Denver

Smart city ranking
53 Out of 141
34 out of 118 in 2021
BBB BBB in 2021
Factor ratings
BBB Structures
BBB Technologies
Group
1
All ratings range from AAA to D
City
Population
715,522
(UN Data)
HDI
0.942
Country 2018 2019 2020 2021 1 yr change
HDI 0.920 0.926 0.920 0.921 +0.001
Life expectancy at birth 78.9 78.9 77.4 77.2 -0.2
Expected years of schooling 16.3 16.3 16.3 16.3 0.0
Mean years of schooling 13.4 13.4 7.4 7.4 0.0
GNI per capita (PPP $) 56,140 63,826 10,046 10,258 +211

From a list of 15 indicators, survey respondents were asked to select 5 that they perceived as the most urgent for their city. This is the total bar. The higher the percentage of responses per area, the greater the priority for the city.

The left-hand, dark blue section of each bar shows the Alignment, i.e. the proportion of those respondents who also answered the survey on the corresponding area by giving it low priority. A strong Alignment (i.e. consistency across both areas explained) means that these areas may benefit from close observation.

% of respondents who chose the Priority Area
0%
20%
40%
60%
80% 100%
affordable housing
83.5%
road congestion
57.8%
air pollution
42.6%
security
39.7%
school education
33.5%
unemployment
31.7%
health services
28.8%
fulfilling employment
23.2%
public transport
22.1%
corruption
19.2%
basic amenities
16.1%
recycling
15.4%
social mobility
14.0%
green spaces
12.8%
citizen engagement
7.8%
% of respondents who agree or strongly agree with the statement
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%100%
You are willing to concede personal data in order to improve traffic congestion
55.9%
You are comfortable with face recognition technologies to lower crime
57.6%
You feel the availability of online information has increased your trust in authorities
44.4%
The proportion of your day-to-day payment transactions that are non-cash (% of transactions)
78.7%
Legend
City
Group Mean
Health & Safety
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Basic sanitation meets the needs of the poorest areas
49.6
Recycling services are satisfactory
62.0
Public safety is not a problem
36.1
Air pollution is not a problem
30.2
Medical services provision is satisfactory
61.7
Finding housing with rent equal to 30% or less of a monthly salary is not a problem
17.2
Mobility
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Traffic congestion is not a problem
20.8
Public transport is satisfactory
49.1
Opportunities (Work & School)
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Employment finding services are readily available
69.0
Most children have access to a good school
57.8
Lifelong learning opportunities are provided by local institutions
61.8
Businesses are creating new jobs
64.2
Minorities feel welcome
58.4
Activities
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Green spaces are satisfactory
66.8
Cultural activities (shows, bars, and museums) are satisfactory
78.9
Governance
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Information on local government decisions are easily accessible
59.2
Corruption of city officials is not an issue of concern
42.1
Residents contribute to decision making of local government
53.6
Residents provide feedback on local government projects
62.4
Legend
Min
City
Mean
Max
Health & Safety
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Online reporting of city maintenance problems provides a speedy solution
40.9
A website or App allows residents to easily give away unwanted items
59.8
Free public wifi has improved access to city services
42.1
CCTV cameras has made residents feel safer
38.0
A website or App allows residents to effectively monitor air pollution
43.8
Arranging medical appointments online has improved access
66.3
Mobility
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Car-sharing Apps have reduced congestion
41.2
Apps that direct you to an available parking space have reduced journey time
38.0
Bicycle hiring has reduced congestion
37.6
Online scheduling and ticket sales has made public transport easier to use
56.2
The city provides information on traffic congestion through mobile phones
56.0
Opportunities (Work & School)
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Online access to job listings has made it easier to find work
69.8
IT skills are taught well in schools
43.8
Online services provided by the city has made it easier to start a new business
44.8
The current internet speed and reliability meet connectivity needs
63.4
Activities
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Online purchasing of tickets to shows and museums has made it easier to attend
75.4
Governance
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Online public access to city finances has reduced corruption
38.8
Online voting has increased participation
54.2
An online platform where residents can propose ideas has improved city life
42.7
Processing Identification Documents online has reduced waiting times
54.4
Legend
Min
City
Mean
Max

