Is the 'worst place to live' in Colorado really that bad?

Travel and real estate publication Road Snacks recently published a 'top 10' ranking of the 'worst' places to live in Colorado, and their selections are sure to draw some controversy.

Basing the ranking on a number of factors, including crime rates, income, and population density (among other things), the Colorado city of Fort Lupton topped the list.

The roots of this Weld County city of about 8,000 residents date back to a trading post that was constructed in the area in the 1830s. It's since grown and developed as part of the Front Range Urban Corridor – about a 40-minute drive to Downtown Denver or Boulder.

Road Snacks pinned low education ratings as a key reason for it's 'worst place to live in Colorado' designation, though the company also noted that its crime rate is a full 60 percent below the national average and that the overall cost of living is 10 percent below the norm. While the Best Places analysis of local 'cost of living' varies a bit – stating Fort Lupton's cost of living is about 13.4 percent higher than the national norm, this second source still notes that cost of living in Fort Lupton is 5.9 percent lower than the norm in Colorado.

The lower cost of living in Fort Lupton can likely be attributed to lower housing costs, with Zillow noting the average home value is around $454,000. That's below the state average of $539,000 and even farther below averages found in nearby metros of Denver and Boulder, $563,000 and $984,000, respectively.

Is there a bunch of outdoor recreation in Fort Lupton? No. But it's a short drive to the nature in Boulder and a short drive to the hustle and bustle of the Mile High City. Coupled with the lower cost of living and the lower crime rate, calling this spot the 'worst place to live' in Colorado seems like quite the stretch. It might not have all of the amenities that come with a bigger city, but for those looking for a more affordable spot with a small town feel and big cities nearby, it might be a good pick.

Plus, you can still see mountains from the city streets – don't forget about that.

Find the full Road Snacks breakdown here.