Eureka! Prospectors found gold in the hills near Boulder in the mid-19th century, and the resulting gold rush of 1859 started the flow of people to this hidden jewel of the Rockies. Dedicated miners settled the area, but now, tourists, athletes, and students flock to the city for its eclectic culture and laid-back atmosphere. Home to the University of Colorado at Boulder, over a third of the population is comprised of students and school staff. Recreational activities abound here, including hiking, camping, rock climbing, biking and running, and events like the Bolder Boulder 10k Run lure thousands of participants each year. Despite the city's playful nature, well-rounded Boulder is also known as a principal center for scientific studies, hosting esteemed establishments such as the National Center for Atmospheric Research. The gold rush may be over, but the thousands of tourists who return year after year say this exhilarating city is still as good as gold.