Near Boulder, home to the University of Colorado, is a lively and classic college town, with liberal politics, alternative social lifestyles and attitudes, and an assortment of trendy small businesses, restaurants, galleries, and entertainment venues. There is plenty to do in this bicycle-friendly town, which has a pedestrian mall downtown and outdoor recreation in the nearby mountains. The area has one of the highest combined 4-year and graduate degree attainment rates in the nation. There are some larger business and government research facilities adding to the area’s economy, and there is a sizeable high-tech belt towards Denver.