About Boulder, CO

three green trees with brown trunks on a green background.
View Of Boulder Colorado Buildings with Foothills in the background
What’s So Special About Boulder?

Boulder, a city nestled in the Rocky mountains, is one of the most beautiful cities you’ll ever visit. A university town that sits 45 minutes west of Denver, it is considered to be one of the best places to live in the world (as per USA Today). https://goo.gl/maps/wsRFeh5CN1RvbPJG8

The Best Of Downtown Boulder

Along with local residents, tourist families and CU Boulder (Colorado University) students – you’ll find the Pearl Street Mall (a street with shops run by locals, street performers, and live music), University Of Colorado’s campus (the CU Campus location is known to be one of the best higher education schools in America), quality local eateries (Boulder is often called “America’s Foodiest Town”), wide open streets with hiking/biking paths (perfect for walking, biking, or riding a scooter), and the famous Fiske Planetarium.

Downtown-Boulder-Colorado.jpg
Pearl Street Mall With Street Performer and shoppers on the sidewalk in Spring

Boulder Life: The Pearl Street Mall

The Pearl Street Mall also features local art galleries, cafes, restaurants and boutiques to explore. Boulder’s locals can often be found having a beer at one of the local breweries, as Boulder’s are some of the best beer breweries in the world.

Is Boulder Liberal Or Conservative?

With so many great schools in the city of Boulder – like the state’s largest university, University of Colorado Boulder (CU Boulder) & Naropa University – much of downtown Boulder is just street after street of university campus. It’s not surprising then that many of the city locals are young university students. This data makes an interesting contrast between downtown Boulder and the adjacent areas. Students and families from all walks of life share this downtown location, and in recent years the majority of university students on campus in Boulder are liberal, so the vibe of the downtown Boulder community – particularly Pearl Street – is very free whereas much of the surrounding area (without Boulder’s university students) is largely conservative.

Overhead view of the city of Boulder Co
Rocky-Mountain-Foothills-Boulder-Colorado

A City Nested In The Rocky Mountains:

If you like to hike, head west from University Of Colorado Boulder toward the foothills for some of the best biking and hiking trails of varying difficulty in Boulder’s mountain parks. Hiking trails is great exercise – and it’s free! Get a feel for the Boulder local life when you head north east (in a route toward Boulder Reservoir or Boulder Creek) to the Boulder historic district community where – according to Google and a recent Colorado community population report from World Affairs – many of the city’s longtime residents live (Boulderites).

Boulder Landmarks

Further from the Boulder city landmarks, the Colorado Rocky mountains along the Boulder, CO flatirons are a ideal for any skier to explore, as during winter even the foothills of the flatirons are covered with snow that’s perfect for skiing. If you’re not into skiing, you may want to avoid coming from January to April when the snow is heaviest and makes it difficult to explore the city center.

Boulder’s latitude and longitude coordinates are: 40.014984, -105.270546

Boulder-CO-Flatirons
Drone Photo Of Boulder Shops With The Rockies In The Background

Colorado Boulder: Perfect For Hiking, Skiing & Other Outdoor Activities

Boulder’s scenic location and local popularity grant every Boulderite easy access to ski in the mountains, hike in the forest, bike in the street, take in live music & other performing arts, go to the best schools (University Hill), shop on Pearl Street, land top jobs in Denver CO, visit Boulder trails or state parks (as well as great plains, flatirons, foothills & mountains), or just have tons of open space for outdoor activities (the city’s open space is unparalleled for outdoor recreation). You can see why Boulder’s one of the best places to live (realtors don’t have enough houses for the demand). It’s understandable that the location data for “housing costs in Boulder” is so much higher than the national average.

Boulder County, Boulder CO (Boulder & Surrounding Cities)

Boulder County is a county located in the U.S. state of Colorado of the United States. As of the 2020 census, the population was 330,758. The most populous municipality in the county and the county seat is Boulder. The county comprises the Boulder, CO Metropolitan Statistical Area, which is included in the DenverAurora, CO Combined Statistical Area. Boulder County has more than 300,000 residents, about 35,000 students, and the Boulder land use fosters a vibrant, healthy and active community with a fantastic health care system and regional transportation district.

The City of Boulder is the County Seat of Boulder County. Some other incorporated cities, communities and towns of Boulder County include: Lafayette, Longmont, Erie, Flatirons, Jamestown, Lyons, Ward, Nederland, Superior and Louisville.

Aerial-View-Of-Boulder-County
Drone View Of Boulder-Colorado City And Rocky Mountain Foothills
Boulder, CO: The Best Of The West

The reality of being In Boulder vs. pictures you see on the web is vastly different. It’s as if the real life beauty of Boulder, CO can’t be captured on film. Winter, Sprint, Summer & Fall – the Colorado Front Range (a mountain range in the Southern Rocky Mountains of North America, located in the center of the U.S. State of Colorado) is one of the most scenic locations in the world. Community members agree it’s the best location in town to watch the eastern sunrise in the morning, sunset in the west at night, or snow fall over the mountains in the Winter.

