Dozen Distinctive Destinations
Boulder, CO
Year Listed: 2000
Boulder, Colorado is nestled against the face of the Rocky Mountain range, at the base of the Flatiron Mountains in the north central region of the state. It is renowned for its historic buildings, thoughtful planning, cultural events, and respect for the environment and the great outdoors. It is also the home of the University of Colorado, one of the largest, most prestigious, and beautiful campuses in the West, with 25,000 students and acres of lush, grassy grounds.
Boulder was first the home of Native Americans, primarily the Southern Arapahoe tribe; Utes, Cheyennes, Comanches, and Sioux were also occasional visitors to the area. Gold seekers established the first non-native settlement in Boulder in 1858. For much of the 1900's, Boulder’s economy was based on tourism, which eventually declined at about the same time the arrival of the University provided new opportunity for growth. A turnpike to nearby Denver led to a swelling population during the 1950's and 1960's By 1970, Boulder saw the need for extensive city planning and adopted the Boulder Valley Comprehensive Plan. It also passed a building height restriction ordinance, a residential growth management ordinance, and a historic preservation code which has been instrumental in preserving significant portions of the past and encouraging the rehabilitation of historic buildings.
Boulder’s well-preserved buildings include one of only three year-round Chautauqua facilities in the country, whose auditorium is now the site of the nationally recognized Chautauqua Summer Festival and the Colorado Music Festival. The historic Hotel Boulderado, built in 1909 in downtown Boulder, is a city landmark with 160 luxurious rooms. It is listed in the State and National Register of Historic Places, and is a member of the Historic Hotels of America Boulder offers an eclectic lifestyle to residents and visitors who enjoy physically strenuous outdoor activities, cultural experiences, higher education, and the solitude of the mountains. It is the home of the Pearl Street Mall, one of the country’s few successful pedestrian malls. It features restaurants, bookstores, boutiques, sidewalk cafes, and street performers. The Chautauqua Park Historic District, a 100-year-old tradition, offers hiking, food, and entertainment Visitors come to Boulder to participate in the annual Bolder Boulder 10K race and the Colorado Shakespeare Festival, to enjoy the fresh produce at the Boulder County Farmers Market, and to take advantage of the city’s numerous walking and hiking trails. Boulder’s cultural diversity is reflected in museums that range from the Leanin’ Tree Museum of Western Art to the Boulder Dushanbe Teahouse, a gift from Boulder’s sister city of Dushanbe, Tajikistan.
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