[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 18]
[Senate]
[Page 23708]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                    RECOGNIZING LOUISVILLE, COLORADO

 Mr. UDALL of Colorado. Mr. President, today I congratulate the 
city of Louisville, CO, for being named recently as the top place to 
live in the Nation by Money Magazine. I know that Colorado is home to 
many amazing towns, cities and communities. It would be nearly 
impossible to choose which among them is the top place to live, but I 
am proud that Louisville received this prestigious honor.
  Every 2 years, Money Magazine releases a ranking of cities under 
50,000 residents. In compiling these rankings, the editors consider 
factors such as economic opportunity, schools, affordability of homes, 
crime rates, and entertainment options for families. This year marks 
the third consecutive time Louisville has made the list, ranking fifth 
in 2005 and third in 2007.
  In addition to the usual factors, this year's survey had an added 
component. People from around the nation said that the availability of 
great jobs was the most important factor to them when deciding where to 
live. This does not come as a surprise to any of us, but makes 
Louisville's ranking all that much more impressive for Colorado. While 
Louisville has certainly seen the effects of the economic downturn, it 
has been able to continue to support and attract cutting-edge 
businesses. ConocoPhillips is an example of just one business that has 
recently decided to put down roots in Louisville, where it plans to 
build a renewable energy and new technologies research facility. The 
businesses located in Louisville's Tech Center continue be at the 
forefront of Colorado's high-tech development, and those located on 
Louisville's historic Main Street support jobs while continuing 
traditions started generations ago.
  But more than its ability to attract businesses and jobs, the heart 
of Louisville and what makes it the top place to live is its solid 
community and commitment to the outdoors. Louisville supports a vibrant 
summer farmers' market and Friday night Street Faire, which brings to 
town musical acts from across the West. Earlier this summer, the annual 
Louisville Fourth of July celebration included the traditional 
fireworks show and a giveaway of 4,000 hot dogs and bratwursts cooked 
by the mayor and city council, part of a long-standing tradition. Money 
Magazine also remarked on Louisville's share of the legendary Colorado 
sunshine and beautiful open spaces. In a town of 18,000 residents, 
Louisville has over 2000 acres of open space, 26 parks and nearly 30 
miles of trails, most with panoramic views of the Front Range 
Mountains.
  I congratulate both Louisville and the town of Superior, CO, which 
earned a ranking of 13th on the list. We know that Coloradans are proud 
of their outstanding communities, and it is only appropriate that 
Colorado is home to the ``Best Place to Live'' in the Nation. 
Congratulations again to the residents of Louisville.

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