People who live in Colorado are weirdly protective of their state. It’s almost like they warn you: Don’t you dare say anything bad about Colorado, especially if you don’t live here.
Well I am about to, and I don’t. So deal with it.
To be fair, I’ve been to Colorado many times, and it is a beautiful place. I’ve boarded there, and I’ve camped out in the mountains and in the deserts. Many of my friends spent time there, and many still make Colorado home. I hear nothing but great things.
But is it all good there? Of course not. Just like any other state, Colorado has some issues. And the purpose of this post is to use science and data to determine which places in Colorado are the absolute worst. If you live in any of these places, you might agree with this analysis. And if you don’t agree, you have to admit that the criteria we’re using makes a lot of sense.
After analyzing all 75 cities with a population over 5,000, we came up with this list as the 10 worst places in Colorado:
Table Of Contents: Top Ten | Methodology | Summary | Table
The 10 Worst Places To Live In Colorado For 2024
Where are these places, you wonder? And before you get all riled up and say we’re picking on small towns in Colorado, that’s not the case.
We understand there’s a lot of good in every place. For example, the best place to live in Colorado is Louisville.
However, according to data (which doesn’t measure things like beauty and ‘friendly people’), the state has far better options for making a place home. And the worst place to live in Colorado? The worst place to live in Colorado is Fort Lupton.
Read below to see how we crunched the numbers and how your city fared in 2024.
If you’re looking for something more national, check out the worst cities in America or the worst states in America.
For more Colorado reading, check out:
- Best Places To Live In Colorado
- Cheapest Places To Live In Colorado
- Most Dangerous Cities In Colorado
The 10 Worst Places To Live In Colorado For 2024
Source: Wikipedia User Jeffrey Beall | CC BY 3.0
Overall SnackAbility
5
/10
Population: 8,164
Average Home Price: $451,653
Median Income: $71,293
Unemployment Rate: 7.1%
Crime Per Capita: 0.0383
More on Fort Lupton: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate
Fort Lupton came into existence as a trading post in the 1830s, part of the early migration to the area. You can still see a reconstructed version of the original fort in town. Life was presumably tough in the area back then. It remains so today, as Fort Lupton stands as the number 1 worst place in Colorado to put down roots.
The education system is a major drawback for the 8,164 residents. Even on the high side, the schools in the area rank a paltry 4/10 on Great Schools.
There are pluses to life in Fort Lupton. The crime rate hovers about 60% below the national average. Meanwhile, the overall cost of living is about 10% below the U.S. norm, thanks in large part to affordable housing.
Source: Wikipedia User Jeffrey Beall | CC BY-SA 3.0
Overall SnackAbility
6
/10
Population: 387,349
Average Home Price: $472,149
Median Income: $78,685
Unemployment Rate: 5.5%
Crime Per Capita: 0.0537
More on Aurora: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate
In 2012, Aurora suffered a horrific mass shooting that killed 12 people and made headlines around the country. Unfortunately, this wasn’t an isolated incident. The crime rate in the area stands about 50% above the national average. This is the main factor that makes Aurora the number 2 worst location in Colorado.
Though its 387,349 residents battle a high crime rate, Aurora has other benefits to provide. Located about a half hour east of Denver’s city center, it gives excellent access to the region’s major metropolitan area. Meanwhile, the economy is relatively strong, with unemployment at 5.5% and the median income at $78,685.
Source: Wikipedia User Jeffrey Beall | CC BY-SA 3.0
Overall SnackAbility
6
/10
Population: 6,062
Average Home Price: $424,232
Median Income: $53,707
Unemployment Rate: 10.1%
Crime Per Capita: 0.1094
More on Sheridan: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate
Federal Heights, located in Adams County, Colorado, has unfortunately earned its reputation as one of the worst places to live in the state. With a concerning crime rate and poor safety conditions, it’s no wonder residents have concerns about their well-being. While it’s important to note that every community faces its own challenges, Federal Heights struggles with high crime statistics that contribute to its unfavorable ranking. However, amidst these difficulties, there is hope for improvement. By addressing the underlying issues and working towards creating a safer environment, Federal Heights can transform into a better place to live for its population of 6,062 residents. Additionally, its location within the Denver–Aurora–Lakewood Metropolitan Statistical Area offers opportunities for growth and development.
Source: Wikipedia User Jeffrey Beall | CC BY 3.0
Overall SnackAbility
5
/10
Population: 7,963
Average Home Price: $457,546
Median Income: $84,556
Unemployment Rate: 2.3%
Crime Per Capita: 0.0537
More on Lochbuie: Data | Cost Of Living | Real Estate
Lochbuie originated as a development called the Spacious Living Mobile Home Park…or “Space City” for short. These days, it gets its name from a town in Scotland. Unfortunately, it also counts as the number 4 worst place to live in Colorado.
