#1Holly Hills
unincorporated, Arapahoe County · 2,572 peopleStrongest: jobs & income A+, health A+·lowest: cost of living B−
B−Cost–SafetyA−SchoolsA+HealthA+JobsA+WalkB−Hazards
Holly Hills, #1 on this list · Photo: Jeffrey Beall · CC BY 3.0Colorado rankings · 2026
Best small towns in Colorado
Holly Hills ranks first of Colorado’s 86 graded small towns (2,500–9,999 residents), with an A+: jobs & income (A+) and health (A+) are its strongest grades; cost of living (B−) is its lowest. 27 of the 86 (31%) grade A− or better nationally, against 25% of U.S. towns.
The overall grade, sorted: cost of living, safety, schools, health, jobs & income, walkability and hazard risk, from Census, FBI, state, CDC, EPA and FEMA data. How grades work
#1A+
Acres Green
unincorporated, Douglas County · 2,639 peopleStrongest: jobs & income A+, schools A·lowest: cost of living C+
C+Cost–SafetyASchoolsAHealthA+JobsB+WalkAHazards
Stepping Stone
unincorporated, Douglas County · 3,137 peopleStrongest: jobs & income A+, health A+·lowest: cost of living C
CCost–SafetyASchoolsA+HealthA+JobsCWalkB−Hazards
Where they are: Three of the top 10 are in Arapahoe County.
All 86 small towns
Overall score, highest first. The score (0–100) blends the seven livability grades and sets the order; the letter places that score among every U.S. town of 2,500+, and A+ is the top 5%, so neighbors on the list often share a letter. Each town links to its page, where the grade sheet shows every subject. The rank is the town’s place among all 158 Colorado towns.
86 towns ranked. Not here? See why a town may be missing.
#TownScoreGradeWhat drives it
1Holly Hillsunincorporated, Arapahoe County · 2,572 people78.7top 0.3%A+Strongest: jobs & income A+, health A+·lowest: cost of living B−
2Acres Greenunincorporated, Douglas County · 2,639 people75.5top 1.1%A+Strongest: jobs & income A+, schools A·lowest: cost of living C+
5Stepping Stoneunincorporated, Douglas County · 3,137 people69.6top 7.4%AStrongest: jobs & income A+, health A+·lowest: cost of living C
7Stonegateunincorporated, Douglas County · 8,906 people69.0top 8.5%AStrongest: health A+, jobs & income A+·lowest: cost of living C−
10Woodmoorunincorporated, El Paso County · 8,934 people68.4top 9.5%AStrongest: health A+, schools A+·lowest: hazard risk C−
13ElizabethElbert County · 2,957 people67.9top 10.3%AStrongest: health A, safety A−·lowest: hazard risk C−
16Fairmountunincorporated, Jefferson County · 9,902 people67.5top 11.4%AStrongest: health A+, jobs & income A+·lowest: cost of living C−
18Invernessunincorporated, Arapahoe County · 2,934 people67.2top 12.0%AStrongest: health A+, walkability A+·lowest: cost of living D−
19Cherry Hills VillageArapahoe County · 6,389 people67.1top 12.2%AStrongest: health A+, jobs & income A+·lowest: cost of living D
21Applewoodunincorporated, Jefferson County · 8,350 people66.8top 12.8%AStrongest: health A+, jobs & income A·lowest: cost of living C−
23FriscoSummit County · 2,792 people66.7top 13.0%AStrongest: health A+, walkability A·lowest: cost of living C−
26Gleneagleunincorporated, El Paso County · 6,440 people65.8top 14.8%AStrongest: health A+, jobs & income A+·lowest: cost of living C−
27Roxborough Parkunincorporated, Douglas County · 9,085 people65.8top 15.0%AStrongest: health A+, schools A·lowest: hazard risk C−
29Castle Pines Villageunincorporated, Douglas County · 4,436 people65.5top 15.6%A−Strongest: health A+, schools A·lowest: cost of living D
30EatonWeld County · 5,848 people65.1top 16.6%A−Strongest: health A, schools A·lowest: cost of living C+
33BayfieldLa Plata County · 2,974 people64.8top 17.2%A−Strongest: health A, safety A·lowest: hazard risk D
35Niwotunincorporated, Boulder County · 3,447 people64.5top 17.8%A−Strongest: health A+, jobs & income A·lowest: cost of living C−
