The city of Boulder is the 11th biggest city in terms of population in the state of Colorado. The city of Boulder is the most populous in Boulder County, where the city serves as the county seat. The city is located at the base of the Rocky Mountains foothills and sits at an elevation of 1655 m or 5430 feet. Boulder is situated 25 miles or 40 km northwest of Denver, Colorado. The 2010 census listed the population of Boulder City at 97,385. The USA Census Bureau showed that the population was 293,161 for the Boulder Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Boulder has the reputation as being amongst the most liberal cities in the state of Colorado. It is famous due to its Western history and has the status of being a destination of choice for hippies in the late 1960s. It is the home of the University of Colorado, the state's largest university. The city frequently acquires top rankings in health, quality of life, education, art and well being.
The Boulder Valley was primarily settled by Indians until the late 1850s, mainly the Southern Arapaho tribe. Gold prospectors were the first known non-native settlers in the area. They arrived in 1858 when the city of Boulder was still part of Nebraska Territory. The Territory of Colorado was created during the year 1861 by the U.S. Congress. During 1871, Boulder, that was then called Boulder City, became integrated as a city. The University of Colorado at Boulder opened five years after that in 1876 and Colorado achieved its statehood. Tourism and mining were two of the cities major industries through the early part of the 20th century.
The city has different attractions and activities for different ages. There are many outdoor, recreational, cultural, indoor and festive things to partake in. There are more than 31,000 acres of open space, and nature preserves within the area. This provides an abundance of opportunities for biking, hiking and rock climbing. More than 120 miles of trails vary in difficulty and size, from the technically difficult to the simple. The Boulder Creek Path is a well known trail, 16 miles long. It provides a great place for biking, walking and in-line skating. The Eldorado Canyon is situated 6 miles south of Boulder and is home to world class rock-climbing. Estes Park is situated an hour away and is the gateway to Rocky Mountain National Park.
The main economic sectors in the region are found in technology and science. What's more, the city of Boulder has become known for its economic diversity and academic resources. There area has developed high-technology, aerospace and electronic businesses with the assistance of the research done at the University of Colorado at Boulder. Numerous college graduates and professionals are attracted to Boulder's labor market because of the university and the many research and technology oriented businesses.
The local economy is buffed up from various communication and satellite research centers and firms and by numerous defense contractors as well. The technology sector has flourished and thus increased the manufacturing center of the city. The economy is likewise powered by the government, healthcare and education.