers well-respected schools and low crime. It’s also full of family-friendly attractions, including the Louisville Sports Complex and the Carolyn Holmberg Preserve at Rock Creek Farm.
8. Greenwood Village
Greenwood Village is an idyllic home-rule municipality in southern Arapahoe Valley on the southern edge of the Denver metro area. It is also another great Colorado town to raise a family. It’s in a very central location, only 13 miles from downtown Denver and close to many family-friendly attractions like the Littleton Museum and Pirates Cove Water Park. Residents will also find top-rated schools, quality daycare centers, and many public parks for weekend outings.
9. Colorado Springs
Colorado Springs is another of the best places to live in Colorado for families, offering breathtaking views, excellent schools, and plenty of options for outdoor recreation. Located at the eastern base of the Rocky Mountains, 70 miles south of Denver, Colorado Springs is a gorgeous natural paradise full of parks, nature preserves, and hiking trails. In 2023, it was ranked one of the best places to raise a family in a study by StorageCafe based on the quality of its school system, healthcare system, commute times, air quality, and access to recreation. Plus, with a median housing price of $464,000, it’s relatively affordable for the quality of life that it offers.
10. Erie
Erie is also one of the best places to raise a family in Colorado. Located 15 miles east of Boulder, Erie is a small town with easy access to amenities that make it a great place to raise a family. Residents will find various family-friendly activities, from Lil Buckaroo’s Petting Zoo to the Erie Community Center. It’s also one of the safest communities in Colorado, with a violent crime rate 86% lower than the national average. So, if you’re looking for a safe community with a welcoming atmosphere and a family-friendly ambiance, you should consider moving to Erie.