The 5 things you should do if you want to live in rural Colorado: (Denver: condos, how much)

[littleamen]

You've clearly never lived in the part of the state the I grew up in.

This Statement makes it clear that you have no idea what you are arguing about:

"Where in the constitution is it written that certain families are entitled to live the same priveleged lifestyle generation after generation? Perhaps if more of this privately owned open space that is not agricultural was made accessible to the public it would lessen the desire to live in the open spaces. This is another aspect of Entitlement mentality."

Agriculture (farming and ranching) is pretty much all that keeps many towns there going. It's all that many of the people there know how to do. Let's face it, it's not like you'd ask a banker to start doing open heart surgery one day just because some big company took over his bank. It has nothing to do with "entitlement mentality", it has to do with people's livelihood.
And "priveleged lifestyle". Ha! That's laughable.

[DanBev]

Originally Posted by wannabemt

Well, after driving straight through, 1700+ miles we are finally here in Denver. I must say I would have loved to have seen this area about 50-100 years ago. I have never seen so many people wanting to move to such a beautiful state but only to live on top of each other. I can't believe all the housing developments and the stores that surrond the foot hills of Rockies! Don't get me wrong, yes it's still beautiful, but from someone who's from NE PA, it's a BIG surprise. We have spent two days so far trying to find that "small" community where houses are not 10ft away from eachother and not ever mile you find a shopping center. Unfortunately we can not afford a 250K home. We are really concerned if this is the right place for us.

You can't blame people for trying to find a better quality of life. This very thing is happening in our own back yard! People come and build..raising the cost of living, housing and taxes and the only alternative is to move on. It's just the way things are. We do need to be more conservative and learn that we can't make something that it's not. If God didn't make it green and lush, don't try and make it into something it's not! Except the land for what it is. Don't destroy it's natural beauty. Also, stop taking down the old buildings and homes, repair and upgrade. Once these buildings are gone you can't replace history.

I'am not sure what God's plan is right now for our family but I can say that it has been a real pleasure to see the natural beauty of Colorado. It's a trip I hope to make again, next time with my children in tow.

Many blessings,
Jamie

When we moved to CO. in '71 Evergreen was still summer cabins and where we lived in Conifer,Aspen Park,there were 8-10 of us.Didn't even have to lock doors!!Think about this as you look around.

[CosmicWizard]

littleamen

If it's not a privelege or at least somewhat desirable to live an agricultural lifestyle, then why is there so much complaining on this forum about the loss of the agricultural way of life?

For those who choose to live an agricultural way of life I wish you the greatest success and happiness. I hate to see anyone loose their means of livelihood whatever it might be. But to resent newcomers from another state who are also seeking a better lifestyle, seems to imply an attitude that goes something like this; I was here before you, so I'm entitled to keep living the way I've always lived up to now. I shouldn't have to make any changes because of you. I shouldn't have to deal with the economic realities that everyone else is dealing with.

Let me be clear...I hope you can keep your agricultural lifestyle. You do a great service for our country. Also, the agricultural landscape is very scenic to my eyes and I would hate to see it disappear.

best wishes...Franco

[Katiana]

Originally Posted by DanBev

When we moved to CO. in '71 Evergreen was still summer cabins and where we lived in Conifer,Aspen Park,there were 8-10 of us.Didn't even have to lock doors!!Think about this as you look around.

Things must have changed pretty fast in Evergreen. By the time we got here in 1980, there were plenty of what we now call "McMansions", and plenty of activity on the main drag. John Hinckley, the guy who shot Reagan, lived there in a fancy home (with his parents).

[upwithpeople]

You guys are living in the past. Get over it. Things change. People move in, people leave. If you don't like Colorado anymore - move! You don't own the whole thing. If somebody wants to build a motocross track on their property then it is their right to do so. The whining on this thread isn't even unique to Colorado anyway. Far from. Jazzlover is stuck in the 1950's or something.

He is a broken record like Rawlings (with all the conservative ranting) and LovesBoating telling us a 100 times about his accident last winter. Get over it!

[littleamen]

"If it's not a privelege or at least somewhat desirable to live an agricultural lifestyle, then why is there so much complaining on this forum about the loss of the agricultural way of life?"

Because it's how they make a LIVING, FEED the FAMILY, PAY THE BILLS. ....not just because it's some lovely lifestyle they'd like to maintain, many of the people I know absolutely know no other way of life.

I'm not talking about the 45-50 miles around Denver/the Front Range, and some lawyer/doctor who decided to buy 20 or 30 cows.....which is obviously what those of you making comments here are referring to. I'm talking about the actual RURAL areas of Colorado and people who make their ENTIRE income from agriculture. There's a HUGE difference between the two.

[littleamen]

"If you don't like Colorado anymore - move! "

Oh, and I did move. Still love Colo (clearly not the area where you're attitude prevails). Grew up there. Unfortunately, there's not much to go back to.

[littleamen]

"If somebody wants to build a motocross "

They didn't build it. They had to sell some land....some ass from out of state (that doesn't have to look at it every day) built the motor-cross track.

[littleamen]

Geez, why am I arguing over this. I don't even live in the state anymore. It's just extremely frustrating to see the shift in population on the Front Range and how that little tiny piece of the state is now affecting the whole.

[CosmicWizard]

littleamen

you said:

Geez, why am I arguing over this. I don't even live in the state anymore. It's just extremely frustrating to see the shift in population on the Front Range and how that little tiny piece of the state is now affecting the whole.

I think I understand your frustration but I could never be certain about that. It appears that a part of your thought process is stuck in the past. Until you are willing to accept the changes that have occurred you'll continue to be frustrated. It's your choice!

Because it's how they make a LIVING, FEED the FAMILY, PAY THE BILLS. ....not just because it's some lovely lifestyle they'd like to maintain, many of the people I know absolutely know no other way of life.

Unfortunately it is not just people living in rural Colorado who are being forced to adjust their means of livelihood and their very way of life. With so many jobs being shipped overseas for cheaper labor and illegals willing to work for pennies on the dollar, people EVERYWHERE are being squeezed. Many of those people affected also know of no other way to make a living and they have also lived a certain way all their lives.

Personally, I've lost my means of livelihood on several occassions and it was a real b*tch initially, until I was able to adjust. After an initial period of struggle, I was much better off with my new means of livelihood on both occassions.

There is no way to sugar coat the loss of ones livelihood...but...it can be a blessing in disguise if you accept the need to change. As long as you resist the change and keep wishing that things would stay the same, you'll be frustrated and angry. And if you keep resisting long enough you'll be bitter as well. Blaming it on someone else ( like people moving into your area ) makes it even worse becasue it gives you a sense of powerlessness. All of your energy is tied up in resenting the newcomers so you have little or nothing left over to make the changes you need to make.

I'm not saying that newcomers moving into an area is a good thing, and I'm also not saying it is a bad thing. It is however what is happening for better or worse, and it will probably continue long into the future.

I sincerely wish you peace of mind...Franco