DENVER (May 5, 2022) – Shoppers for new vehicles primarily want two things in their next ride: Better fuel efficiency, and more driver assistance safety features.
That’s the takeaway from AAA research out today that found nearly 80% of all drivers want automakers to focus on improving fuel economy, while 76% want advanced safety tech such as automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assistance, and adaptive cruise control.
In its review of 62 new vehicles for the 2022 AAA Car Guide, AAA found that drivers’ wants and needs are best met by the newest batch of EVs (electric vehicles), which are at once often the most technologically cutting-edge and the most fuel-efficient.
In 2021, domestic electric vehicle sales rose to nearly 477,000, representing just 3.3% of total vehicle sales – but a whopping 81.5% increase over 2020. Many of the world’s major automakers have announced plans to dramatically increase electric vehicle production or phase out gasoline-powered vehicles entirely by 2035.
“EV sales, while small, are growing – and the signs are everywhere that the future is electric,” said Skyler McKinley, regional director of public affairs for AAA. “That future may arrive even faster, given consumer concerns about the environment, the political impacts of fossil fuel reliance, high gas prices, and the gradual phasing-out of gasoline-powered vehicles altogether.”
AAA’s Best Cars for 2022
Amid a dynamic car-buying environment, AAA today released its 2022 AAA Car Guide , an online resource for consumers looking to purchase a new vehicle. Of the 62 vehicles reviewed for this year’s edition, six are electric.
Notably, all category winners for 2022 are either electric, plug-in electric hybrid, or hybrid vehicles. In addition to being highly fuel-efficient, the winners are also loaded with the latest in advanced driver assistance systems.
The AAA Car Guide includes comprehensive reviews of each vehicle based on 12 criteria, including:
• Number of ADAS safety features
• Fuel efficiency
• Emissions
• Braking and handling
• Ride quality
• Acceleration
The overall winner is the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E Premium AWD. AAA researchers gave special praise to the vehicle for its dramatic new profile, its power, and for being quiet, quick, roomy, and fun to drive.
Best Overall: 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E Premium AWD (electric)
Best Small Car: 2021 BWM 330e (plug-in hybrid)
Best Midsize Car: 2021 BMW 530e (plug-in hybrid)
Best Large Car: 2021 Mercedes-Benz S580 4MATIC Sedan (hybrid)
Best Pickup: 2021 Ford F-150 XLT SuperCrew Hybrid 4×4
Best SUV/Minivan: 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E Premium AWD (electric)
Best Under $35K: 2021 Hyundai Elantra Hybrid Limited
Best $35K – $50K: 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 1st Edition (electric)
Best Over $50K – 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E Premium AWD (electric)
For those in the market for newer used vehicles, the online AAA Car Guidealso contains links to the two prior editions for 2021 and 2020. Winners, detailed evaluation criteria, vehicle reviews, and an in-depth analysis of ADAS technology can be found at AAA.com/CarGuide.
Industry analysts forecast that the COVID-19 pandemic, the semi-conductor chip shortage, and the proliferation of EVs will affect the availability, types, and prices of new and used cars in 2022.
Drivers can use the free AAA Mobile app to find EV charging stations or compare fuel prices in their area.
About AAA – The Auto Club Group
The Auto Club Group (ACG) is the second largest AAA club in North America with more than 13 million members across 14 U.S. states, the province of Quebec and two U.S. territories. ACG and its affiliates provide members with roadside assistance, insurance products, banking and financial services, travel offerings and more. ACG belongs to the national AAA federation with more than 62 million members in the United States and Canada. AAA’s mission is to protect and advance freedom of mobility and improve traffic safety. For more information, get the AAA Mobile app, visit AAA.com, and follow us on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.
Category: Front Page
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AAA’s Best Cars for 2022: Drivers prioritize fuel economy, safety.
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States With the Most Job Openings
As the U.S. continues to navigate the lasting ripple effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, key economic indicators are sending mixed messages about where the economy stands today.
