Who's in Colorado?

[cnfowler]

Hey guys and gals. I'm curently a trooper in Florida and I'm looking into moving to Colorado and joining the Colorado State Patrol. I'm wondering if anyone can fill me in on good areas in Colorado to live. Any insight or help is greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

[Brian Hann]

Re: Who's in Colorado?

I am not from Colorado, but have a few friends who grew up in Denver. They loved it. From what I hear Colorado Springs is really nice and not as crazy as big city Denver.

[cnfowler]

Re: Who's in Colorado?

Thanks, Brian.

I lived in Colorado Springs 17 years ago. I figure it's not the same so I was hoping some forum members would chime in and fill me in on what they think are good places/areas to live.

[jmakado]

Re: Who's in Colorado?

What are you looking for? Mountain town, the city, in between? Snow or no snow?
etc....

[cnfowler]

Re: Who's in Colorado?

Jason, I assumed it snowed everywhere in Colorado. It doesn't really matter where I end up, I was just curious if anyone had some opinions on areas throughout the state. I'll end up with a list of available cities to chose from and will only have 24 hours to pick one. I figured if I did some research beforehand, it may make it a little easier on my family and I. I have no idea what will be on the list - it gets sent out 4 weeks prior to starting the academy (which will be in July 2008).

[the other pc]

Re: Who's in Colorado?

Got a favorite ski resort? Near there!


PC.

(I haven't skied Colorado enough to have a favorite myself, but I do know the best ski instructors on the planet, they're real close to where jmakado's at.)

[cnfowler]

Re: Who's in Colorado?

Well, I know for a fact that CSP doesn't pay enough to be really close to a ski resort and since I didn't win the HGTV Dream Home, I'm probably going to have to settle with something far away.

[the other pc]

Re: Who's in Colorado?

You don't have to live on the slopes, just within a reasonable driving range. The folks who work on the mountains don't make much coin but they all got'ta live close enough to commute.

Heck, any suburb of Denver ain't too far from the slopes.


PC.

[jmakado]

Re: Who's in Colorado?

Cost of living is for sure higher up here than anywhere on the front range. I do know that the CSP has a location in Silverthorne. Silverthorne is about 10 minutes from Copper, Arapahoe Basin, Keystone, Breckenridge, and about 30 minutes from Vail. So yeah, a lot of ski areas close by. We only get about 5 months snow free up here though. Not everybody is into that. I lived in Capo Beach, CA this past summer and cost of living was similar to Dillon. So I guess it all depends on where you are coming from whether you would consider it expensive or not.
For front range, I like Denver the most. CO Springs and Boulder are just about the same as far as a "city" feel goes though. If you prefer warmer flatter environments and enjoy desert type things, motorcycles and 4 wheeling, etc. then on the western slope will probably be more your style. Grand Junction comes to mind for those activities. You could also go south to Pueblo area. Cost of living is a lot lower down there for sure and you will have much warmer temperatures.
Colorado is really varied as far as environment and activites go. That's why I was wondering what you are interested in and what type of weather you are looking for. One thing you will get anywhere is a lot of sunshine. Denver has more sunny days than San Diego FWIW.

[cnfowler]

Re: Who's in Colorado?

Jason, I appreciate your last post. This was the type of info I was looking for. I noticed you were from Dillon. I had no idea where that was so I ran a search on it. It looks absolutely gorgeous there. To say I'm jealous would be an understatement.

I've always missed the mountains and all the related activities that go along with it since I moved to Florida. I've always said I would go back to the mountains one day. This is my opportunity to get out of Florida and back to where I want to be. As far as things I'm in to - I enjoy skiing, snowboarding, hiking, camping, climbing, rafting...pretty much anything active and outdoors. I'd love for my baby girl to have the opportunity to do all these things and more. Here in Florida there's the beach. That's pretty much it. It's entirely too hot here to actually get out and do anything that takes place after the early morning or before the sun goes down. There are no season changes - there's hot or there's chilly in the morning then hot by the afternoon.

I guess what I'm trying to say, Jason, is I would love to be in the mountains or at least close to them. My wife thinks I'm crazy, but my idea of a dream home would be at the top of a mountain where a four wheel drive is needed to get to it. Only problem is the money issue.

[jmakado]

Re: Who's in Colorado?

Sounds like you would love it here. I sure do. I enjoy the long winter and all the outdoor activities that are available around here. The good news is that things like camping and hiking are free once you have whatever gear you may need. Skiing is also affordable if you live here. You can get a "buddy pass" to all the Summit County resorts (A-Basin, Keystone, Breck and 10 days at Vail/Beaver Creek) for around $400. Like I said, I know the CHP has a location in Silverthorne, which might as well be Dillon. It's about 6 blocks from my house. You might not be living at the top of a ski area but open space is plentiful and EVERY neighborhood in Summit County has national forest land within 3 minutes walk, tops. Like Paul mentioned, a lot of people here don't make much money. It all just depends on what your idea of a good life is. If it includes a 7 bedroom house and 5 cars then it cost a lot to live here. If you are content with a regular house and normal cars and lots of outdoor activities then you don't need to be a millionaire.

On another note, if one of the mountain towns isn't available it's still only an hour or so to the ski areas and only 20 minutes to hiking and camping in the foothills. Best of luck and let me know if you have any more questions. I've lived here my whole life and know most of the state pretty well so feel free to ask me about other areas.

[cnfowler]

Re: Who's in Colorado?

Thanks Jason for all your responses. I certainly don't live a rich lifestyle - it would be impossible for me to do on the state's pay. I will keep Summit County in mind. I'm going to make a trip to Colorado probably in November. I'll put Dillon on the list as a place to visit.

[jmakado]

Re: Who's in Colorado?

Did you ever make it out here?

[CarbonBlack]

Re: Who's in Colorado?

I live in a suburb of Denver called broomfield. there is little crime, lots of shopping, and police stations.

another good town is brighton. there is a beautiful CSP station there, and houses are more reasonable. in Colorado The weather constanty changes

There can be a foot of snow on the ground, and within 3 days, the temp is back at 70's


If you had any questions, you can write me
-nick
(I'd pick Brighton)

[Andysgo]

Re: Who's in Colorado?

I went to college in Colorado Springs and love it there. It is big enough to have what you want, small enough to feel like one city (not the metropolis that is Denver), close enough to Denver for sports/concerts/etc, and in the shadow of a 14,000 ft mountain (Pike's Peak). If you can't afford to live near the resorts, the Springs would be my pick.