Affordable & safe areas to raise a family in CO?

Are you moving to a certain location for a job or can you live anywhere in Colorado? It's a huge state so..

we live in Longmont and like it a lot

We lived in Thornton but that’s before we had kids. CO is great, but the schools are terrible. Affordable areas are really outside Denver or Boulder (not in the cities.) if you’re looking for affordability, and you aren’t tied to an area by your jobs, check out the Castle Rock area. Its a cool state to live in for a bit. Endless snow and outdoor activities!