In this article, researcher Richard Florida looks at why and how the Denver area became a "megaregion" and a highly-desirable place to live.
"Over the past decade or so, Denver, Boulder and the surrounding region have developed a well-deserved reputation as one of the nation's very best places to live. That's important because people today increasingly get to choose where to live. Some 40 million Americans move each year, and 15 million of us make a significant move - to another county, another state or another country."
"In fact, the place we choose to live is the most important decision we ever make - largely because it influences and shapes all the other decisions - from the job opportunities and career options that are open to us, to our investments, and the friends we are able to make, the people we date and the mates we ultimately choose, and the way we raise our families."
"The greater Denver metropolitan area scores highly on a new set of rankings my team and I compiled based on the five major stages of your life. Denver itself ranks in the Top 10 places for young professionals. And Boulder ranks in the Top 5 smaller regions for single college grads, young professionals, familes with children and empty-nesters."
FULL STORY: Among the 40 'megas'
Colorado Zoning Reform Yields Slow Results — For Now
An ambitious set of zoning reforms largely fell flat as developers rushed to submit project applications before new affordable housing requirements took effect.
Major Redesign Planned for Denver-Area Bus System
The Regional Transportation District will make significant changes to bus frequency and routes in an effort to make transit accessible to more Colorado residents.
Colorado Proposal Would Fund Free Summer Transit
The state is weighing a plan to offer free transit rides during ozone-heavy months in an effort to improve the state's air quality.
What ‘The Brutalist’ Teaches Us About Modern Cities
How architecture and urban landscapes reflect the trauma and dysfunction of the post-war experience.
‘Complete Streets’ Webpage Deleted in Federal Purge
Basic resources and information on building bike lanes and sidewalks, formerly housed on the government’s Complete Streets website, are now gone.
The VW Bus is Back — Now as an Electric Minivan
Volkswagen’s ID. Buzz reimagines its iconic Bus as a fully electric minivan, blending retro design with modern technology, a 231-mile range, and practical versatility to offer a stylish yet functional EV for the future.
Healing Through Parks: Altadena’s Path to Recovery After the Eaton Fire
In the wake of the Eaton Fire, Altadena is uniting to restore Loma Alta Park, creating a renewed space for recreation, community gathering, and resilience.
San Diego to Rescind Multi-Unit ADU Rule
The city wants to close a loophole that allowed developers to build apartment buildings on single-family lots as ADUs.
Electric Vehicles for All? Study Finds Disparities in Access and Incentives
A new UCLA study finds that while California has made progress in electric vehicle adoption, disadvantaged communities remain underserved in EV incentives, ownership, and charging access, requiring targeted policy changes to advance equity.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
City of Albany
UCLA Lewis Center for Regional Policy Studies
Mpact (formerly Rail~Volution)
Chaddick Institute at DePaul University
City of Piedmont, CA
Great Falls Development Authority, Inc.
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research