Background Information

City
Population
715,522
(UN Data)
HDI
0.942
Country 2018 2019 2020 2021 1 yr change
HDI 0.920 0.926 0.920 0.921 +0.001
Life expectancy at birth 78.9 78.9 77.4 77.2 -0.2
Expected years of schooling 16.3 16.3 16.3 16.3 0.0
Mean years of schooling 13.4 13.4 7.4 7.4 0.0
GNI per capita (PPP $) 56,140 63,826 10,046 10,258 +211

Priority Areas

From a list of 15 indicators, survey respondents were asked to select 5 that they perceived as the most urgent for their city. This is the total bar. The higher the percentage of responses per area, the greater the priority for the city.

The left-hand, dark blue section of each bar shows the Alignment, i.e. the proportion of those respondents who also answered the survey on the corresponding area by giving it low priority. A strong Alignment (i.e. consistency across both areas explained) means that these areas may benefit from close observation.

% of respondents who chose the Priority Area
0%
20%
40%
60%
80% 100%
affordable housing
83.5%
road congestion
57.8%
air pollution
42.6%
security
39.7%
school education
33.5%
unemployment
31.7%
health services
28.8%
fulfilling employment
23.2%
public transport
22.1%
corruption
19.2%
basic amenities
16.1%
recycling
15.4%
social mobility
14.0%
green spaces
12.8%
citizen engagement
7.8%

Attitudes

% of respondents who agree or strongly agree with the statement
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%100%
You are willing to concede personal data in order to improve traffic congestion
55.9%
You are comfortable with face recognition technologies to lower crime
57.6%
You feel the availability of online information has increased your trust in authorities
44.4%
The proportion of your day-to-day payment transactions that are non-cash (% of transactions)
78.7%
Legend
City
Group Mean

Structures

Health & Safety
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Basic sanitation meets the needs of the poorest areas
49.6
Recycling services are satisfactory
62.0
Public safety is not a problem
36.1
Air pollution is not a problem
30.2
Medical services provision is satisfactory
61.7
Finding housing with rent equal to 30% or less of a monthly salary is not a problem
17.2
Mobility
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Traffic congestion is not a problem
20.8
Public transport is satisfactory
49.1
Opportunities (Work & School)
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Employment finding services are readily available
69.0
Most children have access to a good school
57.8
Lifelong learning opportunities are provided by local institutions
61.8
Businesses are creating new jobs
64.2
Minorities feel welcome
58.4
Activities
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Green spaces are satisfactory
66.8
Cultural activities (shows, bars, and museums) are satisfactory
78.9
Governance
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Information on local government decisions are easily accessible
59.2
Corruption of city officials is not an issue of concern
42.1
Residents contribute to decision making of local government
53.6
Residents provide feedback on local government projects
62.4
Legend
Min
City
Mean
Max

Technologies

Health & Safety
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Online reporting of city maintenance problems provides a speedy solution
40.9
A website or App allows residents to easily give away unwanted items
59.8
Free public wifi has improved access to city services
42.1
CCTV cameras has made residents feel safer
38.0
A website or App allows residents to effectively monitor air pollution
43.8
Arranging medical appointments online has improved access
66.3
Mobility
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Car-sharing Apps have reduced congestion
41.2
Apps that direct you to an available parking space have reduced journey time
38.0
Bicycle hiring has reduced congestion
37.6
Online scheduling and ticket sales has made public transport easier to use
56.2
The city provides information on traffic congestion through mobile phones
56.0
Opportunities (Work & School)
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Online access to job listings has made it easier to find work
69.8
IT skills are taught well in schools
43.8
Online services provided by the city has made it easier to start a new business
44.8
The current internet speed and reliability meet connectivity needs
63.4
Activities
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Online purchasing of tickets to shows and museums has made it easier to attend
75.4
Governance
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Online public access to city finances has reduced corruption
38.8
Online voting has increased participation
54.2
An online platform where residents can propose ideas has improved city life
42.7
Processing Identification Documents online has reduced waiting times
54.4
Legend
Min
City
Mean
Max