Best Colorado City: Boulder vs. Denver & Boulder Creek, Colorado

Boulder is the best in the west, hands down – even if you don’t like skiing or other forms of outdoor recreation. Boulder City locals, students, Boulder tourists, even their dogs would agree that while Denver CO may be the first city (it’s certainly bigger than Boulder, and has a larger skyline than Boulder), Boulder is a much more beautiful and health conscious city. From Boulder Creek to the flatirons to the shops on Pearl Street, Boulder’s the place to be (except maybe from January to April) – but don’t visit Boulder unless you’re fully prepared to call realtors and move to Boulder.

Aerial-View-Of-Pearl-Street-Mall-Boulder-CO
Joe Rogan On Living In Boulder Colorado

Top 5 Hotels In Boulder, Colorado

1. St Julien Hotel & Spa

https://www.stjulien.com
900 Walnut St, Boulder, CO 80302
(720) 406-9696

This 5 star hotel, spa and conference center is a short 5 minute walk from the Pearl Street Mall, the Dushanbe Tea House, and University of Colorado Boulder Campus. Rooms include Wi-Fi, HD TVs, 4 poster beds, designer toiletries, walk in showers and breathtaking views of the mountains or downtown Boulder.

There’s an upscale restaurant with fantastic vegan options, a classy bar, pool, whirlpool and fitness center. Our favorite part, however, is the full-service spa.

Driving directions from Denver International Airport:


https://goo.gl/maps/Rnz1fnxrcVa7E2zLA

2. The Bradley Boulder Inn

https://www.thebradleyboulder.com
2040 16th St, Boulder, CO 80302
(303) 545-5200

A bed and breakfast with 12 furnished rooms that have a cozy, yet modern vibe, The Bradley Boulder Inn is half a block from the shops, restaurants and entertainment of Pearl Street. For the record, the Laughing Goat has some great coffee. Rooms include en suite bathrooms, HD TVs with DVD players, desks and WiFi – other amenities are available such as balconies, fireplaces, spa tubs, 4 poster beds or gorgeous mountain views.

Our favorite part was the common room stocked with board games and puzzles, but other perks include homemade breakfast, free parking, a wine and cheese reception, fresh made cookies, and free passes to the nearby fitness center.

Driving directions from Denver International Airport:


https://goo.gl/maps/LrXLACbe3ns6ie1K8

3. Hotel Boulderado

https://www.boulderado.com
2115 13th St, Boulder, CO 80302
(303) 442-4344

The Hotel Boulderado is a historic grand hotel (built in 1909) with Victorian style decor and a beautiful stained glass ceiling. Despite the old school feel, the rooms have all the modern amenities – WiFi, HD TVs, fantastic coffee, and suites include a living room with a pull out sofa.

Our favorite part is the antique elevator that is still in use, but we also enjoyed the food and drink from Spruce Farm & Fish and The Corner Bar. There is a steak and seafood restaurant, 2 bars, and a fitness room. Breakfast and/or valet parking is also available.

Driving directions from Denver International Airport:


https://goo.gl/maps/Lt8SjsjuNCvP8ESd8

4. Hyatt Place Boulder/Pearl Street

https://www.hyatt.com
2280 Junction Pl, Boulder, CO 80301
(303) 442-0160

The Hyatt Place Boulder/Pearl Street is a brand new hotel located in Depot Square at Boulder Junction – not far from downtown Boulder or the Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art. It offers easy access to public transportation, including eGo CarShare, Boulder B-cycle, and the RTD bus network. Other amenities include breakfast, WiFi, an indoor pool and fitness center, and the hotel is pet friendly.

Our favorite parts were the Boulder rental bikes that are right outside the hotel, the huge rooms, and the staff who were all super friendly and helpful.

Driving directions from Denver International Airport:


https://goo.gl/maps/6s9V3YCXwdhapruH9

5. Chautauqua Cottages

https://www.chautauqua.com
900 Baseline Rd, Boulder, CO 80302
(303) 442-3282

The Colorado Chautauqua National Historic Landmark, about a mile from Highway 36 and Flatirons Mountain offers historic cottages with fully equipped kitchens, 1-3 bedrooms, wood floors, heat & air conditioning, a stone fireplace and screened-in porches. There’s easy access to a dining hall with farm to table options, a general store and coffee shop, 40 miles of hiking trails and a children’s playground.

Our favorite part was that there was no televisions, so we were more inclined to take in the beautiful landscape, hike and just sit around and talk.