Built on the northeastern edge of the circle of suburbs surrounding Denver, Lochbuie sports a median income of $84,556 and an unemployment rate of 2.3%. Education is a major problem for the 7,963 residents of the town. The schools score a 3/10 on Great Schools.
Things aren’t all bad in Lochbuie. Locals have excellent access to one of the region’s major metropolitan areas. It’s just a 30-minute drive to the city center.
Source: Wikipedia User Jeffrey Beall | CC BY 3.0
Overall SnackAbility
5
/10
Population: 14,173
Average Home Price: $401,479
Median Income: $56,316
Unemployment Rate: 3.8%
Crime Per Capita: 0.0433
More on Federal Heights: Data | Cost Of Living | Real Estate
Nestled within Arapahoe County, Colorado, the city of Sheridan has unfortunately earned the unenviable title of being the worst place to live in the state. With a population of 14,173 residents, Sheridan struggles with numerous challenges that contribute to its poor reputation. One major concern is the city’s high crime rate, which poses a significant safety risk for its inhabitants. In 2021 alone, there were 118 reported incidents of violent crime, including 0 murders, 17.0 cases of rape, 20.0 robberies, and 81.0 aggravated assaults. These alarming figures reflect a crime rate that surpasses many other cities in Colorado.
However, it is essential to note that despite its drawbacks, Sheridan offers hope for improvement. Efforts to enhance safety measures and address the underlying issues contributing to crime can help transform this troubled community into a safer place for its residents. Additionally, Sheridan’s location within the Denver–Aurora–Lakewood Metropolitan Statistical Area provides opportunities for economic growth and development. By focusing on addressing poverty levels and improving income prospects for its residents, Sheridan has the potential to rise above its current status as one of Colorado’s worst places to live.
Source: Wikipedia User Billy Hathorn | CC BY-SA 3.0
Overall SnackAbility
4
/10
Population: 8,334
Average Home Price: $242,035
Median Income: $47,908
Unemployment Rate: 8.2%
Crime Per Capita: 0.0448
More on Trinidad: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate
Trinidad has a violent history. In the early 20th century, it was the site of a deadly labor dispute between miners and the Colorado Fuel & Iron company. These days, those types of clashes are a thing of the past. Still, the community has its challenges. It sits at number 6 on the list of least appealing spots in Colorado.
The economy presents a major issue for Trinidad’s 8,334 inhabitants. The unemployment rate stands at 8.2%, while 20.1% of people struggle below the poverty line.
Crime is nearly double the national average and schools in the area top out at mediocre. That said, there are bright spots. Located in the southern part of the state, near the New Mexico border, residents can enjoy the region’s natural splendor at places like the Spanish Peaks State Wildlife Area.
Source: Wikipedia User Jeffrey Beall | CC BY 3.0
Overall SnackAbility
6
/10
Population: 22,092
Average Home Price: $388,506
Median Income: $75,544
Unemployment Rate: 7.9%
Crime Per Capita: 0.0301
More on Evans: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate
Source: Wikipedia User Peter Romero | CC BY-SA 3.0
Overall SnackAbility
6
/10
Population: 107,949
Average Home Price: $411,873
Median Income: $65,525
Unemployment Rate: 5.6%
Crime Per Capita: 0.0379
More on Greeley: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate
Source: Wikipedia User John Wark | CC BY-SA 3.0
Overall SnackAbility
4
/10
Population: 111,430
Average Home Price: $286,223
Median Income: $52,794
Unemployment Rate: 6.6%
Crime Per Capita: 0.0810
More on Pueblo: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate
When you’re looking at things from purely a scientific standpoint, Pueblo is by far the worst place in Colorado.
The crime here is really bad and nearly 1 in 15.1 residents are without jobs — by far the highest in the state. And those who are employed earn a measly salary. The schools are underfunded and home values are low and not climbing at all.
If you’ve been to Pueblo, it would be hard to argue against this ranking. And if you live there, you might have expected to see your town towards the top of the list. The rest of these cities are a distant second.
Source: Wikipedia User Jeffrey Beall | CC BY 3.0
Overall SnackAbility
8
/10
Population: 40,569
Average Home Price: $497,256
Median Income: $86,975
Unemployment Rate: 5.1%
Crime Per Capita: 0.0340
More on Brighton: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate
Methodology: How we determined the worst places to live in Colorado for 2024
To figure out the worst places to live in Colorado, we used Saturday Night Science to idenift what kinds of things people like and then decide what cities have the least amount of those things.
