Is Boulder safe?
Very safe in town with normal care. Mountain weather, altitude and wildlife on trails are bigger risks than crime.
Key facts
- SoloSquare safety rating: 4/5, safe with normal care.
- Homicide rate in United States: 5.8 per 100,000 people (2023, UNODC via World Bank).
- Road deaths in United States: 12.7 per 100,000 people a year (2019, WHO).
- Emergency numbers: Police 911 · Ambulance 911 · Fire 911 · All emergencies 911.
Safety in Boulder at a glance
| What to expect | |
|---|---|
| Overall | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Crime | Bike theft and car break-ins at trailheads; occasional assaults near Pearl Street and the Hill late at night; violent crime is low. |
| At night | Pearl Street and the Hill are lively until about 2 am and generally fine. Use rideshare or a bike light after dark. |
| Solo women | Very comfortable for solo women in town. Avoid empty foothill trails at dusk and tell someone your plan. |
| Other risks | Lightning in afternoon storms, Jun–Aug; Wildfire risk (Marshall Fire, 2021); Altitude of 1,650 m and strong sun |
Scams, areas and local laws
Common scams
- Fake rental listings asking for deposits by wire
- Bike theft: use a good lock and never leave bikes outside overnight
Take care
- Flagstaff and Mt. Sanitas trails in storms: lightning, ice and rockfall
- The Hill late on weekends: drunken fights and party noise
- Mountain lions and rattlesnakes on foothills trails
Calmer areas to stay
Laws visitors break by accident
- Drinking age is 21 everywhere; bars and shops check ID, so carry your passport.
- Open alcohol containers in public and in cars are illegal in most places.
- Cannabis is legal in some states but federally illegal; never carry it across borders or onto federal land.
How Boulder compares in United States
| Place | Safety |
|---|---|
| Sedona | 5/5 · Very safe |
| New York City | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Las Vegas | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Orlando | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Honolulu | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Boston | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| San Diego | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Maui | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Nashville | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Austin | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Miami Beach | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Key West | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Denver | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Portland | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| San Antonio | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Charleston | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Savannah | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Fort Lauderdale | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Kauai | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Big Island | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Boulder | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Los Angeles | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Miami | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| San Francisco | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Washington, D.C. | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Chicago | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| New Orleans | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Seattle | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Philadelphia | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Atlanta | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
Quick answers
Is Boulder safe for solo female travelers?
Very comfortable for solo women in town. Avoid empty foothill trails at dusk and tell someone your plan.
Is Boulder safe at night?
Pearl Street and the Hill are lively until about 2 am and generally fine. Use rideshare or a bike light after dark.
What is the crime rate in Boulder?
Bike theft and car break-ins at trailheads; occasional assaults near Pearl Street and the Hill late at night; violent crime is low. Nationally, United States records 5.8 homicides per 100,000 people a year (2023).
What number do I call in an emergency in Boulder?
Police 911 · Ambulance 911 · Fire 911 · All emergencies 911.
More about Boulder
Going to Boulder solo?
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Sources
- RTD Denver
- City of Boulder
- Denver International Airport
- Boulder Community Health
- World Bank: intentional homicides (UNODC)
- World Bank: road traffic deaths (WHO)
Safety ratings are SoloSquare's editorial judgment from official advisories, crime data and local reporting. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.