See 16 Colorado Counties Ranked Among America's 100 Best for Scenery, Climate

All of us understand that Colorado is one of the most beautiful places in the nation. No wonder it was the only state to land two cities among Outside magazine's top ten picks for best places to live in America circa 2015. Now, the Washington Post is offering more proof — and the...

By Michael Roberts

September 18, 2015

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All of us understand that Colorado is one of the most beautiful places in the nation. No wonder it was the only state to land two cities among Outside magazine's top ten picks for best places to live in America circa 2015.

Now, the Washington Post is offering more proof — and the venerable paper has the data to back it up.

The Post's Wonkblog came up with a way to measure each county in the U.S. of A. — all 3,111 of them — in terms of scenery and climate. The information was then amalgamated into an overall score for what are described as "natural amenities."

All of Colorado's counties scored in the top half of the rankings, with an impressive sixteen finishing among the 100 counties ranked America's best.

California did even better despite the fires and drought conditions currently afflicting the state. Cali filled each slot in the top ten; Ventura County was number one. But Colorado was the second-most-lauded state.

Look below to count down the photo-illustrated top sixteen, followed by the scores of some noteworthy Colorado also-rans. For the original Wonkblog post, click here.

Number 16: Huerfano County
This county has very high natural amenities.
Rank: 98 out of 3,111 counties

Number 15: Routt County
This county has very high natural amenities.
Rank: 90 out of 3,111 counties

Number 13(tie): Custer County
This county has very high natural amenities.
Rank: 78 out of 3,111 counties

Number 13 (tie): Jefferson County
This county has very high natural amenities.
Rank: 78 out of 3,111 counties

Number 12: Larimer County
This county has very high natural amenities.
Rank: 77 out of 3,111 counties

Number 11: Boulder County
This county has very high natural amenities.
Rank: 71 out of 3,111 counties

Number 10: Teller County
This county has very high natural amenities.
Rank: 52 out of 3,111 counties

Number 9: Jackson County
This county has very high natural amenities.
Rank: 48 out of 3,111 counties

Number 8: Chaffee County
This county has very high natural amenities.
Rank: 47 out of 3,111 counties

Number 7: Hinsdale County
This county has extremely high natural amenities.
Rank: 38 out of 3,111 counties

Number 6: Clear Creek County
This county has extremely high natural amenities.
Rank: 37 out of 3,111 counties

Number 5: Gilpin County
This county has extremely high natural amenities.
Rank: 36 out of 3,111 counties

Number 4: Park County
This county has extremely high natural amenities.
Rank: 33 out of 3,111 counties

Number 3: Grand County
This county has extremely high natural amenities.
Rank: 25 out of 3,111 counties

Number 2: Summit County
This county has extremely high natural amenities.
Rank: 19 out of 3,111 counties

Number 1: Lake County
This county has extremely high natural amenities.
Rank: 11 out of 3,111 counties

Noteworthy also-rans:

Douglas County: 104
El Paso County: 104
Fremont County 143
Denver County: 324
Adams County: 374
Arapahoe County: 399
Logan County: 684
Prowers County: 759
Yuma County: 1,216
Kit Carson County: 1,445
Cheyenne County: 1,472

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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.

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