When reflecting on reasons Colorado is the best state, visions of the Rocky Mountains, alpine lakes, rolling farmlands, and friendly faces quickly come to mind. Yet these are just a few of the many reasons why we love life in our great state. Perhaps you’re an avid outdoors person who can’t get enough of Colorado’s fresh air and sunshine. Or maybe you’re raising a family and love Colorado’s abundant opportunities for learning and exploring. Heck, maybe you just love southwestern food and craft beer. No matter your reason for loving the Centennial State, there’s just no denying it: Colorado is the best state.

1. We enjoy abundant sunshine.
Glenn Ross Images / Getty Images
Did you know that Colorado has an average of 300 sunny days per year? That's enough reason for even the gloomiest of folks to smile. If you've lived here long enough to experience the Colorado sunshine, you know it's the best and brightest in the world.
2. Our sunrises are worth waking up early for...
Flickr/Bo Insogna, TheLightningMan.com
There's something about life in Colorado that inspires you to wake up and conquer the day. That's especially true given the beauty of our sunrises. There's a reason the nickname "Colorful Colorado" rings true!
3. ...and our sunsets are equally incredible.
Flickr/Bo Insogna, TheLightningMan.com
You could be forgiven for sleeping in past sunrise, but missing out on sunset would be doing yourself a real disservice. Whether you're a resident of the plains or the Rocky Mountains, you know that Colorado sunsets are the most beautiful in the world.
4. We have the best of all worlds...
Flickr/Michael Levine-Clark
5. ...the mountains...
Matt Payne / Getty Images
We might be biased, but we firmly believe Colorado's mountains are the most beautiful in the world. Whether you're hiking up a 14er or enjoying the Flatirons, you won't be disappointed by Colorado's high-altitude attractions.
6. ...plains...
Flickr/Matt Santomarco
What would Colorado be without its gorgeous plains? Picturesque fields of sunflowers and grasses blowing in the breeze are an iconic view that we've grown to cherish.
7. ...and the prettiest cities in all the land.
Flickr/Larry Johnson
The beauty of Colorado doesn't only extend to the great outdoors. Spend time in Denver, Boulder, Fort Collins, Durango, or any number of smaller towns and prepare to be both impressed and charmed.
8. The columbine trumps all other state flowers.
Flickr/Michael Levine-Clark
Spotting one of these beautiful flowers on a hiking trail is a definitive Colorado experience. We love to show off this beautiful state flower of ours!

Related Stories

The Incredible Farm In Colorado Where You Can Pick Buckets Of Berries

The Incredible Farm In Colorado Where You Can Pick Buckets Of Berries

 I Found The Trail Of My Dreams While Hiking In Rocky Mountain National Park In Colorado

I Found The Trail Of My Dreams While Hiking In Rocky Mountain National Park In Colorado

 Escape To The Countryside When You Stay At This Rural Airbnb In Colorado

Escape To The Countryside When You Stay At This Rural Airbnb In Colorado
9. Colorado is home to over 200 breweries.
Flickr/Justin C Lenk
Beer lovers, rejoice! Not only is Colorado home to the famous Coors brand, but there are also over 100 microbreweries to visit. Stop inside and you can learn about the unique process of beer-making and sample some if you'd like. Most of Colorado's breweries also offer non-alcoholic drinks and snacks for all ages to enjoy.
10. Best concert venue in the world? Yep, we have that too!
Flickr/Jasperdo
To experience a live show at Red Rocks is to cross off a bucket-list item. The natural acoustics of the rock formations at this amphitheater are breathtaking.
11. Jolly Old St. Nicholas calls the Centennial State "home."
Santa's Workshop North Pole, Colorado Facebook
Who could blame Santa Claus for making his home in the Centennial State? Let's just say that here in Colorado, we ALWAYS make the nice list.
12. We gave the world Chipotle...
Flickr/Mike Mozart
Chipotle was founded on July 13, 1993 in Denver, CO. You're welcome, world.
13. ...cheeseburgers...
Flickr/Clotee Allochuku
It is said that the cheeseburger was invented by Denver restauranteur Louis Ballast. How incredible is that? As if we needed even more reasons Colorado is the best state, you can add food to the top of the list!
14. ...and Crocs.
Flickr/Richard Masoner / Cyclelicious
We might actually feel the need to apologize for this one...nevertheless, Crocs are a true Colorado invention and we can wear them with pride.
15. We got Peyton.
Flickr/Jeffrey Beall
Considered to be one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time, Peyton Manning was a star of the Denver Broncos team for the last four seasons of his career.
16. On the 65 days that it isn't sunny, our skies are still gorgeous.
Flickr/David
Few skies are more dramatic than a Colorado sky. Have you ever witnessed a rainstorm roll in over the Rockies? Or perhaps a snowstorm? It's nothing short of magnificent.
17. Last, but certainly not least, Colorado is hands down the most beautiful state!
Clicked by Avik Chakraborty / Getty Images
You just can't argue with scenery this exquisite.

Do you agree with this list of reasons Colorado is the best state in the nation? What would you add to the list? We’d love to hear from you — join in on the conversation by leaving a comment below!

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

More to Explore

Reasons Colorado Is The Best State

Beth C. | May 28, 2020

Is Colorado a great place to live?

As you might have gathered from our list of reasons Colorado is the best state, the Centennial State is one of the best places to call home. To start with, the outdoor opportunities are simply unparalleled. You don't need to be a professional-level skier or an avid hiker to appreciate the abundance of natural beauty in Colorado. There are easy and accessible trails for all abilities that will showcase nature in her most pristine form. For this and many other reasons, Colorado is also a great place to raise a family.

What are the best things about living in Colorado?

Where do we start?! One of the best things about living in Colorado is accessing the state's impressive list of state parks and national parks. Rocky Mountain National Park, for example, is a treasure trove of hiking trails, towering mountains, alpine lakes, and, depending on the season, an abundance of wildflowers. Colorado also has one of the healthiest populations in the U.S. This is largely due to fitness levels and healthy eating habits. Finally, as stated in our list of reasons Colorado is the best state, the Centennial State experiences nearly 300 days of sunshine.

What is the most beautiful aerial footage of Colorado?

Thanks to drone technology, enjoying beautiful aerial footage of Colorado isn't hard to do. These tiny machines are able to fly high into the air and capture the footage of Colorado that we could only dream of seeing. Click here to check out some majestic drone footage of Colorado, including scenes from the mountains, rushing waterfalls, and charming small towns.

Related Articles

Featured Addresses
Colorado, USA