2008

"Most Educated City in America" (Boulder ranked #1) - Forbes magazine, Nov. 2008

"8 Fabulous Winter Wonderlands" - Where to Retire magazine, Nov./Dec. 2008

"America's Best Healthy Places to Retire" - U.S. News & World Report, Oct. 2008

"Bicycle Friendly Community" (platinum level) - League of American Bicyclists, Sept. 2008

"Top 25 Arts Destinations" - (small city category; Boulder ranked #8) American Style magazine, Aug. 2008

"Top 10 Healthiest Cities to Live and Retire" - (Boulder ranked #6) AARP The Magazine, July 2008

"Cities with the Highest Ratio of Artists in the Country" - (Boulder ranked #6) National Endowment for the Arts, July 2008

"Best Cities for Cycling" - Bicycling magazine, July 2008

"Cities With a High Percentage of Workers Employed in High-Tech Work" - (Boulder ranked #2) American Electronics Association, June 2008

"Top 10 Jewish Neighborhoods in North America," - Jewish Living magazine, June 2008

"America's Top 5 Cities for Cycling" - Bicycling magazine, June 2008

"Top 25 Small Cities and Towns for Art" - (Boulder ranked #8), American Style magazine, June 2008

"Top Heart Friendly Cities" - (Boulder ranked #1 for cities with a population less than 560,000), American Heart Association, May 2008

"The 10 Brainiest Places to Retire" - U.S. News and World Report, May 2008

"Top 10 Cities for Masters Runners" - (Boulder ranked #3), Masters Athlete magazine, May 2008

"Top 100 Destinations in the World" - Trip Advisor, April 2008

"Top 25 Destinations in the U.S." - Trip Advisor, April 2008

"Top 10 World's Greener Cities" - Urban Land Green magazine, Spring 2008

"Best Green Places to Live in America" - (Boulder ranked #5), Country Home magazine, March 2008

"Smartest Cities in America" - (Boulder ranked #1), Forbes magazine, February 2008

2007

"11 Most Bicycle-Friendly Cities in the World" - (Boulder ranked #4), Virgin Vacations.com, November 2007

"Top Small-City College Destination" - (Boulder ranked #1), Denver Business Journal, October 2007

"Best Places to Retire" - US News and World Report.com, August 2007

"Top 10 Farmer's Markets" - (Boulder ranked #6), Eating Well magazine, August 2007

"Best Cities for Empty-Nester" - (Boulder ranked #5), Kiplinger.com, August 2007

"Best Sports City" - (Denver/Boulder ranked #7), Sporting News, August 2007

"Top 25 Small Cities and Towns for Art" - (small cities category; Boulder ranked #8), American Style magazine, June 2007

"Top Ten Greenest Cities" - (Boulder ranked # 4), Yahoo Real Estate, May 2007

"Best Green Places to Live in America" - (Boulder ranked #7), Country Home magazine, April 2007

"Top Triathlon Town" - (Boulder ranked # 1), Inside Triathlon magazine, March 2007

"Top 10 Cities for Artists" - (Boulder ranked #8), Business Week, February 2007

2006

"America's Smartest Cities" - (Boulder ranked #1), Forbes Magazine, December 2006

"10 Great Biking Cities" - Washington Post, October 2006

"Heart-Healthiest City" - (Boulder ranked #4), Men's Journal, August 2006

"Top 12 Best Veg-Friendly Places to Live" - Veg News, August 2006

"Best City for Green Meetings" - (Boulder ranked #9), Meetings and Conventions, August 2006

"Dream Towns" - (Boulder ranked Best All Around), Outside Magazine, Aug. 2006

"Top 20 Greenest Spots in the Country" - Vegetarian Times, July/Aug. 2006

"Top Places to Retire" - Where to Retire Magazine, July/Aug. 2006

"Best Cities For Singles" - (Denver-Boulder ranked #1), Forbes magazine, July 2006

"Top 10 Favorite Outdoor Dining Spots in the Country" - Bon Appetit magazine, July 2006

"Top 10 Brainiest Small Cities" - (Boulder ranked #3), Bizjournals.com, June 2006

"Best Places to Retire in Style" - (Boulder ranked #1), Fortune magazine, June 2006