On the positive side, GDP increased by 6.9% in the last three months of 2021, and consumer spending started off strong in 2022. Simultaneously, year-over-year inflation is at record levels according to the Consumer Price Index, and the U.S. Federal Reserve is raising interest rates to slow the economy. Many supply chain issues from 2021 have extended into 2022, with new COVID outbreaks in China, the war in Ukraine, and high energy prices creating additional challenges.
The labor market provides another set of unclear signals. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported in April 2022 that the unemployment rate had fallen to 3.6%, around where it was in February 2020 before the pandemic hit the U.S. The “Great Resignation” has record numbers of workers leaving jobs to seek out positions that pay more or provide better working conditions. But workers have more power in the economy in large part because the labor force participation rate remains below pre-pandemic levels, which means fewer people are available for all the jobs that are currently open.
Additional BLS data confirms the gap between open positions and hires. After falling to 3.5% amid COVID shutdowns in April 2020, the rate of job openings has doubled to 7% over the last two years. While the rate of hiring has been above 4%—higher than typical levels historically—every month since May 2020, this figure has not been sufficient to keep up with the explosion of open positions. And employers face even more challenges with the quit rate at around 3%, meaning that they are struggling to retain employees in addition to hiring new ones.
But as with many aspects of the current economy, the overall statistics do not tell the full story, and the hiring outlook depends heavily on industry. Many of the sectors with the highest job openings rates have been the most challenging to work in during the pandemic. Leisure and hospitality businesses, whose workers face low wages and greater volatility in their working conditions due to the effects of COVID, have a job openings rate of 10.57%. The health care and social assistance industry, whose workers have been on the front lines of the pandemic, has a job openings rate of 8.73%. In comparison, the total nonfarm rate is 6.97%, and in fields like construction and real estate, the rate is below 5.00%.
The rate of openings is also dependent on geography. At the high end, Alaska (9.00%) and Hawaii (8.60%) have the highest job openings rates, which may in part be due to the difficulty of recruiting labor to their more remote locations. In contrast, states with rapid economic growth like Washington (6.13%) and Texas (6.47%) or with denser populations like New York (6.17%) and Connecticut (6.20%) have lower rates of openings.
The data used in this analysis is from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS). To determine the states with the most job openings, researchers at Commodity.com calculated the average job openings rate for the fourth quarter of 2021, the most recent quarter available. In the event of a tie, the state with the greater total number of job openings was ranked higher. Researchers also included statistics on hiring rates, total hires, and total employment.
The analysis found that the average job openings rate in Colorado in the fourth quarter of 2021 was 7.43%, with an average of 222,333 openings per month. Here is a summary of the data for Colorado:
- Average job openings rate: 7.43%
- Average hire rate: 4.63%
- Average monthly job openings: 222,333
- Average monthly hires: 128,667
- Average monthly employment: 2,776,978
For reference, here are the statistics for the entire United States:
- Average job openings rate: 6.97%
- Average hire rate: 4.40%
- Average monthly job openings: 11,154,667
- Average monthly hires: 6,538,333
- Average monthly employment: 148,598,485
For more information, a detailed methodology, and complete results, you can find the original report on Commodity.com’s website: https://commodity.com/blog/job-openings/
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Seventeen Names to be Added to Colorado Law Enforcement Memorial (CLEM)
WHAT: Each year, members of Colorado’s law enforcement community gather to honor those law enforcement officers who gave their lives at the Colorado Law Enforcement Memorial (CLEM) ceremony.
