Glen Vista area outside Canon City (Montrose, Salida: buying, living, vehicle)

[drum]

My wife and I are thinking of retiring to the Copper gulch/ Glen Vista area out side Canon City. We were there once this summer and just got back this week. We really like that area and was wondering if anyone has opinions or imfo (good or bad)about the area. Just trying to find out as much as possible before deciding on such a big move.
Any help is much appreciated

[mhouse2001]

I'm a single guy and I fell in love with the area back in 2006 and came real close to buying a property there. I think it's quite affordable but I worry about the isolation. One road in, one road out, and it was damaged from flooding in 2008 I believe. I haven't lived above 7000' elevation, so I hesitated since the climate is indeed quite different from Canon City. Electricity can be spotty in the wintertime, I'm told, so be prepared with firewood and food. Many properties have water that smells bad. The property I came close to buying had a 1GPM well but the water was perfect. Some of the dirt roads can be difficult to traverse when the snow falls and melts, so I'm sure you're aware that a 4x4 vehicle is essential. Some people I spoke with said their kids hated living there because there wasn't much to do. I ride my bike all over where I live now and I think I'd have a hard time doing the same thing in Glen Vista. As I'm looking for a place to survive what I think will be tough times ahead, I have reluctantly turned my attention to other areas in other states, but I think the area west of Canon City to Salida is a wonderful place. Westcliffe is also nice but I think it's even more isolated and gets more snow. It's also more expensive for some reason, could be the sweeping vista of the Sangre de Cristos.

[proveick]

This might have something to do with it. Its a uranium mill superfund site.
Cotter Uranium Mill
Colorado Independent » Cañon City uranium contamination looms over Montrose mill battle
RP

[mhouse2001]

The Glen Vista area is more than 10 miles west and 2000' higher than the uranium mill site, which is just about 1 mile south of Canon City. I don't think it has or will have any impact on the area the OP and I are familiar with. But it is a reason to reconsider living south of the river in Canon City, but then, sadly, there are other reasons as well. The community could be much more than it is, but I think the politics of the town have kept it from, um, improving. It's certainly in the banana belt of Colorado with some of the best winter weather (meaning least inclement) on the east side of the mountains.

[drum]

Thanks for all the responses. I think that the isolation would be the only issue to address for us. Also the danger of fire. We have two 4x4s so thats not an issue. I would still need to work part time and think that I should be able to pick up something in Canon City. Do you think that the Cotters issue would affect the water in Florence also? I kept getting a smell of something in the air there. Is there a plant or something there that I'm not aware of?