There's no denying the wealth of adventure and opportunity that await you at one of America's most beautiful cities. Unfortunately, the college football has been weighing down this top college town like an anvil. Boulder, Colorado, ranks 12th on our Top 100 College Football Towns of America Countdown.
To celebrate 100 days until the start of the college football season, HERO Sports is counting down the Top 100 FBS College Football Towns in America. Each day, through Aug. 24, a new city will be revealed. We will analyze the city, the program, the good and bad of the city as well as the bottom line. If you got a problem, @me on Twitter.
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12. Boulder, Colorado — Colorado
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After winning the Pac-12 South in 2016, there was major regression in 2017. What kind of team will show up in 2018?(Photo: Associated Press)[/credit]
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The Program
Only people of specific ages can probably remember times when Colorado was a prominent football program. Eddie Crowder and Bill Mallory put the Buffaloes on the map in the 70s. Bill McCartney took it a step further in the 90s, winning a–disputed–national championship in 1990. Throughout that decade, Colorado was a force in the Big 8. From 1989-99, Colorado was ranked in the Top Ten at some point during the season eight out of those 11 years.
Since then, there has been more bad news than good. Only three times this century have the Buffs finished the year ranked in the Top 25. A huge recruiting scandal rocked the tiny Boulder town in 2004, leading to sweeping changes not only at Colorado, but nationwide. (Based on what has happened at athletic departments around the country since then, those changes seemed to not have held any lasting impressions.)
Colorado joined the Pac-12 in 2011, but continued its worst losing period in nearly 40 years. Mike MacIntyre was lured away from San Jose State, which really was a thing, and has gone 25-38 in five years. The Buffs have one winning season during his time in Boulder.
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The City
It only makes sense to start with the unparalleled picturesque scenery that dominates the Boulder landscape. The Rocky Mountains splash against a bright blue sky that almost seems painted. The mountains tower over the city like a big security force, sheltering you from whatever evils may lurk outside of this picture-perfect enclave. This feeling is cemented throughout Boulder's population and emanates outwardly like a bolt of electricity.
Even with 300 days of sunshine, there is not enough time to fully appreciate all the natural beauty and adventure that awaits you in Boulder. Outside of the obvious activities that accompany a mountainous town like Boulder (hiking, skiing, biking, kayaking, etc.), because of the college atmosphere, there are dozens of things to do in town as well. From heading down Pearl Street to a quick trip to the magical Red Rocks Amphitheatre for a concert, there is an event, time and place for absolutely everything and everyone.
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The Good
National Geographic recently ranked Boulder as the happiest city in the country. According to the website:
National Geographic bestselling author Dan Buettner and Gallup’s social scientists teamed up to develop an index that assesses measurable expressions of happiness and identifies where Americans are living their best lives. Designed by Gallup senior scientist Dan Witters, the study established 15 metrics—from eating healthy and learning something new every day to civic engagement, financial security, vacation time, and even dental checkups—that signal happiness.
"A sense of community, access to nature, sustainable urban development and preservation policies, and perhaps even that clean mountain air," said Buettner.
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The Bad
Outside of the football, which has been bad but trending towards average, there is a place called Rocky Flats that has been in the news lately. In between Denver and Boulder, the Rocky Flats was a nuclear weapons production facility for 40 years. The FBI and EPA raided the facility and found criminal violations of environmental law.
They've tried to turn that area into a park, but there are fears because of the–you know–nuclear waste!
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Bottom Line
If this was merely a list of best college towns, it would be hard not to rate Boulder at the top. Since college football is also included, however, the recent ineptness holds back this rocky mountain wonderland.
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NEXT: Top 100 College Football Towns in America: No. 13 Clemson, South Carolina
NEXT: The Ultimate College Football Road Trip