37Dove Valleyunincorporated, Arapahoe County · 4,806 people64.2top 18.5%A−Strongest: health A, schools A−·lowest: cost of living C−
38Meridianunincorporated, Douglas County · 5,634 people64.2top 18.7%A−Strongest: health A+, schools A·lowest: cost of living D
39Evergreenunincorporated, Jefferson County · 8,602 people64.0top 19.1%A−Strongest: health A+, jobs & income A+·lowest: hazard risk D−
40SalidaChaffee County · 5,985 people63.8top 19.5%A−Strongest: walkability A, schools A·lowest: hazard risk D
41Palmer LakeEl Paso County · 2,591 people63.8top 19.7%A−Strongest: schools A+, health A·lowest: hazard risk D−
42MeadWeld County · 7,042 people63.6top 20.1%A−Strongest: jobs & income A+, health A·lowest: walkability C
44Sierra Ridgeunincorporated, Douglas County · 3,663 people63.2top 21.0%A−Strongest: health A+, jobs & income A+·lowest: cost of living D
46Snowmass VillagePitkin County · 2,965 people63.0top 21.5%A−Strongest: health A+, walkability A·lowest: cost of living D−
49West Pleasant Viewunincorporated, Jefferson County · 5,051 people62.3top 23.2%A−Strongest: walkability A, health A·lowest: cost of living C−
50LeadvilleLake County · 2,668 people62.0top 24.0%A−Strongest: health A+, walkability A·lowest: schools C−
52Meridian Villageunincorporated, Douglas County · 2,699 people61.3top 26.2%B+Strongest: health A+, jobs & income A+·lowest: cost of living D−
53Geneseeunincorporated, Jefferson County · 3,778 people60.8top 27.5%B+Strongest: health A+, jobs & income A+·lowest: hazard risk D−
55MillikenWeld County · 9,183 people60.2top 29.0%B+Strongest: jobs & income A, safety A·lowest: walkability C−
56DaconoWeld County · 6,844 people60.1top 29.3%B+Strongest: jobs & income A, schools A−·lowest: cost of living C−
57EagleEagle County · 7,280 people60.1top 29.3%B+Strongest: health A, safety A−·lowest: hazard risk D
62Sterling Ranchunincorporated, Douglas County · 4,213 people58.8top 32.5%B+Strongest: health A+, schools A·lowest: hazard risk D
65GypsumEagle County · 9,212 people57.9top 34.9%B+Strongest: safety A, health A−·lowest: walkability C−
66AultWeld County · 2,667 people57.7top 35.4%BStrongest: health B+, jobs & income B+·lowest: walkability C
67PalisadeMesa County · 2,599 people57.6top 35.8%BStrongest: walkability A, health B+·lowest: cost of living C
68Strasburgunincorporated, Adams County · 3,455 people57.4top 36.2%BStrongest: schools B+, health B+·lowest: hazard risk C
69Estes ParkLarimer County · 5,780 people57.3top 36.6%BStrongest: health A, walkability A−·lowest: hazard risk D
72BrushMorgan County · 5,337 people56.9top 37.6%BStrongest: walkability A−, schools A−·lowest: hazard risk D
78Todd Creekunincorporated, Adams County · 5,379 people56.1top 39.9%BStrongest: jobs & income A+, health A+·lowest: walkability C−
79El Jebelunincorporated, Eagle County · 2,941 people56.1top 39.9%BStrongest: walkability A+, health A+·lowest: cost of living D
80Fruitvaleunincorporated, Mesa County · 8,019 people55.9top 40.4%BStrongest: hazard risk A+, health B+·lowest: cost of living C+
81CarbondaleGarfield County · 6,762 people55.6top 41.1%BStrongest: walkability A+, health A·lowest: cost of living D
82BennettAdams County · 4,224 people55.3top 42.0%BStrongest: jobs & income A, health B·lowest: schools C
83SiltGarfield County · 3,743 people54.9top 43.0%BStrongest: jobs & income A−, health A−·lowest: cost of living C
84Ponderosa Parkunincorporated, Elbert County · 3,453 people54.5top 44.1%BStrongest: health A, schools A−·lowest: walkability D−
85Orchard Mesaunincorporated, Mesa County · 6,945 people54.3top 44.5%BStrongest: health B+, jobs & income B·lowest: cost of living C+
86Manitou SpringsEl Paso County · 4,577 people54.3top 44.6%BStrongest: walkability A, health A·lowest: hazard risk D−
