Boulder is a leading American city in so many ways- it has the cleanest watershed in the country, and is one of the top 50 cities for clean air. Its median family income is more than $20,000 above the national average, and it's a magnet for start-ups and dotcoms. It's on the cutting edge of science, technology and industry, and is also home to many pioneers in natural foods and holistic healing.

Boulder has some of the finest public and private schools in the nation, and is home to such diverse institutions as the University of Colorado and Naropa University.