State sees growth in smaller communities

Elizabeth’s population boom among fastest in state

BY ELLIOTT WENZLER AND SANDRA FISH THE COLORADO SUN

Colorado’s smaller cities and towns saw the greatest growth from 2020 to 2022, new U.S. Census Bureau estimates show, while the state’s largest cities and ski towns saw declining or stable populations. e population of Elizabeth rose from 1,717 to 2,285 in that period, a 33.1% increase, making it the fourth fastest-growing Colorado town. e changes come as Colorado’s population ages and people search for more a ordable housing, state demographer Elizabeth Garner said.

Keenesburg, a Weld County town along Interstate 76 about 40 miles northeast of Denver, logged the most growth with a 65% population explosion over two years. at town grew to 2,080 in 2022 from 1,258 in 2020. e census estimates released ursday are based on births, deaths, people moving in and out and the number of housing units, Garner said. So they aren’t based on survey data like the census taken every 10 years or the annual American Community Survey conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau.

Previous estimates showed the state’s total population in 2022 at just over 5.8 million people, up about 1% since 2020.

Of the top 15 cities and towns for growth between 2020 and 2022 most were under 10,000 population.