87New CastleGarfield County · 4,896 people54.2top 44.8%BStrongest: health A, safety B+·lowest: hazard risk C−
90BreckenridgeSummit County · 5,015 people53.9top 45.6%B−Strongest: health A, walkability A·lowest: cost of living D
91Stratmoorunincorporated, El Paso County · 5,412 people53.9top 45.7%B−Strongest: walkability A, health B·lowest: hazard risk C
92Buena VistaChaffee County · 3,248 people53.5top 46.6%B−Strongest: safety A, walkability A·lowest: cost of living D
93GunnisonGunnison County · 6,836 people53.5top 46.7%B−Strongest: walkability A+, health A−·lowest: safety D
94GlendaleArapahoe County · 4,475 people53.2top 47.5%B−Strongest: walkability A, health A·lowest: safety D−
96CraigMoffat County · 8,874 people53.0top 48.3%B−Strongest: cost of living A−, walkability A−·lowest: schools C
98Woodland ParkTeller County · 8,014 people52.8top 48.9%B−Strongest: health A, jobs & income B+·lowest: hazard risk D
99Redlandsunincorporated, Mesa County · 8,868 people52.6top 49.3%B−Strongest: health A, hazard risk A·lowest: cost of living C−
101AspenPitkin County · 6,489 people52.4top 49.9%B−Strongest: health A+, walkability A+·lowest: cost of living D−
104BasaltEagle County · 4,009 people51.0bottom 46.2%B−Strongest: walkability A+, health A+·lowest: cost of living D−
107EdgewaterJefferson County · 4,870 people50.2bottom 44.1%C+Strongest: walkability A+, health A·lowest: safety D−
108SilverthorneSummit County · 5,418 people50.2bottom 44.0%C+Strongest: health A, walkability A−·lowest: hazard risk D
110AvonEagle County · 6,184 people49.6bottom 42.6%C+Strongest: walkability A+, health A·lowest: cost of living C−
113PlattevilleWeld County · 2,908 people49.1bottom 41.3%C+Strongest: health B+, schools B·lowest: cost of living C
114LochbuieWeld County · 8,776 people48.7bottom 40.1%C+Strongest: jobs & income A−, hazard risk A−·lowest: walkability D
116BurlingtonKit Carson County · 3,164 people48.2bottom 38.5%C+Strongest: walkability A, hazard risk A−·lowest: schools C−
117Derbyunincorporated, Adams County · 8,453 people47.9bottom 37.7%C+Strongest: walkability A, hazard risk B+·lowest: schools D−
120Park Centerunincorporated, Fremont County · 2,588 people47.0bottom 35.4%C+Strongest: walkability B, schools B·lowest: cost of living C
123VailEagle County · 4,407 people45.5bottom 31.6%CStrongest: health A+, walkability A·lowest: safety D
124Battlement Mesaunincorporated, Garfield County · 5,755 people45.3bottom 30.9%CStrongest: cost of living B+, hazard risk B+·lowest: walkability D
125Twin Lakesunincorporated, Adams County · 8,030 people44.8bottom 29.7%CStrongest: walkability A, jobs & income B+·lowest: schools D
128LamarProwers County · 7,588 people44.2bottom 28.2%CStrongest: walkability A−, schools B−·lowest: jobs & income D
132YumaYuma County · 3,424 people42.8bottom 25.1%CStrongest: walkability B+, hazard risk B−·lowest: jobs & income D−
133FlorenceFremont County · 3,856 people42.6bottom 24.5%C−Strongest: cost of living B+, walkability B·lowest: hazard risk D−
134Shaw Heightsunincorporated, Adams County · 5,565 people42.6bottom 24.4%C−Strongest: walkability A−, hazard risk B+·lowest: schools D
141Lincoln Parkunincorporated, Fremont County · 3,986 people39.8bottom 18.6%C−Strongest: schools B, cost of living B−·lowest: jobs & income D
142Orchard CityDelta County · 3,299 people39.7bottom 18.4%C−Strongest: health B, schools B·lowest: jobs & income D
143Penroseunincorporated, Fremont County · 4,087 people39.3bottom 17.7%C−Strongest: health B+, walkability C+·lowest: hazard risk C−
148AlamosaAlamosa County · 9,849 people36.7bottom 13.1%DStrongest: hazard risk A+, walkability A·lowest: safety D−
