Which Colorado city is the easiest place to rank on Google Maps?

Of the 5 Colorado cities measured, Lakewood averages lowest, at 51 across 12 trades, and Denver averages highest, at 67, 16 points higher. Lakewood’s calmest market is pest control, at 32, and its toughest is dentists, at 67, with 906 reviews at the top-three median. There, 1 of 12 trades score under 35 and 1 score over 65, in a city of 156,927 residents. Easy is relative: a low score means calmer than the other measured cities, not empty, and the map still rewards a complete, well-reviewed profile.

How many Google reviews do I need to compete in Denver?

It depends on the trade. In Denver, the median review count of the top three Google Maps results runs from 46 for landscaping to 3,338 for plumbing, with med spas in the middle at 635. In plumbing, 20 of the top 20 have passed 100 reviews and the top ten average 4.8 stars. Those are the businesses you would be trying to pass. Reviews carry 30 of the index’s 100 points, but relevance and distance let a smaller count win close to your own address.

How is the Colorado Market Competition Index calculated?

Take electricians in Colorado Springs, which scores 61, close to the Colorado median. Its top three Google Maps results hold 766 reviews at the median (weight 30), 13 of the top 20 have passed 100 (15) and the top ten average 4.9 stars (10). 33% of its top sites carry local business markup, part of the website signal (20). El Paso County has 0.66 of these businesses per 1,000 homes (10) and Colorado Springs has 494,743 residents (15). Each signal is scaled from 0 to 1 across every city measured, then weighted. A logarithm tames review counts and population.

How often is the Colorado SEO forecast updated?

The Google Maps data behind this page was read October 29, 2026, in 60 searches, one for each of Colorado’s 5 cities and 12 trades, covering 1,108 business listings. The Census figures are County Business Patterns 2023 and the Vintage 2025 population and housing estimates. Colorado is one of 14 states published so far, with 36 more joining as their monthly Places batches complete. Because the index is relative, adding states recalculates every score, and small moves can happen with no local change.

Does a low score mean my business does not need SEO?

No. In Colorado, 2 of 60 markets score under 35. The calmest are pest control in Lakewood (32), pool companies in Aurora (34) and pool companies in Lakewood (36), where the top three hold as few as 3 reviews at the median. A low score means competitors there are less established than in other measured cities, not that customers stop searching. In those markets, profile and review work is SEO at its cheapest, and it pays back fastest before anyone else builds a lead.

SEO Market Map Colorado

SEO Market Map · Colorado · 5 cities · 12 trades

Today’s SEO forecast for Colorado.

Colorado ranks 3rd of 14 states for search competition, at 59 against a median of 54 across the 14 states measured so far. Its hardest trade is dentists (69); its calmest is pool companies (40). Pick yours.

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In one paragraph

How hard is it to reach the top of Google Maps in Colorado? We scored five cities and 12 trades from 0 to 100 using who ranks, their reviews, their websites and how crowded each county is, all read October 29, 2026. Colorado averages 59, the 3rd highest of 14 states so far.

The five-city outlook

Where search is calm, and where it is severe.

Lakewood is calmest at 51; Denver runs at 67.

Storms likely

Lakewood

51/ 100

Local SEO needed

Hardest Dentists · 67

Calmest Pest control · 32

Storms likely

Fort Collins

56/ 100

Local SEO needed

Hardest Med spas · 70

Calmest Pest control · 37

Storms likely

Aurora

57/ 100

Local SEO needed

Hardest Dentists · 73

Calmest Pool companies · 34

Storms likely

Colorado Springs

62/ 100

Local SEO needed

Hardest Law firms · 73

Calmest Pool companies · 45

Severe

Denver

67/ 100

Full SEO plus paid

Hardest Law firms · 80

Calmest Pool companies · 47

The Colorado radar

Denver runs hottest.

Denver, Colorado Springs, Aurora, Fort Collins and Lakewood, stormiest first.

67DenverSevere
62Colorado SpringsStorms likely
57AuroraStorms likely
56Fort CollinsStorms likely
51LakewoodStorms likely

Clear skies 0–19
Mostly sunny 20–34
Clouds building 35–49
Storms likely 50–64
Severe 65–100

State lines: US Census Bureau. Numbered pins follow the key, stormiest first.

01 / 11

How competitive is local search in Colorado?

At 59, Colorado ranks 3rd of 14 measured states (median 54). That average hides a wide spread: pest control in Lakewood scores 32, while law firms in Denver scores 80. Your own answer depends on which of the 60 city and trade markets you are in.

Counting markets, 19 are severe enough to call for full SEO and paid search, 39 are contested local-SEO markets and 2 are calm enough for profile and review work.

Trade by trade, dentists (69), med spas (68) and veterinarians (66) average highest across Colorado. Pool companies (40), landscaping (48) and pest control (50) average lowest.

Size matters less than you might expect: Denver, the largest measured city at 740,613 residents, averages 67, while Lakewood, at 156,927, averages 51.

