Colorado Open Chat Thread (Colorado Springs, Fort Collins: college, food, budget)

[mtngigi]

Originally Posted by COcheesehead

I love Colorado. The more I explore it, the more things I discover that people never talk about. I have been here for almost 30 years and have yet to see all of it.
It’s so massively diverse. From absolute nothingness on the plains in some parts of the east to aqua blue lakes in the San Juan’s and red rock canyons in the west.
It doesn’t take much to get away from crowds, if one is willingly to give the dirt and gravel roads a try. So much Native American heritage, many not documented online.
Colorado still holds so much magic.

I moved to Manitou Springs from Grand Lake - the mountain town at the west entrance to Trail Ridge Rd./Rocky Mountain National Park. Largest natural body of water in Colorado.

I was surprised to learn how many folks had never heard of it or been there. Everyone knows Estes Park at the east end of Trail Ridge Rd./Rocky Mountain National Park, but Grand Lake tends to get bypassed when folks come out that end of Trail Ridge. It's gorgeous up there. It's not what I was when I lived there; the same fate that's hit most Colorado mountain towns - $$$.

The San Juans are incredible. I love that corner of the state. I've made it a point to road trip all over Colorado, but you're right, there are still areas I've not yet discovered.

[COcheesehead]

Originally Posted by mtngigi

I moved to Manitou Springs from Grand Lake - the mountain town at the west entrance to Trail Ridge Rd./Rocky Mountain National Park. Largest natural body of water in Colorado.

I was surprised to learn how many folks had never heard of it or been there. Everyone knows Estes Park at the east end of Trail Ridge Rd./Rocky Mountain National Park, but Grand Lake tends to get bypassed when folks come out that end of Trail Ridge. It's gorgeous up there. It's not what I was when I lived there; the same fate that's hit most Colorado mountain towns - $$$.

The San Juans are incredible. I love that corner of the state. I've made it a point to road trip all over Colorado, but you're right, there are still areas I've not yet discovered.

Grand Lake along with the Grand Mesa are two of the snowmobile capitals in the state. I remember climbing to the fire tower on Shadow Mountain.

[mtngigi]

Originally Posted by COcheesehead

Grand Lake along with the Grand Mesa are two of the snowmobile capitals in the state. I remember climbing to the fire tower on Shadow Mountain.

Cool. I've done that hike and many more. One of the reasons I landed in Grand Lake was to hike and backpack. Had a job offer for the summer along with a place to stay ... took one look at the mountains and never wanted to leave. So I didn't.

Once the summer season was over we got a respite from the tourists ... until the snowmobilers arrived. Grand Lake used to pretty much shut down after Labor day. Then after the leaf-peepers were gone, the locals had the town to themselves until the snowmobilers arrived. Good for business, but noisy.

My niece lives in Garfield County and she took me up on the Grand Mesa - the scenery was gorgeous. Loved all the lakes. That's one thing I miss about back east ... lakes.

[suzco]

Have to say, my favorite in the "close to grand junction" area, has to be Rattlesnake Canyon.

[chiluvr1228]

I'm not a Colorado resident but I will be as soon as my Florida home sells.

I have a question about the houses in many parts of Colorado Springs. They all seem so very close together compared to the other places I've lived. Is that because land is expensive there? My son lives in Banning Lewis Ranch and I was taken aback by how close his next door neighbor is when I visited. I also noticed the majority of houses are multi-level; very few ranch type homes in CS. Is that also because a 2 or 3 story house takes up less acreage??

[COcheesehead]

Originally Posted by suzco

Have to say, my favorite in the "close to grand junction" area, has to be Rattlesnake Canyon.

Second highest number of arches only behind Arches NP.
https://www.travelandleisure.com/col...n-arch-7371025

[COcheesehead]

Originally Posted by chiluvr1228

I'm not a Colorado resident but I will be as soon as my Florida home sells.

I have a question about the houses in many parts of Colorado Springs. They all seem so very close together compared to the other places I've lived. Is that because land is expensive there? My son lives in Banning Lewis Ranch and I was taken aback by how close his next door neighbor is when I visited. I also noticed the majority of houses are multi-level; very few ranch type homes in CS. Is that also because a 2 or 3 story house takes up less acreage??

The space between houses and the style of house is going to be very neighborhood dependent. You’ll find Ranch style homes and big lots elsewhere in town.

[jim9251]

Fresh Air Friday - free entry to all Colorado State Parks today 11/24.

[waltcolorado]

Important stuff you might want to know LOL.. Between San Juan county (Silverton), Ouray county (Ouray and Ridgway) and San Miguel county (Telluride), there is only one single stop light and its at the intersection of 550 and 62 in Ridgway.

[jim9251]

Yup, I remember when I lived in paradise (Ridgway) locals complained when CDOT replaced the stop sign with that newfangled traffic light.