Louisville, Colorado

Originally a coal-mining town, historic Louisville is much more than just a suburb of Denver-Boulder. Its beautiful old homes, quaint downtown area, and gorgeous scenery give it a unique charm. In recent years, many new-economy businesses, including IBM and StorageTek, have moved here to take advantage of its high quality of life. As a result of these new jobs, residents of the area are able to take advantage of low commuting times – on average, only 20 minutes. Besides good jobs, Louisville also has good schools: standardized test scores are well above state and national averages, and students are less likely to drop out of school and more likely to go to college or university.

The local communities in Boulder County, including Louisville, have worked hard to preserve the natural beauty of the area. In this spirit, residents approved a local sales tax to raise money to buy up lands for conservation. So far, more than 60,000 acres (24,280 hectares) of land have been purchased. Of course, with so many beautiful places, the area is full of recreational opportunities. For the daring, try white-water rafting on Boulder Creek, where you can also find gorgeous views of Boulder Falls. You can also try rock and ice climbing at nearby Boulder Canyon.

And the town itself has plenty of activity options. The Louisville Recreation/Senior Center has excellent exercise and pool facilities, while the Coal Creek Golf Course has been rated one of the finest courses in the nation. For history, check out the Louisville Historical Museum. Housed in an old general store, the museum highlights the town's coal mining heritage. For events, check out the Louisville Downtown Street Faire and the Taste of Louisville, both of which feature music and food as well as displays by local stores.

With the majestic Rocky Mountains at your doorstep and good jobs in the technology sector, you'll find beauty and opportunity in Louisville.

See our 3 Jobs in Louisville, Colorado