Choosing the right location for your college experience involves considering multiple factors beyond just the educational institution itself. Our comprehensive analysis evaluates six critical criteria: Overall College Friendly Score, Hip & Trendy Index, Vibrancy Score, Walkability, Cycling-Friendly Score, and Transit-Friendly Score. The Overall College Friendly Score encompasses numerous elements including student population ratio, academic resources, student housing affordability, and campus accessibility.
Every score presented in this ranking is based on extensive real-world data collection and surveys from residents who experience these communities daily. This is not subjective opinion but data-driven analysis of Colorado’s least college-friendly towns based on these six important criteria that determine quality of student life.
Here’s the list.
25. Nunn
- Overall College Friendly Score: 5.80
- Hip & Trendy: 32.43
- Vibrancy Score: 2.02
- Walkability: 15.92
- Cycling-Friendly: N/A
- Transit-Friendly: N/A
Nunn ranks as the 25th worst college town in Colorado with a low Overall College Friendly Score of 5.80 out of 100. The town’s exceptionally low vibrancy score of 2.02 indicates minimal entertainment and social activity options for students. With no cycling or transit infrastructure scored in our data, and a modest walkability score of 15.92, students would find transportation challenging without personal vehicles. The town’s medium Hip & Trendy score of 32.43 suggests some cultural amenities, but generally insufficient for a fulfilling college experience. The median home price in Nunn is approximately $275,000.
24. Ramah
- Overall College Friendly Score: 5.32
- Hip & Trendy: 39.15
- Vibrancy Score: 1.15
- Walkability: 9.09
- Cycling-Friendly: N/A
- Transit-Friendly: N/A
Ramah scores slightly lower than Nunn with an Overall College Friendly Score of 5.32. The town has a nearly non-existent vibrancy score of 1.15, indicating extremely limited social and recreational options for college students. The walkability score of 9.09 is very low, and the absence of cycling and public transit infrastructure further isolates residents. Despite a somewhat better Hip & Trendy score of 39.15, the town provides minimal amenities that would support college life. The median home price in Ramah is approximately $300,000.
23. Ignacio
- Overall College Friendly Score: 5.24
- Hip & Trendy: 45.74
- Vibrancy Score: 12.21
- Walkability: 10.08
- Cycling-Friendly: 15.85
- Transit-Friendly: 4.56
Ignacio comes in as the 23rd worst college town with an Overall College Friendly Score of 5.24. While it does have slightly higher scores across several categories than some towns ranked below it, Ignacio still presents significant challenges for students. Its walkability score of 10.08 is poor, and both cycling and transit options are extremely limited with scores of 15.85 and 4.56 respectively. The vibrancy score of 12.21 indicates few entertainment options and limited community engagement opportunities. The median home price in Ignacio is approximately $280,000.
22. Delta
- Overall College Friendly Score: 4.97
- Hip & Trendy: 50.03
- Vibrancy Score: 22.24
- Walkability: 25.41
- Cycling-Friendly: 13.61
- Transit-Friendly: 16.22
Delta ranks 22nd with an Overall College Friendly Score of 4.97. The town has moderate scores across the board, with its Hip & Trendy index at 50.03 being its strongest feature. However, the low walkability score of 25.41, poor cycling-friendly score of 13.61, and limited transit options at 16.22 make it difficult for students without cars to navigate. The vibrancy score of 22.24 suggests some social activities but not enough to create a dynamic college environment. The median home price in Delta is approximately $295,000.
21. Hooper
- Overall College Friendly Score: 4.92
- Hip & Trendy: 51.06
- Vibrancy Score: 11.08
- Walkability: 10.22
- Cycling-Friendly: N/A
- Transit-Friendly: 11.09
Hooper has an Overall College Friendly Score of 4.92, placing it 21st on our list. While its Hip & Trendy score of 51.06 is relatively decent, the town suffers from a very low vibrancy score of 11.08 and poor walkability at 10.22. The lack of cycling infrastructure and minimal transit options (score of 11.09) make getting around without a car nearly impossible. These factors combine to create an environment that’s not conducive to college student life and social engagement. The median home price in Hooper is approximately $210,000.