Driving directions from Denver International Airport:


https://goo.gl/maps/1AjWhr8A2yuEN2qs6

Arts And Culture In Boulder, CO

Bolder Boulder

Boulder has hosted a 10 km road run, the Bolder Boulder, on Memorial Day, every year since 1979. The race involves over 50,000 runners, joggers, walkers, and wheelchair racers, making it one of the largest road races in the world. It has the largest non-marathon prize purse in road racing.[51] The race culminates at Folsom Field with a Memorial Day Tribute. The 2007 race featured over 54,000[52] runners, walkers, and wheelchair racers, making it the largest race in the US in which all participants are timed and the fifth largest road race in the world.[53]

Music In Boulder, CO

Founded in 1958, the Boulder Philharmonic Orchestra is a professional orchestra under the leadership of its Music Director Michael Butterman.[54]

Founded in 1976 by Giora Bernstein, the Colorado Music Festival presents a summer series of concerts in Chautauqua Auditorium.[55]

Founded in 1981, the Boulder Bach Festival (BBF) is an annual festival celebrating the life, legacy, and music of J.S. Bach. The festival is lead by Executive Director Zachary Carrettin and Artistic Director Mina Gajic.[56][57]

Dance In Boulder Co.

Boulder is home to multiple dance companies and establishments. Boulder Ballet was founded by former American Ballet Theatre dancer Larry Boyette in the 1970s as part of the Ballet Arts Studios. Lemon Sponge Cake Contemporary Ballet was founded in 2004 by Robert Sher-Machherndl, former principal dancer of the Dutch National Ballet and Bavarian State Ballet.

Conference on World Affairs

The Conference on World Affairs, started in 1948, is an annual one-week conference featuring dozens of discussion panels on a variety of contemporary issues.[60]

eTown

The internationally syndicated radio program eTown has its headquarters at eTown Hall, at the intersection of 16th and Spruce Streets, in downtown Boulder. Most tapings of this weekly show are done at eTown Hall.[61][62]

Boulder Polar Bear Plunge

Beginning in 1983, hundreds of people head to the Boulder Reservoir on New Year’s Day to take part in the annual polar bear plunge.[63] With rescue teams standing by, participants use a variety of techniques to plunge themselves into the freezing reservoir.[64] Once the plunge is complete, swimmers retreat to hot tubs on the reservoir beach to revive themselves from the cold.

Boulder Naked Pumpkin Run

Starting in 1998, dozens of people have taken part in a Halloween run down the city’s streets wearing only shoes and a hollowed-out pumpkin on their heads. In 2009, local police threatened participants with charges of indecent exposure and no naked runners were reported in official newscasts, although a few naked runners were observed by locals. Several illegal attempts, resulting in arrests, have been made to restart the run, but no serious effort has been mounted.[65]

420 In Boulder, CO

For several years on April 20, thousands of people gathered on the CU Boulder campus to celebrate 420 and smoke marijuana at and before 4:20 pm. The 2010 head count was officially between 8,000 and 15,000 with some discrepancy between the local papers and the University administrators (who have been thought to have been attempting to downplay the event). Eleven citations were given out whereas the year before there were only two.[66] 2011 was the last year of mass 420 partying at CU[67] as the university, in 2012, took a hard stance against 420 activities, closing the campus to visitors for the day, using smelly fish fertilizer to discourage gathering at the Norlin Quad, and having out-of-town law enforcement agencies help secure the campus.[68] In 2013, April 20 fell on a Saturday; the university continued the 420 party ban and, again, closed the campus to visitors.[69] In 2015 the government conceded and once again opened the park to visitors on April 20.[70]

Boulder Cruiser Ride

The Boulder Cruiser Ride is a weekly bicycle ride in Boulder Colorado.The Boulder Cruiser Ride grew from a group of friends and friends of friends riding bicycles around Boulder into “an all-out public mob”. Some enthusiasts gather wearing costumes and decorating their bikes; themes are an integral part of the cruiser tradition. Boulder Police began following the cruiser ride as it gained in popularity. Issues with underage drinking, reckless bicycle riding, and other nuisance complaints led organizers to drop the cruiser ride as a public event.[71] Returning to an underground format, where enthusiasts must become part of the social network before gaining access to event sites, the Boulder Cruiser Ride has continued as a local tradition. On May 30, 2013 over 400 riders attended the Thursday-night Cruiser Ride in honor of “Big Boy”, an elk that was shot and killed on New Year’s Day by an on-duty[72] Boulder Police officer.[73]

About Boulder, Colorado:

History of Boulder, CO

The History of Boulder, Colorado

Boulder is conveniently located in Colorado. It’s less than an hour’s drive northwest of Denver. It’s an all-in-one destination that seamlessly combines beautiful nature with big-city action.

Discover the City By Bike

A great way to experience the city and the surrounding nature is to take a bike ride on the Boulder Creek Trail. It’s a long recreational trail that follows Boulder Creek in the city of Boulder, CO. You can walk, bike, skateboard, or sit on a bench and read while taking in the scenery. During the summer, the river is also a popular place to go tubing. Some people even sunbathe on the banks. This well-maintained trail shows how much Boulder residents care about a healthy lifestyle. They focus on the cleanliness of their open spaces.

