Did you tune in to hear all about Erin Fleischer ’07 Founder and Psychotherapist at Thrive Counseling? If you did, our second city up in our “Post-College City Guides” series by Laura Carlson ’12 should come as no surprise: Denver, Colorado!

 Some Background Stats:

Metro population: 2.4 million
Unemployment rate: 9.8%
Cost of living index: 101.9 (100 is average)
Major Industries: Energy, government, and finance (“Wall Street of the Rockies”)
Avg. Price of a One Bedroom Apartment: $830*
Professional Sports: Rockies, Broncos, Nuggets, Avalanche
Climate: Winter—31°F, Summer—72°F
Closing Time: 2AM
Best known for: Skiing, snow, and outdoor activity
Best Dish: Denver Sandwich & Chili

 Why We Chose It:

Also referred to as the “Mile High City,” Denver CO has been ranked 7^th by Forbes and 8^th by CNBC as the best city for young adults and young professionals. Given its significant population of college-educated individuals, healthy job growth rate, and mix of strong small businesses and large corporations, Denver is ranked 5^th as the most friendly city for young entrepreneurs as well. Denver is also praised for its green practices, wifi access, and outdoorsy, outgoing, and energetic population. Next Generation consulting ranks Colorado cities in general high on “Next Cities” rankings in three population categories for young professionals, and Denver tops the list for places to go and people to see.

 Why You’ll Love it:

Denver is known for its beautiful surroundings that can convince even the greatest couch potato to scope out outdoor activities from hiking to skiing and snowboarding. This “Mile High” city, reaching exactly a mile above sea level is the most populous city in Colorado, expected to increase by nearly 50% to 3.9 million by the year 2030. That growth means jobs, around 800,000 to be exact, and will further bolster the city’s reputation as one of the nation’s strongest metropolitan economies. According to Next Generation Consulting, Denver ranks high as one of the new and upcoming “Next Cities,” with high scores on all seven indices of a booming economy including Earning, Learning, Vitality, Around Town, After Hours, Cost of Lifestyle, and Social Capital.

Skiing isn’t the only thing that should make you consider Colorado, although the Rocky Mountains offer unparalleled ski schools, historic ski towns, and a beautiful backdrop. Some of the biggest name ski resorts and areas are within two hours of the metro area, including Vail and Breckenridge. Whether you want to hike, bike, ski, or snowboard, there are endless opportunities to enjoy the outdoors. Take a full day rafting trip down Browns Canyon, take an air tour by air balloon or helicopter ride, or enjoy one of over 200 parks and 29 recreation centers that call Denver home.

Denver has become a creative cultural mecca of the west, home to Denver Museum of Art, Buell Theater, Denver Center for the Performing Arts, and art festivals such as the Cherry Creek Arts festival. Denver also hosts the National Western Stock Show each January at the National Western Complex. This acclaimed Rodeo and Horse show features close to 10,000 animals and draws in crowds close to 700,000 annually.

Denver is also home to the longest commercial thoroughfare in the US, a little area called Colfax. The 16^th Street Mall, an outdoor pedestrian shopping promenade over a mile long houses shops, galleries, restaurants, boutiques, and plenty of unique finds. Take a walk through the Tattered Cover bookstore, one of the largest independent bookstores in the US, housed in a renovated theater or grab one of Denver’s best cups of coffee at City O’ City. Indy music lovers should check out Twist & Shout music shop and those looking for Western fashion can count on Rockmount Ranch Wear among others for some rugged country gear. There is a free shuttle that connects the promenade to LoDo, Denver’s Lower Downtown district, which is filled with local boutiques, and hip eateries. Just south of Downtown lies Cherry Creek, one of Denver’s most affluent neighborhoods. Cherry Creek is filled with high end boutiques, galleries, and historic Little Italy alongside beautifully manicured mansions.

For the kid that’s not quite ready to leave the college scene have no fear, Denver is known as the nation’s #1 beer city and is home to Molson Coors Brewing Company. Situated at the base of the Rocky Mountains, the Golden Brewery attracts beer lovers year round.  Take a free tour of the facilities, learn more about the company and sample their world class beers any day of the week.

But Denver isn’t all just fun and games; as18^th largest metropolitan economy in the US it is home to a large number of big businesses and the highest number of federal employees outside of Washington D.C. Conveniently enough, a light rail connects downtown with the suburbs and the city is made for walking. According to Forbes, “Young professionals prefer urban centers such as Denver that are very walkable and provide a great number of amenities. We also have a large number of college-educated young people living here, which is attractive to employers.” With all of these amenities, how could you go wrong?

 Not ready to leave Bucknell? We didn’t think so.

Check out the Denver Bucknell Club

230 alumni are in the area. Check out B-Link if you want to talk to people willing to speak about career advice and job opportunities at such places as:

Molson Coors Brewing Company ‘04

Morgan Stanley ‘02

University of Denver ‘92

Or in industries such as:

Human Resources ‘99

Consulting ‘01

Psychologist ‘82

Education ‘04

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