02 / 11

SEO competition in Denver

Denver scores 67 on average, ranking 1st of 5 in Colorado. Its toughest market is law firms at 80, where the top three Google Maps results hold 1,841 reviews at the median and 19 of 20 rivals have passed 100. At the other end, pool companies score 47 with a 53-review median.

In Denver, 7 of 12 trades score over 65, 5 sit between 35 and 65 and 0 fall under 35.

The top ten map results average 4.7 stars in pool companies and 4.9 in med spas, the lowest and highest rating bars in Denver.

Denver has 740,613 residents in the Census Bureau’s Vintage 2025 estimate. Denver County counts 2,360 establishments across the trades the Census codes, about 6.3 per 1,000 homes.

Of the 36 top competitor sites we could read here, 75% use local business markup, and 69% have a sitemap updated within twelve months.

SEO competition in Colorado Springs

Colorado Springs scores 62 on average, ranking 2nd of 5 in Colorado. Its toughest market is law firms at 73, where the top three Google Maps results hold 582 reviews at the median and 16 of 20 rivals have passed 100. The calmest is pool companies at 45 (47 reviews at the median).

Split by verdict, Colorado Springs has 4 full-SEO markets, 8 local-SEO markets and 0 where a profile may be enough.

Ratings run from 4.5 stars (pool companies) to 4.9 (med spas) across Colorado Springs’ top ten results.

Colorado Springs has 494,743 residents in the Census Bureau’s Vintage 2025 estimate. El Paso County counts 1,755 establishments across the trades the Census codes, about 5.5 per 1,000 homes.

Of the 36 top competitor sites we could read here, 61% use local business markup, and 69% have a sitemap updated within twelve months.

SEO competition in Aurora

Across 12 trades, Aurora comes in at 57, the 3rd highest of Colorado’s 5 measured cities. The hardest trade is dentists (73), with a 1,173-review median among the top three and 19 of 20 competitors past 100 reviews. The calmest is pool companies at 34 (35 reviews at the median).

Split by verdict, Aurora has 3 full-SEO markets, 8 local-SEO markets and 1 where a profile may be enough.

Aurora’s rating bar is lowest for pool companies, 4.7 stars across the top ten, and highest for electricians, at 5.0.

Aurora has 410,053 residents in the Census Bureau’s Vintage 2025 estimate. Arapahoe County counts 1,874 establishments across the trades the Census codes, about 6.8 per 1,000 homes.

For Aurora, 36 ranking competitor sites were readable: local business markup on 50%, a sitemap change in the past year on 69%.

SEO competition in Fort Collins

Fort Collins averages 56 across 12 trades, 4th of 5 Colorado cities. The hardest trade is med spas (70), with a 344-review median among the top three and 15 of 20 competitors past 100 reviews. Pest control is calmest at 37, where 37 reviews is the top-three median.

In Fort Collins, 4 of 12 trades score over 65, 8 sit between 35 and 65 and 0 fall under 35.

Ratings run from 4.6 stars (pool companies) to 5.0 (chiropractors) across Fort Collins’ top ten results.

Fort Collins has 171,500 residents in the Census Bureau’s Vintage 2025 estimate. Larimer County counts 1,203 establishments across the trades the Census codes, about 7.0 per 1,000 homes.

Of the 36 top competitor sites we could read here, 64% use local business markup, and 69% have a sitemap updated within twelve months.

SEO competition in Lakewood

Lakewood scores 51 on average, ranking 5th of 5 in Colorado. Dentists are hardest at 67: the first three businesses on the map carry a median of 906 reviews, with 19 of the top 20 above 100. At the other end, pest control scores 32 with a 3-review median.

Of its 12 trades, 1 calls for full SEO plus paid search, 10 for local SEO and 1 for a strong profile and reviews.

Lakewood’s rating bar is lowest for veterinarians, 4.6 stars across the top ten, and highest for electricians, at 5.0.

Lakewood has 156,927 residents in the Census Bureau’s Vintage 2025 estimate. Jefferson County counts 1,820 establishments across the trades the Census codes, about 7.0 per 1,000 homes.

We read 36 competitor websites that rank for Lakewood searches. 44% carry local business markup and 64% changed their sitemap in the last year.

Where Colorado needs full SEO and paid search

Three trades average over 65 in Colorado: dentists (69), med spas (68) and veterinarians (66). Expect entrenched leaders: large review counts, mature sites and steady publishing. Organic work wins here over time, and paid search tends to carry the calls until it does.

SEO for dentists: Colorado Springs 64 to Aurora 73, a 666-review median. SEO for med spas: Lakewood 51 to Denver 79, a 344-review median. SEO for veterinarians: Lakewood 64 to Fort Collins 68, a 508-review median.

In Aurora, dentists’ top three hold 1,173 reviews at the median, 19 of the top 20 have passed 100 and the top ten average 4.7 stars.

Denver sets the bar for med spas: 635 reviews at the median among the top three, 19 rivals past 100 reviews and a 4.9-star average.