20. Towaoc
- Overall College Friendly Score: 4.90
- Hip & Trendy: 5.70
- Vibrancy Score: 4.71
- Walkability: 5.36
- Cycling-Friendly: N/A
- Transit-Friendly: N/A
Towaoc ranks as the 20th worst college town with an Overall College Friendly Score of 4.90. The town has extremely low scores across all measured categories, with a Hip & Trendy score of just 5.70, vibrancy score of 4.71, and walkability of 5.36. With no data for cycling or transit options, students would be completely dependent on personal transportation. These scores reflect a severe lack of amenities, entertainment options, and accessibility that would support college student life. The median home price in Towaoc is approximately $165,000.
19. Central City
- Overall College Friendly Score: 4.65
- Hip & Trendy: 69.85
- Vibrancy Score: 23.80
- Walkability: 20.49
- Cycling-Friendly: N/A
- Transit-Friendly: 6.87
Central City presents an interesting contrast with an Overall College Friendly Score of 4.65 despite having the highest Hip & Trendy score (69.85) among the bottom 25 towns. This suggests that while the town has cultural and entertainment appeal, it lacks in other aspects critical for college students. The walkability score of 20.49 is poor, there’s no data for cycling infrastructure, and the transit score is a very low 6.87. The vibrancy score of 23.80 indicates some community activity, but not enough to offset other deficiencies. The median home price in Central City is approximately $375,000.
18. Dove Creek – Rico
- Overall College Friendly Score: 4.18
- Hip & Trendy: 49.64
- Vibrancy Score: 10.34
- Walkability: 10.16
- Cycling-Friendly: N/A
- Transit-Friendly: 13.97
Dove Creek – Rico has an Overall College Friendly Score of 4.18, ranking it 18th on our list. While its Hip & Trendy score of 49.64 is middle-of-the-road, the town suffers from a low vibrancy score of 10.34 and poor walkability at 10.16. The limited transit options (score of 13.97) and lack of cycling infrastructure make getting around challenging for students without cars. These factors combine to create an environment that offers minimal support for a vibrant college experience. The median home price in the Dove Creek – Rico area is approximately $325,000.
17. Georgetown – Empire
- Overall College Friendly Score: 3.81
- Hip & Trendy: 81.94
- Vibrancy Score: 7.26
- Walkability: 22.36
- Cycling-Friendly: N/A
- Transit-Friendly: 16.91
Georgetown – Empire presents another interesting case with an Overall College Friendly Score of just 3.81 despite having the second-highest Hip & Trendy score (81.94) on our list. This suggests the area has significant cultural appeal but lacks in practical amenities for students. The extremely low vibrancy score of 7.26 indicates minimal community engagement opportunities, while the walkability score of 22.36 and transit score of 16.91 point to transportation challenges. The median home price in the Georgetown – Empire area is approximately $550,000, which would be prohibitively expensive for most students.
16. South Fork
- Overall College Friendly Score: 3.64
- Hip & Trendy: 44.42
- Vibrancy Score: 0.94
- Walkability: 5.49
- Cycling-Friendly: 6.02
- Transit-Friendly: N/A
South Fork ranks 16th with an Overall College Friendly Score of 3.64. The town has a nearly non-existent vibrancy score of 0.94, indicating extremely limited social and recreational options. With very poor walkability (5.49) and cycling (6.02) scores, and no public transit data, getting around without a car would be virtually impossible. The Hip & Trendy score of 44.42 suggests some cultural amenities, but generally insufficient to support a fulfilling college experience. The median home price in South Fork is approximately $375,000.
15. Granada
- Overall College Friendly Score: 3.64
- Hip & Trendy: 49.40
- Vibrancy Score: 3.23
- Walkability: 14.33
- Cycling-Friendly: N/A
- Transit-Friendly: N/A
Granada ties with South Fork with an Overall College Friendly Score of 3.64. The town has a very low vibrancy score of 3.23, indicating minimal social activities and community engagement. The walkability score of 14.33 is poor, and there’s no data for cycling or transit options, suggesting that personal transportation would be essential. The Hip & Trendy score of 49.40 is middling, but not enough to compensate for other deficiencies. The median home price in Granada is approximately $135,000.
