Introduction
Over the years, I have relocated to different cities. The process always begins the same way – research. In preparing this Boulder Colorado Profile, I wanted to help you with this process. It is by no means all-inclusive, but should serve to provide you a starting point.
Sincerely,
Rex Manz
Brief History Of Boulder
The Native American Arapaho Indians are considered the first permanent residents of the Boulder area. Not a bad place to settle down in my opinion.
In 1858, gold was discovered in Colorado. The Colorado Mineral Belt (the Gold Belt) was identified through geological surveys with Boulder being at its northern tip. In 1859, an entrepreneur created the Boulder City Town Company and offered 4,044-lots for $1,000 each. They didn’t sell that well initially. If only they knew what would happen over the next 150-years!
As Boulder City developed as a supply base for the Gold Belt miners, the town began to grow. As with most mining towns, you could find supplies, food, lodging, gambling and drinking. The Boulder City merchants and their families pursued the creation of schools, hospitals, railroad service and a town government rather than the reckless life of the miners.
Progress was beginning to get traction. The first Post Office was established in 1860. In 1861, the Territory of Colorado was separated from the Nebraska Territory through an Act of Congress. Boulder City was designated as the first County Seat in 1867. The town of Boulder was incorporated in 1871. The University of Colorado was located in Boulder in 1874 after many years of lobbying the state legislature. Railroad service arrived in 1873 and a train depot was constructed in 1890.
The first courthouse was built in 1867, burned in 1932 and replace with the current courthouse in 1932. The first hospital was built in 1873; the first bank opened in 1874; and the first town water system was installed in 1874. Progress was definitely afoot.
Present day Pearl Street was Boulder’s downtown then as it is today. As you walk the present day Pearl Street Mall, look-up at the date typically incorporated into the top of the building front – a custom of the times. The dates range from the late-1800’s to the early-1900’s.
The original residential neighborhoods of Mapleton Hill, Goss/Grove and Whittier still exist today. Here you will find bungalows and cottage for the modest families of the date to the mansions of the wealthy – some things never change.
A crowning achievement in its day, Boulder attracted a Chautauqua in 1897. The Chautauqua movement was intent on the professionalization of teaching. Land was secured and the Colorado Chautauqua Auditorium was built. Boulder’s Chautauqua remains a full-active venue today.
Boulder saw its economy collapsing at the turn-of-the-century with the collapse of the gold and silver economies. It sought to establish an industry of tourism. To that end, the Hotel Boulderado was opened in 1909. As Colorado Chautauqua grew in reputation, so did Boulder.
The end of World War II saw a population influx into Boulder. City leaders promoted Boulder as a location for “clean” industries. The National Bureau of Standards was located in Boulder in 1952.
Since the 1950’s, Boulder has never looked back.
Information Sources: City of Boulder, Colorado Chautauqua, etc.
Awards & Recognition
When I speak with people in Boulder, I’m always surprised at how diverse a group of people I live among. As a Realtor, I find many different reasons motivating people to relocate to Boulder.
As I started to do some research, I found that Boulder is not renown for just one-thing, but for many! Here is a list of awards and recognitions that Boulder has garnered over the years.
Best Overall Place To Live Awards
|
"Dream Towns"
|
Outside Magazine Aug 2006
|
|
"50 Best Places To Live"
|
Men's Journal Apr 2006
|
|
"America's Top 100 Places To Live In 2006"
|
Relocate-America.com Mar 2006
|
|
"Place You Dream Of Living"
|
Backpacker Magazine Feb 2006
|
|
"Best Places To Move"
|
Worldwide ERC Sep 2004
|
|
"#1 Best Place To Live"
|
Successful Meetings 2005
|
|
"Best Cities For Relocating Families"
|
Worldwide ERC May 2006
|
Greenest City Awards
|
"Best Green Places To Live In America"
|
Country Home Magazine Apr 2007
|
|
"Best City For Green Meetings"
|
Meetings & Conventions Aug 2006
|
|
"Top 20 Greenest Spots In The Country"
|
Vegetarian Times Jul/Aug 2006
|
|
"Top 10 Greenest Cities"
|
Homestore.com Apr 2006
|
|
"Five Impressive Cities ..."
