10 Safest Cities in Colorado (with Pictures)

Note: This article’s statistics come from third-party sources and do not represent the opinions of this website.

Colorado is an incredibly beautiful state with lush forests, grandiose mountains, and magnificent canyons. Although it is a larger state, Colorado has a population of only 5.7+ million people. Between 1980 and 2010, Colorado saw a huge population surge, growing by 75% over three decades. However, the growth slowed significantly in 2010.

Colorado is a safe place, and the murder rate is low overall, with only 5.1/100,000 people. The national average is 6.5/100,000 people. Besides, 54% of the population claims they feel safe in Colorado. On the downside, the property crime rate is higher than the national average; you have a 2.6% chance of being a victim. That’s one of the reasons why the population isn’t multiplying like it used to.

The good news is that plenty of safe cities are perfect for raising a family or enjoying retirement. So, if you were planning on moving to Colorado, but were a bit discouraged by the property crime rate, here’s a list of the 10 safest cities in Colorado. We ranked them based on the murder, violent, and property crime rates. Let’s talk about each in more detail!

The 10 Safest Cities in Colorado: A Quick Look

1. Frederick, CO

(Areavibes Frederick)

If safety is the primary concern for you in Colorado, it doesn’t get better than Frederick. The city enjoys a 0.0 murder rate. And, with only three reported violent crimes and 48 property crimes this year, it’s the leader on our list. In 2019, the violent crime rate was 0.5, while the property violence rate was 4.5. So, yes, Frederick is becoming safer and will, most likely, see further improvements in years to come. In 2021, there were only 6.8 assaults per 100,000 people and no reported burglaries.

This is an average-sized city with fewer than 15,000 residents. Most people know each other; many have lived in Frederick since birth. That is probably why it’s so safe. Frederick has new resident welcome kits, job opportunities, and regular neighborhood meetings. All that makes it an even more attractive option for new homeowners.

2. Milliken, CO

(Areavibes Milliken)

Just like last year, Milliken is the second safest city in Colorado. Even during the nationwide spike in crime back in 2020, this city stayed safe. In 2019, the violent crime rate was 2.3; that number dropped to 0.4 in 2020 and reached an all-time minimum of 0.1 in 2021. The property violence rate saw a similar positive dynamic.

Milliken is pretty small, with a population of 8,000 people. But, if you want to visit a bigger city for shopping or sightseeing, we’re happy to say that much larger towns surround Milliken. It’s growing exponentially, just like the entire state of Colorado. At the same time, it has a small-town atmosphere that most young families like. There’s a Young Adult Group, several yearly events, and a strong police department.

3. Severance, CO

(Areavibes, Severance)

How did the city get its name? It was named after its pioneer settler, David Severance. It is the tiniest city on our list and has only 5,362 people. Most residents own their homes, which creates a rural, “domestic” feel. The local public schools are excellent, and parents only have good things to say about them.

With a non-existent murder rate, low violent crime, and property violence rates (0.4/100,000 and 2.8/100,000, respectively), it easily makes it into the top three on our list. The total crime rate is 86% lower than the national average, which speaks volumes about its safety. We must mention that violent and property crime rates increased in 2020. They did, fortunately, go back down in 2021.

4. Lamar, CO

(Areavibes, Lamar)

What sets Lamar apart from the rest of the safe cities in Colorado? There aren’t any particularly standout features per se, but it is a very safe and welcoming city. The local golf course, swimming pool, fishing ponds, and Skate Park should make day-to-day life more exciting for grown-ups and children. The violent crime rate is 0.0/100, with only two crimes reported in a year.

The property crime rate, in contrast, is a bit higher than you’d probably expect: 10.8/100,000, with a total of 97 officially reported crimes. Compared to 2019 data, this is a slightly negative dynamic; the property violence rate was 9.4/100,000 that year. Another downside is the low median income. You can expect to get paid around $38,000, which is a relatively standard wage across the United States, but for the state of Colorado, it’s a bit modest.

5. Firestone, CO

(Areavibes, Firestone)

Firestone has a border with Frederick, the safest city in Colorado to date. The population is slightly larger, and the median income is decent ($97,000). Speaking of the population, it has increased by 50% since 2010. The crime rate is very low but spiked a bit in 2020. It did go back to normal in 2021, fortunately. The official statistics show no murders in 2021, one robbery, nine assaults, and 11 violent crimes.

The number of property crimes is 212, which is lower than the national average. Firestone is a relatively new city; it was established in 1908 and named after a landowner called Jacob Firestone. With 35 beautiful parks, the famous Legacy Trail, and three elementary schools, it’s a well-developed city for families with little kids.

6. Eaton, CO

(Areavibes, Eaton)

Eaton is another tiny city with a modest population (only 5,690 people). Like all other cities on today’s list, it has a 0.0 murder rate, which already makes it a suitable choice for families. The violent and property crime rates are 60% lower than the national average. The violent crime rate jumped to 0.9 in 2020; it was 0.4 in 2019 and went back down in 2021.

