Located in the western United States, Colorado is the 22nd most populous U.S. state. Home to 5.4 million residents, this scenic state sits on the western edge of the Great Plains and encompasses most of the southern Rocky Mountains. The state was named for the Colorado River and has several large cities, including the capital of Denver. If you’d like to make The Centennial State your next home, we’re giving you the 50 safest cities in Colorado so that you can make the best choice.
Related: Check out our Colorado Public Records guide.
Our list was compiled based on FBI violent crime stats and proprietary backgroundchecks.org research data. Rates are normalized per 100,000 residents with the state average being 309 for violent crime and 2,530 for property crime. This is calculated by taking (# of crimes/population) * 100,000.
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#1 Windsor
Located in Larimer and Weld counties, the town of Windsor is home to 18,600 residents. Just 59 miles north of Denver, the community was incorporated in 1890, has an active arts and culture program, and is known for its well-performing schools and athletics. Windsor is the safest place to live in Colorado, with a violent crime rate of 10.3, and the chance of being affected by property crime here just 1.1%.
#2 Firestone
A town in Weld County, Firestone is home to 10,100 residents. Also north of Denver, the community encompasses 10.4 square miles and has over thirty-five parks and twelve miles of scenic trails. Another safe place to call home, the violent crime rate in Firestone is 38, and residents here have a .09% chance of being involved in a property crime.
#3 Erie
Located in Weld and Boulder counties, the town of Erie is home to 18,100 residents. The community sits just 25 minutes from Denver and 20 minutes from Boulder and is served by the St. Vrain Valley School District. Living in Erie is a safe choice, with a violent crime rate of 48, and the chance of being affected by property crime here just .05%.
#4 Lone Tree
A home rule municipality in Douglas County, Lone Tree is home to 10,200 residents. Located just 18 miles from downtown Denver, the community encompasses 9.6 square miles and has several distinct residential neighborhoods. The violent crime rate in Long Tree is 52.2, and the chance of being involved in a property crime here is 5.1%.
#5 Johnstown
Located in Weld and Larimer counties, the town of Johnstown is home to 9,800 residents. The community was incorporated in 1907, encompasses 13.5 square miles, and is served by two different school districts. Another safe choice, the violent crime rate in Johnstown is 68.2, and residents have a .08% chance of being affected by property crime.
#6 Castle Rock
A home rule municipality in Douglas County, Castle Rock is home to 55,700 residents. Also the county seat, the community sits midway between Colorado Springs and Denver. It is named for castle-shaped butte in the center of town, and 27% of the community’s area is parkland. The violent crime rate here is 89.9, and the chance of being involved in a property crime in Castle Rock is 1.3%.
#7 Fort Morgan
Located in Morgan County, Fort Morgan is a home rule municipality that is home to 10,800 residents. Also the county seat, the community sits along the Overland Trail and remains a primarily agricultural community, with Cargill having a meatpacking plant in the area. The violent crime rate in Fort Morgan is 120.8, and residents have a 2.7% chance of being affected by property crime.
#8 Parker
A home rule municipality in Douglas County, Parker is home to 49,800 residents. Considered a southeastern suburb of Denver, the community has a portion of the Cherry Creek Trail as well as the Rueter-Hess Reservoir that will soon be open for use. The violent crime rate here is 125.5, and the chance of being involved in a property crime in Parker is just .09%.
#9 Littleton
Located in Arapahoe, Douglas, and Jefferson counties, the city of Littleton is home to 41,700 residents. The county seat of Arapahoe County, the community dates back to the Pike’s Peak Gold Rush and is served by two public school districts. The violent crime rate in Littleton is 129.5, and residents of the city have a 2.8% chance of being affected by property crime.
#10 Fruita
A city in western Mesa County, Fruita is home to 12,600 residents. Originally a fruit-producing region, the area has many historic properties and is now known for its arts, culture, recreation, and parks. The violent crime rate here is 132.3, and residents of Fruita have a 1.9% chance of being involved in a property crime.
#11 Arvada
Located in Jefferson and Adams counties, the city of Arvada is home to 111,700 residents. The community’s historic district is just 7 miles northwest of Denver, and the city is primarily commuter-based but was once known as the “Celery Capital of the World.” The violent crime rate here is 144.9, and the chance of being affected by property crime in Arvada is 2.3%.
