Ecclectic tastes, where to live in CO? (Denver, Colorado Springs: fit in, skateboarding)

[pyrotech]

Hi all,

I'm new to posting in this forum, but have been browsing for a while.

I've read that Colorado is a bit of a conservative place. I'm wondering how I will fit in there. I come from southeast Texas, and lived in an overly-religious conservative area for the first 22 years of my life. Next I moved to Burlington, VT, where it's a bit of the opposite. Nobody cares what religion you are here, but people are very, very, VERY liberal. So anywhere in the middle would be just fine for me.

So I have grown to love the mountains, trees, and lakes. I want to live somewhere I can go hiking, snowshoeing, mountain biking, longboarding (skateboarding down hills), snowboarding, and rock climbing without a really long commute (over an hour). I love to swim, and cliff diving and kayaking would be great to be able to do without too long of a drive, but I would sacrifice a long drive for those over the others.

I am also a fire spinner, hula hoop dancer, juggler, and tightrope walker. I would like a place that has at least a couple of public parks where I can share my arts with others. Many areas have fire codes that do not allow fire spinning in public, so I can stick to my own back yard for that if necessary. I love massage therapy and yoga, so I'd like to be able to find these things nearby where I live.

I enjoy a friendly community over a big city, but if both happened to be in the same place, all the better. I won't know anyone when I move there, so somewhere that social events occur would be great. I hear in Colorado Springs, there is a hot air balloon festival. Events like this would be great! I'd like to be able to bike around the neighborhood safely; are there any places with bike lanes around? I've never seen these in TX, so as far as I know, these really are only popular here in VT and places like OR.

I am a software engineer, and would like to have a variety of technical jobs where I can have options of where to work. I am hoping to move next summer or fall, so I will not be interviewing for jobs until next year. I'm hoping to find a job before moving, but know that this may not be possible. For a software engineer with about 2 years experience in the field, would it really be a problem finding a job?

Back to the conservative nature, I'm gay. I was harrassed a bit while living in Texas, and it made finding a roommate really difficult. Here in VT, it's been no problem at all, and certain anti-gay words are hardly ever heard. What is the view on homosexuality on average in CO? Not looking for individual opinions, just the consensus view. Have there been studies done on gay marriage there? What were the outcomes if so? Has anyone ever been to a pride rally in CO anywhere? What was it like?

I've only visited Denver once, and have gone snowboarding in Winter Park a few times. I loved all the areas I visited, but I was also staying in hotels, so didn't really get a feel of how the culture is there.

Can anyone suggest where I'd want to look?

Thanks a ton in advance, namaste!

[chilaili]

If you can afford it, it sounds like Boulder would be a good fit for you. Possibly Manitou Springs which is down by Colorado Springs (a tad more conservative but you could check the COS forum for more details)?

[delta07]

I would agree that Boulder is probably the best fit for you, if you can afford it. You might also check out Fort Collins, to the north. I went to Colorado State, and really loved the community. Both cities are fairly liberal, but Colorado in general seems to be somewhere in the middle. The western slope tends to lean towards the conservative side, but nothing like the deep south. I wouldn't recommend Co. Springs based on your lifestyle. It tends to be very conservative and is the home to Focus on the Family, the ultra-conservative group. I think you will feel like an outcast there. Of course, if you can't find work in those towns, you may have to settle for Denver. It's actually a pretty nice city, and still close to the outdoor recreation you desire. I grew up in the suburbs of Denver, and while I don't like the big city, Denver isn't bad.

I think you will find most people in Colorado generally keep to themselves. While not everyone will agree with your lifestyle, most people are tolerant. Colorado is a long way from allowing gay marriage IMO. However, I don't think you have to worry about outright discrimination.

I don't know about the job market for software engineering, but anywhere is going to be tough right now. It's not an easy time to find work, but hopefully that will change soon.

