Find a Job You Really Want In
As we move into 2026, it’s clear that women in the United States continue to face systemic challenges that can hinder their professional growth and financial stability. Despite progress in some areas, disparities in income, access to leadership positions, and healthcare persist, making it crucial to evaluate the best and worst cities for women to live and work.
In this updated analysis, we’ve narrowed our focus to Colorado, exploring the cities that present the most significant challenges for women in terms of economic opportunity and quality of life.
The findings highlight the importance of location when it comes to women’s experiences in the workforce.
Continue reading to discover which cities in Colorado rank as the most challenging for women and the factors that contribute to these rankings.
The 10 Most Challenging Cities for Women in Colorado
The cities listed above are where women in Colorado face the greatest challenges. For a deeper understanding of these rankings, continue reading to explore the reasons behind these disparities or jump to the end to see the best cities for women in Colorado.
Methodology – How We Identified the Most Challenging Cities for Women in Colorado
We ranked each city based on four key categories:
- Percentage of Women in Management (Lower is worse)
- Percentage of Women in Poverty (Higher is worse)
- Average Earnings of Women per Male Dollar Earned (Lower is worse)
- Uninsured Women (Lower is worse)
To analyze the income gap between men and women, we utilized data from the Census American Community Survey. By dividing the median income of male earners by that of female earners, we calculated how much women earn for every dollar earned by men.
In determining the percentage of women in poverty, we again referred to the ACS. This measure is based on household income, which considers all family members. To focus specifically on women, we examined those living without relatives, as this demographic often faces higher poverty rates without the financial support of family.
The share of women in management roles was sourced from the ACS to provide insight into the opportunities available for women in leadership. Since women often promote other women, this statistic is crucial for understanding advancement potential.
Finally, we analyzed the ACS data to find the percentage of uninsured women in each city.
Our focus was on cities in Colorado with populations exceeding 5,000.
1. La Junta
Average Earnings for Female Workers: $0.56
Women in Management: 30.1%
Women in Poverty: 31.8%
Uninsured Women: 8.8%
La Junta ranks as the most challenging city for women in Colorado, with low scores across key indicators. Women in La Junta face high rates of poverty and lack of health insurance, indicating significant struggles in their daily lives.
2. Trinidad
Average Earnings for Female Workers: $0.62
Women in Management: 33.8%
Women in Poverty: 21.1%
Uninsured Women: 9.0%
Trinidad is the second most challenging city for women, with a concerning poverty rate and generally low economic indicators.
3. Berkley
Average Earnings for Female Workers: $0.66
Women in Management: 31.8%
Women in Poverty: 17.1%
Uninsured Women: 13.4%
Conditions for women in Berkley are not ideal, with a significant percentage living in poverty and limited representation in management roles.
4. Rifle
Average Earnings for Female Workers: $0.67
Women in Management: 30.8%
Women in Poverty: 14.8%
Uninsured Women: 15.2%
Rifle ranks fourth, with 15.2% of women lacking health insurance and a notable percentage living in poverty.
5. Cortez
Average Earnings for Female Workers: $0.63
Women in Management: 38.9%
Women in Poverty: 24.9%
Uninsured Women: 9.3%
Cortez is fifth on the list, showing some improvement in management representation, yet still facing significant challenges related to poverty and income disparity.
6. Gunnison
Average Earnings for Female Workers: $1.06
Women in Management: 18.8%
Women in Poverty: 25.6%
Uninsured Women: 11.0%
Gunnison ranks sixth, with a concerning poverty rate among women despite a higher income percentage compared to other cities.
7. Clifton
Average Earnings for Female Workers: $0.62
Women in Management: 50.9%
Women in Poverty: 27.6%
Uninsured Women: 14.7%
Clifton presents a challenging environment for women due to high poverty rates and inadequate insurance coverage.
8. Fort Lupton
Average Earnings for Female Workers: $0.65
Women in Management: 25.8%
Women in Poverty: 9.9%
Uninsured Women: 8.3%
Fort Lupton is notable for its economic challenges, with women earning significantly less than men and facing poverty risks.
9. Edgewater
Average Earnings for Female Workers: $0.76
Women in Management: 36.2%
Women in Poverty: 19.5%
Uninsured Women: 13.4%
Edgewater women face a significant earnings gap compared to men, alongside notable poverty and uninsured rates.
10. Greeley
Average Earnings for Female Workers: $0.60
Women in Management: 41.3%
Women in Poverty: 19.3%
Uninsured Women: 8.0%
In Greeley, women encounter significant obstacles, with a concerning poverty rate and ongoing income disparity.
Summary of the Most Challenging Cities for Women in Colorado
The cities highlighted in this report represent the most challenging environments for women in Colorado. While the state has made strides toward gender equality, these locations still pose significant hurdles for women striving for economic stability and career advancement.
Although no city in this analysis showed women earning as much as or more than men on average, the differences between the top and bottom rankings underscore the ongoing disparities. While La Junta may not represent the personal experiences of every woman, it exemplifies the unique challenges that many women face in certain areas.
