Boulder County is the sixth most populous of all 64 Colorado Counties. It’s also home to the Colorado Chautauqua, founded in 1898 and the only Chautauqua west of the Mississippi River still in unbroken operation since the heyday of the Chautauqua Movement in the 1920s. One might think that’s quite an accomplishment. One might also wonder, “What the heck is a Chautauqua?”
“A Chautauqua is the most American thing about America, its history and traditions,” said President Theodore Roosevelt; and at the time he said it, he may have been right. But today the Chautauqua movement is unfamiliar to most of us.
From the 1880s through the 1920s city dwellers, lacking air conditioning, left town during the summer to spend a few months in the mountains, primarily to escape the summer heat; but many also wanted to improve physical and spiritual well-being. The Chautauqua combined a summer retreat with eight-week programs offering secular and religious instruction as well as lectures by authors, explorers, musicians and political leaders.
Chautauquas were attended by thousands each year. The combination of education and entertainment in a pristine mountain setting became wildly popular, and spread throughout America and Europe during the latter part of the 19th century. Despite this immense popularity, only thirteen original Chautauquas in the world are still active today. The Colorado Chautauqua was designated a National Historic Landmark in 2006.
Boulder City was organized in 1859; Boulder County was originally called Jackson County by the Jefferson Territorial officers who authorized nine counties in 1860; it was renamed Boulder County; it was renamed Boulder County in 1861.
The county seat is the City of Boulder. According to the census, the county’s population is just over 300,000 residents. Boulder County retains essentially the same borders it had in 1861, with a total area of 751.37 square miles. Bordering counties are Larimer County, to the north; Weld County, to the east; Broomfield, to the southeast; Jefferson, to the south; Gilpin, to the south and Grand County to the west. The median income for a household in the county was $55,861.
Although Rocky Mountain National Park spans across several counties, the park’s highest summit is located in Boulder County. Eldorado Canyon State Park is also located here.
Data provided by GreatSchools.org 2025 © 2025. All rights reserved.
Submitting Request
Apartment Finder utilizes the industry's largest and most complete database of real-time rents and availabilities to help you find an amazing deal on your next rental.
Apartment communities change their rental rates often - sometimes multiple times a day. We track the changes and keep you up to date when a rental rate decreases.
"Best value" units are located in buildings rated three stars or higher. We label apartment rentals that are priced significantly less than similar high-quality units nearby.
Apartment communities regularly advertise deals for new residents. Whether it's a move-in special or a free tv, we locate the rentals that offer a little something extra when you sign your lease.
Note: Based on community-supplied data and independent market research. Subject to change without notice.