WHERE: Colorado Law Enforcement Memorial, 15055 S. Golden Road, Golden, CO 80401
WHEN: Friday, May 6, 2022
10 a.m. start time (please arrive early to set up)
BACKGROUND: The names of nine Colorado law enforcement officers who died in the line of duty in 2021, along with the addition of the names of eight historical Colorado line-of-duty deaths will be formally added to the state’s memorial. With the addition of these seventeen names, there are now 342 officers’ names engraved on the Colorado Law Enforcement Memorial.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
1) Eric H. Talley / Boulder Police Department / March 22, 2021
2) James A. Herrera / Denver Sheriff’s Department / May 16, 2021
3) Daniel J. Trujillo / Denver Sheriff’s Department / May 26, 2021
4) Gordan Beesley / Arvada Police Department / June 21, 2021
5) Eric J. Scherr / Aurora Police Department / August 30, 2021
6) Ty A. Powell / Windsor Police Department / October 13, 2021
7) Clay Z. Livingston / Elbert County Sheriff’s Office / December 3, 2021
8) Joseph A. Pollack / Douglas County Sheriff’s Office / December 9, 2021
9) Wayne S. Weyler / Mesa County Sheriff’s Office / December 10, 2021
Past line-of-duty deaths also being honored:
10) James C. Richey / Denver Marshal’s Office / February 4, 1862
11) Charles Wilcox / Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office / September 19, 1899
12) Rafael Pena / Antonito Marshal’s Office / August 7, 1908
13) Andrew Sandberg / Denver Police Department / October 31, 1911
14) Frank S. Potestio / Denver Police Department / November 22, 1918
15) Peter A. Walsh / Denver Police Department / November 23, 1918
16) Eduardo Dominguez / Conejos County Sheriff’s Office / April 10, 1940
17) Robert E. Sandoval / Denver Police Department / October 29, 2020
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Real Property Appeal Begins May 2 through June 1
There are several options to appeal your valuation for tax year 2022.
Appeals for all property types may be filed via mail, fax or save postage and utilize our 4 conveniently located, secured drop boxes. View drop box locations.
To enhance your experience, we are offering phone appointments with appraisal staff responsible for your area. You may request a phone appointment by emailing or by calling our office at 303-795-4600.
Walk-in services are available, appointments are strongly encouraged to avoid waiting in line by calling our office at 303-795-4600. Often, same day appointments are offered. Building hours are 7:30 a.m.–4 p.m.
Telephone hours of service: 303-795-4600; Monday–Friday, 7:30 a.m.–5 p.m.
Residential property owners also have the option to file an appeal using our dedicated online appeal form.
- Real Property Appeal Procedures
- Schedule Phone Appeal Appointment by email at
- Residential Online Appeal Instructions
- Residential Property Online Appeal Form
Senior Citizen and Veteran Property Tax Exemption
Forms are now available. The applications must be filed before their deadlines in July. Learn about eligibility requirements and apply.
Locations and Hours
The Assessor’s staff is available by phone, email and fax. For in-person services, walk-ins welcome, but appointments recommended. View office hours and drop box locations
Arapahoe County Assessor
PK Kaiser is the Arapahoe County Assessor, he was elected by voters in November 2018. The Assessor’s Office is dedicated to providing accurate information to the citizens of Arapahoe County in an efficient and accommodating manner. Learn more about PK Kaiser.
Resources for Citizens
Data Transparency
Data transparency is of the upmost importance to our office. We want to assure our residents that data being reported are accurate and are coming from the official source.
- Interactive Assessment Transparency Tool 2021: In collaboration with our GIS department, the Assessor’s Office has an interactive map demonstrating value changes from the 2019 to 2021 general reassessment for residential parcels. This tool allows searches to reveal values, links to parcel information, demonstrates average value within the field of view and also overlays sales within the relevant time period.
- Maps and GIS Uploads/Downloads: View more maps, data tools, and GIS/FTP information.
Our Services
- Assessment Resources
- AC Market Trends-Quarterly Newsletter (April 2022)
- Business Personal Property
- Exemptions
- Forms and Reports
- Manufactured/Mobile Homes
- Maps/GIS
- Mill Levy and Tax Information
- Residential, Agricultural and Vacant Land Properties
- Sales
- Sales Tax Information
Adobe Acrobat is required to read the forms available on this site. Download Adobe Acrobat.
