Help my sister find her perfect area!! (Denver, Colorado Springs: real estate, apartment)

[lauralala1013]

Hi everyone! My husband and I are seriously considering Colorado (most likely Colorado Springs or Denver) and my sister is now considering it as well. She is interested in horticulture and would love to rent out an affordable small cabin/house/apartment on lots of land to garden, have chickens, hunt, and generally just be outdoors. She does want to be close to the mountains as well. She works in retail and wants to go to school for horticulture but could always commute to CS or Denver if they are close by. She's in her late twenties, single, with a 5 year old boy. Does anyone have any suggestions on a great area not too far from Colorado Springs or Denver for her? Thank you all so much in advance!

[jazzlover]

With all that she wants, I hope she has at least a half-million dollars in the bank (not likely). That is about what it would take, if not more.

[lauralala1013]

There aren't any rural towns with farms? Would she have to go further from the mountains?

[davebarnes]

Originally Posted by lauralala1013

Does anyone have any suggestions on a great area...for her?

Kentucky
Tennessee
This is a serious answer.

Colorado consists of:
1. Great Plains - grass and no water
2. Mountains - cold, dry

[delta07]

In general, farming in Colorado is mostly done on the eastern plains or the Western Slope. It's very difficult to farm close to the larger metro areas because land is expensive and has been bought up for real estate. If she wants to be closer to the mountains, the Western Slope is probably the best option. However, jobs are scarce and land is still relatively expensive. Plus, she would be 4-6 hours away from the Front Range, where is sounds like you will end up.

The eastern plains are a better option for cheap land and farming options. However, she may have to settle for only seeing the mountains when she visits you.

Honestly, overall, Colorado is not the place to be a farmer. The weather and altitude will make it extremely difficult. The growing season is relatively short, save for a few areas (which I mentioned). It can be done, and there are farms, but she will need some investors or backing to make it work. She might look into working on a farm to see if it's something she wants to really pursue.

[lauralala1013]

Thanks everyone! I will certainly pass the information along.

[NW Crow]

If she wanted to study horticulture at undergraduate or graduate level the best bets would be to be near Greeley or Fort Collins for the universities there. Anywhere outside those cities might work. Somewhat closer to Denver one could look around Loveland or Berthoud (about 16 inches of rain there, decent for some things).

Moderate distance outside of Colorado Springs would places near Pueblo West or Penrose. Some farm places might have water rights from the Arkansas River. Or closer to CS, Fountain valley.

Not many people interested in Colorado would consider LaJunta but if growing stuff and affordable are more important than running into the mountains or the big city a lot it might work for the right person, especially if they wanted to work with / learn from commercial growers.