#12 Centennial
A home rule municipality in Arapahoe County, the city of Centennial has a current population of 100,300 residents. Considered a suburb of Denver, the community encompasses 27.9 square miles and is home to the headquarters of both National CineMedia and United Launch Alliance. The violent crime rate in Centennial is 150.9, and residents of the city have a 1.3% chance of being involved in a property crime.
#13 Golden
Located in Jefferson County, Golden is home to 18,800 residents. The community sits just to the west of Denver and is the site of the Colorado School of Mines, as well as the Coors Brewing Company, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, and the Colorado Railroad Museum. The violent crime rate here is 160.6, and the chance of being affected by property crime in Golden is 2.4%.
#14 Greenwood Village
A city in Arapahoe County, Greenwood Village is home to 13,900 residents. Named for the Greenwood Ranch, the community is home to the headquarters of several businesses including Red Robin, CoBank, and Newmont Mining. The violent crime rate in Greenwood Village is 194, and residents have a 3.7% chance of being involved in a property crime.
#15 Englewood
Located in Arapahoe County, the city of Englewood is home to 30,200 residents. Considered a southern suburb of Denver, the community is the site of several large regional hospitals as well as the popular Pirate’s Cove water park. The violent crime rate here is 194.5, and the chance of being affected by property crime in Englewood is 5.7%.
#16 Sterling
A city in Logan County in northeast Colorado, Sterling is home to 18,200 residents. Also the county seat, the community is the regional hub for shopping, healthcare, recreation and is known for its well-performing schools. The violent crime rate in Sterling is 207.6, and residents have a 2.8% chance of being involved a property crime.
#17 Loveland
Located in Larimer County, the city of Loveland is home to 72,600 residents. Just 46 miles north of Denver, the community is south of Fort Collins and is known for its large population of artists as well as its popular annual Valentine re-mailing program. The violent crime rate here is 209.7, and the chance of being affected by property crime in Loveland is 2.6%.
#18 Longmont
A city in Boulder and Weld counties, Longmont is home to 86,200 residents. The community lies just northeast of Boulder and has several hi-tech employers such as Seagate Technology, DigitalGlobe, and Intrado. The violent crime rate in Longmont is 211.4, and residents of the city have a 2.4% chance of being involved in a property crime.
#19 Lafayette
Located in Boulder County, the city of Lafayette is home to 24,400 residents. Originally a coal-mining town, the community’s focus shifted with the growth of Boulder and Denver. Lafayette is served by the Boulder School District and hosts a variety of unique annual events. The violent crime rate here is 214.2, and the chance of being affected by property crime in Lafayette is just 1.5%.
#20 Montrose
A city in Montrose County, Montrose is home to 19,100 residents. Also the county seat, the community’s regional airport serves Telluride seasonally, and the area is known for its rich recreational opportunities. The violent crime rate in Montrose is 217.9, and residents of the city have a 3.5% chance of being involved in a property crime.
#21 Boulder
Located in Boulder County, the city of Boulder has a current population of 97,300 residents. Also the county seat, the community is 25 miles northwest of Denver, is home to the main campus of the University of Colorado, and was named a top city for business and careers by Forbes. The violent crime rate here is 248.4, and residents of Boulder have a 2.9% chance of being affected by property crime.
#22 Fountain
A city in El Paso County, Fountain is home to 25,800 residents. Located just 10 miles south of downtown Colorado Springs, the community is the site of the Pike’s Peak International Raceway and was chosen as “America’s Millennium City” by the New York Times. The violent crime rate in Fountain is 253.3, and the chance of being involved in a property crime here is 2.6%.
#23 Westminster
Located in Adams and Jefferson counties, the city of Westminster is home to 106,100 residents. Considered a suburb of Denver, the community is the site of the historic Westminster Castle and has been included on Money’s list of best places to live in the U.S. The violent crime rate here is 259.5, and residents of Westminster have a 2.5% chance of being affected by property crime.
#24 Fort Collins
A city in Larimer County, Fort Collins has a current population of 156,400 residents. Also the county seat, the community is home to a campus of Colorado State University as well as such hi-tech companies as Hewlett-Packard, Intel, and AMD. The violent crime rate in Fort Collins is 262.8, and the chance of being involved in a property crime here is 2.7%.
#25 Thornton
Located in Adams and Weld counties, the city of Thornton is home to 82,300 residents. Just ten miles northeast of downtown Denver, this fast-growing community has nearly 2,000 acres of parkland and is served by three different school districts. The violent crime rate in Thornton is 269.7, and residents of the city have a 2.6% chance of being affected by property crime.
