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California's six state income tax rates range from 1 percent to 9.3 percent depending upon the amount earned and filing status. Residents must complete returns on Form 540EZ, Form 540A (short form), Form 540 (long form) or Form 540-ADS by April 15. When that date falls on a weekend or holiday, filers get until the next business day to submit their state returns.

NOTE: In 2012, April 15 falls on a Sunday, giving residents an extra day to file their taxes.

Home to breathtaking Rocky Mountain scenery, the "mile high" capital city of Denver, and world-class Colorado ski resorts, the state boasts the highest mean elevation of any in the U.S, with more than 1,000 mountain peaks over 10,000 feet high.

Once known for its cattle farms & silver mines, today Colorado's economy is primarily based on service industries along with a strong manufacturing base. The state also plays a large role as a communications and transportation hub for the entire Rocky Mountain region.

Demographics : (Colorado Census Data)
Major cities: Denver (capital), Colorado Springs, Aurora, Lakewood, Fort Collins
Population : 4,753,377
White : 90.3%
Black, African American : 4.1%
Hispanic : 19.5%
High school graduates : 86.9%
Bachelor's degree or higher : 32.7%
Average household income: $50,105

Cost of Living: Hovering around 93% lower than the national average, Pueblo and Colorado Springs exhibit the most favorable cost of living data. While Denver is slightly higher than the national average, its cost of living index is still significantly lower than many of the nation's largest cities.

Property Taxes : The Tax Foundation - Ranking Colorado - Colorado is one of the 13 states that collect no state-level property taxes, meaning its per capita property tax collections equaled $1,026 for all levels of government in FY 2004, ranking it 23rd nationally.

Personal Income Taxes: Colorado assesses a flat tax of 4.63% on the entirety of an individual's taxable federal income, which must be filed on return Form 104 each year by April 15.

Housing & Real Estate Overview : also see Zillow - Colorado Real Estate
Home ownership rate : 67.3%
Average home price: $224,870
Average travel time to work : 25 minutes

Schools : see Colorado Department of Education

Weather : Thunderstorms are common in the eastern plains region during the spring and summer and can be severe. Due to its overall Rocky Mountain location, however, the state's climate is generally described as dry and cool, with a low & comfortable humidity index even on the hottest summer days. In winter, the relatively thin mountain atmosphere in Colorado allows for more warming sunlight to penetrate, accounting for the light clothing worn by skiers even on the snowiest mountain ski runs.

Crime : see Colorado by the Numbers: Law Enforcement, Crime, Public Safety and Prisoners

also see -> Colorado Eviction Laws | Colorado Taxes

Colorado Fall Foliage | Colorado Tourist Attractions

Colorado Kids Party Locations

More about moving to Colorado around the Web:

Best Places to Live in Colorado - Money magazine's annual survey of top locations rated by quality of life, median income, education, healthcare and related criteria.

Denver Metro Convention and Visitors Bureau - Moving Here? - Offering an interactive cost of living calculator, assistance with relocating a business, city facts & figures, suggested health care providers, and links to major educational resources, local newspapers, radio and TV stations.

Colorado City-Data Forums - Lurk or join in on active discussions regarding relocation to Denver, Fort Collins and other cities throughout the state with advice on jobs, house hunting and related tips.

Information for People Moving to Colorado - A comprehensive state-wide relocation guide with helpful information on available federal housing programs, home ownership assistance, state school districts & ratings, with additional how to's on finding public transportation, obtaining a driver's license, state taxes, voter registration.

Colorado Real Estate, Apartments & Job Classifieds:

Denver : Post | Rocky Mountain News
Colorado Springs : Gazette
Aurora : Sentinel
Fort Collins : Coloradoan