SW Denver Area??

[Elkfitness]

I'm down in the highlands ranch area as well. I think anywhere from highlands ranch on west (around the 470 beltway) to Littleton, Lakewood, and Golden would be great places to go. One thing to think about in areas of Littleton is the bentonite (sp) in the soil. We looked at quite a few houses that had foundation issues due to the soil . We are on our second house in Highlands Ranch (got outbid on a ranch in Parker). It really is a great area. We sold our first house bought this second and current house last year. The market was crazy. We had 28 showings in 4 days (with no open house) and took an offer that was over our listing price. Feel free to ask about schools, etc... Both our neighborhoods have great schools.

 

[COlineman78]

I'm not sure how I feel about the mountain lion sightings, here in Texas they're open season year round with no license...

I'd be more worried about the bears or neighbors shooting at the bears. Which the latter actually happened up there this year: http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_28738138/sheriff-evergreen-man-faces-felony-after-fatally-shooting

Honestly though if you want more land especially where your wife will be working the Conifer, Pine, Evergreen area is worth a look to see if you can find something in your budget. US 285 gets closed quite a bit due to weather and the hippies driving Subaru's that think the laws of physics don't apply to them.

 

[dvm_hunter]

I'd be more worried about the bears or neighbors shooting at the bears. Which the latter actually happened up there this year: http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_28738138/sheriff-evergreen-man-faces-felony-after-fatally-shooting

Honestly though if you want more land especially where your wife will be working the Conifer, Pine, Evergreen area is worth a look to see if you can find something in your budget. US 285 gets closed quite a bit due to weather and the hippies driving Subaru's that think the laws of physics don't apply to them.


View attachment 34570

That's hilarious, does US 74 stay open for the most part?? I'd hate to move out there and we not be able to make it to work. Or, do I just buy a Subaru and all my problems are solved??

 

[dvm_hunter]

I'm down in the highlands ranch area as well. I think anywhere from highlands ranch on west (around the 470 beltway) to Littleton, Lakewood, and Golden would be great places to go. One thing to think about in areas of Littleton is the bentonite (sp) in the soil. We looked at quite a few houses that had foundation issues due to the soil . We are on our second house in Highlands Ranch (got outbid on a ranch in Parker). It really is a great area. We sold our first house bought this second and current house last year. The market was crazy. We had 28 showings in 4 days (with no open house) and took an offer that was over our listing price. Feel free to ask about schools, etc... Both our neighborhoods have great schools.

It's been pretty crazy so far. Houses don't seem to be lasting long for the most part. We're pretty much looking more towards the Highlands Ranch and Evergreen area.

 

[COlineman78]

That's hilarious, does US 74 stay open for the most part?? I'd hate to move out there and we not be able to make it to work. Or, do I just buy a Subaru and all my problems are solved??

It doesn't get closed often or for long. It usually only gets closed for accidents or just for an hour until they can get it cleared off. If it gets closed down it rarely happens during commute time as they are prepared. I have never heard of 74 getting closed, but as it's smaller it might not be news. I wouldn't let it deter you, just an annoyance. If I were looking for something near Denver in the mountains I'd be looking near Conifer or Evergreen. I have a co-worker who lives closer to Bailey and loves it.

 

[Whaledriver]

Feel free to pm me if you have any questions about the Evergreen and Conifer area. I would be glad to answer any questions. The lions are definitely around but there are people who have lived in the neighborhood 30+ years and have never seen one. Bears are around but have not been an issue with being responsible with trash.

 

[dvm_hunter]

Feel free to pm me if you have any questions about the Evergreen and Conifer area. I would be glad to answer any questions. The lions are definitely around but there are people who have lived in the neighborhood 30+ years and have never seen one. Bears are around but have not been an issue with being responsible with trash.

I'll be hitting you up pretty soon. Thanks for the help

 

[Owens]

It looks like you've gotten most of your Highlands Ranch questions answered. But if you have any others feel free to pm me.

 

[HunterHawk]

If my wife was ok with living farther from the city and I had a choice between Highlands Ranch and Evergreen I would be in Evergreen... I live in Littleton (Ken Caryl area) and I like it here however if I could be in the mountains or farther into the foothills thats where I would be! too many people in highlands ranch and the houses seem to be on top of each other (not for me being from the country) my house does have the bentonite problems but all the houses do in this area... and a lot of the houses in this area seem to have been worked on by structural engineers.. i know mine has and doesn't seem to be falling over on me yet

Parts of parker are nice too..

any questions feel free to pm me as well. I am an outsider but have been here for 6 years... few things I noticed are 1. colorado has a ton of people. 2. everyone really does wear crocs and drive subaru's... and Colineman is right they can't drive. 3. they need more lanes on C470. 4. License plates/tabs are crazy expensive. 5. don't live off of Federal and Girard (thats where i lived for a couple months when i first moved out here) however this is close to bear creek archery.., I could have walked there but was afraid I might get shanked or shot! 6. Elk are a blast to hunt! 7. the mountains are amazing (this should probably be number 1.) 8. if you like fishing this is not the state for you.. at least for lakes anyway. the fly fishing can be fun when its not crowded. 9. I don't know this is kind of getting boring. if you have any questions let me know those are just things that came to me!

