Beulah, CO? (Denver, Colorado Springs, Pueblo: house, purchase, college)

[whoisjongalt]

I am currently checking out areas to purchase a second house (Leadville, Woodland Park, Florissant, Canon City, etc) and just found a place called Beulah, west of Pueblo. I've lived in Colorado 18 years and have never heard of it. I would like to find a place within 3-4 hours of Denver that has a relatively alpine climate (ie. high altitude, mountains, and trees) and from photos at least, it seems to fit the bill. The closest "city" is Pueblo. I always thought that area was sort of arid and high desert but I'd love to know more about it if anyone has info. Thanks!

[otowi]

Beulah isn't even close to alpine. It's elevation is the same as Colorado Springs. It is in the foothills of the Wet Mountains. It averages 22 inches of precipitation a year, compared to 14.3 in Denver - most of the difference in snow, I believe. A similar place is Rye.

[YoYoSpin]

Woodland Park's 8,500 foot elevation may be more to your liking...89 inches average annual snowfall, nice homes, plenty of places to eat out, Wallmart and a real grocery store, 18 miles northwest of downtown Colorado Springs.

[whoisjongalt]

That was actually high on my list. I really like that area. I just discovered Florence/Canon City and, although it has less trees, I really liked it as well.

Originally Posted by YoYoSpin

Woodland Park's 8,500 foot elevation may be more to your liking...89 inches average annual snowfall, nice homes, plenty of places to eat out, Wallmart and a real grocery store, 18 miles northwest of downtown Colorado Springs.

[Phil P]

That area is pretty "microclimatey". Beulah and Rye have one of the best climates in the state, being both warm AND wet, getting enough snow to play (Woodland park rarely has enough snow to corss country ski for instance) without having it stick around constantly from November - May. Trees are nicer there than other parts because of the warmer climate as well. If you want a little drier, just go out a bit to Colorado City, once you get off the slopes it dries up quickly. There isn't much alpine terrain there, but the treed terrain is quieter and prettier than the rest of the front range, it doesn't have 14er / postcard appeal for the hordes of visitors.

Canon City feels like a slice of the Southwest in CO. If you like rocks, the Arkansas Valley is hard to beat.

Woodland Park / Florissant is iffy to me. Pikes Peak is a great backdrop, but it gets a lot of CO Springs weekend camper traffic and exurb commuters along with the price pressure, it's more leave me alone type people if they aren't part of the Bible college, and the local flora and topography is just ok compared to the Arkansas valley, Leadville, or Beulah.

[whoisjongalt]

Originally Posted by Phil P

That area is pretty "microclimatey". Beulah and Rye have one of the best climates in the state, being both warm AND wet, getting enough snow to play (Woodland park rarely has enough snow to corss country ski for instance) without having it stick around constantly from November - May. Trees are nicer there than other parts because of the warmer climate as well. If you want a little drier, just go out a bit to Colorado City, once you get off the slopes it dries up quickly. There isn't much alpine terrain there, but the treed terrain is quieter and prettier than the rest of the front range, it doesn't have 14er / postcard appeal for the hordes of visitors.

Canon City feels like a slice of the Southwest in CO. If you like rocks, the Arkansas Valley is hard to beat.

Woodland Park / Florissant is iffy to me. Pikes Peak is a great backdrop, but it gets a lot of CO Springs weekend camper traffic and exurb commuters along with the price pressure, it's more leave me alone type people if they aren't part of the Bible college, and the local flora and topography is just ok compared to the Arkansas valley, Leadville, or Beulah.

I looked at a house in Beulah and loved the town but I'm not so thrilled that the only "city" nearby is Pueblo. I'd never been there either and wasn't impressed. It had some cool old buildings downtown but that's about it. I'm thinking I'll check out Woodland park and the area west of there. I love the Leadville area but the prices have skyrocketed to Denver level around there. My only other option is southern Wyoming near Elk Mountain / Saratoga.

[Arrby]

Try to determine your physiological limitations. People who can live comfortably at 6,500 ft. elevation (Colorado Springs) cannot necessarily cope long term with 8,500 ft. (Woodland Park). The sub-set of people who, in turn, can thrive at 10,000 ft. (Leadville) is much smaller yet. Those not born and raised at the higher altitudes should not assume that they will acclimate.

[whoisjongalt]

Originally Posted by Arrby

Try to determine your physiological limitations. People who can live comfortably at 6,500 ft. elevation (Colorado Springs) cannot necessarily cope long term with 8,500 ft. (Woodland Park). The sub-set of people who, in turn, can thrive at 10,000 ft. (Leadville) is much smaller yet. Those not born and raised at the higher altitudes should not assume that they will acclimate.

I ski about 20 - 25 days / year and have lived in Aspen with no problems. Of course, that was 25 years ago. I never seem to have any problems with altitude but I'm sure it's different living somewhere rather than visiting for a few days. I just HATE hot weather so figured the higher the better...