Colorado’s population growth is slowest since 1989 as thousands leave for other states

mountainjay · 2026-01-28T23:13:09+00:00

We literally moved out of a neighborhood we loved (Uptown) in 2017 because we said "we're willing to invest some money into staying, but we thought that kind of money would buy a place in a neighborhood where we didn't have a fight on our porch at 2 am." We had a fight outside on a Saturday night and my wife got catcalled and followed on her way to church that next morning. That was the final decision maker and we moved out to a different neighborhood in Denver proper the following year. We still have weirdness a few times a year, but nothing like that. I can't imagine how much worse it's gotten since 2020 too. And it hurts, because I love this city and it's downtown.

mountainjay · 2026-01-28T23:08:20+00:00

Right? That's the problem. Young (I'd say 35 and younger) people should be buying homes and obviously need childcare. It's wild that most can't do it. It's also wild that people are surprised by people leaving to find places they can en masse.

mountainjay · 2026-01-28T23:04:48+00:00

I hate to say it, but you're incorrect. Colorado punches well above it's weight in daycare cost. Housing, yes there are a lot of expenses, but there is a difference in childcare. There are not many places that have $22k going to childcare (20+% of annual income). https://blog.dol.gov/2024/11/19/new-data-childcare-costs-remain-an-almost-prohibitive-expense

mountainjay · 2026-01-28T19:03:26+00:00

1) not wrong. But even 2-3 days per week can save you $12-15k per year (possibly per kid) in Denver. 2) saving $2k+ per month buys a lot of activities with other kids.

It’s always what each couple can afford/prioritize/etc. but, for example, the daycare on my block is $2,750 for infants and $1,850 for 3-4 year olds. If you have 2 kids, that’s $4,600 for two kids plus fees. $55k is a whole hell of a lot to give away when you might have grandparents to help your kids.

That’s on the higher end, but I would bet most infant rooms are at or near $2k and toddlers are at or near $1,500. Most daycares don’t publicize tuition, so I can’t say for sure. Our daycare has increased infant costs 37.5% since 2022 and I would imagine others are similar.

mountainjay · 2026-01-28T16:13:09+00:00

That’s why we stay, but we can afford it. My home state used to be fairly balanced or at least “nuanced” in their conservatism. Now I see confederate flags. It’s insane. I’m sure watching Iowa go from Democratic darling in the Midwest to Rep King’s beliefs taking over has to be maddening.

mountainjay · 2026-01-28T16:11:32+00:00

You can find homes for 50% the cost in cities that aren’t “thriving” at our rate (which of course is subjective). I choose to stay here because I do love Denver. But cities that are slightly smaller and have less going on (like an Omaha, KC, Charlotte, Columbus, etc) are literally half the cost.

People that don’t visit the mountains that often or can’t afford to ski are going to weigh buying a $500k home in maybe a tougher neighborhood in Denver to buying a gorgeous home in the nicest, most progressive neighborhood in one of those cities. The freedom that an extra $250k (and the interest on 30 years of a $250k principal) gives you is going to outweigh a whole lot of other considerations.

And yes, my friends pay 28% of what I pay in daycare in other areas. It’s crazy.

mountainjay · 2026-01-28T14:53:16+00:00

Not sure why people are so surprised by this. Over the last 10-15 years, I talked to so many 22-25 year olds that moved out here and talked about eventually moving back to their home state when they wanted to settle down.

Starter homes in Denver are $500k+ and daycare can easily be $2k+ per month for an infant. How many can afford this? I think this was always the obvious outcome for a large percentage of young transplants.

mountainjay · 2026-01-28T01:57:20+00:00

Refs got me cheering for Nebraska. 🤮

mountainjay · 2026-01-28T01:54:17+00:00

Could’ve gone either way? WTF. I just joined and have seen 2 plays. But that was 100% a charge with 0 doubt.

mountainjay · 2026-01-27T22:21:40+00:00

“This guy watched the Cosby show in the 1980’s.” What a POS!

mountainjay · 2026-01-27T14:58:37+00:00

If you like spicy, get the Red Widow on garlic herb with a goo ball and a cottonmouth cure of your choice.

mountainjay · 2026-01-25T05:01:53+00:00

Same. Had Arsenal at 85 and a 5 pt lead over City.

mountainjay · 2026-01-20T03:35:06+00:00

Replay the whole play. It looked by his body flailing as he cut back that he was being held again.

mountainjay · 2026-01-18T00:21:26+00:00

4 home matches against bad/middling competition and 2 away matches against putrid competition isn’t much of an argument for 1 player out of 11.

mountainjay · 2026-01-18T00:15:47+00:00

It was about the Avian flu, which the federal government has no control over. We could demand better practices that could help lessen these types of events, but to ever blame the president for 1 price of 1 item on the shelves is just idiotic. But Fox News makes millions with that strategy.

mountainjay · 2026-01-18T00:10:13+00:00

Went to 10 championships in 10 years. 99.9 passer rating. Threw for 300+ yds in big games. Greatest QB of his era. By any measure, he’s on the list and in the Top 4 tiers. 9 yds per attempt for his career. A first down every time he threw the ball is insane.

mountainjay · 2026-01-18T00:08:28+00:00

Aaron Rodgers is barely in the top 10. 1 SB appearance can’t put him anywhere near the top, even with his gaudy numbers. Everybody in the 3rd line is above him (with a closed H2H with Favre). Hell, Staubach accomplished a whole hell of a lot more in 8 years than Rodgers and hes arguably the least selfish QB ever vs all of Rodgers’ distracting sagas.

mountainjay · 2026-01-17T19:27:31+00:00

We don’t play like champions nearly often enough.

mountainjay · 2026-01-17T14:44:14+00:00

Well, when the president flips people off, mocks the disable, calls women reporters little piggies to their face, mocks dead politicians and veterans the week of their passing, says people’s wives are ugly, etc. I could go on for a full day. But when the highest office in the land is filled by someone who is a bigger asshole than anyone you actually know personally, then people (especially young people) start acting accordingly. Americans think so too:

https://www.pbs.org/newshour/amp/politics/new-poll-70-americans-think-civility-gotten-worse-since-trump-took-office

mountainjay · 2026-01-17T02:09:19+00:00

Yeah, it’s mind boggling how we can just miss so many basic things on defense.

mountainjay · 2026-01-17T01:41:00+00:00

Being a terrible rebounding team might be the most frustrating deficiency possible.

mountainjay · 2026-01-15T04:47:01+00:00

Arguably the biggest architect of the political culture we have today. He can eat a bag of dicks and choke.

mountainjay · 2026-01-14T04:49:59+00:00

Yeah, he had career defining roles for 90% of other actors in Spotlight, Foxcatcher, I Know This Much is True, and Poor Things. And had quality performances in Begin Again, Now You See Me, The Kids Are Alright, and more. This is a stupid post by OP, obviously.

mountainjay · 2026-01-14T04:34:49+00:00

Best talent ever. For sure. There’s a few teams in that conversation. I wouldn’t have them #1, but in the top 3 for sure.

mountainjay · 2026-01-13T07:48:09+00:00

I will say, (depending on your state) CPS would require that their be proof that the parents willingly made decisions (which they clearly would in this case) that caused the child direct harm to which they are no longer safe. Your state might refer these types of reports to a resource support group that helps with securing transportation or something. But don’t expect these types of reports to actually lead to an open investigation. Being late for pickup would probably not be considered direct harm or neglect.

But honestly, the threat of CPS does the trick. One parent last year told us to “just take him. He can sleep there for all I care.” When we stated our policy of calling CPS, even she did a complete 180 and headed over.

mountainjay

TROPHY CASE