An Eco-Responsible City

Boulder embodies good green practices. The city is surrounded by 21,500 acres of protected space. It’s nearly three times the size of Manhattan. You can walk or ride 300 miles of greenways and bike paths. The municipality has an active policy in the fight against pollution. In April 2007, it was the first city to introduce a tax on electricity from coal-fired power plants. This is to encourage households and businesses to use alternative energy sources. One-third of municipal waste is recycled. The North Boulder Recreation Center is a municipal recreation center. It has one of the largest solar heating systems in the country. The Boulder Outlook Hotel boasts a zero waste policy. And lastly, pizza delivery drivers drive Priuses (Toyota’s hybrid car).

If a restaurant uses organic products or composts its waste, it makes a strong statement. The Sunflower’s menu, for example, details its ecological respectability on the front page:

  • It claims to use certified organic products that are free of chemicals
  • It serves nothing that contains chemical additives, artificial products, growth hormones or antibiotics
  • It uses only non-irradiated herbs and spices, salt from Brittany and filtered water
  • It offers only organic wine produced using the biodynamic method

The Buddhist University

Boulder is the only city in the United States to host a Buddhist university. Naropa University offers the teaching of classical subjects. There’s also an introduction to the contemplative disciplines inherited from the Tibetan tradition. Its founder is Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche. He fled Tibet in 1959 and taught Buddhism in Oxford before emigrating to the United States in 1970. The degrees awarded on this campus are recognized by most other American universities.

Tea Culture in Boulder

Fall under the spell of another Boulder specialty: tea. In fact, the city has a lot to offer for tea lovers. World-renowned tea manufacturer Celestial Seasonings is based in Boulder. He even offers free tours of its factory. After learning how Celestial Seasonings makes their teas, enjoy a free tasting.

Another must-see attraction is the beautiful Boulder Dushanbe Teahouse. It’s located on the Boulder River. It was given to Boulder as a gift from its sister city, Dushanbe, Tajikistan. Relax over tea and delicious food in this remarkable building. Enjoy the finely detailed hand-painted and carved decorations.

Boulder Colorado FUN FACTS:

Boulder, Colorado – Did You Know?

  • Due to the enormous popularity of bicycling in Boulder, they will often plow the Boulder Creek bike path before the city streets.
  • “Sex And The City” star Kristin Davis was born in Boulder on February 23, 1965.
  • There are proportionally more used bookstores in Boulder than any other city nationwide.
  • Boulder is the smart place to be! Five Nobel laureates, and four National Medal of Science winners call Boulder their home.
Boulder Colorado Computer Repair

Popular Boulder Colorado Neighborhoods:

Frequently Asked Questions About Boulder Colorado

Boulder was founded in November, 1871.

The first settlers of Boulder County were gold prospectors. They established “Settlers Park”(now called “The Peoples’ Crossing”) in the Red Rocks area in 1858. One such settler named A.A. Brookfield became the first president of “Boulder City” – a 1,280 acre area adjacent to Boulder Creek. Boulder City became a prosperous mining town that developed an agricultural industry as more and more settlers came.

In November, 1871 the city was legally incorporated, but changed its name from “Boulder City” to just “Boulder”. The earliest residential neighborhoods in Boulder were in the Downtown, Mapleton Hill and Whittier districts.

Boulder is probably best known for its love of the outdoors. Residents enjoy rock climbing, hiking, running, skiing or mountain biking the many trails in the Flatirons or Rocky Mountains, as well as swimming, fishing canoeing and kayaking in the river. This may be why it was voted #1 in “America’s Fittest Cities” by Forbes magazine. With this level of fitness, it should be no surprise that Boulder is a very health focused city, with the largest concentraion of natural & organic product companies in the United States.

Perhaps it’s the endorphins from all that exercise, perhaps it’s the fact that Boulder has the nation’s fourth highest concentration of breweries per capita (20 breweries in 28 square miles), but National Geographic named Boulder as the “Happiest City In The U.S.”

Boulder is also known for its education. The University of Colorado Boulder ranks in the top 100 universities worldwide, but even more impressive – over 60% of Boulderites have a bachelor’s degree – the highest percentage of any U.S. city. This may explain why Boulder is also one of the nation’s biggest hubs for high-tech startups.

Locals and tourists alike also appreciate the local boutiques, street performances, trendy galleries and fantastic eateries of the downtown Pearl Street Mall.

Boulder is a city that centers around the outdoors, such as hiking, biking, climbing, kayaking, skiing and running in the mountains, state parks, or Flatirons. If you’re not a fan of exercise, you can still appreciate the street performers, shopping, people-watching & excellent dining in the outdoor Pearl Street Mall. Boulder is also a city that loves its beer. There are over 20 local breweries to try.

The city of Boulder is located North West of Denver.
As the crow flies, the distance from Denver to Boulder is 24 miles (38.6 km).
The drive from Denver to Boulder is 29.6 miles (47.6 km), and will take about 45 minutes without traffic.

Boulder is expensive because it is in demand. The city is frequently voted one of the best places to live, and the availability of high-paying tech jobs keeps bringing more people. Boulder values it open land, and disallows multi-level buildings (aside from the University), so there simply aren’t enough houses to support the population growth that has exponentially burgeoned over the last 40 years.

