Boulder, CO Location Overview

Boulder is a home-rule city and county seat of Boulder County, Colorado. Located at the base of the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, the city sits at 5,430 ft above sea level and is easily distinguished by “The Flatirons” rock formation backdrop. According to the 2020 U.S. Census, Boulder has a population of 108,250 making it the principal city of the Boulder, CO MSA which has 330,758 people. Named after the Boulder Creek which flows through it, Boulder is home to the flagship campus of the University of Colorado.

Boulder is first and foremost a college town. Founded in 1876, the University of Colorado Boulder, commonly known as CU Boulder, has an undergraduate enrollment of over 35,000 (2022) and plays a large role in the city’s economy. In addition to the university, Boulder is a hub of science institutes and research facilities including the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), and United States Geological Survey (USGS). The metro has developed into a dynamic economy seeing large tech companies increasingly present in the last decade. Several Fortune 500 companies are now present in the metro including Amazon, Uber, Twitter, GE, IBM, Lockheed Martin, and Qualcomm.

Boulder is a mecca of outdoor recreation, bringing in outdoor enthusiasts from all over the world. The area has more than 300 miles of hiking and biking trails including the historic Chautauqua Park which sits at the foot of The Flatirons and has 40 miles of hiking trails and rock-climbing access. With a plethora of shopping, dining, and entertainment options, Pearl Street is the heart of downtown Boulder. Varying from casual dining at The Sink restaurant to Michelin-star rated, Frasca Food & Wine, there is no shortage of world-class cuisine.