We're No. What? Here's where Colorado ranks on U.S. News and World Report's top states list

Eric Larsen, Fort Collins Coloradoan
·2 min read
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A bull elk grazes at Moraine Park in Rocky Mountain National Park on Sept. 14, 2022.
A bull elk grazes at Moraine Park in Rocky Mountain National Park on Sept. 14, 2022.

Snowcapped mountains, ample outdoor recreation, quality schools and health care, along with a bustling economy, are all traits of U.S. News and World Reports' top-ranked state of 2023.

But if you think that honor went to Colorado, you need to adjust your sights to the west.

Utah took the top spot in the news organization's now annual rankings, which weigh factors such as economic opportunity, financial stability, public safety, the natural environment and more in developing a composite score for each state.

Utah — yes, the same Utah that's the butt of so many Western jokes — got the last laugh this year, ranking first in economy and fiscal stability, and in the rankings' Top 10 for education, health care and infrastructure.

The overall rankings had a decidedly western feel, too, with Washington taking the No. 2 spot, Idaho No. 3 and Colorado border buddy Nebraska finishing No. 4.

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Colorado finished 15th in U.S. News states rankings

The big text doesn't lie. You have to roll all the way to No. 15 before the Centennial State shows up on the rankings. Colorado's economy got its highest marks (No. 3 overall), while its education system came in at No. 4, thanks in part to its 52.7% of college-educated residents.

The state scored lowest in "opportunity," as a No. 43 rank in affordability dragged it down. Air and water quality concerns also brought Colorado's natural environment ranking down to No. 28.

Here's a look at each factor that went into Colorado's ranking:

  • Economy: No. 3

  • Education: No. 4

  • Health care: No. 13

  • Infrastructure: No. 21

  • Fiscal stability: No. 26

  • Natural environment: No. 28

  • Opportunity: No. 42

  • Crime and corrections: No. 45

So what do the rankings mean?

The rankings are useful information for residents and companies looking to locate to a specific state, but it would be a stretch to say they comprehensively capture what it's like to live in a place. For example, a natural environment ranking that's heavily influenced by air quality issues along Colorado's Front Range doesn't take into account the subjective beauty of a hike in Rocky Mountain National Park.

Those nuances are unique to each state and its residents' enjoyment, which is why Coloradans can't get too haughty in picking on Wyoming (No. 26), or the ranking's Bottom 5 states: West Virginia, New Mexico, Mississippi, Alaska and Louisiana.

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Coloradoan editor Eric Larsen was born in Oregon (No. 23) and lived in Idaho (No. 4) for nine years. He still prefers Colorado most days. Reach him at ericlarsen@coloradoan.com or 970-224-7745.

This article originally appeared on Fort Collins Coloradoan: Where Colorado ranks on U.S. News and World Report's 2023 states list