Colorado ranks sixth in national happiness survey

Colorado is one of just two states that have ranked in the top ten every year since a national happiness survey began in 2008.

The survey, conducted by Gallup, rates all 50 states based on an index score formulated according to career, social, financial, community and physical factors.

Colorado ranked sixth in this year’s survey — behind Hawaii, Wyoming, Alaska, Montana, and Utah.

“I think the views we have, the natural beauty, Nature, are why we have such a high happiness factor,” said Kathleen Trujillo, of Colorado Springs. “But all states have good and bad. I guess it depends on what you’re used to.”

West Virginia, Arkansas, Kentucky, Mississippi, and Tennessee rounded out the bottom five.

“I think it’s because some communities are demolished by poverty and the lack of a sustainable industry,” said Marcus Mancini, of Colorado Springs. “That makes them more susceptible to bigger problems.”

Gallup based its results on 115,000 surveys of adults across the country, focusing on the following variables:

Career: Liking what you do each day and being motivated to achieve your goals. Social: Having supportive relationships and love in your life. Financial: Managing your economic life to reduce stress and increase security. Community: Liking where you live, feeling safe and having pride in your community. Physical: Having good health and enough energy to get things done daily.

The national average happiness score decreased for the second straight year, from 61.5 to 61.2.