149DeltaDelta County · 9,802 people36.6bottom 13.0%DStrongest: walkability A, schools B·lowest: jobs & income D
150CortezMontezuma County · 9,126 people36.5bottom 12.8%DStrongest: hazard risk A+, walkability A−·lowest: safety D
151Rocky FordOtero County · 3,752 people35.8bottom 11.6%DStrongest: walkability B+, cost of living B·lowest: jobs & income D−
152Monte VistaRio Grande County · 4,005 people33.9bottom 9.3%DStrongest: hazard risk A−, cost of living A−·lowest: jobs & income D−
153La JuntaOtero County · 6,864 people31.8bottom 6.7%DStrongest: walkability A−, cost of living B+·lowest: jobs & income D−
155TrinidadLas Animas County · 8,091 people31.0bottom 5.9%DStrongest: walkability A−, hazard risk B−·lowest: jobs & income D−
156SheridanArapahoe County · 5,972 people30.2bottom 5.1%DStrongest: walkability A, health B−·lowest: safety D−
157WalsenburgHuerfano County · 3,039 people30.0bottom 4.8%D−Strongest: cost of living B+, health C·lowest: jobs & income D−
Method
How this list is made
Each town’s overall grade blends seven livability grades: cost of living (weight 18), safety (18), schools (16), health (14), jobs & income (12), walkability (8) and hazard risk (4). A town needs 2,500+ residents and three of the first four. Letters are national, so an A here means the same as an A in any state; the list is the same towns in the same order, ranked within Colorado. Towns without their own FBI figures are graded on the rest and their page says why.
Data years: crime 2023–2025 (FBI), Census ACS 2020–2024, CDC PLACES 2025, state school tests. How grades work
Quick answers
Questions people ask
What is the best small town in Colorado?
Among 86 graded towns of 2,500 to 9,999 residents, Holly Hills (Arapahoe County) ranks first, with an A+; jobs & income (A+) and health (A+) are its strongest grades; cost of living (B−) is its lowest. Acres Green and Stepping Stone follow.
How are these towns ranked?
By the overall grade, which blends seven livability grades from public data. The letter is national; the rank is within Colorado. The full method is on How grades work.
Why isn’t my town on this list?
The list covers towns of 2,500 to 9,999 residents with an overall grade (86 in Colorado). 59 smaller places have subject grades only; 1 town of 2,500+ lack enough data for a grade; Larger towns are on the best places to live list. Every town is on the Colorado page.
Go deeper
All Colorado rankings →More Colorado lists
Every list ranks the same 2,500+ towns, so a town’s rank means the same thing on each.
Best places to live158 towns · #1 Holly HillsMost affordable towns158 towns · #1 CraigSafest towns87 towns · #1 MillikenTowns with the best schools159 towns · #1 Steamboat SpringsHealthiest towns159 towns · #1 SuperiorBest towns for jobs & income159 towns · #1 Stepping StoneMost walkable towns159 towns · #1 BoulderTowns with the lowest natural-hazard risk159 towns · #1 CortezBest towns for the outdoors159 towns · #1 GunbarrelMost historic towns159 towns · #1 Manitou SpringsTowns with the most civic life104 towns · #1 VailTowns with the least snow158 towns · #1 CliftonDescribed, no lettersSnowiest towns158 towns · #1 AvonDescribed, no lettersTowns with the mildest winters149 towns · #1 LakewoodDescribed, no lettersTowns with the hottest summers149 towns · #1 FruitaDescribed, no lettersTowns with the coolest summers149 towns · #1 BreckenridgeDescribed, no lettersTowns with the highest incomes159 towns · #1 Castle Pines Village and Cherry Hills VillageDescribed, no lettersTowns with the lowest property taxes156 towns · #1 WalsenburgDescribed, no lettersFastest-growing towns104 towns · #1 TimnathDescribed, no lettersTowns with the most-used libraries17 towns · #1 VailDescribed, no letters
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