would like suggestions of safe areas in Co

[ijwyo]

I have lots of family in Denver, Durango, and Boulder. I would look at Longmont, it is very close to Boulder, but is much cheaper. Ft. Collins is a nice area, many of my friends have been happy there and say the crime is mostly dui's from college kids, not as much violent crime as Denver. If you do go to Denver stay off of Colfax Street in downtown, that is where the homeless, drugs, ect. are. Downtown Denver can be safe in nicer complexs in more residential ares, you do need to lock your car, and traffic is a nightmare within 30 miles on either end of denver on I-25 at peak hours. Durango is a small town, but has a lot of culture, art, holistic healthcare, organic foods, ect. it is pricey, but you can live in bayfield, hesperus, mancos, or farmington, NM and be within a 40 min. commute or less. Durango is very scenic and the crime section of the Durango Herald has so little crime it is fun to read, like someone was riding a four-wheeler down main street at 1am, or dogs were barking, I lived there for a year and never had any problems and walked my dog at night on main street/ hwy 550 many times and always felt very safe. My friend who is a single mom lets her 12 yr. old walk to his friends houses near by and it is safe to do so there, I would not let a kid walk in downtown denver even 2 blocks personally. Boulder has a lot of drugs, it is a known as a "hippy" place, so if you have kids i would watch out there, the college there has led to a high rate of dui's and date rape, as in Ft. Collins. I think any big university has that, but it's a concern for parents none the less. You might also look at Grand Junction, it doesn't have as much culture and holistic healthcare as Boulder, but is a nice place with great shopping, and the peaches grown there in later summer are the best in the world, in my opinion.
Good Luck!

[TinajaCo]

I have always lived in the Denver-area and have never had a problem with crime. There are areas you want to avoid (like Colfax Ave near downtown or a few poorer neighborhoods, just as in any city) but generally speaking I feel safer here in Denver than I do in other cities nationwide.

[Christian11]

Awesome thread.

Thanks for all the sweet 411.

Is CSU as bad as UC Boulder when it comes to drugs?

Chris