Explore the complete list of rankings below for more insights.
Comprehensive List of the Most Challenging Cities for Women in Colorado
| Rank | Place | Pay Gap |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | La Junta | $0.56 |
| 2 | Trinidad | $0.62 |
| 3 | Berkley | $0.66 |
| 4 | Rifle | $0.67 |
| 5 | Cortez | $0.63 |
| 6 | Gunnison | $1.06 |
| 7 | Clifton | $0.62 |
| 8 | Fort Lupton | $0.65 |
| 9 | Edgewater | $0.76 |
| 10 | Greeley | $0.60 |
| 11 | Fruita | $0.74 |
| 12 | Sterling | $0.58 |
| 13 | Delta | $0.73 |
| 14 | Eagle | $0.75 |
| 15 | Glendale | $1.11 |
| 16 | Derby | $0.82 |
| 17 | Cañon City | $0.65 |
| 18 | Grand Junction | $0.65 |
| 19 | Manitou Springs | $0.68 |
| 20 | Shaw Heights | $0.69 |
| 21 | Colorado Springs | $0.68 |
| 22 | Dove Valley | $0.68 |
| 23 | Montrose | $0.80 |
| 24 | Brighton | $0.78 |
| 25 | Fruitvale | $0.62 |
| 26 | Woodmoor | $0.41 |
| 27 | Orchard Mesa | $0.62 |
| 28 | Twin Lakes | $0.82 |
| 29 | Glenwood Springs | $0.82 |
| 30 | Longmont | $0.66 |
| 31 | Lafayette | $0.62 |
| 32 | Federal Heights | $0.77 |
| 33 | Fort Collins | $0.68 |
| 34 | Englewood | $0.73 |
| 35 | Salida | $0.93 |
| 36 | Cherry Creek | $0.55 |
| 37 | Steamboat Springs | $0.90 |
| 38 | Craig | $0.63 |
| 39 | Woodland Park | $0.59 |
| 40 | Stratmoor | $0.58 |
| 41 | Edwards | $0.96 |
| 42 | Cherry Hills | $0.21 |
| 43 | Commerce City | $0.76 |
| 44 | Alamosa | $0.82 |
| 45 | Fountain | $0.55 |
| 46 | Johnstown | $0.58 |
| 47 | Sherrelwood | $0.70 |
| 48 | Fort Morgan | $0.62 |
| 49 | Aspen | $0.82 |
| 50 | Sheridan | $0.71 |
| 51 | Black Forest | $0.39 |
| 52 | Milliken | $0.74 |
| 53 | Berthoud | $0.62 |
| 54 | Welby | $0.80 |
| 55 | Lamar | $0.88 |
| 56 | Thornton | $0.70 |
| 57 | Greenwood | $0.48 |
| 58 | Castle Rock | $0.60 |
| 59 | Pueblo West | $0.64 |
| 60 | Lone Tree | $0.47 |
| 61 | Brush | $0.71 |
| 62 | Superior | $0.44 |
| 63 | Louisville | $0.52 |
| 64 | Highlands Ranch | $0.51 |
| 65 | Boulder | $0.70 |
| 66 | Monument | $0.56 |
| 67 | Cimarron Hills | $0.68 |
| 68 | Eaton | $0.84 |
| 69 | Loveland | $0.65 |
| 70 | Carbondale | $0.75 |
| 71 | Castle Pines | $0.43 |
| 72 | Denver | $0.83 |
| 73 | Gleneagle | $0.61 |
| 74 | Applewood | $0.65 |
| 75 | Evans | $0.74 |
| 76 | Stonegate | $0.52 |
| 77 | Parker | $0.61 |
| 78 | Aurora | $0.85 |
| 79 | Arvada | $0.67 |
| 80 | Avon | $1.10 |
| 81 | Durango | $0.73 |
| 82 | The Pinery | $0.52 |
| 83 | Firestone | $0.61 |
| 84 | Frederick | $0.68 |
| 85 | Pueblo | $0.83 |
| 86 | Windsor | $0.63 |
| 87 | Evergreen | $0.57 |
| 88 | Gypsum | $0.95 |
| 89 | Erie | $0.53 |
| 90 | Estes Park | $0.87 |
| 91 | Lakewood | $0.84 |
| 92 | Gunbarrel | $0.72 |
| 93 | Westminster | $0.78 |
| 94 | Vail | $1.00 |
| 95 | Columbine | $0.66 |
| 96 | Littleton | $0.73 |
| 97 | Northglenn | $0.75 |
| 98 | Fort Carson | $0.69 |
| 99 | Wheat Ridge | $0.81 |
| 100 | Golden | $1.16 |
Author
Kathy is the head of content at Zippia with a knack for engaging audiences. Prior to joining Zippia, Kathy worked at Gateway Blend growing audiences across diverse brands. She graduated from Troy University with a degree in Social Science Education.
