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Austin vs. Denver: Why the Colorado capital is gaining more millennials than any other city, including ours

Austin and Denver are both top destinations for millennials and Bay Area tech companies in search of something new. (Shutterstock, Pexels)
Austin isn't the only city attracting millennials and Bay Area tech companies with its outdoorsy profile, local breweries, progressive politics and Major League Soccer team. Denver, Colorado, has seen significant population growth in recent years and lures a similar crowd, including some Austinites in search of a change of scenery.
The two capital cities, 920 miles apart, have seen their populations grow more than 20% since 2010, according to census data. Both are top destinations among millennials, a recent SmartAsset analysis found, as well as the companies hoping to hire them. Despite Austin's steady population growth, Denver is the top out-of-state metro with a deficit migration flow, meaning more Austinites are moving to Denver than Denverites are moving here.
Megan Ivy, a broker with Denver-based Usaj Realty who was born and raised in Austin, often hears from people who are moving from Austin to Denver or vice versa. Perhaps even more common, however, is the person who is moving from a larger coastal city—San Francisco, Los Angeles or New York City—and is torn between the two options. "I get the comment all the time," she said. "'It's between Denver and Austin.'"
Twin cities
After the Great Recession, Colorado saw an economic diversification that spanned many industries, including aerospace, bioscience and digital communications. Starting around 2013, Denver began attracting Bay Area tech companies, which often opened a customer service or sales office. These companies quickly discovered that their employees in other departments wanted to move to Denver, which promised a higher quality of life and a lower cost of living. This trend continued during the pandemic, with some companies such as Marqeta and Salesforce opening new offices or expanding existing ones.
If this sounds similar to Austin's trajectory, that's because it is. Although the two cities have invested in different industries, there is some overlap. "I would say that we compete with Austin on a regular basis, predominantly for technology and financial services companies," said Sam Bailey, vice president of economic development at the Metro Denver Economic Development Corporation. "And it makes sense."
In the last decade or so, Austin and Denver have proven their value to prominent tech companies in search of a diversely skilled, millennial workforce, which is, in turn, drawn to the two cities because of their relative affordability, big city amenities and natural beauty.
(Graphic by Emma Freer)
Growing pains
Now the question is: Can the two cities keep this up? "I think what both communities share is this responsibility to focus on the future," Bailey said, citing housing affordability, mobility and equity as issues Austin and Denver must confront.
Ivy moved to Denver around a decade ago, following her now-wife, and immediately felt a vibe similar to Austin's. Both cities are neighborly, with a strong food-and-drink culture and family-friendly amenities. Due to their popularity, they are also facing similar housing challenges. "Our markets are insane," she said. "It's just incredibly competitive, very challenging, low inventory, skyrocketing prices."
But there are some key differences. Ivy thinks Denver has better weather—temperate, yet seasonal—and a more robust transit system, where Austin wins on live music and diversity. "Denver is very white," she said.
Ariel Hernandez is moving to Denver work his new job. (Ariel Hernandez)
Ariel Hernandez, 28, will be making the move from Austin to Denver later this month, where he has a new job at the DISH Network headquarters. "I think there are a lot of similarities between the two cities," he told Austonia. The Houston-born resident will miss his family, friends and Whataburger. But he's excited about the change. "I feel like I've done everything I needed to do," he said.
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(San Gabriel Music/Instagram)
🗓 Friday
🎙Live Music at Lone Star Court*
Enjoy the deep roots of Texas music with weekly live performances at Lone Star Court. Located at The Domain, there’s always a tune for you to tap your foot to at the retro-inspired property. Every Thursday through Saturday, locals and travelers alike can enjoy live performances and specialty cocktails at the Water Trough. This week you can catch Drew Moreland, Julia Hatfield, and Clayton Gardner.
7-9 p.m. Thursday, 8-11 p.m. Friday-Saturday | 📍 Lone Star Court, 10901 Domain Dr.
🗓 Saturday
⚽️ Austin FC vs. Atlanta United FC official watch party
Austin FC is playing away this weekend at Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium but you can still enjoy those Verde vibes at Celis Brewery’s official watch party. Support your local team and grab a brew as they take on Atlanta United FC.
Kickoff at 6 p.m. Saturday | 📍 Celis Brewery, 10001 Metric Blvd.
🎥 The Godfather showing
Cult classic mob drama “The Godfather,” featuring the likes of Al Pacino and Robert De Niro, is returning to the big screen for its 50th anniversary. This weekend celebrates the filmography of Francis Ford Coppola as part of The Paramount Theatre’s Summer Classic Film Series. Tickets are $11 each.
4 p.m. Saturday, 1 p.m. Sunday | 📍The Paramount Theatre, 10001 Metric Blvd.
🎹 Live music from San Gabriel
Enjoy some of San Gabriel’s “bedroom-pop,” with a drink in-hand on Radio’s airy outdoor patio, complete with food trucks Veracruz All Natural, Dee Dee Thai and Briscuits. Admission is free.
8-11 p.m. Saturday | 📍Radio Coffee & Beer, 4204 Menchaca Rd.
🗓 Sunday
🎭 The Sound of Music
Watch the classic musical surrounding the Von Trapp family live and on stage from Austin performers from the ZACH Theatre. You can see the show through July 24 and tickets start at $25.
Showtimes at 2:30 and 7:30 p.m. Sunday | 📍The Topfer at ZACH, 202 S. Lamar Blvd.
📚 The Winter’s Tale
The Austin Chamber Music Center and Austin Shakespeare are blending music and poetry in their fifth annual collaboration, this time celebrating “The Winter’s Tale.” Tickets start at $30 and tickets for online on-demand access will be available on Monday.
3 p.m. Sunday | 📍Bates Recital Hall, 2406 Robert Dedman Dr.
Content marked with an *asterisk has been paid for to help Austonia keep producing free content.
(Laura Figi/Austonia)
The original Z’Tejas location on West 6th Street is closing its doors after more than 30 years on the lot to make way for new development.
Z'Tejas owner Randy Cohen told Austonia the restaurant will be open at least through the end of 2022, possibly through March 2023.
Cohen said the owners—Larry McGuire of McGuire Moorman Lambert Hospitality—of the land have something new planned, though he’s not exactly sure what. Additionally, Cohen said maintenance costs for the old building were becoming prohibitively expensive.
“I think the people who own the dirt will tear it all down and build condos or some other development,” Cohen said. “I mean, it's a 60-year-old building, Z'Tejas has been here for 33 years and before that, it was something else. So it's just progress, that's all."
The restaurant isn’t going away though—Cohen said Z’Tejas is already looking for a new spot in the downtown area to move into. Z’Tejas also has a location in Avery Ranch, another in the works for Kyle and two in Arizona.
“We have all our ducks in a row right now and the management team is all rowing in the right direction,” Cohen said. “We're just excited, we're excited to build this iconic brand back.”
(Laura Figi/Austonia)
Once he finds a new place, Cohen plans to bring along its mural, “The Last Zupper,” which features Willie Nelson, Matthew McConaughey and Barbara Jordan. Cohen also plans for the adjoining ghost kitchen, Woo Woo Burgers, to follow to the new downtown location.
“We're still booking events through the end of December,” Cohen said. “Come ‘Z' me at Z’Tejas, we'd love to see you before we’re gone.”
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