Gunnison, CO, United States

Capital City

The population of just 6,560 residents makes Gunnison, Colorado a sleepy mountain town, but don't let the quaint facade fool you - the frigid winters with over 45 inches of snow annually are no joke. Gunnison's isolation during the Spanish Flu epidemic, where the town barricaded itself off from the outside world, underscores the bureaucratic headaches residents must navigate. While Western Colorado University provides a college-town vibe, the high poverty rate of 30.6% suggests Gunnison is best suited for those seeking a rugged, no-frills lifestyle in the Rockies.