FAQs
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Rattlesnakes: new podcast episode discusses how you can stay safe if you encounter one this spring, summer and fall
Photo courtesy of D. Herasimtschuk DENVER – Rattlesnakes have a lot of misconceptions or folklore surrounding them because they are often perceived as mysterious and are generally misunderstood. Colorado Parks and Wildlife species conservation coordinator Tina Jackson has spent the last 20 years learning about snakes, and she shared her knowledge of rattlesnakes in the latest Colorado Outdoors podcast, episode No. 28, released Wednesday.
Click here to listen to the podcast episode on rattlesnake
Colorado is home to about 30 species of snakes. Of these, only three snakes are a risk to humans; the prairie rattlesnake, the Western rattlesnake and the massasauga rattlesnake.
Western and prairie rattlesnakes are widespread through Colorado and found in most terrestrial landscapes below 9,000 feet in elevation. The massasauga rattlesnake is found on Colorado’s southeastern plains, restricted to dry grasslands and sandhills below 5,5000 feet in elevation.
Learn more about rattlesnakes from this blog post Jackson penned on rattlesnakes.
Rattlesnakes have a distinctly triangular head that is much broader than the neck. They have thick bodies, whereas non-venomous snakes with a few exceptions, are lithe and slender. Bullsnakes, corn snakes and the western hognose snake are often mistaken for rattlesnakes because they possess similar color patterns and will mimic the defensive behavior of a rattlesnake. Look for the sharply pointed tail, round pupils and oval-shaped head to distinguish these species from native rattlesnakes.
If you encounter a rattlesnake, your first step should be to freeze in place. Snakes are often heard before they are seen. Freezing movement will reduce the threat you pose to the snake and help you assess the situation. Slowly back away from the snake once you locate it.
Rattlesnakes can strike to a distance of half their body length, and a good rule of thumb is to put at least five feet between yourself and the snake. Most often, rattlesnake bites to humans occur when people try to handle them or move them out of the way. It is best to keep your distance from them – move around them instead of actually moving them yourself.
As temperatures warm and people tend to spend more time outside, more encounters with rattlesnakes will occur. It is best to stay alert, keep your earbuds out and music off so you can hear their warning, and keep your dogs on a leash.
Extra caution is needed in the mornings and evenings when snakes are most active and visible. They have a fairly predictable pattern of activity – cool spring and fall temperatures require the snakes to bask in the sun on warm surfaces early in the day, which often includes pavement or trails that humans frequent. Rattlesnakes usually hunt at night after they have become warm enough for such activity.
If you are bitten by a rattlesnake, move carefully away to a safe location. Remain calm and allow the bite to bleed freely for 30 seconds. Cleanse and disinfect the bite area with iodine, or soap and water. Call ahead to the nearest hospital so they can plan accordingly for your visit.
Rattlesnakes are a regulated species and cannot be killed when you come across one on a hike. The legal take of a prairie rattlesnake requires the individual to possess a small game hunting license and its open season runs June 15-Aug. 15, annually.
Remember, snakes are an important part of our ecosystem. Visit us online to learn more about rattlesnakes in Colorado and also see our Quick Key To Amphibians and Reptiles of Colorado.Photos below courtesy of D. Herasimtschuk
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Greeley native serves as a member of U.S. Navy’s submarine force
For Full Story: https://navyoutreach.blogspot.com/2022/04/greeley-native-serves-as-member-of-us.html
By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Tracey Bannister, Navy Office of Community Outreach
BANGOR, Wash. – A Greeley, Colorado, native is stationed at Naval Base Kitsap (NBK), homeport to west coast ballistic-missile and guided-missile submarines.
Petty Officer 2nd Class Devan Vick serves as a machinist’s mate and joined the Navy to be a role model for family members.
“I joined the Navy to be a good inspiration to my younger brothers and sisters,” said Vick. “I have brothers currently serving in the Navy, Marine Corps and the Army.”
For full story, follow link above.
