How Cold Does Colorado Get? (Louisville, Delta: live, relocating to, backyard)

[songgirl]

Thanks again for the info. In a nutshell, i just wondered if a person who left the Northeast for sunny Florida (primarily because of the cold grey weather) be happy in Colorado. After reading these posts, it seems that I possibly could. I am very affected by weather and SAD. No one on this thread has said they are miserable because of the weather, and the lack of monotony (a 60 degree day here and there in January) sounds fantastic.

[MRVphotog]

The area around Grand Junction to Delta(western slope) is actually warmer than most other parts of the state. As a result they are getting a large influx of retirees the last 20 years.

This is from the Colorado Climate Center: An area of western Colorado near Grand Junction is particularly mild and has developed an extensive fruit growing area. Anything from apricots and peaches to wine grapes and sweet corn is grown in the area from Delta and Paonia to Grand Junction and Palisade.

[jazzlover]

MRVphotog is partly right. Grand Junction and Delta overall have a pretty mild climate compared to many areas. What they do NOT have is any Chinook winds in the winter. That is both good and bad. The good is that it is not windy there, as it often is along the Front Range in winter. The bad news is that cold air can often lay in the valleys, leading to colder temperatures (especially on winter nights) than one might expect (often into single digits). If the area gets snow cover (which in Grand Junction and Delta is fairly rare), the temperature inversion can be even more intense and the snow will stay on the ground for quite a while. The other downer with the air inversion is smog. Both Grand Junction and Delta can have some surprisingly bad air quality in winter--not something that Front Rangers and tourists expect to see there.

Yes, a lot of retirees are moving into the area. Be sure to bring your money with you, though. Jobs tend to be scarce and not great paying--unless you want to work in the gas fields.

[CosmicWizard]

jazzlover

Based on my first Grand Junction winter, your comments about winter here are right on the money. Also, from what I've observed thus far, what you say regarding jobs is also quite accurrate. There's lots of jobs, if you can afford to work for WAY less than top dollar. For the same job I had in Virginia Beach ( VB ), I'm getting paid about $12,000 LESS.....ouch! Except for housing / real estate, everything here costs at least slightly more than it did in VB.

regards...Franco

[distortionmaster20]

It seems that the best places to live (scenery, mild climates) have the worst job markets. It's just not fair. Reno (nothing but valet and culinary jobs), South Lake Tahoe, Grand Junction, etc.

[Brad123]

Originally Posted by songgirl

Thanks for your replies. I was thinking about the Fort Collins-Denver areas anyway since the most IT jobs appear to be there. Glad to hear you get some warm days in the middle of winter. The monotony of cold, cold, cold for months on end in the Northeast is what did me in!

I live in Littleton, on the edge of denver in the foothills I think this is the best place for your circumstances. Close to c-470, your husband could get to DTC easily 10-20 minutes lots of IT jobs my brother is an IT and works there. The schools here are among the best in Jefferson county,especially Dakota ridge high school area,GREAT high school. The wheather here is very good considering how close to the mountians we are. Great mountain views around DRHS and lots of shopping on the C470 route,oh and remember NO NORTHERN FACING HOUSES the snow will stay on your driveway and around your street for days when all other snow has melted, on a better note, check it out I love this area

[EscapeCalifornia]

Originally Posted by Brad123

oh and remember NO NORTHERN FACING HOUSES the snow will stay on your driveway and around your street for days when all other snow has melted, on a better note, check it out I love this area

How do east and west facing driveways compare?

[Katiana]

South is better.

[GraniteStater]

My house faces north and the snow takes a long time to melt. (when it snows)

[Brad123]

I think west is best, east will blind you in the morning if you dont have blinds on your windows I prefer to wake up when I need to and not when the sun rises.South will leave you with snow in your back yard too.