Back To Top: Boulder

About Boulder, CO

View Of Boulder Colorado Buildings with Foothills in the background

Boulder, a city nestled in the Rocky mountains, is one of the most beautiful cities you’ll ever visit. A university town that sits 45 minutes west of Denver, it is considered to be one of the best places to live in the world (as per USA Today).


https://goo.gl/maps/wsRFeh5CN1RvbPJG8

Pearl Street View in Downtown-Boulder-Colorado in Summer

The Best Of Downtown Boulder

Along with local residents, tourist families and CU Boulder (Colorado University) students – you’ll find the Pearl Street Mall (a street with shops run by locals, street performers, and live music), University Of Colorado’s campus (the CU Campus location is known to be one of the best higher education schools in America), quality local eateries (Boulder is often called “America’s Foodiest Town”), wide open streets with hiking/biking paths (perfect for walking, biking, or riding a scooter), and the famous Fiske Planetarium.

Downtown-Boulder-Colorado.jpg

Boulder Life: The Pearl Street Mall

The Pearl Street Mall also features local art galleries, cafes, restaurants and boutiques to explore. Boulder’s locals can often be found having a beer at one of the local breweries, as Boulder’s are some of the best beer breweries in the world.

Overhead view of the city of Boulder Co

Is Boulder Liberal Or Conservative?

With so many great schools in the city of Boulder – like the state’s largest university, University of Colorado Boulder (CU Boulder) & Naropa University – much of downtown Boulder is just street after street of university campus. It’s not surprising then that many of the city locals are young university students. This data makes an interesting contrast between downtown Boulder and the adjacent areas. Students and families from all walks of life share this downtown location, and in recent years the majority of university students on campus in Boulder are liberal, so the vibe of the downtown Boulder community – particularly Pearl Street – is very free whereas much of the surrounding area (without Boulder’s university students) is largely conservative.

Rocky-Mountain-Foothills-Boulder-Colorado

A City Nested In The Rocky Mountains:

If you like to hike, head west from University Of Colorado Boulder toward the foothills for some of the best biking and hiking trails of varying difficulty in Boulder’s mountain parks. Hiking trails is great exercise – and it’s free! Get a feel for the Boulder local life when you head north east (in a route toward Boulder Reservoir or Boulder Creek) to the Boulder historic district community where – according to Google and a recent Colorado community population report from World Affairs – many of the city’s longtime residents live (Boulderites).

Boulder’s latitude and longitude coordinates are: 40.014984, -105.270546

Boulder-CO-Flatirons

Further from the Boulder city landmarks, the Colorado Rocky mountains along the Boulder, CO flatirons are a ideal for any skier to explore, as during winter even the foothills of the flatirons are covered with snow that’s perfect for skiing. If you’re not into skiing, you may want to avoid coming from January to April when the snow is heaviest and makes it difficult to explore the city center.

Drone Photo Of Boulder Shops With The Rockies In The Background

Colorado Boulder: Perfect For Hiking, Skiing & Other Outdoor Activities

Boulder’s scenic location and local popularity grant every Boulderite easy access to ski in the mountains, hike in the forest, bike in the street, take in live music & other performing arts, go to the best schools (University Hill), shop on Pearl Street, land top jobs in Denver CO, visit Boulder trails or state parks (as well as great plains, flatirons, foothills & mountains), or just have tons of open space for outdoor activities (the city’s open space is unparalleled for outdoor recreation). You can see why Boulder’s one of the best places to live (realtors don’t have enough houses for the demand). It’s understandable that the location data for “housing costs in Boulder” is so much higher than the national average.

Aerial-View-Of-Boulder-County
Boulder County, Boulder CO (Boulder & Surrounding Cities)

Boulder County is a county located in the U.S. state of Colorado of the United States. As of the 2020 census, the population was 330,758. The most populous municipality in the county and the county seat is Boulder. The county comprises the Boulder, CO Metropolitan Statistical Area, which is included in the DenverAurora, CO Combined Statistical Area. Boulder County has more than 300,000 residents, about 35,000 students, and the Boulder land use fosters a vibrant, healthy and active community with a fantastic health care system and regional transportation district.

The City of Boulder is the County Seat of Boulder County. Some other incorporated cities, communities and towns of Boulder County include: Lafayette, Longmont, Erie, Flatirons, Jamestown, Lyons, Ward, Nederland, Superior and Louisville.

Drone View Of Boulder-Colorado City And Rocky Mountain Foothills
Boulder, CO: The Best Of The West

The reality of being In Boulder vs. pictures you see on the web is vastly different. It’s as if the real life beauty of Boulder, CO can’t be captured on film. Winter, Sprint, Summer & Fall – the Colorado Front Range (a mountain range in the Southern Rocky Mountains of North America, located in the center of the U.S. State of Colorado) is one of the most scenic locations in the world. Community members agree it’s the best location in town to watch the eastern sunrise in the morning, sunset in the west at night, or snow fall over the mountains in the Winter.