08 / 11

Where local SEO decides the call in Colorado: the tougher trades

Five trades average between 35 and 65 in Colorado: HVAC (64), law firms (64), plumbing (63), roofing (57) and chiropractors (57). The map pack is contested here. A complete profile is not enough on its own; location pages, reviews and on-page work separate the businesses that get the call.

SEO for HVAC: Aurora 54 to Denver 72, a 855-review median. SEO for law firms: Fort Collins 51 to Denver 80, a 306-review median. SEO for plumbing: Fort Collins 54 to Denver 76, a 389-review median. SEO for roofing: Lakewood 49 to Denver 67, a 276-review median. SEO for chiropractors: Lakewood 47 to Denver 65, a 254-review median.

To lead HVAC in Denver, a business faces a 2,320-review top-three median, 20 established rivals and ratings averaging 4.8.

In Denver, law firms’ top three hold 1,841 reviews at the median, 19 of the top 20 have passed 100 and the top ten average 4.9 stars.

09 / 11

Where local SEO decides the call in Colorado: the lighter trades

Four trades average between 35 and 65 in Colorado: electricians (55), pest control (50), landscaping (48) and pool companies (40). The map pack is contested here. A complete profile is not enough on its own; location pages, reviews and on-page work separate the businesses that get the call.

SEO for electricians: Lakewood 47 to Denver 65, a 175-review median. SEO for pest control: Lakewood 32 to Denver 63, a 400-review median. SEO for landscaping: Lakewood 43 to Fort Collins 52, a 102-review median. SEO for pool companies: Aurora 34 to Denver 47, a 47-review median.

Denver sets the bar for electricians: 476 reviews at the median among the top three, 13 rivals past 100 reviews and a 4.9-star average.

Denver sets the bar for pest control: 703 reviews at the median among the top three, 15 rivals past 100 reviews and a 4.8-star average.

10 / 11

What Colorado's top competitor websites do

Across Colorado’s 60 city and trade searches, 180 ranking competitor websites could be read and profiled. 59% carry local business markup, against 54% across every state measured, and 68% changed their sitemap in the last year. The median ranking site lists 6 location-style pages.

Across every state measured the median ranking site lists 1 location-style page, so Colorado’s leaders are ahead of the national pattern. WordPress runs 109 of them; custom or less common builders run 49. Platform matters less than markup, sitemap and service-area pages.

Those three are also the cheapest fixes on most local sites. Our free audit reports where your own site stands on each.

11 / 11

How to use the Colorado forecast

Find your city and trade in the table and read its band. In Colorado, 2 markets score under 35, where a profile and reviews may be enough; 39 sit between 35 and 65, where local SEO decides the call; and 19 score over 65, where full SEO and paid search are the norm.

In Colorado, plumbing in Denver (76) is a full-SEO market; electricians in Denver (65) needs local SEO; pool companies in Aurora (34) is a market a strong profile may carry.

61 is the middle score among Colorado’s 60 city and trade markets. Choose a trade at the top of the page to redraw every card and the map for it, or open the methodology for each signal and its weight.

What a searcher sees on the map

The view from the phone.

City Trade

80/ 100

Severe

Competitors with deep review counts and built-out websites hold the top spots. This market rewards full SEO, with paid search to buy time while it builds.

1,841 median reviews among the top three
19 of the top 20 with 100 or more reviews
4.9 average stars across the top 10

The full forecast

Every city, every trade.

Colorado by city and trade, read October 29, 2026. Methodology.
City	Plumbing	HVAC	Roofing	Electricians	Landscaping	Pest control	Pool companies	Dentists	Law firms	Med spas	Veterinarians	Chiropractors
Denver	76	72	67	65	51	63	47	71	80	79	66	65
Colorado Springs	65	70	58	61	51	61	45	64	73	69	66	63
Aurora	61	54	53	54	44	59	34	73	61	69	67	59
Fort Collins	54	69	58	48	52	37	39	68	51	70	68	53
Lakewood	61	56	49	47	43	32	36	67	54	51	64	47

Questions

What business owners in Colorado ask first.

Jamie Kloncz · SEO Elite Agency, Naples

The answer is dentists: a 69 average, top among 12 trades, with 4 of 5 Colorado cities scoring it above 65. It is hardest in Aurora, at 73: the top three Google Maps results there hold 1,173 reviews at the median, 19 of the top 20 have passed 100 and the top ten average 4.7 stars. Its calmest Colorado city is Colorado Springs, at 64. The least competitive trade statewide is pool companies, at 40, 29 points lower. Expect to compete on reviews, location pages and site quality at once in the top trade.

Sources

Google Maps Platform: Text Search (New), Places API documentationOpened and checked October 30, 2026
U.S. Census Bureau: County Business Patterns (2023)Opened and checked October 30, 2026
U.S. Census Bureau: Population and Housing Unit Estimates (Vintage 2025)Opened and checked October 30, 2026

Keep reading

The national SEO forecast How the forecast is measured SEO for dentists SEO for med spas

Written by Jamie Kloncz, founderSEO Elite Agency, Naples FL. Data last read October 29, 2026.

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