The safest cities in Colorado for 2026 are not the ones you’d guess. SafeWise’s annual ranking, released January 29, 2026 and updated in June, crunched FBI crime data for 67 qualifying cities — and the three safest all reported zero violent crimes. Small towns dominate the top 10; the biggest city on it is Castle Rock, with more than 84,000 residents.
TL;DR: SafeWise’s 2026 Safest Cities in Colorado report names Lamar the safest city in the state, followed by Milliken and Fruita — all three reported zero violent crimes. Every city in the top 10 logged no more than 1 violent crime per 1,000 residents.
How SafeWise Calculates the Rankings
SafeWise says its rankings “refer explicitly to crime rates as calculated from FBI crime data.” The analysis uses the most recent FBI-reported figures — only from agencies that filed complete reports through the FBI’s NIBRS system — adjusted per capita. Review the numbers in the FBI Crime Data Explorer or SafeWise’s full Colorado report.
The 10 Safest Cities in Colorado, Ranked for 2026
1. Lamar
The newcomer at No. 1 reported zero violent crimes and 5.2 property crimes per 1,000 residents. This southeastern plains town of about 7,468 residents takes the crown with the lowest violent crime rate possible — none at all.
2. Milliken
Milliken held No. 2 for a second straight year. The Weld County town of 9,303 reported 0.0 violent crimes and 5.4 property crimes per 1,000 residents — remarkable consistency in a fast-growing area.
3. Fruita
Fruita climbed three spots, reporting zero violent crimes and 7.7 property crimes per 1,000 residents. Its violent rate fell from 0.4 the prior year, and both rates have now decreased two years running.
4. Windsor
Windsor slipped to No. 4 but stays one of Colorado’s safest larger cities: 43,050 residents, with 0.5 violent crimes and 5.4 property crimes per 1,000 residents.
5. Gypsum
Gypsum fell four spots to No. 5. The Eagle County town of 9,101 reported 1.0 violent crimes per 1,000 residents — the highest violent rate in the top 10, though still far below the state average — and 2.9 property crimes per 1,000.
6. Eagle
Eagle jumped four spots on the year’s sharpest improvement: the town of 7,354 cut its violent crime rate 50% year over year (to 0.7 per 1,000 residents) and property crime about 36% (to 5.4 per 1,000).
7. Erie
Erie held at No. 7 with 0.3 violent crimes and 9.2 property crimes per 1,000 residents, and saw declines in both crime types, according to SafeWise.
8. Castle Rock
Castle Rock is the largest city on the list — 84,098 residents — and it held No. 8 with 0.3 violent crimes and 9.5 property crimes per 1,000 residents.
9. Frederick
Frederick dropped four spots to No. 9, reporting 0.8 violent crimes and 6.4 property crimes per 1,000 residents — still well below state and national averages.
10. Timnath
Timnath climbed to No. 10 with 0.5 violent crimes and 9.1 property crimes per 1,000 residents; its property crime rate fell about 41% year over year.
What the Numbers Tell Us About Colorado Safety
Six of the top 10 are suburbs around Fort Collins and Boulder or small towns near the state’s eastern and western borders — and all logged no more than 1 violent crime per 1,000 residents. That stands out because Colorado runs hot overall: a statewide violent crime rate of 5.78 per 1,000 (vs. 4.43 nationally, eighth-highest in the country) and 32.68 property crimes per 1,000 (vs. 22.89 nationally, fourth-highest). These ten cities are islands of low crime.
For the other end of the spectrum, see our 10 most dangerous cities in Colorado and our guide to Denver’s best neighborhoods in 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the safest city in Colorado for 2026?
Per SafeWise’s 2026 report, Lamar is Colorado’s safest city: about 7,468 residents, zero violent crimes, and 5.2 property crimes per 1,000 residents.
How does SafeWise determine the safest cities?
SafeWise calculates per-capita violent and property crime rates from the most recent FBI crime data, using only agencies that filed complete reports through the FBI’s NIBRS system. Rates are expressed per 1,000 residents; cities below the population floor or with incomplete reporting are excluded.
How safe is Colorado overall?
Colorado runs above the national average: SafeWise reports a violent crime rate of 5.78 per 1,000 (national average 4.43, eighth-highest in the US) and a property crime rate of 32.68 per 1,000 (national average 22.89, fourth-highest). The ten cities on this list are exceptions, not the norm.
Did any large cities make the safest list?
Yes. Castle Rock, with more than 84,000 residents, is the most populous city in the top 10. Windsor (43,050) and Erie (37,055) also prove that larger suburbs can post very low crime rates.
Which cities improved the most in 2026?
Eagle jumped four spots after cutting its violent crime rate by 50% and property crime by about 36%. Fruita climbed three spots as both rates fell for a second straight year, and Timnath’s property crime rate dropped about 41%.
Which cities fell in the 2026 rankings?
Gypsum and Frederick each dropped four spots. Gypsum fell to No. 5 with a violent crime rate of 1.0 per 1,000 residents, while Frederick slid to No. 9. Both remain far below state and national averages.
Why do small towns top the safest-cities list?
SafeWise stresses the rankings reflect only reported crime rates, not quality of life. Small towns with few reported offenses naturally produce low per-capita rates, but local reporting practices also shape the numbers.
Where can I look up crime data for my own Colorado city?
The FBI’s Crime Data Explorer lets you pull reported offense data by agency, and most Colorado police departments publish annual or quarterly crime statistics on their own websites.
