Colorado made the top 10 of states most heavily regulated with COVID-19 restrictions one year after the pandemic first hit, a new study shows.

WalletHub compared 50 states plus the District of Columbia and tabulated their scores based on restrictions on travel, masks, large gatherings, restaurants, bars, working from home, school closures, strict shelter-in-place orders and other regulations.  

The objective was actually to rank the states with the fewest coronavirus restrictions.

Colorado came in 43rd place out of 51. In other words, we ranked #9 in states with the strictest government regulations on our personal lives and ability to make a living over the past year. 

The top 10 most restricted states are:

  1. Virginia
  2. Vermont
  3. District of Columbia
  4. Hawaii
  5. California
  6. Massachusetts
  7. North Carolina
  8. New Mexico
  9. Colorado
  10. Washington 

Can you believe that? New York came in at #13.

The top 10 least restrictive state are:

  1. Iowa
  2. South Carolina
  3. Oklahoma
  4. Idaho
  5. South Dakota
  6. Alaska
  7. Utah
  8. Florida
  9. Tennessee
  10. Montana

Read the full list and methodology here.