Community Guides
Summary of Schools & Parks
How Denver families weigh school grades, open space, and childcare seats together, instead of one at a time.
Families relocating to the Denver metro usually weigh three things together: the school district, how much open space surrounds daily life, and whether there are enough childcare spots to go around. This page pulls all three into one view — every community is grouped under the district that serves it, with Niche’s district grade at the header and each community’s park count and childcare availability below. Districts like Boulder Valley, Douglas County, and Cherry Creek earn A-range grades and cover multiple communities, while outlying districts serve one or two communities at a time with narrower options. The data is a starting point, not the final word — district boundaries are complex and a block-by-block check matters before any decision.
By Jessica Car · Updated May 2026
Jessica says…
District boundaries are complex!
“Denver metro school districts don’t follow city lines. I can help you confirm which district serves specific addresses before you commit. I help families like yours navigate Denver’s tricky district boundaries and find communities that match school priorities.”
Northern Colorado
Poudre School District
A-| # | Community | Childcare | Monthly Cost | Libraries | Parks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fort Collins | 50+ options | $1,200–$1,500 | Local | Horsetooth Reservoir Lory State Park City Park |
| 2 | Timnath | 5–10 options | $1,300–$1,600 | — | Timnath Reservoir Timnath Regional Park Wildwing development trails |
| 3 | Wellington | 3–5 options | $1,000–$1,300 | — | Centennial Park Boxelder Creek trails Meadow Springs Ranch |
Thompson School District (R2-J)
B+Weld RE-4 School District
B+Weld RE-5J (Johnstown-Milliken)
B| # | Community | Childcare | Monthly Cost | Libraries | Parks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Johnstown | 5–10 options | $1,100–$1,400 | — | Pioneer Park Johnstown Reservoir Robert Benson Park |
Greeley-Evans School District 6
B-| # | Community | Childcare | Monthly Cost | Libraries | Parks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Greeley | 40+ options | $1,000–$1,300 | Local | Pawnee National Grassland Island Grove Regional Park Glenmere Park |
Boulder Area
Boulder Valley School District
A| # | Community | Childcare | Monthly Cost | Libraries | Parks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Boulder | 40+ options | $1,500–$2,800 | Local | Chautauqua Park Boulder Creek Path OSMP |
| 2 | Erie* | — | $1,400–$1,800 | Local | Coal Creek Trail — multi-use spine trail through the heart of town Thomas Reservoir Open Space — scenic loop with panoramic Front Range views Erie Community Park — main regional park |
| 3 | Lafayette | 28–60 options | $900–$1,500 | Local | Waneka Lake Park — 1.2-mile loop, fishing, paddleboarding, disc golf Rock Creek Trail — connects Lafayette to Superior and Louisville Coal Creek Trail — regional multi-use path |
| 4 | Louisville | — | — | — | Coal Creek Trail Coal Creek Golf Course Memory Square Park |
| 5 | Nederland | Limited | — | Local | Barker Reservoir — scenic lake in the center of town Eldora Mountain Resort — ski area 4 miles west Peak to Peak Scenic Byway — CO's oldest scenic highway, connects to Estes Park |
| 6 | Superior | Limited | $1,200–$1,800 | Nearby | Rock Creek Trail — connects Superior to Louisville, Lafayette, and regional network Community Park — playground, sports fields, splash pad Coal Creek Trail access |
St. Vrain Valley School District (RE-1J)
A-| # | Community | Childcare | Monthly Cost | Libraries | Parks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Erie* | — | $1,400–$1,800 | Local | Coal Creek Trail — multi-use spine trail through the heart of town Thomas Reservoir Open Space — scenic loop with panoramic Front Range views Erie Community Park — main regional park |
| 2 | Longmont | 40+ options | $900–$1,500 | Local | Union Reservoir — 700+ acres, swimming beach, paddleboarding, fishing St. Vrain Greenway Trail — 17+ miles through the city Sandstone Ranch — 300 acres, community park, sports fields |
* Served by multiple school districts.
