American Colleges Where the Cities Make Campus Life Even Better

26. University of Colorado Denver: College in the Heart of the Rockies

Unlike its Boulder counterpart, CU Denver is an urban university fully integrated into the fabric of downtown Denver. Students benefit from internships with the state legislature, Fortune 500 companies, and an exploding startup and tech ecosystem. LoDo (Lower Downtown) is packed with coffee shops, arts venues, and music festivals, while nearby Red Rocks Amphitheater offers legendary concerts. The bonus? Weekend getaways to the Rocky Mountains are just a short drive away, making CU Denver a dream for students who want city life with adventure in their backyard.