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Bennet Welcomes President Biden’s Support to Direct Funds from Seized Russian Assets to Ukraine
Senators Bennet and Portman Introduced A Bipartisan Bill in March to Hold Russian Oligarchs Accountable for Enabling the War by Directing Funds from Their Seized Assets into New Ukraine Relief FundWashington, D.C. – Today, Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet welcomed President Joe Biden’s support for Congressional efforts to direct funds from seized Russian assets to Ukraine — an idea Bennet and U.S. Senator Rob Portman (R-Ohio) proposed this March in the bipartisan RELIEF for Ukraine Act. Attorney General Merrick Garland expressed support for this effort earlier in the week.“We must hold Russian oligarchs accountable for enabling Putin’s egregious, lawless war,” said Bennet. “My bipartisan bill with Senator Portman would direct funds from seized Russian assets to support Ukrainian refugees, reconstruction, and recovery. I look forward to working with President Biden, Attorney General Garland, and my Senate colleagues to get this done for the Ukrainian people, who have inspired the world with their resilience and resolute defense of democracy.”The RELIEF for Ukraine Act requires the Department of Justice to allocate funds from the disposal of seized Russian into a new Ukraine Relief Fund, which will be administered by the Department of State in consultation with the U.S. Agency for International Development. The Fund would be used to support the safety, health, and wellbeing of Ukrainian refugees, along with the general reconstruction and recovery of Ukraine in areas not controlled by the Russian Federation. -
6 million Southern California residents face unprecedented water restrictions
A drier-than-normal winter in California has left the region in dire straits heading into the summer months, as the period from December to March is traditionally when the Golden State receives most of the precipitation it needs for the remainder of the year.
AccuWeather Global Weather Center – April 27, 2022 – Southern California officials took unprecedented measures this week to restrict water usage for 6 million residents amid the state’s unrelenting drought.
The Metropolitan Water District (MWD) of Southern California declared a water shortage emergency and implemented an emergency water conservation program for the first time in its history on Tuesday. These measures mandate residents and businesses across portions of Los Angeles, San Bernardino and Ventura counties to slash water usage by 20-30%. The drastic cuts limit outdoor watering to one day per week.
“This drought is serious, and one of the most alarming challenges our region has ever faced,” MWD officials said in a statement announcing the new restrictions, adding that “unprecedented times call for unprecedented measures.”
The extreme measures, while approved on Tuesday, will not take effect until June 1, according to KABC-TV. Agencies that are supplied with water by MWD and fail to enforce the restrictions among their customers will be subject to fines up to $2,000 per acre-foot of water that exceeds the mandates.
Georgia, South Carolina among multiple states at risk of more tornadoes (Full Story) >>
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Can’t wait for hot weather? Dive into AccuWeather’s 2022 summer forecast
AccuWeather Hurricane Center – April 27, 2022 – The start of summer is fast approaching, and AccuWeather meteorologists are ready to pull back the curtain to reveal what weather Americans across the country can expect in the coming months.
The first taste of summer arrived months ahead of schedule in Southern California when widespread temperatures in the 80s and 90s F were reported during the first half of February. Meanwhile, residents of the northern Plains might still be wondering if winter has ended yet with multiple rounds of Arctic air and blizzard conditions throughout April.
The roller-coaster ride that is spring will continue to blur the lines between the seasons in the coming weeks, but the light is at the end of the tunnel and widespread, long-lasting warmth is fast approaching.
Summer has been on the minds of AccuWeather’s long-range forecasters for weeks, and the team of meteorologists, led by Senior Meteorologist Paul Pastelok, has put together the pieces of the weather-forecasting puzzle to create a forecast for the contiguous United States for the upcoming season.
Meteorological summer is slated to begin on Wednesday, June 1, just two days after Memorial Day weekend, which is often touted as the unofficial start to summer. Astronomical summer will commence less than three weeks later on the solstice, which occurs this year at 5:13 a.m. EDT on Tuesday, June 21.
Take a look at the complete region-by-region breakdown of the U.S. summer forecast below:
Stormy summer ahead for Northeast, Midwest
Lawnmowers will have their work cut out for them this summer across the northeastern and midwestern U.S., although finding windows of opportunities to head outside to cut the grass could be tricky with a stormy pattern on tap.
