Smaller cities/towns with mountains, trees, and sunshine (Denver, Boulder: for sale, condo)

[80skeys]

Originally Posted by geefreck

All in all, I am interested in a place that has mountains, plenty of trees, and plenty of year-round sunshine. I am also interested in smaller towns.

Plenty of mountains: yes
Plenty of trees: so-so. Some areas of the mountains have lots of forests. Others have succumbed to the pine beetle infestation and have lots of dead trees. Others parts of the mountains are more "raw", dry, rocky, and have less trees. The plains in Eastern Colorado have no trees. The desert in western colorado has no trees.
Year-round sunshine: yes

However, I also prefer trees and forested environments, not so much the barren desert (although they can be nice to visit).

You'll have to concentrate on the following areas, which are the more "forested" greener parts of Colorado (or adjacent to/close to):

- Granby
- Glenwood
- Aspen
- Steamboat Springs
- Lake City
- Collbran
- Littleton
- Boulder
- Estes Park

I dislike bigger cities for a variety of reasons, ranging from feeling claustrophobic to a detest for light pollution. I enjoy the outdoor activities, peace and quiet, and personal freedoms to be found outside of a big city.

Outside of the Front Range area (mostly Denver) you'll have all the peace and quiet and no noticeable pollution that you want.

I've settled on a few places which might be good matches, but I was curious what any of you might think.

Concentrate on the smaller towns that are located in and around the list I gave you above. These are the areas that are located in or close to the alpine forests. The type of trees you'll find are spruce, conifers, pines, aspens. The northern and central parts of Colorado tend to be the wetter parts and have lovely forests. This is around Rocky Mountain National Park and the Holy Cross and Hunter-Fryingpan wildnerness areas. The Grand Mesa in western Colorado is also quite wet and green. Towns in this area include Collbran. Good luck!

[80skeys]

I second what wanneroo said. The most "treed" parts of Colorado are in the higher elevations, which limits your options. Lots of these areas are national forests or other restricted lands, but it doesn't lock you out entirely.

You know, one of the nicest places I've seen is actually the foothills of Littleton. Once you get outside the main town and up into the mountains. There's houses and land up there that's just in a beautiful mountain setting. But it might be too close to the city lights for your taste.

I'd also like to mention that someplaces you'll find "summer use only." These tend to be the most beautiful settings, but they're only accessible and open during summer months. These tend to be cabins and such things for summer vacationers.

[sjde]

I think Estes Park might fit the bill but be warned--it is colder and windier than Denver, especially in winter.

[CAVA1990]

How about Vermont? Winters can be brutal but it has everything else you're looking for.

[katieb9]

Look at Westcliffe, Colorado. Heart-stoppingly gorgeous. Very remote but fits all of your criteria.

[sesamekid]

agree with Westcliff, Woodland Park (both affordable) but both have more snow/cold in winter.

The best weather in all of Colorado is in Canon City area - beautiful scenery (nicely treed in town with cottonwoods, walnut trees, etc)

I know of several passive solar green homes in the area.

Canon City is also the most affordable near-mountain living you will find anywhere in Colorado - with the most sunshine

Light pollution is not an issue here - clear starry nights

Salida and Buena Vista are also great little towns away from it all, but are more expensive than Canon City.

[SheridanL]

I second Canon City!!!!!!!!!! Beautiful and close to bigger cities if one wants!!!1

[sjde]

How does Canon City's weather compare with Denver's?

[sjde]

I just checked it out and summer is even hotter than Denver by about 5 degrees! Not sure I'd like that. But then I don't mind Denver's big-cityness either.

[SheridanL]

Yeah but Canon City is close to the mountains and has a river running thru it to cool things off!! The views are awesome!!!