"Top 25 Arts Destinations" (Boulder ranked 10 for small cities) - American Style magazine, June 2006

"Best Cities for Relocating Families" (Boulder ranked #4 for mid-sized metro areas) - Worldwide ERC and Primary Relocation, May 2006

"Top 10 Greenest Cities" - Homestore.com, April 2006

"50 Best places to live" (Boulder ranked #3) - Men's Journal, April 2006

"Most Vegetarian-Friendly Cities in the U.S." (Boulder ranked #7)- PETA.org, April 2006

"Best City for Cycling" - Bicycling magazine, March 2006

"Best City for Teleworking" (Boulder best in small metro area list) - Sperling's Best Places research firm, March 2006

"America's Top 100 Places to Live in 2006" (Boulder ranked #3) - Relocate-America.com, March 2006

"America's Best Vegetarian-Friendly Small Cities" (Boulder ranked #7)- GoVeg.com, March 2006

"Place you dream of living" - Backpacker magazine, February 2006

"Top 10 Places to Retire" - Bottom Line Retirement, January 2006

2005

"Best Place to Live" - (Boulder ranked #1), Successful Meetings, 2005

"The 100 Best Art Towns in America" - (Boulder ranked #6), by John Villani

"50 Best places to live - best overall city" - Men's Journal, March 2005

“Colorado’s Best Workplaces for Commuters” -United States EPA, April, 2005

"Going to Boulder" - The New York Times, May 2005

"Top 25 Art Cities" - (Boulder ranked #18), American Style magazine, June 2005

"Top 20 greenest spots in the country" - Vegetarian Times, July/August 2005

"7th Best Running City" - Runner's World magazine, August 2005

"Top 10 cities for masters athletes" (Boulder ranked #7) - Geezer Jock magazine, September 2005

"50 fabulous gay-friendly places to live" - book by Gregory A. Kompes, November 2005

2004

“36 Hours in Boulder, CO” - New York Times, Jan. 30, 2004

“Top 20 Boom Towns” (Boulder ranked #1) - Business 2.0, March 2004

"Yummy" - American Way, March 2004

“Top 10 cities for Animal Wellness in North American” - Animal Wellness Magazine, March 2004

“Colorado’s Best Workplaces for Commuters” -United States EPA, April, 2004

“Five Impressive Cities; Making a Difference in the Environment” -Delicious Living magazine, April 2004

"Bicycle friendly community" (gold level) - League of American Bicyclists, April 2004

“Nation’s reigning bike friendly community” - The League of American Bicyclists, June 2004

“Best place in the country for singles (Denver-Boulder)” - Forbes.com, June 2004

“The Best Small Cities” - Men’s Journal, June 2004

“Best place to move” (Boulder/Longmont) - Worldwide ERC and Primacy Relocation, Sept. 2004

2003

“Best Overall Place to Live” - Men’s Journal, May 2003

"5 Favorite Run America Club (RAC) Trails” - May/June 2003

“Best cities for singles” (with Denver) - Forbes, June 2003

“Best College Sports Towns” - Sports Illustrated on Campus, Sept. 2003

“Outside University: The top 40” - Outside Magazine, Sept. 2003

2002

"Best Places to Retire" - Money Magazine, 2002

“America’s 50 Healthiest Places to Live” - USA Today, 2002

"The Boulder Sampler: Better than Whitman's" - Buzz in the Burbs, February 2002

"Boulder: A Path Runs Through It" - Knight Ridder News Service, March 2002

"Cooking School of the Rockies" - NBC's Today Show, March 2002

"Pearl Street Mall is a Colorado Gem" - The Dallas Morning News, April 2002

"Being Boulder" - Flying Adventures Magazine, Summer 2002

"Boulder, CO: Paradise Found" - GORP.com, August 2002

"Boulder Rocks" - Arizona Daily Star, September 2002

“#1 Thinnest City” - Self Magazine, Oct. 2002

2001

"The Thinnest City in America" - Self Magazine, 2001

“America’s Best Running City” - Runner’s World, January 2001

“Where are you on the talent map?” - Fast Company magazine, January 2001

"Bowled over by Boulder: It's Hard to Beat the Town's High Alpine Adventure" - Continental, September 2001

"10 Healthiest Places for Women to Live" (Boulder ranked #8) - Self Magazine, October 2001