Aerial-View-Of-Pearl-Street-Mall-Boulder-CO

Best Colorado City: Boulder vs. Denver & Boulder Creek, Colorado

Boulder is the best in the west, hands down – even if you don’t like skiing or other forms of outdoor recreation. Boulder City locals, students, Boulder tourists, even their dogs would agree that while Denver CO may be the first city (it’s certainly bigger than Boulder, and has a larger skyline than Boulder), Boulder is a much more beautiful and health conscious city. From Boulder Creek to the flatirons to the shops on Pearl Street, Boulder’s the place to be (except maybe from January to April) – but don’t visit Boulder unless you’re fully prepared to call realtors and move to Boulder.

Joe Rogan On Living In Boulder Colorado

Top 5 Hotels In Boulder, Colorado

1. St Julien Hotel & Spa

https://www.stjulien.com
900 Walnut St, Boulder, CO 80302
(720) 406-9696

This 5 star hotel, spa and conference center is a short 5 minute walk from the Pearl Street Mall, the Dushanbe Tea House, and University of Colorado Boulder Campus. Rooms include Wi-Fi, HD TVs, 4 poster beds, designer toiletries, walk in showers and breathtaking views of the mountains or downtown Boulder.

There’s an upscale restaurant with fantastic vegan options, a classy bar, pool, whirlpool and fitness center. Our favorite part, however, is the full-service spa.

Driving directions from Denver International Airport:


https://goo.gl/maps/Rnz1fnxrcVa7E2zLA

2. The Bradley Boulder Inn

https://www.thebradleyboulder.com
2040 16th St, Boulder, CO 80302
(303) 545-5200

A bed and breakfast with 12 furnished rooms that have a cozy, yet modern vibe, The Bradley Boulder Inn is half a block from the shops, restaurants and entertainment of Pearl Street. For the record, the Laughing Goat has some great coffee. Rooms include en suite bathrooms, HD TVs with DVD players, desks and WiFi – other amenities are available such as balconies, fireplaces, spa tubs, 4 poster beds or gorgeous mountain views.

Our favorite part was the common room stocked with board games and puzzles, but other perks include homemade breakfast, free parking, a wine and cheese reception, fresh made cookies, and free passes to the nearby fitness center.

Driving directions from Denver International Airport:


https://goo.gl/maps/LrXLACbe3ns6ie1K8

3. Hotel Boulderado

https://www.boulderado.com
2115 13th St, Boulder, CO 80302
(303) 442-4344

The Hotel Boulderado is a historic grand hotel (built in 1909) with Victorian style decor and a beautiful stained glass ceiling. Despite the old school feel, the rooms have all the modern amenities – WiFi, HD TVs, fantastic coffee, and suites include a living room with a pull out sofa.

Our favorite part is the antique elevator that is still in use, but we also enjoyed the food and drink from Spruce Farm & Fish and The Corner Bar. There is a steak and seafood restaurant, 2 bars, and a fitness room. Breakfast and/or valet parking is also available.

Driving directions from Denver International Airport:


https://goo.gl/maps/Lt8SjsjuNCvP8ESd8

4. Hyatt Place Boulder/Pearl Street

https://www.hyatt.com
2280 Junction Pl, Boulder, CO 80301
(303) 442-0160

The Hyatt Place Boulder/Pearl Street is a brand new hotel located in Depot Square at Boulder Junction – not far from downtown Boulder or the Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art. It offers easy access to public transportation, including eGo CarShare, Boulder B-cycle, and the RTD bus network. Other amenities include breakfast, WiFi, an indoor pool and fitness center, and the hotel is pet friendly.

Our favorite parts were the Boulder rental bikes that are right outside the hotel, the huge rooms, and the staff who were all super friendly and helpful.

Driving directions from Denver International Airport:


https://goo.gl/maps/6s9V3YCXwdhapruH9

5. Chautauqua Cottages

https://www.chautauqua.com
900 Baseline Rd, Boulder, CO 80302
(303) 442-3282

The Colorado Chautauqua National Historic Landmark, about a mile from Highway 36 and Flatirons Mountain offers historic cottages with fully equipped kitchens, 1-3 bedrooms, wood floors, heat & air conditioning, a stone fireplace and screened-in porches. There’s easy access to a dining hall with farm to table options, a general store and coffee shop, 40 miles of hiking trails and a children’s playground.

Our favorite part was that there was no televisions, so we were more inclined to take in the beautiful landscape, hike and just sit around and talk.

