Cities Puzzler


This is my infamous cities puzzler.

The following US places have a common property that no other US place can claim. Can you figure out what that property is? The answer is simple; it does not require special knowledge or bizarre facts. I can imagine the possibility that I have mistakenly omitted as many as two places, though I very much doubt it. Such an omission on my part will not, in any way, hinder finding the solution. Don't bother guessing, you will know when you find the solution.


  • Alamosa, CO
  • Alma, CO
  • Chicago, IL
  • Colorado Springs, CO
  • Divide, CO
  • Denver, CO
  • El Paso, TX
  • Laramie, WY
  • Leadville, CO
  • Los Alamos, NM
  • Los Angeles, CA
  • Mammoth Lakes, CA
  • New York City, NY
  • Phoenix, AZ
  • Santa Fe, NM
  • Woodland Park, CO


One person has independently solved this puzzle since I formulated it in 1995. That solution came in 2010.

September 5, 2007 Note: This list is notably different from past lists. The two reasons for the differences are (1) I have mistakenly left off Laramie from recent lists even though it was on past lists and (2) properties change, note some additions and deletions relative to the previous list.