Englewood

For an example of why many people move to Colorado, come to Englewood's CityCenter. Here residential, commercial and cultural facilities blend to form a civic patchwork, connected by grassy walkways and accessible by car, bus, bike and light rail.

The private University of Denver is located here, responsible for the city's funky, college-town character and Condoleezza Rice's bachelor of arts degree. At the Magness Arena watch the DU Pioneers compete for yet another NCAA hockey championship. An area must-see is the newly restored Gothic Theatre, a beautiful art-deco venue dating back to the 1920s. Meanwhile, the Museum of Outdoor Arts at the Englewood Civic Center boasts a collection of public art and an amphitheater that hosts the Sounds of Summer Concert Series and a variety of other musical and dramatic performances.

There’s plenty to do in and near Englewood for families. In the summer, make a splash at Pirates Cove Water Park, featuring three waterslides, a lazy river and perfect-for-kids water playground, or scale the towering walls at Earth Treks Climbing Gym. The Broken Tee Golf Course offers links-style play, as well as a footgolf course.

The city sits adjacent to Cherry Creek State Park, where visitors enjoy swimming, sailing, boating and water skiing. Englewood is also home to a well-designed recreation center, a skateboard park and several athletic fields. Meanwhile, hiking, skiing, camping and other forms of alpine recreation are just an hour's drive west.