North Metro
Jefferson County School District R-1
A-| # | Community | Childcare | Monthly Cost | Libraries | Parks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arvada | 35+ options | $1,200–$1,500 | Local | Ralston Creek Trail (13.6 mi) into parks and open space Van Bibber wetlands hike for wildlife and solitude Two Ponds National Wildlife Refuge |
| 2 | Westminster* | 30+ options | $1,200–$1,500 | Local | Standley Lake Big Dry Creek Trail Butterfly Pavilion |
Adams 12 Five Star Schools
B+| # | Community | Childcare | Monthly Cost | Libraries | Parks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Federal Heights | 8+ options | $1,000–$1,300 | Nearby | Water World — 70+ acre water park, one of the largest in the US Federal Heights parks system — small community parks Clear Creek Trail access |
| 2 | Northglenn | 22+ options | $1,100–$1,400 | Nearby | E.B. Rains Jr. Memorial Park — 100+ acres, lake, trails, splash pad, sports fields Northglenn Recreation Center — pool, gym, community programs Webster Lake Park — fishing, walking trails |
| 3 | Thornton* | 40+ options | $947–$1,400 | Local | Trail Winds Recreation Center Trails Recreation Center Margaret W. Carpenter Recreation Center |
| 4 | Westminster* | 30+ options | $1,200–$1,500 | Local | Standley Lake Big Dry Creek Trail Butterfly Pavilion |
School District 27J
B| # | Community | Childcare | Monthly Cost | Libraries | Parks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brighton | 15+ options | $1,100–$1,400 | Local | Barr Lake State Park — 2,715 acres, bald eagle nesting site, birding, fishing, trails Ken Mitchell Open Space — 80 acres, community park Brighton Oasis Family Aquatic Park |
| 2 | Commerce City* | 20+ options | $1,100–$1,400 | Local | Dick's Sporting Goods Park — 18,000-seat stadium, home of Colorado Rapids MLS Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge — 15,000 acres, bison herd, eagles, free admission Sand Creek Regional Greenway — 14-mile trail connecting Commerce City to Aurora |
| 3 | Lochbuie* | 5+ options | — | Nearby | Barr Lake State Park — 2,700 acres, bald eagle nesting site, birding, fishing, trails Lochwood Park — sports fields, playgrounds, walking trails, picnic areas 7 town parks with playgrounds and greenspace across subdivisions |
| 4 | Thornton* | 40+ options | $947–$1,400 | Local | Trail Winds Recreation Center Trails Recreation Center Margaret W. Carpenter Recreation Center |
Weld County School District RE-1
C+| # | Community | Childcare | Monthly Cost | Libraries | Parks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lochbuie* | 5+ options | — | Nearby | Barr Lake State Park — 2,700 acres, bald eagle nesting site, birding, fishing, trails Lochwood Park — sports fields, playgrounds, walking trails, picnic areas 7 town parks with playgrounds and greenspace across subdivisions |
Adams 14
C| # | Community | Childcare | Monthly Cost | Libraries | Parks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Commerce City* | 20+ options | $1,100–$1,400 | Local | Dick's Sporting Goods Park — 18,000-seat stadium, home of Colorado Rapids MLS Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge — 15,000 acres, bison herd, eagles, free admission Sand Creek Regional Greenway — 14-mile trail connecting Commerce City to Aurora |
Served by multiple districts
| # | Community | Childcare | Monthly Cost | Libraries | Parks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Broomfield | 37+ options | $1,200–$1,600 | Local | Broomfield Trail System — 68+ miles of paved and soft-surface trails Josh's Pond and Outlook Park — fishing, scenic views Brunner Farmhouse — historic site with community events |
* Served by multiple school districts.
Central Denver
Denver Public Schools
B+| # | Community | Childcare | Monthly Cost | Libraries | Parks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Baker | — | — | Nearby | Dailey Park Platte River Trail access Baker Dog Park |
| 2 | Cherry Creek | — | — | — | Cherry Creek Trail Pulaski Park Cherry Creek State Park |
| 3 | Five Points | — | — | Local | Sonny Lawson Park Fuller Dog Park Little Boxcar Dog Park |
| 4 | LoDo | — | — | — | Confluence Park Commons Park Cherry Creek Trail & South Platte River Trail |
| 5 | Park Hill | 8+ options | $1,605 | Local | City Park — 330 acres, Denver Zoo, Museum of Nature & Science, Ferril Lake Park Hill Golf Course redevelopment — 155 acres, mixed-use + open space Oneida Park |
| 6 | Platt Park | — | — | — | Platt Park Recreation Center James H. Platt Park / Fleming Mansion Washington Park |
| 7 | RiNo | — | — | — | RiNo Art Park & Promenade South Platte River Trail Confluence Park |
| 8 | The Highlands | 3 listed | — | Local | Confluence Park Commons Park Cherry Creek Trail |
| 9 | Washington Park | — | — | — | Washington Park Smith Lake Washington Park Recreation Center |
West Metro & Foothills
Jefferson County School District R-1
