Colorado Visitor and Tourism Upstate Colorado Economic Development Northern Colorado offers an outstanding quality of life to help you attract and retain employees. The area boasts 60 miles of hiking and biking trails, endless outdoor recreation, abundant and affordable housing, lively nightlife and award-winning restaurants – big-city amenities combined with small-town flavor. In 2009, Forbes magazine awarded Fort Collins the runner up position for the second best place to live in the US. In 2006, Money Magazine called neighboring city Fort Collins the best place to live in America – citing great schools, low crime, minimal stress and fantastic outdoor life as its major attractions. Planning is in full swing to build an extensive residential community here – including housing, retail stores and a considerable park system – to accommodate those who work in The Great Western Industrial Park. The Denver metro region lies just to the south, where you’ll find one of the finest performing arts complexes in the nation, world class museums, state of the art sports venues and limitless entertainment possibilities. With more than 300 days of sunshine every year and the Rocky Mountains so close, Colorado is truly a year-round playground.