Green grass in Colorado? (Denver, Fort Collins: ski resorts, 2009, houses)

[xeric]

I agree with the comments about how it's too dry to be naturally green on the Front Range There's another aspect as well: for 5 months of the year everything is brown due to cold dormancy. No matter how much water you throw on it, you're not going to get anything to grow (although some have probably tried). The bottom line is that the moisture and temperature limitations in the Colorado "lowlands" are such that I can't think of a worse place to move if greenery is important to you.

[MandieBunny]

Originally Posted by formercalifornian

you're just picking up and moving to Denver because...why exactly? Do you have jobs?

We are looking at a few different places to relocate, mainly because we don't want to raise a family in Phoenix. We don't like the pollution, the congestion, the lack of vegetation, or the lack of culture. We're not picking up and moving tomorrow, or anything, just.. eventually.. In a year or two, maybe.

CO is on the list because we have friends and family there, and they had all good things to say! Friendly people, plenty to explore, lower crime rates, and 'greener' in the ecological sense. Other than that, I don't know too much about the state - so I was just trying to get a better picture from some people that might know! Plus, we're visiting later this week, so I wanted to find out about places we might want to check out.

As for me, I work in medicine, so employment comes easily. But to be specific - I have scouted the area, and there are plenty of opportunities for my specialty. Not sure why everybody's so worried about that!!

[formercalifornian]

I think we're curious because jobs can be hard to come by in Denver right now, but it appears you've got that all worked out. Sorry to be nosy.

For greenery, the older neighborhoods around Denver have plenty. The exurbs are much drier and lacking in trees. Lots of tall grasses and scrub oak, though.

Gardens can be tough, because it's fairly windy here on the plains. In the foothills, the mountains cast shadows that shorten the day. That said, I've been researching Colorado gardening this winter, and there are quite a few heirloom veggies that will grow nicely here.

All in all, I think you'll find it much greener here than Arizona. Enjoy your visit!

[xeric]

Originally Posted by formercalifornian

All in all, I think you'll find it much greener here than Arizona. Enjoy your visit!

I don't know about that. After all cacti stay green all year. Also, every plant community that Colorado has is also available in Arizona.

[reginhild]

Live near a park and you will have lots of green grass and trees (probably more than you would have in your yard) you won't have to pay the water bill for!

[formercalifornian]

That was exactly what my family did. We don't have to mow it either. Win!

[esya]

Please don't move to Colorado expecting to water up a green oasis. It's bad for the environment as we are already short on water for the population. Go someplace where there is a natural abundance of water, like the midwest. If Arizona is too brown and dirty Colorado won't make you any happier.

[Josseppie]

Come to Colorado just move to a city that has plenty of water then you can have green grass that's what sprinkler systems are for!

[parafly]

If lots of greenery is high on your priority list, then Colorado is not for you. JMHO.

[formercalifornian]

Oh, for Goodness Sake people! No, you aren't going to see lush, deciduous forests like you do in the upper midwest, but Colorado has plenty of trees, shrubs, and grasses. My tiny (by midwest standards) yard has a ton of roses, all of which flourish with minimal irrigation. In my backyard, three magnificent spruces have grown to nearly thirty feet and need no additional water at all. The side yard is bedded with colorful, native wildflowers, and the fences are hidden under a carpet of Boston ivy. In the front yard, you'll find a gorgeous, healthy ash tree and a variety of thriving shrubs. My in-laws neighborhood in the foothills is full of Aspens, Spruces, and flowering ground covers. Colorado isn't bare dirt! We have lots of green, even without sprinkler systems.

And, please don't put too much credence in Josse's claim that we have plenty of water. We absolutely don't, but it doesn't mean we're lacking foliage.