14. Cortez
- Overall College Friendly Score: 3.50
- Hip & Trendy: 46.17
- Vibrancy Score: 36.68
- Walkability: 25.97
- Cycling-Friendly: 19.82
- Transit-Friendly: 0.11
Cortez ranks 14th with an Overall College Friendly Score of 3.50. The town does have a relatively decent vibrancy score of 36.68 compared to others on this list, suggesting some level of social and recreational activities. However, its walkability score of 25.97 and cycling score of 19.82 indicate transportation challenges, while the transit score is virtually non-existent at 0.11. The Hip & Trendy score of 46.17 is average, suggesting some cultural amenities but not enough to create an ideal college environment. The median home price in Cortez is approximately $350,000.
13. Burlington
- Overall College Friendly Score: 3.34
- Hip & Trendy: 37.09
- Vibrancy Score: 7.34
- Walkability: 13.19
- Cycling-Friendly: N/A
- Transit-Friendly: N/A
Burlington has an Overall College Friendly Score of 3.34, placing it 13th on our list. The town’s extremely low vibrancy score of 7.34 indicates very limited social activities and community engagement opportunities. With poor walkability at 13.19 and no data for cycling or transit options, getting around without a car would be challenging. The Hip & Trendy score of 37.09 is below average, suggesting minimal cultural amenities to support college life. The median home price in Burlington is approximately $200,000.
12. Mountain Village
- Overall College Friendly Score: 3.31
- Hip & Trendy: 82.51
- Vibrancy Score: 43.55
- Walkability: 4.80
- Cycling-Friendly: 16.26
- Transit-Friendly: 66.62
Mountain Village presents one of the most interesting contrasts on our list. With an Overall College Friendly Score of just 3.31, it ranks as the 12th worst college town in Colorado. However, it has the highest Hip & Trendy score (82.51) among all 25 towns and a relatively good vibrancy score of 43.55. It also has the highest transit-friendly score (66.62) on our list. The major drawback appears to be its extremely poor walkability (4.80) and limited cycling infrastructure (16.26). These scores, combined with the town’s high cost of living (median home price approximately $1,200,000), make it impractical for most college students despite its cultural amenities.
11. Lochbuie
- Overall College Friendly Score: 3.04
- Hip & Trendy: 0.98
- Vibrancy Score: 29.98
- Walkability: 7.70
- Cycling-Friendly: N/A
- Transit-Friendly: N/A
Lochbuie ranks 11th with an Overall College Friendly Score of 3.04. The town has the lowest Hip & Trendy score on our list at just 0.98, indicating virtually no cultural amenities or entertainment options. While its vibrancy score of 29.98 is somewhat better, the extremely poor walkability score of 7.70 and lack of data for cycling or transit options suggest significant transportation challenges. These factors combine to create an environment that offers minimal support for college student life. The median home price in Lochbuie is approximately $375,000.
10. Kremmling
- Overall College Friendly Score: 2.78
- Hip & Trendy: 16.14
- Vibrancy Score: 7.58
- Walkability: 7.39
- Cycling-Friendly: N/A
- Transit-Friendly: N/A
Kremmling has an Overall College Friendly Score of 2.78, placing it 10th on our list. The town has very low scores across all measured categories, with a Hip & Trendy score of just 16.14, vibrancy score of 7.58, and walkability of 7.39. With no data for cycling or transit options, students would be completely dependent on personal transportation. These scores reflect a severe lack of amenities, entertainment options, and accessibility that would support college student life. The median home price in Kremmling is approximately $425,000.