|
Delicious Living Magazine Apr 2004
|
Best Place To Retire Awards
|
"Best Cities For Empty-Nesters"
|
Kiplinger.com Aug 2007
|
|
"Top Places To Retire"
|
Where To Retire Magazine Jul 2006
|
|
"Best Places To Retire In Style"
|
Fortune Magazine Jun 2006
|
|
"Top 10 Places To Retire"
|
Bottom Line Retirement Jan 2006
|
|
"Best Places To Retire"
|
Money Magazine 2002
|
Best City For Sports Activity Awards
|
"Best Sports City"
|
Sporting News Aug 2007
|
|
"Top Triathlon Town"
|
Inside Triatholon Magazine Mar 2007
|
|
"10 Great Biking Cities"
|
Washington Post Oct 2006
|
|
"Best City For Cycling"
|
Bicycling Magazine Mar 2006
|
|
"7th Best Running City"
|
Runner's World Magazine Aug 2005
|
|
"Top 10 Cities For Masters Athletes"
|
Geezer Jock Magazine Sep 2005
|
Life Style Awards
|
"Heart-Healthiest City"
|
Men's Journal Aug 2006
|
|
"Top 12 Best Veg-Friendly Places To Live"
|
VegNews Aug 2006
|
|
"Most Vegetarian-Friendly Cities In The U.S."
|
PETA.org Apr 2006
|
|
"America's Best Vegetarian-Friendly Cities"
|
GoVeg.com Mar 2006
|
|
"America's 50 Healthiest Places To Live"
|
USA Today 2002
|
Best Art City Awards
|
"Top 25 Arts Destinations"
|
American Style Magazine Jun 2006
|
|
#6 in "The 100 Best Art Towns In America"
|
by John Villani
|
|
"Top 25 Art Cities"
|
American Style Magazine Jun 2005
|
Best Business City Awards
|
"America's Smartest Cities"
|
Forbes Magazine Dec 2006
|
|
"Top 10 Brainest Small Cities"
|
Bizjournals.com Jun 2006
|
|
"Best City For Teleworking"
|
Sperling's Best Places Mar 2006
|
|
"Best Workplaces For Commuters"
|
U.S. EPA Apr 2005
|
|
"Top 20 Boom Towns"
|
Business 2.0 Mar 2004
|
If you need confirmation that you are making the right decision in considering your relocation to Boulder, just read through the list above again!
Information Sources: City of Boulder, etc.
Boulder Statistics
There is an endlessly numbing amount of statistics available. I’ve selected only a few that I found interesting.
The Basics
|
Population - 2000
|
94,673
|
|
Families - 2000
|
39,596
|
|
Elevation
|
5,340 ft
|
|
Median Age
|
29 years
|
|
Boulder’s Favorite Car
|
Subaru
|
|
Boulder’s Favorite Activity
|
Bicycling, Espresso (tie)
|
|
Boulder’s Favorite Activism
|
Global Warming
|
|
Boulder’s Favorite Bumper Sticker
|
“Keep Boulder Weird”
|
|
Boulder’s Favorite Footwear
|
Crocs
|
|
Boulder’s Favorite Path
|
Boulder Creek Path
|
|
Boulder’s Favorite Gathering Spot
|
Pearl Street Mall
|
|
Boulder’s Favorite Character
|
Mork
|
Most Common Industries For Males
|
Professional, scientific, and technical services
|
17%
|
|
Educational services
|
14%
|
|
Accommodation and food services
|
9%
|
|
Construction
|
7%
|
|
Computer and electronic products
|
5%
|
Most Common Industries For Females
|
Educational services
|
21%
|
|
Professional, scientific, and technical services
|
13%
|
|
Health care
|
11%
|
|
Accommodation and food services
|
8%
|
Temperature Averages
|
|
High
|
Low
|
|
January
|
46
|
19
|
|
February
|
49
|
23
|
|
March
|
56
|
28
|
|
April
|
63
|
34
|
|
May
|
72
|
42
|
|
June
|
82
|
51
|
|
July
|
87
|
56
|
|
August
|
85
|
55
|
|
September
|
77
|
47
|
|
October
|
67
|
37
|
|
November
|
53
|
27
|
|
December
|
46
|
21
|
Information Sources: US Census, city-data.com, epodunk.com, weather.com, personal observation, opinion
Education
Boulder is the epitome of education. The population is statistically among the most highly-education in the nation. It is home to a major university (University of Colorado) as well as the only accredited Buddhist university in the country (Naropa University). The public school system is well-ranked nationally and the private schools offer a variety of formats including wilderness-education-based. The Boulder Valley School District has an open enrollment alternative to your home attendance area school. If space is available, you may enroll your child in any BVSD public school with the requirement that you provide transportation.
Boulder Public Schools – Elementary Schools
Boulder Public Schools – Middle Schools
Boulder Public Schools – High Schools
Boulder Private Schools – Elementary, Middle & High Schools
Civic Organizations
You can tell a lot about a community by the civic organizations that it supports. Here are a few of Boulder’s.
Boulder Shelter For The Homeless
“We believe that all people deserve the basic necessities of life, and that the community in which we live is called to serve this purpose. It is the mission of the Boulder Shelter for the Homeless to provide safe shelter, food, support services, and an avenue to self-sufficiency for homeless adults in our community.”
Information Source: http://www.bouldershelter.org/abouttheshelter.html