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Boulder
Eden Index
Climate
8.8
•
Recreation
5.7
•
Community
6.2
•
Safeguard
7.0/10
Boulder, Colorado is a city located at the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, with a temperate climate characterized by warm summers and cold winters. The city is situated on the banks of Boulder Creek, a tributary of the South Platte River, which provides a source of water for the community. However, Boulder faces challenges related to hydrology constituents such as sediment, nutrients, and bacteria. Despite this, the city offers numerous outdoor recreation opportunities, including hiking and biking trails, rock climbing, and skiing/snowboarding in the nearby mountains. Boulder is also home to several parks and open spaces, such as the famous Chautauqua Park, which hosts concerts and events throughout the summer.
What is the Eden Index?
The Snoflo Eden Index serves as a comprehensive rating system for regions, evaluating their desirability through a holistic assessment of climate health, outdoor recreation opportunities, and natural disaster risk, acknowledging the profound impact of these factors on livability and well-being.
Climate Health Indicator (CHI): 8.8
Boulder receives approximately
416mm of rain per year,
with humidity levels near 50%
and air temperatures averaging around
11°C.
Boulder has a plant hardyness factor of
5, meaning
plants and agriculture in this region thrive during a short period during spring and early summer. Most
plants will die off during the colder winter months.
By considering the ideal temperature range, reliable water supplies, clean air, and stable seasonal rain or snowpacks, the Climate Health Indicator (CHI) underscores the significance of a healthy climate as the foundation for quality living.
A healthy climate is paramount for ensuring a high quality of life and livability in a region, fostering both physical well-being and environmental harmony. This can be characterized by ideal temperatures, reliable access to water supplies, clean air, and consistent seasonal rain or snowpacks.
Weather Forecast
Streamflow Conditions
South Platte
Area Rivers
South Platte
Snowpack Depths
South Platte
Reservoir Storage Capacity
South Platte
Groundwater Levels
Recreational Opportunity Index (ROI): 5.7
The Recreational Opportunity Index (ROI) recognizes the value of outdoor recreational options, such as parks, hiking trails, camping sites, and fishing spots, while acknowledging that climate plays a pivotal role in ensuring the comfort and consistency of these experiences.
Access to outdoor recreational opportunities, encompassing activities such as parks, hiking, camping, and fishing, is crucial for overall well-being, and the climate plays a pivotal role in enabling and enhancing these experiences, ensuring that individuals can engage in nature-based activities comfortably and consistently.
Camping Areas
| Campground | Campsites | Reservations | Toilets | Showers | Elevation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Inlet Bay - Horsetooth Reservoir | None | 5,437 ft | |||
| Ansel Watrous | 16 | 5,839 ft | |||
| Platte River | 10 | 6,333 ft | |||
| Jackson Creek | 9 | 8,179 ft | |||
| Flat Rocks | 19 | 8,245 ft | |||
| Indian Creek | 11 | 7,562 ft | |||
| Osprey | 13 | 6,217 ft | |||
| Wigwam | 10 | 6,606 ft | |||
| Lone Rock | 20 | 6,410 ft | |||
| Pinewood Reservoir | 22 | 6,604 ft | |||
| South Bay - Horsetooth Reservoir | None | 5,435 ft | |||
| Flatiron Reservoir | None | 5,483 ft | |||
| Ouzel | 13 | 6,285 ft | |||
| Standley Lake | None | 5,530 ft | |||
| Boyd Lake State Park | 148 | 4,991 ft | |||
| Lower Narrows | 8 | 6,470 ft | |||
| Bear Creek Lake Park | 52 | 5,693 ft | |||
| Devils Head | 21 | 8,856 ft | |||
| Aspen Meadow - Golden Gate Canyon State Park | 35 | 9,000 ft | |||
| Clear Creek RV Park | 36 | 5,684 ft | |||
| Buffalo | 41 | 7,321 ft | |||
| Union Reservoir | 42 | 4,957 ft | |||
| Chatfield State Park | 193 | 5,494 ft | |||
| Boulder County Fairground | None | 4,974 ft | |||
| Meadow Park | None | 5,349 ft | |||
| Green Mountain | 6 | 7,615 ft | |||
| Stove Prairie | 9 | 6,068 ft | |||
| Narrows | 5 | 6,470 ft | |||
| Carter Lake - South Side Campgrounds | None | 5,711 ft | |||
| Kelsey | 17 | 8,035 ft | |||
| Carter Lake - North Side Campgrounds | None | 5,792 ft |
Catastrophe Safeguard Index (CSI):
The Catastrophe Safeguard Index (CSI) recognizes that natural disaster risk, encompassing floods, fires, hurricanes, and tornadoes, can drastically affect safety and the overall appeal of an area.
The level of natural disaster risk in a region significantly affects safety and the overall livability, with climate change amplifying these risks by potentially increasing the frequency and intensity of events like floods, fires, hurricanes, and tornadoes, thereby posing substantial challenges to community resilience and well-being.
Community Resilience Indicator (CRI): 6.2
The Community Resilience Indicator (CRI) recognizes that education, healthcare, and socioeconomics are crucial to the well-being of a region. The CRI acknowledges the profound impact of these elements on residents' overall quality of life. By evaluating educational resources, healthcare accessibility, and economic inclusivity, the index captures the essential aspects that contribute to a thriving community, fostering resident satisfaction, equity, and social cohesion.