Colorado has it all — outdoor recreation, breweries and restaurants, stunning views, and 300+ days of sunshine so you can better enjoy all of the above. Not to mention, there are plenty of cities and towns throughout the Centennial State that provide the ideal setting for raising a family. Each is equipped with excellent schools, a strong sense of community, and of course, plenty of kid-friendly attractions.
Let’s explore the top cities in Colorado to raise a family, including several communities right here in Northern Colorado!
Castle Rock
Situated just south of Denver, the relatively small community of Castle Rock is home to just over 60,000 people. It has consistently ranked well as one of the best places to raise a family in Colorado — coming in at the coveted #1 spot on HomeSnack’s list. According to the real estate data company, nearly half of the households in Castle Rock have kids (45.8%, to be exact). This means there are plenty of friends for your kids to choose from! Plus, there are plenty of kid-friendly attractions in Castle Rock to keep them entertained, from libraries and parks to The EDGE Ziplines & Adventures. Overall, Castle Rock has a laid-back, neighborhood feel, while remaining close to Denver for big-city amenities.
Colorado Springs
Even further south of Denver lies Colorado Springs, a much larger city of nearly 500,000. In 2021, WalletHub included Colorado Springs on its list of the Best Places to Raise a Family, giving it high scores for affordability and family fun.
According to Sperling’s Best Places, the overall cost of living in Colorado Springs is at a score of 104.5, compared to the U.S. average of 100 and the Colorado average of 121.1. In other words, Colorado Springs is slightly more expensive than the average city in the U.S., but significantly less expensive than the average cost of living in Colorado.
And as far as “family fun” goes, Colorado Springs is not lacking in kid-friendly attractions, from Garden of the Gods and Springs Adventure Park to the May Natural History Museum and the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo.
Erie
Just east of Boulder, Erie is a growing town of nearly 25,000, significantly up from its 6,291 residents in 2000. And there’s a reason why it’s growing! Many are noticing the town’s allure and sense of community — and appreciating its proximity to Denver, which is only less than an hour away. Erie made it on our list (and the very top of Elite Personal Finance’s list!) for its family-friendly feel. There’s something in Erie for all ages. For kids, much of the activity is happening at the Erie Community Center and the High Plains Library, both of which offer plenty of programs and activities all year long. Plus, Erie has a great school system, with several top-rated public schools to choose from!
Fort Collins
To say Fort Collins is a family-oriented community is an understatement — and we would know: we live and work here! And we aren’t the only ones who think Fort Collins is a great place for families — Livability named it the #4 best place to raise a family in the entire country back in 2018.
This Northern Colorado town of more than 175,000 is packed with family-friendly attractions, including the Fort Collins Museum of Discovery, Fort Fun, Holiday Twin Drive-In, The Farm at Lee Martinez Park, the Environmental Learning Center at CSU, the Gardens on Spring Creek Children’s Garden — we could go on and on. Plus, Old Town Fort Collins hosts plenty of kid-centered events throughout the year, and is home to many shops and restaurants for the whole family to enjoy. Get a taste of what it’s like to live here with kids by reading our lists of things to do with kids during the winter, educational attractions for kids, summer activities with kids, and things to do during the spring with kids.
Looking to move to Fort Collins? We can help! Our agents know the city inside and out — including everything from schools to the best neighborhoods. Contact us to be connected with one of our agents!
Greeley
We’re also a little partial to Greeley, one of the other amazing communities we serve. Complete with a charming historic downtown area and proximity to outdoor recreation, Greeley is a particularly ideal town to settle down in. In fact, it was ranked the #6 city to raise a family in Colorado by HomeSnacks! This town of just over 100,000 has a quiet, laid-back feel, but there are still plenty of ways to keep the little ones entertained. Greeley is home to the Family FunPlex, the Greeley Ice Haus, the Colorado Model Railroad Museum, and more. Plus, Island Grove Regional Park is a 155-acre historic park and fairgrounds, home to Centennial Village Museum, Island Grove Splash Park, Greeley Stampede and Greeley Blues Jam — attractions and events all ages will enjoy.
Considering a move to Greeley? We don’t blame you! We have agents in Greeley who can help you every step of the way throughout the home buying process. Just reach out to get connected!
Louisville
For a true small-town feel, look no further than Louisville, a town just outside of Boulder home to about 20,000 people. It is your classic suburban Colorado town, but it has a historic downtown and excellent mountain views, visible from nearly every vantage point. Pronounced “LOO-WIS-VILLE,” Louisville made it on Livability’s “Best Small Towns” list several years in a row, for its good schools, small-town charm, and outdoor recreation options — all of which appeal to young families. The town is served by the Boulder Valley School District, which includes one high school, a middle school, and three elementary schools, all of which have consistently ranked amongst the best in the state. It is conveniently located between Boulder and Denver, but doesn’t share their sky-high housing prices!
Parker
On the other side of Denver, about 20 miles southeast of the city, lies the town of Parker — which offers a mix of both urban and suburban living. It has around 60,000 residents, many of whom work in Denver and love retreating to the more laid-back atmosphere Parker provides. Adorned with twinkling string lights extending between historic buildings, Main Street is the heart of activity in Parker. Here, you’ll find charming boutiques, cafes and other small businesses, providing something for all ages to do, see and taste! And just wait for the holidays, when the town is illuminated with stunning light displays and bustling with festive events all season long. Plus, that time of year, Parker is perfectly positioned near some of the best ski resorts in the state! But all year long, Parker is an excellent place to be and to raise a family, as there is a strong sense of community, a great school system, and endless activities for kids.
Windsor
Last but not least, another one of our favorite Northern Colorado towns: Windsor. In 2019, WalletHub ranked Windsor #10 on their list of the Best Places to Raise a Family in Colorado. And most notably, this little town came in third place for “Education, Health and Safety” — arguably the most vital and foundational of all the categories when it comes to a city’s livability. Education is very important in Windsor. In fact, Weld RE-4 School District was ranked the third best school district in the state by the Colorado Board of Education! The district encompasses 11 schools in Windsor and Severance, and boasts a graduation rate well above state and national averages.
Want to live in Windsor? We can help with that too. Contact us to get connected with an agent in Windsor.
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