You Still Have a Chance of Love in Denver…or Do You?

Denver singles, take heart: It’s not you, it’s the city. Or maybe just the last season of Love is Blind.

The Netflix dating show had filmed eight seasons in eight different U.S. cities and fourteen international seasons in nine different countries before it came to Denver…where the impossible happened.

For the first time in the show’s history, zero couples got married during the Denver-based season nine, which wrapped up at the end of October. And ending the season without a single surviving relationship is no small feat, considering the entire premise of the show is bringing together people who are so desperate to get married that they’re willing to get engaged to a complete stranger without even seeing their face.

Denver was still suffering from the ignominy of serving as the setting this abysmal season when we got the bad news: The Bachelorette will soon be coming to Denver. In the meantime, viewers are still sharing their thoughts about Love is Blind on the Westword Facebook page and Instagram post, spreading the blame between the show, Denver…and dating in general.

Blame it on the show

Many people blamed this abysmal season of Love Is Blind on the show’s setup, not Denver itself. Says Scott:

It’s not the city; it’s definitely the singles: dog-obsessed narcissists who don’t know how to have a relationship with another human. Many also lack personality and struggle with empathy because they’ve never faced any meaningful level of adversity in their lives. They all want to be the main character and everything falls apart as soon as they realize that relationships take effort from both parties.

Adds Brendan:

Stupid scripted “reality” TV shows that pander to the lowest common denominator.

Suggests Angela:

It’s not the city. It’s the show and the “characters” it draws. This is a show built for ratings, not people wanting to find a long-term relationship.

Offers Emily:

I was hoping there would be born-and-raised Coloradans in this show, and was very disappointed when it was all just transplants. I know our dating scene sucks, but the showrunners could’ve done better at casting folks.

Suggests Sara:

Casting directors should be fired!! Worst group of people out of every season across the globe of this show.

Adds Tamra:

They picked crap people who were obviously only after fame. Worst ever.

Says Eugenia:

I will sadly admit that I do watch this show, and this season was filled with a bunch of really boring people or people with no personality. I probably only felt bad for two of the guys, because they seemed cool and had a head on their shoulders, but the rest were ridiculous. You can also tell these were non-natives and a very low representation of Denver singles. Who is seriously looking for a home for $1.5 million at that age? Most of us natives are struggling to get by. I blame casting this season for sure.

Concludes Katie:

I was SO disappointed in this season! I was really looking forward to watching a show that taped locally, and I have to say the casting was horrible. Absolutely nothing personal about the people cast in the show, but you can tell from the start that a bunch of them are not ready for marriage or that they are there for the fame. From the beginning, I could tell something was off about this season; even the production value was just a bit off. Where are the outdoorsy people? The brewery lovers? The natives that grew up here?

Blame it on the city

Plenty of people thought disaster was inevitable, given the realities of Denver. Says Aubrey:

Well, of course it failed: It’s dating in Denver. The whole state is a nightmare for dating.

Adds Duane:

It’s great for one-nighters if you are into that. Or married people cheating. Dating seriously. Not so much.

Offers Tobi:

I’m here on a travel assignment and Denver is definitely UNIQUE when it comes to human interaction…. Dating has been easier than making friends. Dating-wise, you’re better off finding marriage-material women in the Aouth or New England. I hate to say it, but Denver is just for the hookups & fun.

Says Chris:

I feel sorry for the woman trying to date a man-bun-wearing liberary, Subaru-driving pot smoker.

Observes Robyn:

Colorado is the worst for dating.. its a state for isolation type of activities, people move here to be alone.

Notes David:

Dating everywhere seems to be rough, but Denver has the added challenge of a being a transient city full of people that moved here for thrill and adventure. That combination doesn’t make for healthy, long-term committed relationships.

Suggests Sian:

You literally have to be blind for love to work out in Denver and even then it probably won’t work out. 

But wait, there’s hope

And some readers offer words of hope. Says Jason:

My favorite part about Love is Blind is that it proves, unequivocally, that “No, it’s not.”

Adds Walt:

Stay real, Denver! It’s about time some area showed reality television for the contrived BS it truly is.

Joe offers this:

I want to issue a public apology…. I swear whoever you are, you still have a chance in love here in Denver. We aren’t this terrible. Yes, the weed smoking and the high elevation can get over our heads, but I’m telling y’all we good people over here.

And Steve concludes:

Producers: We always have at least one couple that makes it!

Denver: Hold my non-alcoholic weed infused beer.

Did you watch the most recent season of Love is Blind? What did you think of the show? What do you think of dating in Denver in general? Post a comment or share your thoughts at editorial@westword.com.