Is Black Forest similar to Ute Pass? (Cortez, Woodland Park: real estate, homes)

[summer33ny]

We have been searching in the Southwest/Manitou area for a home, but I recently came across Black Forest. I am very confused by it because the median household income is more than double that of Manitou and the home prices are a bit higher, however, there appears to be lots of inexpensive land as well as some decently priced homes on acreage. What is the deal? I am imagining that the inexpensive land and homes are the equivalent of the homes up Ute Pass in this area and are just far removed and hard to get to. Can anyone enlighten me on this area? I'm very curious... Thanks!

[Userdavey]

Hi. Black Forest is twenty miles away from Manitou. It's way up out east and is this big area of large lots and land with a very sparse population. The roads are these channels cut through the forest that go on forever and have names like "Roller Coaster."

Black Forest is rich with rancher, conservative, and maybe some wealthy artist types.
Manitou, by comparison is an overcrowded, artsy thing up the pass towards Woodland Park and has a vibrant if small culture with a lot of tourism. Only three or four tourists per decade in Black Forest.

Black Forest is a huge forest at a high altitude out on the start of the great plains. The wind blows a lot there.

Manitou is hillier than Switzerland and is all nestled and stuff. It's cool, crowded and touristy with a very hippy feel. My ex co-worker warned me that Manitou had a lot of "voodoo" goin on. I dunno.

My advice? Know what kind of atmosphere you want, look for that, and go for it. Live and learn.

[otowi]

Black Forest is further east, lower, flatter, heading onto plains, and not in the "mountains" per se, but much of it is treed with pines, firs, etc. Ute Pass is actual mountain and real estate is more scarce, generally speaking, in the actual mountains - at least that is my perception. The feel of the two areas is completely different, both in terrain and in people.

[Userdavey]

Yup.

[lalahartma]

Also the weather is worse in Black Forest, for sure. There is acreage there, tho, and prolly some good deals. I have conflicted views on it: if you have trees, then it colder and icier in the winter, if you don't, then you might as well be in Falcon/Calhoun etc, where it is cheaper.

[vfrpilot]

Here's a couple of pictures. Ute Pass is confined to a relatively small area. The lots are very hilly with steep roads. The sun disappears early. Black Forest is relatively flat. The lots are generally 5 acres+. Good place for horses.

Below> Ute Pass

[summer33ny]

vprpilot, did you take those pics? very nice.

[vfrpilot]

Originally Posted by summer33ny

vprpilot, did you take those pics? very nice.

Yep. Left hand on stick and clickin away with right hand. Thanks for the kudos. Hope it helps you.

[Marcy1210]

Originally Posted by vfrpilot

Yep. Left hand on stick and clickin away with right hand. Thanks for the kudos. Hope it helps you.

I was going to say, "Put your hands back on the wheel!" Those pics remind me of when I flew with my son-in-law from the AFA airport, out to Meadow Lake, did a touch and go, then up over Black Forest, and back to the AFA. This was while he was still a cadet. Now he flies C-17's out of the NATO base in Hungary.

Later he flew my husband and me around Mesa Verde and Hovenweep from Cortez, and then on to the Grand Canyon. The heat wind from the desert was hard to maneuver through, and was little fear inducing. We then went on from Grand Canyon to Page for a couple of days and finally down to Marana, AZ. He's also flown us over Mobile Bay from Fair Hope, around the Bay and back to Coastal Airport near Pensacola. All these flights were in a Cessna. I just loved it. I loved your pictures!!

[Bideshi]

Originally Posted by Marcy1210

Now he flies C-17's out of the NATO base in Hungary.

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