Driving directions from Denver International Airport:


https://goo.gl/maps/1AjWhr8A2yuEN2qs6

Arts And Culture In Boulder, CO

Bolder Boulder

Boulder has hosted a 10 km road run, the Bolder Boulder, on Memorial Day, every year since 1979. The race involves over 50,000 runners, joggers, walkers, and wheelchair racers, making it one of the largest road races in the world. It has the largest non-marathon prize purse in road racing.[51] The race culminates at Folsom Field with a Memorial Day Tribute. The 2007 race featured over 54,000[52] runners, walkers, and wheelchair racers, making it the largest race in the US in which all participants are timed and the fifth largest road race in the world.[53]

Music In Boulder, CO

Founded in 1958, the Boulder Philharmonic Orchestra is a professional orchestra under the leadership of its Music Director Michael Butterman.[54]

Founded in 1976 by Giora Bernstein, the Colorado Music Festival presents a summer series of concerts in Chautauqua Auditorium.[55]

Founded in 1981, the Boulder Bach Festival (BBF) is an annual festival celebrating the life, legacy, and music of J.S. Bach. The festival is lead by Executive Director Zachary Carrettin and Artistic Director Mina Gajic.[56][57]

Dance In Boulder Co.

Boulder is home to multiple dance companies and establishments. Boulder Ballet was founded by former American Ballet Theatre dancer Larry Boyette in the 1970s as part of the Ballet Arts Studios. Lemon Sponge Cake Contemporary Ballet was founded in 2004 by Robert Sher-Machherndl, former principal dancer of the Dutch National Ballet and Bavarian State Ballet.

Conference on World Affairs

The Conference on World Affairs, started in 1948, is an annual one-week conference featuring dozens of discussion panels on a variety of contemporary issues.[60]

eTown

The internationally syndicated radio program eTown has its headquarters at eTown Hall, at the intersection of 16th and Spruce Streets, in downtown Boulder. Most tapings of this weekly show are done at eTown Hall.[61][62]

Boulder Polar Bear Plunge

Beginning in 1983, hundreds of people head to the Boulder Reservoir on New Year’s Day to take part in the annual polar bear plunge.[63] With rescue teams standing by, participants use a variety of techniques to plunge themselves into the freezing reservoir.[64] Once the plunge is complete, swimmers retreat to hot tubs on the reservoir beach to revive themselves from the cold.

Boulder Naked Pumpkin Run

Starting in 1998, dozens of people have taken part in a Halloween run down the city’s streets wearing only shoes and a hollowed-out pumpkin on their heads. In 2009, local police threatened participants with charges of indecent exposure and no naked runners were reported in official newscasts, although a few naked runners were observed by locals. Several illegal attempts, resulting in arrests, have been made to restart the run, but no serious effort has been mounted.[65]

420 In Boulder, CO

For several years on April 20, thousands of people gathered on the CU Boulder campus to celebrate 420 and smoke marijuana at and before 4:20 pm. The 2010 head count was officially between 8,000 and 15,000 with some discrepancy between the local papers and the University administrators (who have been thought to have been attempting to downplay the event). Eleven citations were given out whereas the year before there were only two.[66] 2011 was the last year of mass 420 partying at CU[67] as the university, in 2012, took a hard stance against 420 activities, closing the campus to visitors for the day, using smelly fish fertilizer to discourage gathering at the Norlin Quad, and having out-of-town law enforcement agencies help secure the campus.[68] In 2013, April 20 fell on a Saturday; the university continued the 420 party ban and, again, closed the campus to visitors.[69] In 2015 the government conceded and once again opened the park to visitors on April 20.[70]

Boulder Cruiser Ride

The Boulder Cruiser Ride is a weekly bicycle ride in Boulder Colorado.The Boulder Cruiser Ride grew from a group of friends and friends of friends riding bicycles around Boulder into “an all-out public mob”. Some enthusiasts gather wearing costumes and decorating their bikes; themes are an integral part of the cruiser tradition. Boulder Police began following the cruiser ride as it gained in popularity. Issues with underage drinking, reckless bicycle riding, and other nuisance complaints led organizers to drop the cruiser ride as a public event.[71] Returning to an underground format, where enthusiasts must become part of the social network before gaining access to event sites, the Boulder Cruiser Ride has continued as a local tradition. On May 30, 2013 over 400 riders attended the Thursday-night Cruiser Ride in honor of “Big Boy”, an elk that was shot and killed on New Year’s Day by an on-duty[72] Boulder Police officer.[73]

About Boulder, Colorado:

History of Boulder, CO

The History of Boulder, Colorado

Boulder is conveniently located in Colorado. It’s less than an hour’s drive northwest of Denver. It’s an all-in-one destination that seamlessly combines beautiful nature with big-city action.

Discover the City By Bike

A great way to experience the city and the surrounding nature is to take a bike ride on the Boulder Creek Trail. It’s a long recreational trail that follows Boulder Creek in the city of Boulder, CO. You can walk, bike, skateboard, or sit on a bench and read while taking in the scenery. During the summer, the river is also a popular place to go tubing. Some people even sunbathe on the banks. This well-maintained trail shows how much Boulder residents care about a healthy lifestyle. They focus on the cleanliness of their open spaces.

