Erie was one of Colorado's fastest-growing communities last year, as Boulder lost residents, new Census Bureau estimates show.
By the numbers: Erie added 2,230 people between July 2024 and July 2025, a 5.8% uptick that puts it second statewide behind Colorado Springs.
Meanwhile, the city of Boulder's population fell by 868 during the same time period, per census data.
Between the lines: "In 2025, some of our highest growth areas when it comes to net migration were more affordable areas," state demographer Kate Watkins told 5280 magazine, adding that soaring housing costs and limited inventory likely pushed residents out of Boulder, Pitkin and Eagle counties.
Zoom out: Windsor, Johnstown and Aurora, respectively, rounded out the top five Colorado cities for population growth.
Johnstown ranked 10th in the nation among fastest-growing cities and towns with 20,000 or more residents.
The intrigue: More thanhalf of Colorado's 272 municipalities experienced population losses.
Boulder was among the Front Range cities with the largest population declines, per the state demographer.
Between the lines: Erie sits on the edge of Boulder and Weld counties, where newsubdivisions, schools and retaildevelopment attract families who may be priced out of Boulder.