 

[COlineman78]

8. if you like fishing this is not the state for you.. at least for lakes anyway. the fly fishing can be fun when its not crowded.

Especially near Denver, but there is some good fishing if you know where to look and don't mind driving. If you like to fly fish for small brookies and cutthroat just about any backcountry lake is stuffed full. My buddy catches some of the biggest trout I've seen on the Frying Pan, but that's a 4 hour drive in good traffic. Walden area has good trout fishing. Elevenmile has good size but that's cause they stock 30,000 11" fish every year through the ice, so by ice off they're big enough to have a chance against the pike. Granby has some trophy lake trout, but they're pretty tough to catch. Also, I've done pretty good fly fishing the beginning of Jurassic Park (Green Mountain Tailwater).

My dad Walden Area:

Elevenmile:

Frying Pan:

 

[dvm_hunter]

I've fished some smaller streams and ponds in Colorado, compared to Texas the trout fishing is amazing. I've noticed if you're not afraid to walk a few miles you can get away from the car parks. I bass fish here, because that's what we have around, but I grew up fishing the salt. I know I'm gonna miss it but with all the bacterial issues in the Gulf I haven't been in a while. I like my skin and limbs, it's not "that" common but it's not something I'm willing to risk anymore especially with my younger kids. We're all pretty excited except for my daughter. This is her second move in 5 years so she's pretty upset. I did tell her this will be her last. I feel confident this is the right move for us, as far as being able to have more things to do outside of driving 3 hours to go sit in a blind. We used to have a dream of a farm, but the neighbors all sold out and now it sounds like WWIII as soon as general season opens.

 

[fngTony]

Having lived and worked in the west/s.w. burbs of denver for 20 years I agree with everything said. for Archery shops there is also Rocky mountain specialty gear in Wheat Ridge. Its small but has a nice knife shop and is a Firstlite dealer. Full rut out in Elizabeth, way out there but worth it. Places to live check out Wheat Ridge and Arvada as well. I also love having Kifaru so close, was able to see some gear and try on their puffy on a lunch break.

 

[dvm_hunter]

it looks like we'll be moving around mid-June to early July....I'm pushing for more early June, run as fast as I can from the miserable summer here. lol

 

[COlineman78]

Well you're missing the standard bipolar spring up here. 70 today and 3" of snow tomorrow. Fire and Winter Weather advisories at the same time. Snow should be melted by Thursday afternoon just in time to get some more this weekend. You get a bunch of nice whether getting you in the mood to start doing things outdoors just in time to get shat on.

 

[dvm_hunter]

Well you're missing the standard bipolar spring up here. 70 today and 3" of snow tomorrow. Fire and Winter Weather advisories at the same time. Snow should be melted by Thursday afternoon just in time to get some more this weekend. You get a bunch of nice whether getting you in the mood to start doing things outdoors just in time to get shat on.

better than 100*F+ days.....i'm over it. couple years back we had over 80 days over 100*f, talk about some b.s. you didn't even want to go outside.

 

[steve s]

dvm - I am hoping to pick up a single family as a rental in Highlands Ranch by June 1. LMK if you are looking for a place to rent while you decide on where to buy. Good luck with the move - steve

 

[COlineman78]

better than 100*F+ days.....i'm over it. couple years back we had over 80 days over 100*f, talk about some b.s. you didn't even want to go outside.

Well, that 1-3" of snow turned into well over a foot. Colorado Springs has all the major roads closed. They enacted a new law that requires ALL vehicles including personal ones to either have snow/AT tires, chains or 4WD to drive on a highway.

[video=youtube;AEv_JYQD5pg]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AEv_JYQD5pg[/video]

It will still be melted by Friday night just in time for the next storm...

 

[dvm_hunter]

that seems like a good idea in theory, maybe it'll cut down on accidents that could've been avoided if the driver wasn't a dumbass

 

[camelcluch]

Not so much southwest but Castle Rock and Parker are both nice areas with good schools. There are plenty of opportunities to shoot archery in most of the metro area. We are lucky with the number of good shops around. Good Luck in your search.

 

[estew22]

Highlands Ranch also offers some select elk and deer tags which you can only draw I believe if you live in the development. I used to drive 85 through Sedalia everyday and can attest to some big bulls living up there, could be an added benefit. Douglas County schools are also some of the best in the area as well.

More info about the hunting here...

http://hrcaonline.org/Classes-Camps-Activities/Backcountry-Wilderness-Area/Hunting