Holly, CO

Sitting just four miles from the Kansas border along the Arkansas River, Holly is a quiet, tight-knit Eastern Plains community of around 800 people. It also holds a fun piece of state trivia: at 3,393 feet above sea level, it has the lowest elevation of any town in Colorado. Holly got its start in the late 1800s as a massive cattle ranch and railroad stop, eventually growing into the birthplace of the Holly Sugar Company. You can still see those deep roots around town today, from the old agricultural buildings to the restored Santa Fe railroad depot that now serves as Town Hall.

ATTRBilly Hathorn / CC BY-SA 3.0

For newcomers looking for a slower, self-contained lifestyle, Holly offers a surprising number of conveniences right in town. Residents have easy access to local K-12 schools, a public library, neighborhood parks, a community swimming pool, and even a vintage downtown movie theater. Outdoor lovers can walk the scenic trail running along the river, which doubles as a great vantage point for watching wildlife and migratory flocks during the regional Snow Goose Festival. It is an unpretentious agricultural town where neighbors know each other and life moves at a relaxed pace.