Colorado tends to attract a certain type of person and given that reality, the local dating scene comes with some expected quirks. Sure, Coloradans can be great partners in a relationship for many reasons, but there are a few surprises to be aware of when it comes to looking for love in the Centennial State.

1. Don’t expect them to get too fancy too often. A Coloradan will probably have more flannels and outdoorsy jackets in their closet than formal attire. And on that note, remember that many Coloradans are happier in a dive bar or local brewery than they are at a night club. Expect a Coloradan’s idea of a great date night to be a bit more relaxed compared to those in other places around the country.
2. Don’t be fooled by adrenaline. Have you heard of ‘The Bachelor Effect?’ It deals with falling in love quickly in a novel area that’s filled with exciting ways to get a rush. Colorado is that place for many people who have traveled to the stunning mountainous landscape in pursuit of new adventures from their boring hometown in the Midwest. This can make it easy for a couple’s awe-inspiring experiences together to stack up fast, with both partners eager to try as many new things as possible. Before you fully dive in, make sure it’s a love that will last without the thrills, too.
3. A casual first date might push you out of your comfort zone. Look around any crowded climbing gym on a Friday night. It’s often obvious that at least a few first dates are taking place where one person is trying to show off their skills to another person who has never been in a harness before. Don’t be scared of trying new things. Just embrace it.
4. A relaxing day on the couch is less of an option. After all, there are too many activities out there to waste a sunny day inside. Expect many Coloradans to be insistent on constantly packing up the gear and hitting the road to the mountains.
5. Be prepared for a Coloradan to come with a dog, too. And when that’s the case, you’ll be expected to become the adoptive dog parent. Coloradans love their dogs and tend to bring them along for most adventures.
6. Coloradans have a tendency to disappear into the mountains for the weekend. For a lot of Coloradans, the pursuit of their favorite outdoor recreation fix gets prioritized. Try not to be offended when your beau heads into the mountains for a ski day opposed to sticking around town. It can be hard to dissuade a Coloradan from this pursuit, but most will happily give you tips and training so that you can join them in their hobby.
7. Coloradans like to get dirty. From camping to hiking, dating in Colorado often means plenty of time spent outdoors in places without showers or pristine restroom facilities. This means having to be comfortable around your partner when you’re not ‘looking your best.’ In their eyes, being able to hang with them in the backcountry without bringing a mirror along tends to be a good thing.
8. Colorado activities can come with a bit of stress. From facing injuries on the trail to the risk dangerous weather rolling in to the stress of trying to pack a sleeping bag back into its sheath or setting up camp after dark, outdoor recreation doesn’t always ‘go right.’ Be prepared to be in stressful situations with your partner. If you can manage these moments with grace, it will probably end up helping your relationship in the long run.
9. Expect to travel for the holidays. In case you haven’t noticed, a lot of Coloradans are transplants with families that still live elsewhere around the country. This means that visiting family for the holidays probably won’t be as simple as driving a town away.
10. Friend groups can get a bit overwhelming. Given that most Coloradans have spent their younger years elsewhere and that many Coloradans have a wide range of interests that keep them on the go, this tends to mean that friend groups get pretty big pretty quick, often filled with people seen a few times a year opposed to a scenario where it’s the same three friends that met in high school sitting around the same bar every night. With that in mind, dating a Coloradan tends to mean meeting a rather large circle of friends you might not see super often. Just do your best to remember names of your lover’s core group.
11. Don’t get jealous. Colorado is filled with fit, attractive people who share in similar outdoor recreation-related passions. A side effect of this is that lots of fit, attractive people tend to be around in social settings, too. Trust your partner to stay true until they give you a reason not to.
12. A Coloradan’s financial priorities are a bit atypical. Instead of saving up for a fancy meal at the hottest fine dining spot, the annual vacation, or a new car, Coloradans may instead opt to spend their hard earned dollars on expensive outdoor recreation gear. Don’t worry though, they’re probably still setting some money aside for a ring.

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