The Largest Cities In Colorado

Colorado is a US state that occupies an area of 269,837 square km in the western part of the country. It is the 21st most populous state in the United States and the 8th largest in terms of area. The state is named after the Colorado River that flows through it. The state is divided into 64 counties and has 271 incorporated municipalities, which include 196 towns, 73 cities, and 2 consolidated city and county governments. Denver not only the capital city of the state but also the most populous city. Other large cities include Colorado Springs, Aurora, Fort Collins, and Lakewood. 

The 5 Biggest Cities in Colorado

Denver

With a population of over 600,158 (2010 census), Denver is the most populous city and capital of Colorado. Officially the City and County of Denver, it is located in the South Platte River Valley. Since the elevation of Denver is exactly one mile above sea level, it is nicknamed the "Mile High City." The city is the 19th most populous city in the US, and experienced a population growth of 17.41% between 2010 and 2017 (704,621 population), making it one of the fastest growing cities in the country. Denver has a thriving economy that supports its growing population and is home to several large corporations that are active in the central US. Many federal agencies and companies related to US space and defense are also based in the city. Given Denver's location near the mineral-rich Rocky Mountains, the city also has many mining and energy companies.

Colorado Springs

Colorado Springs is the second largest city of the state, with a population of over 416,427 people. The city is located on Fountain Creek in El Paso County, which is in the east-central part of the state and only 60 km north of Denver. Colorado Springs is the country’s 42nd most populous city. The economy of Colorado Springs is driven by tourism, high-tech, and military sectors, and the city's service industry is currently experiencing rapid growth. 

Aurora

The third largest city in Colorado is Aurora, which is located primarily in both Adams County and Arapahoe County, although a small part of the city also stretches into Douglas County. The city has a population of approximately 325,078 people, ranking as the 54th most populated US city. In the 1880s, Aurora was a small town named Fletcher, named after American businessman Donald Fletcher, who developed real estate in the area. However, after the Silver Crash of 1893, the town struggled and experienced significant debt. In 1907, the town was renamed Aurora, gradually grew, and became the fastest growing US city during the late 1970s.

Fort Collins

The fourth largest city of Colorado is Fort Collins, which is the county seat of Larimer County. The city is located on the banks of the Cache La Poudre River, about 56 km north of Denver, and has a population of about 143,986. Fort Collins is a midsize college city and home to Colorado State University. Its economy is supported by service and manufacturing related businesses. Additionally, the university has attracted several high-tech companies. The city's major industries include bioscience, clean energy, and agri-tech.

Lakewood

Located in Jefferson County, Lakewood is Colorado’s fifth largest city, with a population of 142,980 in 2010. Situated west of Denver, the city is included as part of the Denver-Aurora-Lakewood CO Metropolitan Statistical Area. Lakewood has a diverse economy, and the government is the city's the largest employer.