WalletHub used 30 metrics to compare the quality and efficiency of state government services in five categories ó education, health, safety, economy and infrastructure and pollution ó taking into account the different rates at which citizens are taxed in each state.Colorado came in No. 5 of states with the best RIO (tax return on investment).Colorado ranked 14th in total taxes per capita (population aged 18 plus); 33rd in education; fourth in health; 30th in safety; third in economy; 20th in infrastructure and pollution.Colorado also ranks No. 5 among the most innovative states.Colorado came up fifth in the share of STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) professionals; sixth in the projected STEM job demand by 2020, first in eighth-grade math and science performance; fifth in the share of technology companies; seventh in venture-capital funding per capita.
