Farmers Insurance Ben Frihauf

Reasons to call Colorado home

Colorado is more than a state with spectacular vistas. To 5.8 million people, it is also a wonderful place to call home. The state is known for outstanding access to outdoor recreation in all four seasons, as well as amusing attractions, award-winning craft beer and close-knit communities that are culturally diverse.

Colorado is also growing. Its steady inbound migration leads to greater economic output. Data from the 2020 U.S. Census indicates that Colorado ranks fifth in population growth. Moreover, a 2019 National Movers Study discovered the primary reasons that individuals move to Colorado includes family considerations (36%) and job opportunities (31%). Others seek a lifestyle change (26%) or want to retire in the Rocky Mountains (15%).

With these numbers in mind, the state government projects the population in Colorado will increase to 7.8 million by 2040. So, what’s so cool about Colorado? Here’s a few highlights.

Location

Though Colorado is part of the Mountain West, it is also near the heart of the nation. As part of the Four Corners region, Colorado shares borders with seven states: Wyoming, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Utah and Arizona. The central location makes the region a hub for distribution and travel. The Continental Divide separates the Front Range from the Western Slope, and the Colorado River divides the northern and southern regions of the Western Slope around Grand Junction – the most populous city between Denver and Salt Lake City, Utah. Nature

Public access to open space and nature appeals to artists, athletes and everyone in between. The rural landscape on the rugged Western Slope is rife with flora and fauna unique to the region. Colorado includes spectacular peaks and valleys, caves and canyons, mesas and meadows, rivers and reservoirs. The region has high alpine forests that fade into vast, dusty deserts scattered with rock formations. The different ecosystems are protected by federal, state and local laws to foster natural balance and beauty for years to come. Learn how to follow ethical practices outdoors at www.lnt.org. Climate

Southwest Colorado experiences four seasons and nearly 300 days of sunshine. In the mountains, the elevation often affects the weather conditions. Though temperature differences can be more drastic, there is generally a five-degree difference in temperature per thousand feet. Near Durango at 6,512 feet, winter temperatures range from the average low of 13 degrees Fahrenheit to the average high of 47 degrees. The majority of precipitation falls in this season as snow. Spring brings warmer temperatures with rain that revives the vibrant colors of the landscape. Summer temperatures range from an average high of 85 degrees and low of 50.

Recreation

Pristine weather conditions and a varied landscape creates a paradise for outdoor activities. Access nearly 300 miles of hiking trails within just 30 minutes of La Plata County, and thousands more in the surrounding counties of Archuleta, San Juan, Ouray and Montezuma in Colorado. Whether for competition or leisure, biking