2000

"Best Farmer's Markets" - Sunset Magazine, 2000 

“America’s 10 Fittest Cities” - Health magazine, March 2000

“Republic of Boulder cherishes independent identity” - Rocky Mountain News, May 2000

“A Dozen Distinctive Destinations” - National Trust for Historic Preservation, May 2000

“15 Best Places for Businesses and Career Advancement” (Boulder ranked #4) - Forbes magazine, May 2000

“3-Day Weekend: Boulder at its best” - Sunset Magazine, May 2000

“Top Green and Clean City, Best Places to Retire” (Boulder ranked #1) - Modern Maturity, May/June 2000

“Boulder/Longmont Area Leads the Nation in High Tech Jobs” - Software & Information Industry Association, June 2000

"Fittest Cities in America" (Boulder ranked #2) - Shape Magazine, September 2000

“Get a Life” - Business 2.0, October 2000

“Boulder” - Successful Meetings magazine, 2000

1999

"Great Places to Live" - Snowboard Life Magazine, 1999

"The West's Best City" - Sunset Magazine, 1999

"America's Best Places to Live and Work" - USA Today, 1999

"Best Sports Town in America" (Boulder ranked #1) - Outside Magazine, 1999

"Top U.S. Arts Destinations" - Travel Weekly, 1999

“17th for Family Fun” - Outdoor Explorer Magazine, April 1999

“Ideal Location for Runners” - Runner’s World, May 1999

“Top 10 Cities for Teens” - Seventeen Magazine, September 1999

“10 Great Places to Soak Up Campus Culture” - October 1999

“Small City Runner Up: The Best Places to Live 2000” - Money Magazine, November 1999

“Best Transportation” - Sunset Magazine, November 1999

“The Best Cities in America for Starting and Growing a Business” - Inc. Magazine, December 1999

1998

“20 Hottest Markets to Sell Your Products This Year” - Sales & Marketing Management, January 1998

“Boulder area’s beauty calls visitors back” - Baltimore Sun, January 1998

“All over Boulder with Cameron Widoff” - Triathe, February 1998

“Best medium-sized city in the West” - Money magazine, July 1998

1997

“It takes a Cybervillage” - Inc. Tech., 1997

“Boulder: A City of Contrasts, with an Attitude” - Denver Post, February 1997

“Most Enlightened City in Colorado” - Utne Reader, April 1997

“10 Great Places to Raise a Family” - Parenting Magazine, May 1997

“The 25 Best Business Schools” - Success, September 1997

1996

“Making Small Hydro Work Well on a Water Supply System” - Hydro Review, February 1996

“Boulder’s Backyard: The Flatirons” - The Denver Post, July 1996

“High-tech boom in Boulder” - Forbes, October 1996

“30 Best Cities for Small Businesses” - Entrepreneur, October 1996

1995

“For Hikers, Skiers, Browsers – Boulder’s Just Your Cup of Tea” - Dallas Morning News, January 1995

“Outdoor Haven Also Beckons with Tea and Brews” - The Herald, Omaha, January 1995

“Boulder Over” - The Star, Chicago, IL, March 1995

“Boulder is One Smart City” - The Star, Chicago, IL, March 1995

“Mountain Haven Fulfills Needs of Both Body, Soul” - Omaha World Herald, April 1995

“Boulder Makes the Most of its Spectacular Setting” - Omaha World Herald, April 1995

“It’s Tea Time in Colorado” - Omaha World-Herald, April 1995

“Boulder and Outdoor Fun Go Hand in Hand” - The Spokesman Review, Spokane, WA, May 1995

“Zen and the Art of Bouldering” - Outdoor Gear, June 1995

“The Battle of Boulder” - Wilderness, Summer 1995

“Growing Pains” - Newsweek, October 1995

“30 Best Cities for Small Business” - Entrepreneur, October 1995

1994

“Boulder and Seattle: Separated at Birth?” - Sunset Magazine, January 1994

“Mountain Bike Movie” - Bicycling, February 1994

“A New Generation of Tours” - Better Homes and Gardens, March 1994

“Boulder Life” - GEO Magazine, April 1994

“Boulder Street Performers” - Fox Broadcasting, Spring 1994

“Events” - Adventure West Magazine, Spring 1994

“Boulder Meetings” - Successful Meetings Magazine, Spring 1994

"Frommer’s Guide to Boulder-Denver-Colorado Springs" - Spring 1994

“Rocky Mountain Cultures and Lifestyles” - Meriam (German lifestyles magazine), Summer 1994

