Relocation

Colorado has always been a popular place to live, and population experts predict it will continue to be, regardless of the financial vagaries of its major industries. Starting with 19th-­century gold mining, then continuing through the oil boom of the 1970s and the telecommunications explosion of the 1990s, Colorado has always attracted newcomers looking to make a fortune. These boom cycles are always followed by a bust, but they do little to stop the state’s rampant growth. In 2000 the US Census found Colorado to be the country’s third-­fastest growing state, adding new residents at a rate of 2.2 percent per year, while the US average was just 1.2 percent. After the dot-­com bust of 2001, however, growth cooled. By 2004 migration had flattened considerably, and the net population gain was nearly zero. Since then population growth has grown steadily, and by 2009 Colorado was the seventh-­fastest growing state in that decade.

The same things attract newcomers today as attracted them in the 1880s— ­breathtaking mountains, blue skies, sunny days, and the opportunity to live the kind of outdoor lifestyle so many Americans crave. Some Colorado transplants were hooked during college, coming to the University of Colorado or Colorado State University and falling in love with the state’s beauty. Others were among the 26.2 million tourists who come here on vacation each year and leave with an appreciation of Denver’s charm. It also appeals to entrepreneurs looking to locate in beautiful surroundings without compromising their business edge. Denver is the largest city between San Francisco and St. Louis, which makes it an excellent place to headquarter businesses serving the western half of the country. And Denver International Airport makes it easy for globally oriented businesses to connect with transportation hubs on the East Coast and in Europe.