Colorado Places With the Greatest Increases in Poverty, Including Denver

We keep hearing that the economy has turned around. But not everyone is enjoying better times. The latest analysis from the folks at FindTheBest.com focuses on poverty, and the site's findings include a rundown of the Colorado counties in which the number of people below the poverty line has risen the...
By Michael RobertsJune 11, 2015
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We keep hearing that the economy has turned around.

But not everyone is enjoying better times.

The latest analysis from the folks at FindTheBest.com focuses on poverty, and the site’s findings include a rundown of the Colorado counties in which the number of people below the poverty line has risen the most over a thirty-year period, 1980 to 2010.

Many of the counties that made this unfortunate cut are rural. However, three of them are located in the metro area, including Denver.

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Editor's Picks

Which ten places made the list, and how much have the numbers gone up? Count down the photo-illustrated roster below, followed by a heat map that offers data about every Colorado county with just a click.

Number 10:
Denver County CO
Percentage increase 1980-2010: 5.2%

Number 9:
Sedgwick County CO
Percentage increase 1980-2010: 5.3%

Number 8:
Crowley County CO
Percentage increase 1980-2010: 5.7%

Number 7:
Moffat County CO
Percentage increase 1980-2010: 6.5%

Number 6:
Adams County CO
Percentage increase 1980-2010: 6.6%

Number 5:
Arapahoe County CO
Percentage increase 1980-2010: 7.2%

Number 4:
Rio Blanco County CO
Percentage increase 1980-2010: 7.7%

Number 3:
Bent County CO
Percentage increase 1980-2010: 8.1%

Number 2: 
Percentage increase 1980-2010: San Juan County CO
8.1%

Number 1:
Lake County CO
Percentage increase 1980-2010: 10.9%
Watch the War on Poverty Play out in Colorado | MooseRoots Send your story tips to the author, Michael Roberts.

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Michael Roberts began his career with Westword in 1990 as music editor. In 1999, he took on a new role, full-time media reporter, as author of a column called The Message. In 2008, he became the lead writer for Westword‘s news blog, The Latest Word, a position he held until January 2023. Michael continues to freelance for Westword, covering everything from business to sports and the media; he also contributes to Jazziz, a national music magazine. He holds a bachelor’s degree from what is now Colorado Mesa University and master’s degrees from the University of California, Los Angeles, and Northwestern University.

michaelrobertscolo@gmail.com

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