6 Safest Small Communities To Settle In Colorado
Colorado is one of the most beautiful states in the Union, with its rich Rocky Mountain culture and landscapes. Unfortunately, it also sees its fair share of crime. Its property crime rate sits at 2,879 per 100,000, while violent crime is at 474 per 100,000. Although many other states are more dangerous than Colorado, this rate might give some pause at settling here.
Thankfully, Colorado has a safer vibe within several small communities. These towns feel like home while also providing fun attractions like canyon trails, exotic petting zoos, a thrilling downhill bike trail in mountain scenery, and a world-class golf course. Discover the six safest communities to settle in Colorado.
Fruita
Fruita's name comes from its history of producing fruit with its founding in 1884. Today, around 13,000 people call this welcoming town in Colorado's countryside home, which also regularly draws in visitors with its outdoor sporting activities and close proximity to majestic canyons. It is also a safe place to set down roots, with a low aggravated assault rate since 2023 and no homicides reported over a five-year period. It is easy to see why people are more laid back in Fruita with such beautiful parks as the Colorado National Monument, a red rock landscape with easy hikes like Otto's Trail and challenging ones like the 11-mile Monument Canyon Trail.
The McInnis Canyons National Conservation Area, located just outside Fruita, is another popular hiking destination that boasts one of the largest numbers of natural arches in the United States, as well as access to 25 miles of the Colorado River. Fruita has a wide variety of local businesses, too, such as Cowboy Mercantile for saddles, meat, and tack, and the Fruita Thrift Shop for cheap finds.
Windsor
Just over 40,000 people call the Northern Colorado town of Windsor home, which sits amid the Rocky Mountains. Despite this slightly larger population, Windsor is a safe community with no homicides reported in 5 years and a lower aggravated assault average compared to Colorado and the United States at large. When looking more closely at attractions, there are a number of fun activities to keep families occupied, such as Windsor Lake, featuring a swimming beach, a 2.25-mile hiking trail, boating, and fishing opportunities.
For another beautiful natural spot, go to the Cache la Poudre River National Heritage Area, which has river trails and rich wildlife. Learn about Windsor's rich history at the Windsor History Museum, which also contains historic buildings from 1882 and 1920, such as the School House and Train Depot, or see local art at the Art & Heritage Center.
Erie
The plains town of Erie sits at 5,130 feet above sea level, and gets its name from Erie, Pennsylvania. It was founded in the 1870s by Reverend Richard J. Van Valkenburg, who would later serve as mayor in 1874. Despite its larger population of just over 30,000 people, Erie's aggravated assault rate is well below the state average, and it has had no homicides reported in the last five years. There are plenty of safe and cute activities in Erie, ranging from Erie Lake for bluegill and trout fishing to the majestic Erie Singletrack Trails at Sunset Open Space, known for its fun 3-mile downhill bike track.
Erie is also home to an adorable petting zoo called Lil Buckaroo's Petting Zoo, which has Nigerian goats, alpacas, miniature cows, and other cuddly creatures. Erie also has a fun experience available at the Colorado Railbike Adventures, where explorers can pedal a railbike down old rail lines in the mountains.
Gypsum
Gypsum is named after the gypsum deposits nearby and is situated by the Eagle River, a tributary of the Colorado River. Although it has had a few isolated spikes in aggravated assault over the years, it remains a safe community, with the only homicides reported in the past five years being in April 2024. It is a paradise for fishermen due to the Gypsum Ponds State Wildlife Area, a 90-acre marshland park offering rainbow trout, cutthroat trout, and bird-watching opportunities. Fly fishers can also catch fish at Eagle River, which runs right through the town.
This small town also has a great food scene with unique flavors like Hawaiian food at the Ekahi Grill or locally distilled whiskey at 10th Mountain Whiskey & Spirits. For those willing to drive to the White River National Forest, you can start at the Sylvan Lake State Park, which has 7 miles of trails through gorgeous mountain views.
Cherry Hills Village
Although technically a suburb of Denver, you wouldn't know it from visiting Cherry Hills Village, as it maintains a rich small-town landscape complete with beautiful rural landscapes, walking trails, and fun events. For instance, it hosts the Annual Exotic Car Show every September along with a wonderful Winter Celebration that includes holiday tree lighting and other winter activities right in the Village Center. One of the best ways to explore the town is to take the Village Trail, which criss-crosses around multiple parks in the small community.
There are over 25 miles of trails around the city. For golfers, Cherry Hill Village has a world-class golfing course called the Cherry Hills Country Club, which has hosted pro events. Cherry Hills Village has one of the lowest violent crime rates in the state, with no homicides reported in five years and only one spike in aggravated assaults in 2024.
Severance
Severance's motto is "Where the geese fly and the bulls cry." This quirky motto fits this town's fun and safe vibe. Although it has seen spikes in aggravated assaults over time, these have flatlined since 2025, and it has had no reported homicides since 2023. Severance's attractions are a mixture of rich natural resources and culinary delights. It sits on the Colorado Birding Trail and the 10.5-mile Great Western Trail. By driving two miles west of town, you can see ducks and gulls at Windsor Reservoir on the birding trail, or you can go fishing at Blue Spruce Park.
If you are looking for something unique, culinary-wise, you will want to go to Bruce's Bar and Restaurant, which has world-famous oysters from the Rocky Mountains for seafood lovers to try out. Lastly, you can learn about vintage firefighting techniques and trucks at the Windsor-Severance Fire Museum.
It can be difficult to find a community to settle in that is both safe and not boring. These Colorado towns will keep you and your family feeling safe and preoccupied with activities. Whether that is taking a family trip down to the White River National Forest outside of Gypsum or checking out exotic cars within the quaint Cherry Hills Village, you can rest easy in these communities knowing your odds of being a victim of a violent crime are low.