An Eco-Responsible City

Boulder embodies good green practices. The city is surrounded by 21,500 acres of protected space. It’s nearly three times the size of Manhattan. You can walk or ride 300 miles of greenways and bike paths. The municipality has an active policy in the fight against pollution. In April 2007, it was the first city to introduce a tax on electricity from coal-fired power plants. This is to encourage households and businesses to use alternative energy sources. One-third of municipal waste is recycled. The North Boulder Recreation Center is a municipal recreation center. It has one of the largest solar heating systems in the country. The Boulder Outlook Hotel boasts a zero waste policy. And lastly, pizza delivery drivers drive Priuses (Toyota’s hybrid car).

If a restaurant uses organic products or composts its waste, it makes a strong statement. The Sunflower’s menu, for example, details its ecological respectability on the front page:

  • It claims to use certified organic products that are free of chemicals
  • It serves nothing that contains chemical additives, artificial products, growth hormones or antibiotics
  • It uses only non-irradiated herbs and spices, salt from Brittany and filtered water
  • It offers only organic wine produced using the biodynamic method

The Buddhist University

Boulder is the only city in the United States to host a Buddhist university. Naropa University offers the teaching of classical subjects. There’s also an introduction to the contemplative disciplines inherited from the Tibetan tradition. Its founder is Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche. He fled Tibet in 1959 and taught Buddhism in Oxford before emigrating to the United States in 1970. The degrees awarded on this campus are recognized by most other American universities.

Tea Culture in Boulder

Fall under the spell of another Boulder specialty: tea. In fact, the city has a lot to offer for tea lovers. World-renowned tea manufacturer Celestial Seasonings is based in Boulder. He even offers free tours of its factory. After learning how Celestial Seasonings makes their teas, enjoy a free tasting.

Another must-see attraction is the beautiful Boulder Dushanbe Teahouse. It’s located on the Boulder River. It was given to Boulder as a gift from its sister city, Dushanbe, Tajikistan. Relax over tea and delicious food in this remarkable building. Enjoy the finely detailed hand-painted and carved decorations.

Boulder Colorado FUN FACTS:

Boulder Colorado Computer Repair

Boulder, Colorado – Did You Know?

  • Due to the enormous popularity of bicycling in Boulder, they will often plow the Boulder Creek bike path before the city streets.
  • “Sex And The City” star Kristin Davis was born in Boulder on February 23, 1965.
  • There are proportionally more used bookstores in Boulder than any other city nationwide.
  • Boulder is the smart place to be! Five Nobel laureates, and four National Medal of Science winners call Boulder their home.

Popular Boulder Colorado Neighborhoods:

Frequently Asked Questions About Boulder Colorado

Boulder was founded in November, 1871.

The first settlers of Boulder County were gold prospectors. They established “Settlers Park”(now called “The Peoples’ Crossing”) in the Red Rocks area in 1858. One such settler named A.A. Brookfield became the first president of “Boulder City” – a 1,280 acre area adjacent to Boulder Creek. Boulder City became a prosperous mining town that developed an agricultural industry as more and more settlers came.

In November, 1871 the city was legally incorporated, but changed its name from “Boulder City” to just “Boulder”. The earliest residential neighborhoods in Boulder were in the Downtown, Mapleton Hill and Whittier districts.

Boulder is probably best known for its love of the outdoors. Residents enjoy rock climbing, hiking, running, skiing or mountain biking the many trails in the Flatirons or Rocky Mountains, as well as swimming, fishing canoeing and kayaking in the river. This may be why it was voted #1 in “America’s Fittest Cities” by Forbes magazine. With this level of fitness, it should be no surprise that Boulder is a very health focused city, with the largest concentraion of natural & organic product companies in the United States.

Perhaps it’s the endorphins from all that exercise, perhaps it’s the fact that Boulder has the nation’s fourth highest concentration of breweries per capita (20 breweries in 28 square miles), but National Geographic named Boulder as the “Happiest City In The U.S.”

Boulder is also known for its education. The University of Colorado Boulder ranks in the top 100 universities worldwide, but even more impressive – over 60% of Boulderites have a bachelor’s degree – the highest percentage of any U.S. city. This may explain why Boulder is also one of the nation’s biggest hubs for high-tech startups.

Locals and tourists alike also appreciate the local boutiques, street performances, trendy galleries and fantastic eateries of the downtown Pearl Street Mall.

Boulder is a city that centers around the outdoors, such as hiking, biking, climbing, kayaking, skiing and running in the mountains, state parks, or Flatirons. If you’re not a fan of exercise, you can still appreciate the street performers, shopping, people-watching & excellent dining in the outdoor Pearl Street Mall. Boulder is also a city that loves its beer. There are over 20 local breweries to try.

The city of Boulder is located North West of Denver.
As the crow flies, the distance from Denver to Boulder is 24 miles (38.6 km).
The drive from Denver to Boulder is 29.6 miles (47.6 km), and will take about 45 minutes without traffic.

Boulder is expensive because it is in demand. The city is frequently voted one of the best places to live, and the availability of high-paying tech jobs keeps bringing more people. Boulder values it open land, and disallows multi-level buildings (aside from the University), so there simply aren’t enough houses to support the population growth that has exponentially burgeoned over the last 40 years.

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