Working in Black hawk (Denver, Lakewood: apartment complex, condo, home)

[Jake70]

I might be accepting a job where I would be working in Black Hawk and had a couple of questions,

1. What would be the easiest commute ? I would prefer not to be driving 45-60 minutes.

2. Regardless of where I live should I just expect a much harsher commute in the winter time?

Thanks for the answers

[Count David]

Originally Posted by Jake70

I might be accepting a job where I would be working in Black Hawk and had a couple of questions,

1. What would be the easiest commute ? I would prefer not to be driving 45-60 minutes.

2. Regardless of where I live should I just expect a much harsher commute in the winter time?

Thanks for the answers

1. In Black Hawk or Central City, or north of Black Hawk in Gilpin County. Idaho Springs is still 35 minutes away. During off-peak times, I can get there in 45 minutes from the east side of Arvada. So, if you plan on living down the hill, it will pretty much have to be in Jeffco, preferably close to one of the freeways, and not too far south.

2. Absolutely. All three routes up there can be terrifying during snow events.

[SkyDog77]

Originally Posted by Jake70

I might be accepting a job where I would be working in Black Hawk and had a couple of questions,

1. What would be the easiest commute ? I would prefer not to be driving 45-60 minutes.

2. Regardless of where I live should I just expect a much harsher commute in the winter time?

Thanks for the answers

I know a lot of people who work in Black Hawk. Most of them live in Lakewood or Golden. Figure about a 30 minute commute. There are options up closer to Black Hawk, but it is mountain living and a bit more isolated. There are some employee housing type apartments at the top of Central City. I have to imagine those aren’t the coolest place to live.

Winter driving can definitely slow things down but that’s not frequent. 4WD and snow tires are really nice for that commute.

DM me if you want more specifics.

[BarryK123]

I know people who work there, as well. Locally, up there, there's a large condo/apartment complex in Central City.
It is pretty isolated from shopping, etc. Otherwise, makes most sense to live on the west side, such as Lakewood, Golden or Arvada. There's casino bus service from various points around the Denver metro and many use it. I believe there's a 50% discount for casino employees.

It can get pretty nasty in the winter. For example, a week or two ago, there was a brief, but heavy snow squall around 5 PM. One person I know who works there told me it took him 3 hours to get home (usally 30 minutes).

[Frakel]

Idaho springs, good place 10-15 minutes away. Grocery store, Starbucks, restaurants.

[jwiley]

I worked up there a long time ago, back when the apartments in Central City were 1st built, and the casinos closed at 2 am. So my information maybe a little dated but not much changes up there so I doubt it.

For about half the time I worked up there I lived in west Arvada, it was a 40 minute commute, but worth the commute as we worked 4 10s, and I avoided heavy traffic as I was up there by 4 in the afternoon and things cleared out traffic wise by the time I got to my car and headed out. Many nights I took the bus, which extended the trip but was easier and I could have a drink after work on the slow nights as there were casinos that used to wait until exactly 2 am to close for the locals and workers up there, to drink.

The other half of the time I lived in the apartments in central city with my then fiance. To warn you, at their heart Central City, Blackhawk, and Idaho Springs are all very small towns with way to many people who have drinking problems. Like many small towns you will have limited options for stores and anything else you may need, but there are always restaurants and bars open, always casinos to have a good time in, and plenty of rumors and drama among the locals and employees. If you can manage to avoid the casinos and drama it is not a bad place to live and work, but you have to like small towns.

[alloo66]

A lot of employees catch the Casino Bus up there.