We don’t think it’s a stretch to assume that people like the following things:
- Good education
- Lots of jobs
- Low crime
- Low poverty
- Nice homes
- High incomes
- High population density (Lots of things to do)
- Short work commutes
- Health insurance
The data comes from the Census’s most recent American Community Survey and the FBI Uniform Crime Report.
We broke crime down into violent crime and property crime to give violent crime a more significant weight. If you did a simple calculation of all crimes per capita, property crimes are typically 7x more common and bias that ranking.
Furthermore, only cities with at least 5,000 people were considered — leaving 75 cities.
We then ranked each city from 1 to 75 for all the criteria, with a #1 ranking being the worst for the particular criteria.
Next, we averaged the rankings into one “Worst Place To Live Score.”
Finally, we ranked every city on the “Worst Place To Live Score,” with the lowest score being the worst city in Colorado — Fort Lupton. Read on for a detailed look at the ten worst cities in Colorado. This article is an opinion based on facts meant as infotainment. We updated this article for 2024. This list is our tenth time ranking the worst places to live in Colorado.
Summary: Wrapping Up The Worst In Colorado
If you’re looking at areas in Colorado with the worst economic situations, where there’s higher than average crime and little to do, this is an accurate list.
And in the end, Fort Lupton ranks as the worst city to live in Colorado for 2024.
The worst cities in Colorado are .
If you’re curious enough, here are the best cities to live in Colorado:
- Centennial (Pop. 107,702)
- Timnath (Pop. 7,122)
- Louisville (Pop. 20,920)
For more Colorado reading, check out:
Worst Places To Live In Colorado
Rank | City | Population | Unemployment Rate | Home Price | Median Income | Crime Per Capita |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Fort Lupton | 8,164 | 7.1% | $451,653 | $71,293 | 0.0383 |
2 | Aurora | 387,349 | 5.5% | $472,149 | $78,685 | 0.0537 |
3 | Sheridan | 6,062 | 10.1% | $424,232 | $53,707 | 0.1094 |
4 | Lochbuie | 7,963 | 2.3% | $457,546 | $84,556 | 0.0537 |
5 | Federal Heights | 14,173 | 3.8% | $401,479 | $56,316 | 0.0433 |
6 | Trinidad | 8,334 | 8.2% | $242,035 | $47,908 | 0.0448 |
7 | Evans | 22,092 | 7.9% | $388,506 | $75,544 | 0.0301 |
8 | Greeley | 107,949 | 5.6% | $411,873 | $65,525 | 0.0379 |
9 | Pueblo | 111,430 | 6.6% | $286,223 | $52,794 | 0.0810 |
10 | Brighton | 40,569 | 5.1% | $497,256 | $86,975 | 0.0340 |
11 | Rifle | 10,420 | 4.0% | $439,901 | $72,955 | 0.0238 |
12 | Delta | 9,137 | 5.0% | $335,333 | $45,950 | 0.0396 |
13 | Cortez | 8,832 | 7.0% | $301,599 | $55,962 | 0.0353 |
14 | Glenwood Springs | 10,100 | 3.1% | $793,858 | $80,806 | 0.0426 |
15 | Fort Morgan | 11,501 | 4.9% | $318,927 | $55,407 | 0.0357 |
16 | La Junta | 7,244 | 6.0% | $154,737 | $50,799 | 0.0543 |
17 | Alamosa | 9,792 | 3.9% | $284,458 | $50,239 | 0.0700 |
18 | Grand Junction | 65,918 | 4.7% | $382,198 | $62,993 | 0.0377 |
19 | Denver | 710,800 | 4.7% | $558,402 | $85,853 | 0.0744 |
20 | Northglenn | 37,948 | 4.1% | $459,707 | $77,797 | 0.0466 |
21 | Avon | 6,115 | 7.1% | $1,150,708 | $85,817 | 0.0180 |
22 | Montrose | 20,394 | 5.1% | $423,228 | $60,132 | 0.0286 |
