10 Reasons People May Be Leaving Colorado Ahh, Colorado. Do you still love it, or are you ready to leave it? Does it feel like people have been leaving Colorado more so than you’ve seen in quite a while? I’m not saying there are vacant houses everywhere, but the shift is palpable. It seems like that for forever the Front Range of Colorado was a beacon to Californians fleeing high real estate prices, Texans & Chicagoans fleeing high property taxes, and the heat or the cold, and midwesterners and northeasterners looking for that John Denver experience. Our sunshine, our mountains, our way of life have had a tendency to have people stampeding in like the cattle drives of the 1880s. But our recent 10-year stampede may be over. I’ve been in Colorado most of my life. I grew up here and have lived here for the past 16 years consecutively. I hear the comparisons with how things are vs. how things used to be. For many, the Welcome to Colorful Colorado sign at our borders still plays an alluring song, but is it a siren song? For many residents who’ve seen their Colorado change, more and more people seem to be voicing their discontent–and leaving. But enough with the feels and the metaphors, new data actually does suggest that more people are moving out of Colorado than into our state. HireAHelper, an online moving service, analyzed over 90,000 moves that took place over 2021. In Colorado, 15% more people moved out of the state than into it over the year. Based on a story from local news network KDVR in the spring of 2022, here are 10 factors that might contribute to people leaving Colorado: As of earlier this spring, Denver is the seventh most expensive of the top 50 US metro areas, with a typical home sales price of $598,233. That puts us right behind four California locations, Seattle and Boston. Ouch.  Denver ranks 13th for the percent its home prices have increased since 2000.  Monthly rent prices are up in Colorado nearly 22% (21.95%) year over year. In 2021 a Denver one bedroom in the city costs nearly $2,100, 24th highest in the country.  The cost of living in Colorado is 17% higher than the national average. There are a record low number of homes available in the Denver metro area. That number has increased substantially since this report came out but in relative terms, there is still a general dearth of inventory.  Denver housing is more unaffordable for middle class than nearly any US metro. Again, this puts Denver right behind four California cities, Seattle and Boston.  Denver has the 10th fastest-rising rent over the last year Colorado transportation costs are 6% higher than the national average. Colorado has the highest car theft levels in the country, with a 32% increase over the last year. This one really stings. Number 1?! Only three of fourteen categories of crime fell year over year. Violent crime increased by 52% in Colorado over the last 10 years. Except for 2019, violent crime has risen for the past ten years, not unlike the population. The total number of crimes has risen 72% since 2011. Another stat NOT to be be proud of.  There are several others I could add to the honorable mention lists, so to speak. I've heard other reasons such as traffic, obsolete infrastructure, and changing political climate and social landscapes.  Colorado, as the eighth largest state, also has cultural and political diversity by virtue of its vast geographic differences. The eastern plains differ from the Front Range just as the mountain communities differ from the Western Slope and Southern Colorado. Some would say that diversity is good for the state, but it also presents its own challenges. What would you add to this list? Do you still love Colorado? Do you miss how it was 10 years ago? 20? 30? 50 years ago? Leave a comment below and tell me if you still love it or are ready to leave it, and why. We know that everyone’s situation is unique. If we can be a real estate resource to you, my team and I are here for you. Please reach out and let’s start a conversation.