[reginhild]

Old Colorado City and Manitou Springs are attached to Colorado Springs and up against the base of the mountains. There are mountain bike and hiking trails aplenty you can get to without having to drive - just open your door. There are plenty of hills for longboarding. You would need to drive South to the Arkansas river (30-40 minutes for good river action but Royal Gorge area is probably one of the best places. Not sure if you can do much on the small river coming down through Manitou Springs. Rock climbing you can also do right out your door from Manitou Springs and Old Colorado City with Garden of the Gods and Pikes Peak right there.

Yes, Focus on the Family is in Colorado Springs. No, that does not mean that the City is an Ultra-Conservative haven (even some of the ultra-conservatives swing both ways - Ted Haggard). In fact, Manitou Springs and Old Colorado City tend to be more liberal than conservative areas. Overall you have a big mix here in Colorado Springs and the different groups get along well.

Look for the job first. There are software engineering positions in Denver, Colorado Springs, and elsewhere in Colorado.

[infonc]

I would say that Crested Butte, on the Western Slope would be a good fit. Boulder, Manitou Springs, Colorado Springs, Aspen, Vail but first would have to be Crested Butte.

[Josseppie]

I am gay and very active in the gay community in Pueblo helping put on Pueblo Gay Pride and have lived in Colorado all my life to be honest and fair I don't think you will have a issue at any front range city from Pueblo to Fort Collins. All of the cities have gay prides and bars. Obviously the Springs is more Christian but even there they have clubs and the second largest pride in the state.

As far as gay marriage, we do not have it and I do not see it in the near future but I can see the lawmakers passing some kind of domestic partnership, in fact Governor Ritter said if he got a bill he would sign it into law. They are even working on a bill now that would extend it to state workers.

My advise to you would be is go to where you can find a job in Colorado, given you want to be in the high tech industry I would suggest either Colorado Springs or the Denver metro area. To be honest I am not sure how many high tech jobs remain in the Springs as a lot seem to be moving out, but since I live in Pueblo I do not know for sure.

If you have anymore questions you can either send me a e-mail or ask here...

[pyrotech]

Thanks for your help.

When you say that people in Colorado tend to stick to themselves, do you mean there aren't many social networks? Are there many opportunities for someone new to the area to make friends, like clubs and such? I'm guessing Denver would be the best for this type of thing.

Does anyone know about busking / street performing? I'd like to be able to juggle and such in an area where people are out and about in the summer, it's another way to make summer money. I am used to paying for permits and insurance, just wondering where all the buskers go. Downtown Boulder looks like a beautiful place to do this, but not sure what laws are around Denver and Boulder, as I haven't seen any pics of jugglers etc.

I probably wouldn't be able to afford Boulder right off, and with a tech job, it's looking like Denver may be my best bet to move to first. If anything, to get started in a career in Colorado, and move from there.

[suzco]

Originally Posted by pyrotech

. . .
Does anyone know about busking / street performing? I'd like to be able to juggle and such in an area where people are out and about in the summer, it's another way to make summer money. I am used to paying for permits and insurance, just wondering where all the buskers go. Downtown Boulder looks like a beautiful place to do this, but not sure what laws are around Denver and Boulder, as I haven't seen any pics of jugglers etc. . .

Both Denver and Boulder have lots of buskers.

Boulder Pearl Street Mall is filled with buskers, including jugglers, unicyclists, the balloon man, zip code guy, musicians.

16th St. Mall in Denver even hosts the Denver International Buskerfest yearly.

[2bindenver]

Nederland

[delta07]

Originally Posted by pyrotech

Thanks for your help.

When you say that people in Colorado tend to stick to themselves, do you mean there aren't many social networks? Are there many opportunities for someone new to the area to make friends, like clubs and such? I'm guessing Denver would be the best for this type of thing.

I think there are plenty of social opportunities out there. I just meant that people generally don't care about your lifestyle choice, it doesn't affect them personally. I think Denver, Boulder, or any of the larger cities along the Front Range have plenty of clubs and other places to meet new people. As long as you are active about getting to know someone, you shouldn't have a problem.