“Best of Show for High-Growth Companies” - Inc. 500, Summer 1994

“Fitness Meccas” - Shape, June 1994

“Boulder Fights to Save Wide Open Spaces" - June 1994

“Jeep National Trails” - ESPN, July 1994

"Jose Cuervo Tournament Coverage” - Volleyball Magazine, July 1994

“A Place to Hang Your Hat” - A Better Tomorrow Magazine, July –August 1994

“A City that Works: Boulder, Colorado” - The Joy Gazette, July 1994

“Sports Mecca” - Brigette (German), August 1994

“Meetings in College Towns” - Meetings and Conventions Magazine, August 1994

“Campus Classics” - The Denver Post, September 1994

“Fall Festival Highlights” - Endless Vacation Magazine, September-October 1994

“The Top 5 College Towns for Retirement” - Successful Retirement, September-October 1994

“Learning the Ropes in Boulder” - The Dallas Morning News, October 1994

“Boulder Highlights” - Rocky Mountain News, October 1994

“Positive Inc. for Boulder” - Denver Business Journal, October-November 1994

“Homemade Millionaires” - Home Office Computing Magazine, December 1994

"The Bachelor Book", 1994

Fit and Fun Magazine (German), 1994

Maturity News Service, 1994

“High Adventure, Art and Culture” - The Observer (London), 1994

1993

“Boulder: A Pillar of Correctness” - USA Weekend, January 1993

“Sky’s the Limit” - Time, September 1993

1992

“Boulder, University of Colorado: It’s a town in motion” - Sunset, October 1992

1991

“Boulder Offers a Model for us” - Philadelphia Inquirer, March 1991

“The Town that Can’t Sit Still” - The New York Times Magazine, November 1991

1990

“Charlotte can Learn from Boulder” - The Observer, March 1990

“Boulder: Ideal Terrain for Training” - Sports Illustrated, April 1990

“Serious Business in Boulder” - Commercial Dispatch (Columbus, MS), May 1990

1989

“Best Sports Town” - Outside magazine, May 1989

“A beautiful American city that controls its destiny” - Description And Travel, May 1989

“City prospers from quality of life” - Chicago Tribune, May 1989

“Despite its ‘wacky’ image, Boulder” - The Denver Post, May 1989

“Boulder is a sophisticated little city with God’s country in the back yard” - Providence Sunday Journal, May 1989

“Trout fishing and inner-tubing near downtown Boulder” - Sunset magazine, July 1989

The Boulder Valley was first the home of Indians, primarily the Southern Arapaho tribe who maintained a village near Haystack Mountain. Utes, Cheyennes, Comanches, and Sioux were occasional visitors to the area.

Gold seekers established the first non-native settlement in Boulder County on October 17, 1858 at Red Rocks near the entrance to Boulder Canyon. Less than a year later, on February 10, 1859, the Boulder City Town Company was organized by A.A. Brookfield, the first president, and 56 shareholders. Four thousand forty-four lots were laid out at a purchase price of $1,000 each, a price that was later lowered in order to attract more residents.

Part of the Nebraska Territory until February 28, 1861, when the Territory of Colorado was created by the U.S. Congress, Boulder City grew slowly. It developed as a supply base for miners going into the mountains in search of gold and silver. Boulder City residents provided these miners with equipment, agricultural products, housing and transport services, and gambling and drinking establishments.

Competition among Boulder County settlements for new residents and businesses was intense. As a mining supply town, Boulder residents were more settled than in the mining camps. Economic stability was a necessity and residents encouraged the establishment of railroad service, hospital and school buildings, and a stable town government.

Boulder's first schoolhouse was built in 1860 at the southwest corner of Walnut and 15th Street, the first in the territory. Also in 1860 a group of Boulder residents began lobbying to have the University of Colorado located in Boulder. By 1874 Boulder had won the designation, secured a donated 44.9 acre site and raised $15,000 to match a similar grant by the state legislature. Construction of Old Main signaled the opening of the University, with classrooms, auditorium, office and the President's living quarters all located there.