9. Telluride
- Overall College Friendly Score: 2.54
- Hip & Trendy: 74.95
- Vibrancy Score: 28.05
- Walkability: 24.94
- Cycling-Friendly: 97.86
- Transit-Friendly: 37.08
Telluride presents another interesting case with an Overall College Friendly Score of just 2.54 despite having high scores in several other categories. It has the third-highest Hip & Trendy score (74.95) on our list and by far the highest cycling-friendly score at an impressive 97.86. Its transit score of 37.08 is also relatively good compared to other towns on this list. However, the walkability score of 24.94 is still poor, and the vibrancy score of 28.05 is moderate at best. The biggest challenge for college students in Telluride is likely to be the extremely high cost of living, with a median home price of approximately $1,800,000, making it prohibitively expensive for the vast majority of students.
8. Center
- Overall College Friendly Score: 2.28
- Hip & Trendy: 21.97
- Vibrancy Score: 16.44
- Walkability: 18.02
- Cycling-Friendly: N/A
- Transit-Friendly: N/A
Center ranks 8th with an Overall College Friendly Score of 2.28. The town has low scores across all measured categories, with a Hip & Trendy score of 21.97, vibrancy score of 16.44, and walkability of 18.02. With no data for cycling or transit options, personal transportation would be essential. These scores indicate a lack of amenities and accessibility that would support a vibrant college experience. The median home price in Center is approximately $175,000, which is relatively affordable but doesn’t compensate for the other deficiencies.
7. Parachute
- Overall College Friendly Score: 2.28
- Hip & Trendy: 17.38
- Vibrancy Score: 11.10
- Walkability: 2.28
- Cycling-Friendly: N/A
- Transit-Friendly: 5.23
Parachute ties with Center with an Overall College Friendly Score of 2.28, but has one of the lowest walkability scores on our list at just 2.28. This, combined with a low Hip & Trendy score of 17.38, minimal vibrancy at 11.10, and a nearly non-existent transit score of 5.23, creates an environment that offers very little to support college student life. With no data for cycling infrastructure, transportation without a car would be virtually impossible. The median home price in Parachute is approximately $290,000.
6. Mancos
- Overall College Friendly Score: 2.20
- Hip & Trendy: 69.73
- Vibrancy Score: 1.42
- Walkability: 9.24
- Cycling-Friendly: 26.24
- Transit-Friendly: N/A
Mancos ranks 6th with an Overall College Friendly Score of 2.20. Interestingly, it has a relatively high Hip & Trendy score of 69.73, suggesting some cultural appeal, but this is offset by an extremely low vibrancy score of 1.42, indicating minimal social activities and community engagement. The walkability score of 9.24 is poor, and while there is some cycling infrastructure (score of 26.24), there’s no data for public transit options. These factors combine to create an environment that would present significant challenges for college students. The median home price in Mancos is approximately $450,000.
5. Dinosaur
- Overall College Friendly Score: 2.20
- Hip & Trendy: 15.22
- Vibrancy Score: 0.84
- Walkability: 9.75
- Cycling-Friendly: N/A
- Transit-Friendly: N/A
Dinosaur ties with Mancos with an Overall College Friendly Score of 2.20, but has much lower scores in other categories. Its Hip & Trendy score is just 15.22, and it has one of the lowest vibrancy scores on our list at 0.84, indicating virtually no social activities or community engagement. The walkability score of 9.75 is poor, and with no data for cycling or transit options, students would be completely dependent on personal transportation. The median home price in Dinosaur is approximately $175,000, which is relatively affordable but doesn’t offset the other significant deficiencies.
4. Fairplay
- Overall College Friendly Score: 1.62
- Hip & Trendy: 59.25
- Vibrancy Score: 16.60
- Walkability: 12.26
- Cycling-Friendly: N/A
- Transit-Friendly: N/A
Fairplay has an Overall College Friendly Score of 1.62, placing it 4th on our list of worst college towns. While its Hip & Trendy score of 59.25 is relatively good, suggesting some cultural appeal, the town suffers from a low vibrancy score of 16.60 and poor walkability at 12.26. With no data for cycling or transit options, getting around without a car would be challenging. These factors, combined with the town’s remote location, create an environment that offers minimal support for college student life. The median home price in Fairplay is approximately $450,000.
