Colorado, with its majestic mountains and vibrant cities, attracts residents seeking an active lifestyle amidst stunning scenery. Beyond the outdoor adventures, though, safety is a top priority for many.
This article delves into Colorado’s safest communities, exploring towns and suburbs that offer peace of mind alongside all the charm and excitement the state provides.
Whether you have a young family, are a retiree, or are simply someone seeking a quiet escape, we’ll guide you through the safest places to call home in Colorado, taking crime rates, community feel, and overall security into account. Gear up for breathtaking landscapes and get ready to learn about the Colorado havens that prioritize your well-being.
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Our Criteria for Safety
To identify the safest places in Colorado, we’ll consider a multifaceted approach that goes beyond just crime statistics. Here’s a breakdown of the key criteria:
Crime Rates
Crime rates are a fundamental factor, and lower crime rates generally indicate a safer environment. In this guide, we’ll analyze reported crimes like violent crime (homicide, assault, robbery) and property crime (theft, burglary, arson) to understand the overall crime landscape.
Community Policing Efforts
A proactive police presence fosters a sense of security, and strong police-community relationships can deter crime and promote safety. Below, we’ll examine how local law enforcement engages with the community.
Public Safety Initiatives
Many communities invest in programs that enhance safety beyond traditional policing. That’s why we’ll explore initiatives like victim support services. These proactive measures contribute to a safer environment.
Emergency Response Times
Responding promptly to emergencies is crucial, and faster response times can minimize damage and improve outcomes in critical situations. We’ve considered average police response times to help you determine the safest place to live.
Overview of Safest Cities
Colorado’s safety landscape is fascinating, offering secure environments in both bustling urban centers and charming small towns.
While large cities may have more resources to dedicate to law enforcement, smaller communities often boast strong community bonds and a watchful eye on their neighbors. This can lead to lower crime rates and a strong sense of security.
Below, you’ll see that different-sized communities in Colorado can all achieve these high safety standards. There’s a perfect haven for everyone in the Centennial State, whether you crave a city’s energy or a small town’s tranquility.
Now, let’s get into specifics and discuss the safest places to live in Colorado. Here are five cities to consider if you want to experience maximum security while residing in Colorado:
Brush
Brush, Colorado, is well-known for being one of the safest cities in the state. According to data collected by BestPlaces, the crime rate is Brush 9.1 for violent crime (out of 100) and 18.6 for property crime (out of 100).
How does this compare to the U.S. average?
The country’s average for violent crime is 22.7 (more than twice Brush’s rate), and the average for property crime is 35.4 (nearly double Brush’s rate).
However, low crime rates aren’t the only thing that makes Brush one of the safest places to live in Colorado. The city also offers a strong community feel that provides additional peace of mind, and a robust police department that is involved in the community makes itself readily available to its citizens.
With two police stations within its boundaries and 25 within a 50-mile radius, police response times are relatively quick, especially considering the city’s low overall crime rate (meaning police are less likely to be short-staffed and able to respond soon if something goes wrong).
Frederick
Frederick is another highly safe city in Colorado. As far as crime rates are concerned, it ranks a little below Brush, with a violent crime ranking of 8.6 and a property crime ranking of 15.2.
Although Frederick has a relatively small police force — just 39 officers who serve the city’s 15,000-person population — it still boasts fast response times. The police force actively engages in the community and seeks to make it a better and safer place.
According to the Rural Violent Crime Reduction Initiative, the Frederick Police Department also has plans to collaborate with nearby municipalities to establish a victim services program that will increase access to victim services and work to decrease the number of victims who experience repeated victimization.
Severance
Severance, Colorado, is another excellent place to live, thanks to its low crime rate. Its violent crime rate is 9.8, and its property crime rate is 11.5.
Likely because of the safety and security it offers, Severance is growing quickly. The city currently has a population of 13,182 and is growing at a rate of 10.95 percent annually. Its population has also increased by 65.19 percent since 2020!
With such rapid growth, some may be concerned about Severance’s police department’s ability to keep up and maintain the area’s safety rating. The good news is that the Severance police department is highly engaged and works hard to provide residents with accurate and up-to-date information about what’s happening in the city and what they’re doing to maximize safety.
For example, on the police department’s website, there is a chart breaking down the number of calls they have received and what they’re for so residents can see what issues, if any, are trending in the area and can take steps to protect themselves.
Milliken
Milliken, Colorado, is another small town with an impressive safety rating. The town’s violent crime rating is 11.4, and its property crime rating is 13.6.
Safety is a top priority for Milliken, Colorado’s residents and police force. The force is unique in part because it encourages community involvement and offers many opportunities for residents to play a role in keeping their town safe.
For example, the police department has created a community emergency response team created to help people in challenging situations (such as snow storms).
Fruita
Last but not least on the list of safest places to live in Colorado is Fruita.
Fruita is a small city located outside of Grand Junction that has a violent crime rating of 10.1. The city’s property crime rating is higher than the others on this list at 25.0, but it’s still quite a bit lower than the country’s average of 35.4.
As the Fruita police department notes, the city has experienced a decline in both violent and property crime over the last few years, showing the strength of its police force and community-led safety programs.
As a bonus, Fruita is also well-known for its multitude of outdoor recreation opportunities and provides many options for those who love to get out of the house and experience Colorado’s incredible natural scenery.
Living in Colorado’s Safest Cities
What’s it like to call one of the safest places to live in Colorado home? Here’s a quick breakdown of what you can expect living in these five safest cities:
Brush
Not only is Brush, Colorado, one of the safest places to live in the state, but it’s also one of the most affordable.
Brush has a cost-of-living score of 87.6, meaning the cost of living here — which includes housing, food, transportation, healthcare, childcare, and taxes — is 12.4 percent lower than the U.S. average and 27.3 percent lower than the Colorado average.
Frederick
Frederick, Colorado, has a BestPlaces cost of living score of 113.4, meaning the total cost of housing, food, childcare, transportation, healthcare, taxes, and other necessities is 13.4 percent higher than the country’s average. However, this is still one of the more affordable places to live in Colorado, with a cost of living score that is 5.9 percent lower than the state’s average.
Severance
Severance, Colorado, is pricier than many other cities in the United States (13.4 percent pricier, to be precise). However, it is more affordable than other cities in Colorado (the cost of living is 5.9 percent lower).
Milliken
Milliken is a safe and beautiful place to live, but it’s also more expensive than some of the other cities on this list. Like Severance, Colorado, it has a cost-of-living score of 113.4, meaning it’s 13.4 percent more expensive than the U.S. average. Its cost of living is also 5.9 percent lower than the Colorado average.
Fruita
In addition to being very safe, Fruita is easily one of the most affordable places to live in Colorado.
Fruita has a cost-of-living score of 99.1. The city’s total cost of living, including housing, food, childcare, healthcare, taxes, and transportation, is 0.9 percent lower than the country’s average and 17.8 percent lower than the Colorado average.
Start The Process
Colorado beckons with its stunning mountains, vibrant cities, and, as we’ve explored, a wealth of safe communities. From busy centers with cultural riches to charming towns steeped in neighborly spirit, a perfect haven awaits you.
Are you interested in selling your home and relocating to one of the safest places to live in Colorado? If so, iBuyer is here to make the process as simple as possible. Contact us today to learn more about getting cash for your home.