“In the Northeast,” Pastelok explained, “we’ve had ample amounts of moisture here to start off 2022.”
This wet weather pattern is predicted to continue across the regions into the summer with frequent rain that could disrupt many outdoor summertime activities, such as doing yard work, exercising outdoors or playing golf.
“We may not have to water the lawn too often,” Pastelok said. “The thing is: you’re going to have to probably cut the lawn often.”
Johnny Wilson mows a lawn in Washington on Wednesday, Oct. 4, 2017. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)More moisture will also mean increased chances for severe weather from the Atlantic coast through the Great Lakes.
“We may have a lot of severe weather to deal with here in the Northeast coming early to mid part of the summer season,” Pastelok said. “All of the ingredients are there.”
The Midwest faces the highest risk of severe weather this summer, particularly in June and July, but damaging storms and tornadoes will also be possible across the Northeast throughout the summer, including the heavily populated Interstate 95 corridor.
Pastelok noted that the long-term weather pattern this year is showing some similarities to 2012, a summer that produced a disastrous derecho across the Ohio Valley and mid-Atlantic.
A derecho is a long-lived complex of thunderstorms that produces destructive wind gusts of at least 58 mph over an area spanning at least 240 miles. Wind gusts often exceed the 58-mph benchmark and the storm system is sometimes referred to as an “inland hurricane.”
The areas at the highest risk of experiencing the impacts of a derecho, Pastelok said, are the Midwest, Ohio Valley and parts of the mid-Atlantic.
While the wet pattern will fuel severe weather, it will help to limit the potential for heat waves across the regions.
Nearly every major city across the Northeast and Midwest experienced more 90-degree days than normal last summer. Boston typically counts 14 90-degree days throughout the year, but last year reported 24. This year, AccuWeather is predicting 15 to 18 90-degree days for the city.
Last summer in the nation’s capital, the mercury hit 90 F on 48 occasions above the long-term average of 40 days. A repeat could unfold this summer in Washington, D.C., with 42 to 46 days expected to reach 90 F this year.
Chicago is another city forecast to have more 90-degree days than normal this year, similar to what unfolded in 2021. Last year, the city counted 22 days where the mercury reached 90 F, above the long-term average of 16 days. This year, AccuWeather is predicting that the Windy City will experience 18 to 24 days with a temperature of at least 90 F.
Pastelok noted that although daytime temperatures will average near normal in the eastern half of the nation this summer, overnight temperatures will be well above normal. This means that there will be less natural cooling at night, increasing the energy demand during the overnight hours.
Monsoon to help short-term drought over interior West
As thunderstorms frequent the East Coast and Midwest and tropical troubles brew near the Southeast, rain could be hard to come by across the nation’s heartland.
Drought conditions are widespread from Texas through Montana with most of the High Plains experiencing severe to extreme drought, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. The worst conditions are focused on the Texas and Oklahoma panhandles and western New Mexico.
“The High Plains is going to end up being drier and drier and drier as we go into the first part of the summer season,” Pastelok said. “So, I don’t see any relief coming that way from any big [thunderstorm] complexes developing.”
The heat and dryness will not only put a strain on crops across the region, but it will also lead to a high-than-average cooling demand across the region. Americans living in metro areas of San Antonio, Dallas, up into Kansas City and west out to Denver can expect substantial home cooling costs this summer.
The best chance for much-needed rain across the drought-stricken West will arrive in the form of the annual monsoon over the Rocky Mountains and Four Corners.
“We do think it’s going to be a pretty decent monsoon season,” Pastelok said. He added that it could begin slightly earlier than normal in late June or early July. Typically, the monsoon in the southwestern U.S. begins in July and lasts into September.
Rain from the monsoon will help to douse short-term drought concerns across the region, but the monsoon-induced rain will be a double-edged sword.