A-| # | Community | Childcare | Monthly Cost | Libraries | Parks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Conifer | Limited | $918 | Local | Staunton State Park — Colorado's newest state park, 3,828 acres, climbing, hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding Meyer Ranch Park — wildflower meadows, lodgepole pine forests, aspen groves, Jeffco Open Space Pike National Forest — vast public land surrounding the community |
| 2 | Edgewater | 5–8 options | $1,500–$2,000 | None | Sloan's Lake Park — Denver's 2nd largest park (177 acres), 2.5-mile loop trail, kayaking, paddleboarding, stunning skyline views Edgewater Park — small city park with playground and picnic areas Sloan's Lake bike/walk loop — flat, paved, connects to Denver trail network |
| 3 | Evergreen | — | — | — | Evergreen Lake — ice skating (winter), fishing, paddleboarding, 1.3-mile loop trail Elk Meadow Park — 4.6-mile loop, elk herds year-round, Jeffco Open Space Alderfer/Three Sisters Park — rock formations, 7+ miles trails |
| 4 | Golden | 10–15 options | $1,800 | Local | North Table Mountain Lookout Mountain / Lariat Loop Clear Creek Canyon |
| 5 | Lakewood | — | — | — | Bear Creek Lake Park — 2,624 acres, lake, swim beach, camping, 10+ miles trails, mountain biking Green Mountain — 2,400 ft summit, 6+ miles trails, panoramic Front Range views William Frederick Hayden Park on Green Mountain |
| 6 | Morrison | Limited | $918 | None | Red Rocks Park & Amphitheatre — iconic 9,525-seat outdoor venue, free daytime hiking through 868 acres of red sandstone formations Dinosaur Ridge — world-famous Jurassic fossil site, guided tours, dinosaur tracks visible in rock Mount Falcon Park — 6+ miles trails, castle ruins, panoramic views of Denver and the Continental Divide |
| 7 | Wheat Ridge | 15–20 options | $2,000 | Local | Clear Creek Trail to Golden — 7 miles of paved path Gold panning at Arapahoe Bar on Clear Creek Prospect Park |
East Metro
Cherry Creek School District
A| # | Community | Childcare | Monthly Cost | Libraries | Parks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Aurora* | — | — | — | Cherry Creek State Park — 4,200 acres, 880-acre reservoir, 35 mi trails, boating, swimming beach, camping Aurora Reservoir — 820 acres, scuba diving, sailing, paddleboarding Toll Gate Creek Trail — 8+ miles connecting Aurora neighborhoods |
Strasburg School District 31J
B| # | Community | Childcare | Monthly Cost | Libraries | Parks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Strasburg | 3–4 options | $900–$1,100 | Nearby | Comanche Crossing Museum — historic site Open prairie and agricultural land Strasburg community parks |
| 2 | Watkins* | 0–1 options | $918 | None | Front Range Airport Open prairie — horseback riding, livestock Rocky Mountain Arsenal NWR |
Bennett School District 29J
B-Aurora Public Schools (APS)
C+| # | Community | Childcare | Monthly Cost | Libraries | Parks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Aurora* | — | — | — | Cherry Creek State Park — 4,200 acres, 880-acre reservoir, 35 mi trails, boating, swimming beach, camping Aurora Reservoir — 820 acres, scuba diving, sailing, paddleboarding Toll Gate Creek Trail — 8+ miles connecting Aurora neighborhoods |
* Served by multiple school districts.
South Metro
Cherry Creek School District
A| # | Community | Childcare | Monthly Cost | Libraries | Parks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Centennial | 47+ options | $1,000–$1,300 | Local | Centennial Center Park — 11 acres, amphitheater, splash pad, community events Centennial Link Trail — multi-use path connecting neighborhoods Cherry Creek State Park (adjacent) — 4,200 acres |
| 2 | Greenwood Village | 15+ options | $1,400–$1,800 | Nearby | Fiddler's Green Amphitheatre — 18,000-capacity outdoor concert venue High Line Canal Trail — 71-mile historic irrigation canal trail runs through GV Village Greens Park — community park, events, farmers market |
Littleton Public Schools
A| # | Community | Childcare | Monthly Cost | Libraries | Parks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Littleton | 97+ options | $1,050–$1,300 | Local | Chatfield State Park Roxborough State Park South Platte River trail system |
Douglas County School District RE-1
A-| # | Community | Childcare | Monthly Cost | Libraries | Parks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Castle Pines | 10+ options | $1,300–$1,600 | Nearby | Castle Pines trail network — miles of community trails through Ponderosa pine Daniels Park — 1,000 acres, bison herd, scenic overlooks Elk Ridge Park — community playground, sports fields |
| 2 | Castle Rock | 42+ options | $1,300–$1,500 | Local | Philip S. Miller Park Castlewood Canyon State Park The Rock Park — town's namesake butte |
| 3 | Highlands Ranch | 30+ options | $1,300–$1,600 | Local | Backcountry Wilderness Area Highlands Ranch Community Association Wildcat Mountain Open Space |
| 4 | Lone Tree | 19 options | $918–$1,009 | Local | Bluffs Regional Park Lone Tree Recreation Center Sweetwater Park |
| 5 | Parker | 55+ options | $1,200–$1,600 | Local | Cherry Creek State Park Rueter-Hess Reservoir Salisbury Equestrian Park |