3. Cripple Creek – Victor
- Overall College Friendly Score: 1.35
- Hip & Trendy: 68.96
- Vibrancy Score: 12.20
- Walkability: 20.43
- Cycling-Friendly: N/A
- Transit-Friendly: N/A
Cripple Creek – Victor ranks 3rd with an Overall College Friendly Score of just 1.35. Like several other towns at the bottom of our list, it has a relatively high Hip & Trendy score of 68.96, suggesting some cultural appeal, but this is offset by a low vibrancy score of 12.20. The walkability score of 20.43 is poor, and with no data for cycling or transit options, personal transportation would be essential. The area’s remote location and limited amenities make it a challenging environment for college students. The median home price in the Cripple Creek – Victor area is approximately $350,000.
2. Vail
- Overall College Friendly Score: 0.64
- Hip & Trendy: 63.34
- Vibrancy Score: 31.93
- Walkability: 2.34
- Cycling-Friendly: 37.21
- Transit-Friendly: 35.59
Vail ranks as the second-worst college town in Colorado with an extremely low Overall College Friendly Score of 0.64. While it has a relatively good Hip & Trendy score of 63.34 and moderate vibrancy score of 31.93, Vail has one of the lowest walkability scores on our list at just 2.34. Its cycling and transit scores (37.21 and 35.59 respectively) are better than many towns on this list, but the extremely high cost of living is a major barrier for students. The median home price in Vail is approximately $1,600,000, making it prohibitively expensive for the vast majority of college students, regardless of its amenities.
1. Winter Park
- Overall College Friendly Score: 0.49
- Hip & Trendy: 67.19
- Vibrancy Score: 21.26
- Walkability: 3.46
- Cycling-Friendly: 43.29
- Transit-Friendly: 30.60
Winter Park ranks as the absolute worst town for college students in Colorado with an Overall College Friendly Score of just 0.49 out of 100. Like several other resort towns at the bottom of our list, Winter Park has a relatively high Hip & Trendy score of 67.19, but this is offset by a low vibrancy score of 21.26 and an extremely poor walkability score of 3.46. While its cycling and transit scores (43.29 and 30.60 respectively) are better than many towns on this list, the seasonal nature of the town and extremely high cost of living are major barriers for students. The median home price in Winter Park is approximately $925,000, making it an impractical option for most college students despite some recreational amenities.
Definition of terms:
- Overall College Friendly Score: A comprehensive metric that evaluates how conducive a town is to college student life. This score incorporates factors such as student population ratio, academic resources, student housing availability and affordability, campus accessibility, local academic support services, and study-friendly environments.
- Hip & Trendy: Measures the cultural appeal of a town, including entertainment venues, arts scene, restaurants, cafes, and social gathering spaces that appeal to younger demographics. This matters for college students seeking vibrant cultural experiences outside the classroom.
- Vibrancy Score: Assesses the overall energy and activity level of a community, including nightlife, events, festivals, and general social engagement opportunities. A vibrant community provides students with social connections and recreational outlets that complement academic life.
- Walkability: Evaluates how easy it is to navigate the town on foot, considering factors like sidewalk infrastructure, pedestrian safety, and proximity of essential services to residential areas. Walkability is especially important for students who may not have personal vehicles.
- Cycling-Friendly: Measures the bike infrastructure, including dedicated lanes, trails, bike parking, and overall safety for cyclists. Cycling offers students an affordable and environmentally friendly transportation option.
- Transit-Friendly: Assesses public transportation options, including bus systems, light rail, and other mass transit infrastructure. Reliable public transit expands students’ access to off-campus resources, jobs, and entertainment without requiring car ownership.
References for Median Home Price Data:
In addition to our proprietary data, we used the following for the median home price information:
Colorado Association of Realtors https://www.coloradorealtors.com/market-trends/regional-and-statewide-statistics/
Zillow Research Data https://www.zillow.com/research/data/
Redfin Market Insights https://www.redfin.com/news/data-center/
U.S. Census Bureau Housing Data https://www.census.gov/housing/hvs/index.html
Colorado Department of Local Affairs https://cdola.colorado.gov/housing-data
