Many cities in Colorado hit the top 25 list of National Geographic’s happiest cities, including Fort Collins and Colorado Springs, but Boulder consistently takes the number one spot for a variety of reasons. There are many factors that the researchers took into account, including, diets, how involved people are in their communities, how often people go on holiday, how easy it is to get around on foot or by bike, and even how frequently people visit the dentist.

One of the key factors in Boulderites happiness is the easy access to nature. The city enjoys scenery that all of Colorado has to offer, but also features miles of hiking and biking trails to encourage community members to get outside. The abundance of exercise also plays a role in how happy Boulderites are, as the community is 17 times more likely than the rest of the U.S. to bike to work, and is the number 1 city in for residents that walk to work.

Additionally, the city has a low number of obesity and smokers, and goes out of its way to promote healthy living for the community, such as taxing sugary beverages to fund healthcare for children. The city also matches federal SNAP benefits toe ensure that even low-income individuals have access to fruits and vegetables.

Finally, the city reports that Boulderites are overwhelmingly “happy and productive” and feel that their lives are contributing to something meaningful. This means that even in time of stress, the community still has a sense of purpose and gets things done!

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