Englewood Schools (Englewood 1)
B-| # | Community | Childcare | Monthly Cost | Libraries | Parks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Englewood | 17+ options | $1,100–$1,400 | Local | Belleview Park — 27 acres, mini train ride, playground, fishing pond Jason Park — sports fields, community events Mary Carter Greenway / South Platte River Trail — connects to Denver trail network |
Colorado Springs
Lewis-Palmer School District 38
A| # | Community | Childcare | Monthly Cost | Libraries | Parks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Monument | 9+ options | $919 | Local | New Santa Fe Regional Trail — 15+ miles paved, connects Monument to Palmer Lake and Colorado Springs Monument Lake / Palmer Lake — scenic reservoir with fishing and picnic areas Fox Run Regional Park — 416 acres, forested trails, playground, disc golf |
| 2 | Palmer Lake | 1 options | $918 | Nearby | Palmer Lake Reservoir Trail — short hike to stunning upper and lower reservoirs at the base of Ben Lomond Mountain New Santa Fe Regional Trail — 14+ miles connecting Palmer Lake to Monument and the Air Force Academy Palmer Lake Recreation Area — 36 acres, fishing, hiking, biking |
Falcon School District 49
B+| # | Community | Childcare | Monthly Cost | Libraries | Parks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Peyton | Limited | — | None | Paint Mines Interpretive Park — colorful hoodoo formations, unique geological site, free Black Forest — extensive trail network through Ponderosa pine forest Open prairie and ranch land — horseback riding, rural trails |
Manitou Springs School District 14
B+| # | Community | Childcare | Monthly Cost | Libraries | Parks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Manitou Springs | Limited | — | Local | Manitou Incline — 2,744 steps gaining 2,000 ft in 1 mile, one of CO's most famous hikes Pikes Peak via Cog Railway — newly rebuilt (2021), scenic 9-mile ride to 14,115 ft summit Garden of the Gods (adjacent) — 1,367 acres of red sandstone formations, free admission |
Woodland Park School District RE-2
B+| # | Community | Childcare | Monthly Cost | Libraries | Parks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Woodland Park | 5+ options | — | Local | Mueller State Park — 5,112 acres, 55+ miles trails, elk herds, camping, horseback riding Eleven Mile State Park — 3,400-acre reservoir, fishing, boating Pike National Forest — surrounds the city, endless backcountry access |
Fountain-Fort Carson School District 8
B-| # | Community | Childcare | Monthly Cost | Libraries | Parks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fountain | 11+ options | $918 | Local | Fountain Creek Regional Park — 450+ acres, trails, nature center, fishing Fountain Creek Regional Trail — multi-use trail connecting Fountain to Colorado Springs Metcalfe Park — community park, playground, sports fields, splash pad |
Pueblo
Pueblo County School District 70
B-| # | Community | Childcare | Monthly Cost | Libraries | Parks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Beulah | None | — | Nearby | Pueblo Mountain Park — 600 acres, 8+ miles of trails, city-owned parkland in the mountains San Isabel National Forest — vast public land bordering the community Lake San Isabel — fishing, camping, forest setting |
| 2 | Pueblo West | Limited | — | Local | Lake Pueblo State Park — boating, fishing, swimming, camping Pueblo West Golf Course — 18-hole public course in the heart of the community 18 miles of maintained recreation trails |
| 3 | Pueblo* | — | — | Local | Lake Pueblo State Park Historic Arkansas Riverwalk Pueblo River Trail System |
Pueblo City Schools (D60)
C| # | Community | Childcare | Monthly Cost | Libraries | Parks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pueblo* | — | — | Local | Lake Pueblo State Park Historic Arkansas Riverwalk Pueblo River Trail System |
* Served by multiple school districts.
Common Questions
FAQ — Summary of Schools & Parks
Which Denver suburb has the best schools?
Monument (Lewis-Palmer D38, Niche A+), Castle Pines, and Parker (Douglas County RE-1, Niche A+) consistently rank among Colorado’s top school districts. Erie’s St. Vrain Valley SD also earns an A+.
How are school districts organized in Colorado?
Colorado uses independent school districts that don’t follow city boundaries. A single community may be split across 2–4 districts. Always verify your district by entering your address on the district’s website.
What is a Niche grade?
Niche.com grades school districts from A+ to F based on academics, teachers, diversity, college prep, and parent reviews. It’s one of the most widely used school comparison tools in the U.S.
How do I verify which school district serves my address?
Visit the Colorado Department of Education’s website or enter your address directly on the school district’s enrollment page. District boundaries can change block by block, especially in communities served by multiple districts.