“Unfortunately when the monsoon season starts, you can get development of more fires triggered by lightning strikes, and then you have to deal with the mudslides afterward in the burn area. So it’s not all good news, but it is good news as far as water goes,” Pastelok explained.
The fire season in the Four Corners got underway during the second half of April with multiple blazes breaking out, including the Tunnel Fire near Flagstaff, Arizona, and the Calf Canyon Fire near Santa Fe, New Mexico.
A lightning bolt streaking over the Grand Canyon during a summer thunderstorm. (NPS/Grand Canyon National Park)Thunderstorms associated with the monsoon could disrupt outdoor plans all across the interior West during what is expected to be the busiest summer travel season since before the coronavirus pandemic.
The millions of people set to visit national parks from the Grand Canyon in Arizona to Zion and Arches in Utah and eastward into Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado will all be subject to rounds of turbulent weather during the monsoon season.
Can’t wait for hot weather? Dive into AccuWeather’s 2022 summer forecast >>
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Colorado Has the 11th Most Expensive College Tuition in the U.S.
Despite a slight drop in college attendance amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the large majority of high school graduates go directly to college upon completing high school. According to data from the National Centers for Education Statistics (NCES), enrollment in four-year colleges has more than doubled over the last 50 years, going from a little over five million students in 1970 to nearly 11 million in 2019. At the same time, Census Bureau data shows that the share of the U.S. adult population with a four-year college degree has more than tripled, from 11% in 1970 to 36% in 2019.
For many, a college degree offers the most straightforward path toward securing a job and increasing pay. Research from Georgetown University suggests that 35% of job openings in 2020 required at least a bachelor’s degree and data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics shows a greater than 67% pay difference, on average, between high-school graduates and college degree holders.
While higher levels of education are necessary for many jobs, the cost to get this education has increased dramatically in the last several decades. In 1979, the average annual total cost of attendance—including tuition, fees, room, and board—for full-time undergraduates was $9,307 (in constant 2019-2020 dollars). By 2019, this rate had nearly tripled, to more than $25,000. The result is that currently, the average amount of debt a college graduate owes at graduation is $31,100, up from less than $10,000 in 1970.
Because of this, it’s not surprising that cost is one of the primary determining factors when considering where to attend college. In fact, roughly four out of every 10 high school students rated cost as “most important” in a recent Fidelity survey. However, a university’s published price is often not a strong indicator of what any individual might actually pay out of pocket to attend, after factoring in the availability of grants and scholarship aid. In recent years, more than 80% of first-time, full-time undergraduates attending four-year colleges received some form of financial aid. So rather than focusing on published sticker prices, prospective students and their families should focus on net price, which better reflects the dollar amount paid by those who can’t afford to pay full price.
To determine the states with the most expensive college tuition, researchers at Self Financial analyzed data from the National Center for Educational Statistics. The researchers ranked states according to the average net price for students awarded aid, defined as the total published price of attendance for full-time, in-state undergraduates less the average amount of grant and scholarship aid received. Researchers also calculated the average published total price, the average published price of tuition, fees, books, and supplies, the average published price of room and board, and total public undergraduate enrollment. Only public, four-year, degree-granting institutions were included in the analysis.
The analysis found that in Colorado, students pay an average net price of $18,247 for college tuition. Out of all states, Colorado has the 11th most expensive college tuition. Here is a summary of the data for Colorado:
- Average net price for students awarded aid: $18,247
- Average published total price: $28,394
- Average published tuition, fees, books, & supplies: $12,600
- Average published room & board: $15,793
- Total public undergraduate enrollment: 105,475
For reference, here are the statistics for the entire United States:
- Average net price for students awarded aid: $15,090
- Average published total price: $26,685
- Average published tuition, fees, books, & supplies: $11,533
- Average published room & board: $15,151
- Total public undergraduate enrollment: 5,297,491
For more information, a detailed methodology, and complete results, you can find the original report on Self Financial’s website: https://www.self.inc/blog/states-with-the-most-expensive-college-tuition