23 | Edgewater | 5,002 | 4.2% | $592,807 | $71,964 | 0.0866 |
24 | Lakewood | 156,149 | 4.4% | $560,048 | $82,786 | 0.0617 |
25 | Colorado Springs | 479,612 | 5.6% | $440,298 | $79,026 | 0.0411 |
26 | Thornton | 141,799 | 4.6% | $512,505 | $95,064 | 0.0380 |
27 | Englewood | 33,634 | 4.2% | $522,702 | $79,375 | 0.0792 |
28 | Wheat Ridge | 32,263 | 5.3% | $594,883 | $79,567 | 0.0561 |
29 | Fountain | 29,498 | 7.0% | $389,428 | $80,311 | 0.0244 |
30 | Lamar | 7,667 | 5.9% | $167,777 | $48,422 | 0.0133 |
31 | Westminster | 115,502 | 4.1% | $521,670 | $90,651 | 0.0469 |
32 | Mead | 5,110 | 2.6% | $549,415 | $120,532 | 0.0147 |
33 | Longmont | 98,282 | 4.1% | $540,403 | $89,720 | 0.0336 |
34 | Loveland | 76,500 | 4.4% | $487,758 | $81,898 | 0.0305 |
35 | Monument | 10,548 | 4.9% | $712,688 | $102,969 | 0.0243 |
36 | Lone Tree | 13,993 | 4.1% | $927,299 | $121,066 | 0.1166 |
37 | Wellington | 11,163 | 7.7% | $466,351 | $101,259 | 0.0305 |
38 | Estes Park | 5,906 | 5.4% | $687,234 | $63,598 | 0.0098 |
39 | Berthoud | 10,892 | 2.8% | $592,425 | $101,817 | 0.0305 |
40 | Sterling | 13,466 | 3.3% | $239,066 | $44,556 | 0.0303 |
41 | Dacono | 6,260 | 2.2% | $483,988 | $94,783 | 0.0128 |
42 | Craig | 9,013 | 3.1% | $287,429 | $52,443 | 0.0172 |
43 | Littleton | 45,531 | 3.9% | $674,009 | $90,273 | 0.0344 |
44 | Firestone | 16,704 | 3.8% | $562,511 | $106,960 | 0.0122 |
45 | Gunnison | 6,629 | 4.8% | $564,780 | $63,229 | 0.0232 |
46 | Salida | 5,697 | 3.5% | $666,776 | $63,775 | 0.0105 |
47 | Fort Collins | 168,758 | 5.3% | $545,188 | $78,977 | 0.0291 |
48 | Woodland Park | 7,911 | 3.8% | $534,640 | $89,341 | 0.0172 |
49 | Golden | 20,461 | 4.6% | $820,716 | $90,990 | 0.0410 |
50 | Castle Pines | 11,811 | 3.6% | $863,001 | $189,280 | 0.1166 |
51 | Boulder | 106,598 | 5.4% | $974,246 | $80,243 | 0.0326 |
52 | Milliken | 8,438 | 2.9% | $443,483 | $96,772 | 0.0046 |
53 | Fruita | 13,462 | 3.5% | $430,521 | $71,550 | 0.0129 |
54 | Brush | 5,304 | 3.9% | $289,894 | $64,475 | 0.0011 |
55 | Durango | 19,148 | 2.3% | $707,331 | $76,177 | 0.0339 |
56 | Steamboat Springs | 13,251 | 3.6% | $1,192,382 | $93,280 | 0.0181 |
57 | Arvada | 123,066 | 3.8% | $594,157 | $106,014 | 0.0327 |
58 | Broomfield | 73,946 | 3.2% | $637,472 | $117,541 | 0.0285 |
59 | Castle Rock | 74,065 | 4.2% | $655,932 | $135,985 | 0.0128 |
60 | Carbondale | 6,497 | 1.1% | $1,223,499 | $92,083 | 0.0077 |
61 | Breckenridge | 5,017 | 0.6% | $1,130,739 | $129,481 | 0.0323 |
62 | Windsor | 33,905 | 4.9% | $567,646 | $121,754 | 0.0068 |
63 | Eaton | 5,763 | 3.6% | $454,752 | $102,314 | 0.0113 |
64 | Gypsum | 8,291 | 0.7% | $676,112 | $99,726 | 0.0077 |
65 | Frederick | 15,037 | 3.0% | $545,237 | $128,078 | 0.0033 |
66 | Superior | 13,146 | 3.3% | $827,554 | $149,464 | 0.0336 |
67 | Lafayette | 30,295 | 3.7% | $684,062 | $105,819 | 0.0295 |
68 | Erie | 30,447 | 4.0% | $727,737 | $154,509 | 0.0117 |
69 | Aspen | 6,952 | 2.4% | $3,293,818 | $94,338 | 0.0329 |
70 | Parker | 58,733 | 3.2% | $684,096 | $126,615 | 0.0204 |
71 | Eagle | 7,481 | 2.0% | $914,956 | $101,373 | 0.0095 |
72 | Severance | 8,526 | 2.1% | $494,757 | $121,047 | 0.0038 |
73 | Centennial | 107,702 | 3.4% | $630,996 | $124,617 | 0.0227 |
74 | Timnath | 7,122 | 0.9% | $675,800 | $162,976 | 0.0167 |
75 | Louisville | 20,920 | 3.2% | $821,232 | $135,840 | 0.0254 |