As seen in the August 2008 issue of Money magazine and on the web at CNNMoney.com.
Loveland, CO
Top 100 rank: 33
Population: 61,100
In the late 1920s, Loveland’s Spring Glade orchard was the largest cherry orchard west of the Mississippi River, contributing to a million-dollar cash crop.
Now, thanks to its name, Loveland is better known as the home of the Valentine Re-Mailing Program. Half a million valentines are sent here, hand-stamped with a Valentine’s Day verse and forwarded to intended recipients.
Though big brother Fort Collins sits to the north, there’s plenty of action in Loveland: the city has a notable sculpture collection, and the Budweiser Event Center houses acts such as David Bowie and Disney on Ice.