Transportation was improved in 1873 with railroad service coming to Boulder. Gradually tracks were laid to provide service to Golden and Denver and to the mining camps to the west. In 1890 the railroad depot was constructed on Water Street (now Canyon Boulevard) and 14th Street.

City government was formalized on Saturday, November 4, 1871 when the town of Boulder was incorporated. The first mayor, Jacob Ellison, was elected for a two month term in 1878.

By 1880 Boulder's population had passed the 3,000 mark, which was the minimum required by state statutes for the incorporation of a city of the second class. This step was taken on April 3, 1882, and that month a new town hall was completed in time for the first meeting of the council of the newly formed city government. Designation of Boulder as the county seat occurred in 1867 and led to the construction of the first courthouse at its present site in 1883. It burned to the ground in 1932 and was replaced by the current courthouse in 1934.

Amenities and health services were developed, even in periods of little growth. The first Post Office was established in 1860; the telegraph became available in 1874; a hospital was built in 1873; a water system was installed in 1874; and the first bank was built in 1874.

The initial residential area was located in what is now downtown and in some parts of Goss/Grove, Whittier and Mapleton Hill neighborhoods. As commercial expansion took over downtown housing, these neighborhoods surrounding downtown remained primarily residential areas. At the turn of the century growth of the University led to the development of parts of University Hill. One mark of elegance for residents were flagstone sidewalks, first installed during the 1880's.

The first private school in Boulder, Mount St. Gertrude Academy, was opened in 1892. Boulder, by then accessible to visitors by railroad, was known as a community with a prosperous economy, a comprehensive educational system, and well maintained residential neighborhoods. It was no wonder that the railroad recommended Boulder as a site for a Chautauqua in 1897. Boulder residents passed a bond issue to buy the land, and the now familiar Chautauqua auditorium was built.

By 1905 the economy was faltering and Boulder counted heavily on tourism to boost its fortunes; however, Boulder had no first class hotel to attract summer visitors and group meetings. By 1906 a subscription drive had raised money to begin construction. The first event at the new hotel was a reception for Boulderites, held on December 30, 1908, and the Hotel Boulderado opened to the public for business on January 1, 1909.

Tourism continued to dominate the Boulder economy for the next forty years. Each summer shopkeepers, transport firms, and lodging managers eagerly awaited the influx of Chautauqua residents, primarily from Texas, and other visitors. By World War II, when tourism declined, the University unknowingly provided another opportunity for growth. With the location of the U.S. Navy's Japanese language school at CU, young men and women from around the country became acquainted with the City and liked it.

Following World War II, many of these trainees returned as students, professional and businesspeople, joining veterans attending the University on the G.I. bill. Boulder's population had not increased significantly since the 1920's. The 1920 census showed 11,006 residents while the 1940 census count was 12,958. After the first influx of new residents in the late 1940's the count soared to 20,000 in 1950.

New residents meant both new opportunities and new challenges. Although jobs were needed, townspeople wanted to preserve the beautiful natural setting and amenities developed over the years. By 1950 Boulder leaders were actively recruiting new "clean" industry and improved transportation, securing a new highway, the Boulder-Denver Turnpike, and the National Bureau of Standards in 1952. Other research and development industries soon followed.

The housing shortage and need for additional business and public buildings attracted young and talented architects. New subdivisions were planned, including the Highland Park-Martin Acres neighborhood located on the historic Martin Farm, and the North Boulder developments from Balsam north, originally part of the Tyler Farm. New neighborhoods brought the City's first two shopping centers, North Broadway and Basemar.

With the completed turnpike to downtown Denver, Boulder continued to expand. From 1950-1972 the population grew from 20,000 to 72,000. Boulder comprises 25.37 square miles.

With the purchase of thousands of acres of open space beginning in 1967, the adoption of the Boulder Valley Comprehensive Plan in 1970, passage of the building height restriction ordinance in 1972, and the residential growth management ordinance in 1977, Boulder began a period of infill and re-use of its past architectural development which continues to present. The Historic Preservation Code was passed in September, 1974. The ordinance is instrumental in preserving significant portions of our past while encouraging the rehabilitation of historic buildings.

http://www.bouldercolorado.gov/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3225&Itemid=1736