10 Reasons to Love Colorado Ahh, Colorado. So many reasons to be proud. My dad, who was from Iowa, used to say, Iowa was a great place to be from, but he wouldn’t wish living there on anybody. He loved Colorado and I loved that he moved here before I was born.  We recently published a video citing 10 reasons why Colorado’s 10-year run of growth has ended. But the fact remains that Colorado is for so many reasons, a wonderful place to live. I’ve been in Colorado most of my life. I was born here. I grew up here and after a brief stint away, I have lived here again for the past 16 years consecutively. It’s a great place. Did you know that Colorado remains the only city ever to turn down an olympic games after being awarded? The 1976 Olympics were actually initially awarded to Denver, though the Games were eventually held in Innsbruck, Austria. What? In a 1972 referendum, Colorado voters rejected the Games, and for the only time in history a city awarded the Games rejected them. Why? Some say it was concern over the environment and economics. Those were certainly valid reasons. Others say that Colorado voters were just too proud of their little secret and didn’t want all the global attention and exposure the Olympic Games would bring. But by the 1990s and well into the 2000s, the cat had long since been out of the bag. Denver, Boulder, Fort Collins and Colorado Springs consistently ranked among the most desirable, happy, clean, healthy, and best places to live in the country. Coloradans today might find themselves arguing about the Colorado of yesteryear vs the Colorado of today, what’s changed and what’s to come for Colorado, but coming up with a list of at least 10 reasons to STILL love Colorado, is easy. Here’s a look at 10 possibilities: Colorado is the healthiest state in the United States, ranking above Hawaii, DC, Oregon, Utah and California, to name a few. Colorado is one of the most outdoor-friendly states in the country. In fact, it ranked fifth for outdoor-friendliest states. Colorado has one of the highest median household incomes in the country at nearly $78,000 ($77,727), ranking just outside the top ten, at the eleventh spot in the country. Colorado is the second most educated state in the United States. Massachusetts and Colorado are the only states where over 50% of adults hold college degrees. Colorado is one of the top pet-friendly states in the country. Here’s to another top ten ranking. Colorado ranks #9 amongst most pet-friendly states. The ranking was based on things such as pet population, rentals that allow pets, and laws that protect pets and prevent abuse. We certainly love our dogs, and have several local dog parks to choose from, not to mention, the mountains. Colorado ranks in the top 10 for work-life balance. This comes as no surprise given that people move here all the time for Colorado’s recreational opportunities, the weather and the lifestyle. Colorado is among the top states for jobs in the United States. Apparently South Dakota’s the place to beat, but with Denver, Boulder, Fort Collins having a large tech base and Colorado Springs being known for its military jobs, Colorado’s economy is generally flourishing. Colorado is one of the sunniest states in the country, ranking number six. Coloradans would tell you we’re number one. We probably are. No, we definitely are, but according to an article by stacker.com we’re not desert-y enough to earn the top spot. Colorado has one of the best healthcare systems in the country. It has the lowest heart disease rate in the country, as well as the fourth lowest cancer rate in the country. Skin cancer is a real threat, however, based on the lifestyle of many Coloradans. Use your sunscreen! Colorado is one of the top states for pro sports. The Denver Broncos are always the talk of the town, but a recent Stanley Cup victory, and with 3 total championships, The Colorado Avalanche are a close second town favorite. The Denver Nuggets lay claim to the NBA’s best player distinction the league’s MVP for the past two years, Nikola Jokic, and the Colorado Rockies have one of the highest attended baseball stadiums year in and year out. Denver is home to MLS’s Colorado Rapids and has seen championships from the Colorado Mammoth, of the National Lacrosse League, and from the University of Denver’s hockey and lacrosse teams. We love our championship-winning sports teams! There are several other things that I could add to the honorable mention list, so to speak. This list was compiled from online articles where Colorado ranked highly. But how do you put a value on proximity to the Rocky Mountains, the state’s illustrious National Parks, the world famous concert venues like Red Rocks, the world class culinary scene, the plethora of breweries that attract so many, and the cultural gems of our arts and entertainment scene. And then there’s the weather. The sunshine, the mild winters, and the four seasons.  What would you add to this list? Do you still love Colorado? Leave a comment below and tell me if you still love it or are ready to leave it, and why. Well while we’ve compiled a robust list of the top reasons people might move to Colorado and STAY, there is a laundry list of reasons why others have chosen to leave the state. Have you seen that video of ours yet?  Whether you’re coming or going, we know that everyone’s situation is unique. If we can be a real estate resource to you, my team and I are here for you. Please reach out and let’s start a conversation.