Would Colorado be a Good Fit? (Denver, Grand Junction: to buy, living in, law)

[gamma19]

I'm currently living in Massachusetts and thinking of relocating (employment permitting of course) to Colorado within the next few years. I've been in the Boston area for two years so far for work, and all I have to say is if I didn't work here, I'd be out of this state in a heartbeat.

I'm 25, male, of Asian decent, born and raised in suburban Connecticut. I lean liberal for social issues (civil rights, LGBT rights, etc) but staunchly believe in all facets of the Constitution, and am of a "live and let live" attitude ie. "respect my rights and I'll respect yours". I'm also a gun owner, which is a very difficult thing to be in Mass, especially the Boston area. I'm not a big "city" person, and I prefer suburban/rural living to city life. Racial diversity is somewhat important to me, but not a huge deal, since I grew up in a mostly white community and get along pretty well with people from all walks of life. I enjoy nature and being in a clean environment.

I'm wondering if Colorado, specifically the Denver area, would be a good fit for me?

[lurtsman]

The biggest issue may come down to what you define as a "big city" person. Being from the East coast your definition of big may be something like a Metro of 7 to 8 million, or it might specifically be a reference to not liking the style of New York. Denver has a Metro of around 3m. If that isn't too big for you, I don't see anything else that would cause it to be a poor fit. The city leans liberal, is still constitutionally grounded, and the entire state is pro gun rights. I'd say we have some good racial diversity in Denver, and racism is largely non-existent (in my experience) within the cities of Colorado.

[motoracer51]

The gun laws are decent for now here in CO, but we've seen some discriminatory and capricious laws passed against lawful gun owners in this state recently. Mostly paid for by yours truly Michael Bloomberg. I honestly feel they'll get worse as this state becomes more like CA.

As being a gun owner, you will breath a breath of freedom here compared to MA. I'd say the most onerous laws we need to contend with at the state/local level are no FTF sales, no mags over 15rd, $10 mandatory fee to exercise a Constitutional right, Denver city AWB. Not sure about the front range, but here on the western slope the gun regulations are flagrantly not recognized/obeyed.

Having considered NH, and having spend much time in the North East, be prepared for a shocking difference from everything from culture to topography/geography.

[Colorado Rambler]

The small town of Nucla, Colorado
(pop 800) located on the Western Slope about a 2 hour drive south from Grand Junction, actually passed a gun law last year that requires every household in Nucla to have at least one gun. In Nucla that's kind of like passing a law that everyone must breathe air. Exceptions are made for those too poor to buy a firearm or those whose religion forbids the use of weapons. So far, this law has not been actively enforced because a) People in Nucla normally have 10 or 12 guns, never mind 1 and b) Nucla has no law enforcement. An anti-gun group from out of state is trying to take Nucla to court over this but with little success so far.

[jazzlover]

Originally Posted by gamma19

I'm currently living in Massachusetts and thinking of relocating (employment permitting of course) to Colorado within the next few years.

That is the part that you likely will find the very hardest to overcome--and more difficult, not less difficult, as time goes on. Colorado is following California's very poor example of becoming more and more hostile to business and to people who still hold that silly notion of actually working for a living.