Living in Parker, Colorado

Parker sits southeast of Denver and has transformed from a small ranching town into one of the Denver Metro’s most sought-after suburbs. Known for strong schools and access to tons of outdoor recreation, Parker blends excellent and modern suburban amenities with some of that original small-town personality.

Its historic downtown is just a few blocks long, but it’s packed with cafes and restaurants, and boutique shopping. It serves as a focal point for community events year-round, and is a draw for families who want suburbia with at least some social activity. Beyond downtown, you’ll find sprawling master-planned neighborhoods, parks connected by an extensive trail system, and quick access to both the Denver Tech Center and Castle Rock.

For those looking to balance suburban comfort with proximity to major job hubs, Parker offers an appealing mix of new developments and well-maintained older neighborhoods.

Life in Parker, like a lot of Colorado, revolves around the outdoors and community engagement. The Cherry Creek Trail runs through town, connecting neighborhoods to parks and open space areas both in-town and throughout the area. Summers bring farmers' markets, concerts, and festivals in O’Brien Park, while winters feature holiday carriage rides and a small-town lighting ceremony.

Parker has the amenities of a modern suburb, large shopping centers, gyms, and medical facilities, but it still manages to keep a slower, friendlier pace than some of Denver’s closer-in suburbs. Housing leans toward single-family homes, but there are also townhomes and condos, especially near downtown.

To see what locals do for fun, check out the Parker Calendar of Events.

We highly recommend visiting Parker and staying in the community at a VRBO instead of a hotel to get a feel for what it's like to live among the locals. You can also receive discounted fares on travel through our partnership with Expedia.

Lots of locals commute to the Denver Tech Center, downtown Denver, or other parts of the south metro area via E-470 or I-25. The location also makes Castle Rock, Centennial, and Aurora commercial sectors accessible for work. Within Parker itself, education and healthcare provide the bulk of jobs, with Parker AdventHealth Hospital and the Douglas County School District as major employers.

Remote workers appreciate Parker’s newer housing stock with space for home offices, and how much the quiet neighborhoods make for a productive environment.