In Eaton, you have a 1 in 657 chance of being a victim of crime. And with no robbery or burglary cases within a year and only seven cases of assault, Eaton is easily one of the safest cities in the entire country. The city is an irrigation center (it has been since the early days) centered on agriculture.

7. Cherry Hills Village, CO

(Areavibes Cherry Hills)

The first thing that will probably catch your attention here is the average median income. Yes, it’s pretty high, starting at $250,000, and it’s the only place from Colorado to make the list of the 100 richest cities in the US (it ranked 4^th). Overall, Cherry Hills Village is one of the best places to live, as it is rich with lush parks, premium restaurants, and cute little cafes.

The public schools also deserve our praise. The violent crime rate is 96% below the national average, but the property crime rate is a bit high for Colorado. Of course, it is low compared to other cities in America, but 83 property crimes a year for a population of 6,734 is still a concern. The dynamic isn’t very encouraging (3.7 in 2019, 7.0 in 2020, and 11.0 in 2021), and the violent crime rate, in turn, went from 0.3 to 0 to 0.4 in the last three years.

8. Castle Rock, CO

(Areavibes, Castle Rock)

Castle Rock is the most populated city on the list and has the highest property crime rate. This year, 1083 cases of property violence were reported, which is 26% below the national average. The violent crime rate isn’t something to worry about, though, as it is 0.4. The average median income isn’t as high as in Cherry Hills, but still slightly north of $100,000. The good news is that the violent crime and property crime rates have steadily declined over the years, allowing Castle Rock to turn into a top-10 safe city.

Like the rest of Colorado, it is a sight for sore eyes, especially the cute parks, lovely canyons, and kind, welcoming people. It’s a very cozy place named after a famous butte near the town’s center.

9. Erie, CO

(Areavibes, Erie)

Erie is the only city in the top ten with a crime rate of 1.1/100,00. On the bright side, compared to the rest of the country, that is not alarming. And with only 28 violent crime cases reported this year, it is definitely a safe place to live. The property rate is 9.0 (326 registered cases). Both these rates have been going up for the last three years (0.5 to 1.1 and 8.5 to 9.0, respectively), but this primarily has to do with the pandemic.

The murder, assault, and robbery rates are 0.0. In many ways, Erie is a stand-up city, with a population of 26,563 people and a decent average median income ($120,000). It used to be an economy-driving coal town and was the most important one in Colorado. These days, it’s a beautiful rural town. It’s peaceful, slow-paced, and can be a perfect match for a family looking to settle down.

10. Dacono, CO

(Areavibes, Dacono)

Last, but not least, we have Dacono, ranking 10th on the list of the safest Colorado cities. In many regards, it is average, including the population (a bit over 6,000), the average income (67,000+), the climate, and the recreation activities. The violent crime and property crime rates are slightly higher than the other cities on the list.

The violent crime rate is 0.8, while the property violence rate is 11.4. The dynamic of the violent crime rate has been positive since 2019. Unfortunately, the same can’t be said about property crime: it went from 5.5 in 2019 to 11.4 in 2021, which is slightly worrying. Fortunately, it’s one of those lovely American towns where everyone knows everyone, making it much harder to commit a crime and escape the law.

• See Also: What is the Coldest City in Colorado?

How to Stay Safe in Colorado

Colorado is a very safe state when it comes to violent crime. It ranks #18 on the list of US states with registered firearms, with 112,000+ guns. To put things into perspective, Texas, the leader of this list, has 725,000 registered firearms. The bad news is—Colorado is ranked #38 for property crime.

How do you prepare yourself for that? You can install motion detection lights, a security system, and a fence around your property. If you keep your vehicles locked and refrain from leaving firearms or electronic devices in them, you’re less likely to get robbed.

Natural disasters are another big problem for Colorado. Unfortunately, some residents must deal with wildfires, especially during summer. So, we highly recommend tuning in to local authorities for up-to-date info about upcoming disasters, tips, and potential shelters in the city.

Plus, make sure you have an emergency kit packed and ready, just in case. To protect your property, remove dead trees and bushes that are fuel for the fire. Also, keep the gutters and the roof clean. If you move to any of the towns on this list, you’ll likely worry more about natural disasters than crime.

• See Also: 10 Most Dangerous Cities in Colorado (with Pictures)

Conclusion

These towns will be a perfect choice if you’re a young family with little kids and want to move into a safe neighborhood. Colorado is one of the most advanced and prosperous states, and the picturesque landscape can take your breath away. Snow-covered mountains, gorgeous natural parks, and a “warm attitude” is what you can expect from this fine state.

It’s a fantastic place to live for an elderly couple as well. The well-developed communities, quality schools, hospitals, parks, and retail stores for all income levels are even more reasons to consider moving to the Centennial State permanently. Take care and enjoy your new home! Oh, and don’t forget to check out our in-depth reviews of other extraordinary states and cities in the US!

Featured Image Credit: Erie CO City Hall (Image Credit: CC BY-SA 3.0)