Where is the next "it" mountain town? (Denver: RV park, condos)

[andyreed88]

Everyone -- interesting comments all around. I don't think cities/towns super far from the major metro areas/industry such as Grand Junction and Durango are the real growth candidates. I think the key is being within a reasonable range for a long weekend in the mountains for those living in the front range.

For what it is worth, I think the Salida, Buena Vista, Pagosa Springs predictions are right on the money.

[COcheesehead]

Salida and Buena suffer from the same issues. 285. Packed on weekends, no jobs.
Pagosa isn’t that close.
Palisade/Grand Junction present a new paradigm. You can actually live there, not just spend a weekend. Think of a combination of Boulder, Colorado Springs, Sedona and Sonoma.

Sitting on my patio in GJ right now. Wouldn’t you want to join me?

[NW Crow]

Granby and Kremmling are probably too cold for most people. Their populations nearly doubled between 1990 and 2010 but I guess they have lost some since. There probably will be some recovery eventually.

Bailey (zip code) doubled from 1990 to 2010 and is still growing to nearly 9,000.

Meeker is getting near to 3,000, up slow and steady about 50% since 1990. Has or had at least one billionaire and a few-hundred millionaires in area.

Rifle has doubled since 1990 and is pushing toward 10,000. New Castle is 7 times as big now as it was in 1990. 250% as big at 2000. Pushing towards 5,000.

If you want towns, these are towns, mostly getting bigger and more affluent.


If you want close to big cities, there is Summit County. More than doubled in population since 1990 and still growing. Around 30k permanent and who knows how many second homers and visitors.


Mountain towns, mountain adjacent towns. Call 'em what you want, pick what you want.


Mesa County, up a bit more than 50% since 1990. Palisade up just 40% since 1990. Was up a bit further but has lost a few people since 2010. As a town, Palisade is now slightly smaller than Meeker, half the size of New Castle and a bit more than one quarter the size of Bailey area. Granby and Kremmling modestly smaller than Palisade. Fwiw.


Woodland Park up about 50% since 1990. Teller County up 100% to almost 25,000.

[TCHP]

Leadville, although legally it is a city. It still a bit too blue collar and gritty for many, but they are quietly cleaning up the mining messes, have some large summer and winter festivals that attract the less trendy among Front Rangers, and real estate that is still comparatively reasonably priced. Larger school and medical networks also are already in place here compared to other mountain communities that have sub-standard or nothing.

I think the Salida, Buena Vista, and the upper Arkansas Valley have already jumped the shark and are at the expensive mark now and will only continue to climb.

[interloper1138]

Originally Posted by TCHP

I think the Salida, Buena Vista, and the upper Arkansas Valley have already jumped the shark and are at the expensive mark now and will only continue to climb.

You hit the nail on the head. Chaffee County has already crossed that threshold and is never going back. The only thing keeping the area as 'genuine' as it still is are the people who've been there for 20-30+ years. Once that generation cashes out and/or passes away, it'll be the rafting and mountain biking version of Summit County. Great for tourists, the wealthy, and real estate developers, but terrible for anyone else trying to call it home and make an honest living.

[EastwardBound]

Salida, Buena Vista and Leadville. Leadville is already starting to see trendy type places, such as oxygen bars creep in. It's only a matter of time.

[whoisjongalt]

Woodland Park, Pine, and maybe even Leadville (at least as a retirement place).

[LHS79]

Originally Posted by interloper1138

You hit the nail on the head. Chaffee County has already crossed that threshold and is never going back. The only thing keeping the area as 'genuine' as it still is are the people who've been there for 20-30+ years. Once that generation cashes out and/or passes away, it'll be the rafting and mountain biking version of Summit County. Great for tourists, the wealthy, and real estate developers, but terrible for anyone else trying to call it home and make an honest living.

That actually sounds like the whole State now (at least the places you WANT to live) - not just the places mentioned.

[AirborneVespa]

Originally Posted by COcheesehead

Palisade, Grand Junction

1/2 of me says "Please, no"

1/2 of me says "Ok, as long as my property increases by 300%"

On another note, anyone want some Whitewater apricots? We are at 36lbs from one tree and the back half hasn't started ripening yet.

We also culled 10 gallons of small green ones when it started fruiting to give the rest room to grow.

This is from one tree. I suspect all told it will have produced 70-80 lbs of apricots this year.

[snowave]

There's a fire sale going on in Pagosa Springs right now. The "big" winter we had scared off many of the fair weather people, so everyone is selling (including the wife and I- although, we are moving to McCall, Idaho where there is typically more snow ) .

Not sure Pagosa will ever become an "it" mtn town. Prices are still quite affordable, and it does have a lot to offer for many people.