Denver to Fort Morgan Commute (Commerce City, Brighton: hotels, house, neighborhoods)

[Aonia]

Hi! I'm considering taking a job in Fort Morgan and we'd be moving from out of state. We would need to live in the Denver metro for a variety of reasons and it looks like Brighton or Commerce City would be our best fit. Does anyone have experience with the commute from the Denver metro to Fort Morgan? Is this a doable commute in winter months? Maps says the commute would normally be around an hour but I'm sure that gets worse with bad weather. How often does bad weather affect I-76 or is it kept clear most of the time? Thanks in advance!

[Dreaming of Hawaii]

I don't have personal experience driving that road in the winter, but one thing to consider is that Ft. Morgan is on the plains and the problem with snow is the strong wind. I-70 east of Denver closes periodically due to blizzard conditions and lack of visibility due to the blowing snow. I would assume similar conditions on I-76.

I hope this job opportunity is worth commuting for over two hours a day.

[TCHP]

Its only an hour out, but it is all over the rolling prairie on I-76. This means the weather can be pretty variable as there is very little to stop the wind. Whiteout conditions with snow are possible in the winter along with hail and the possibility of funnel clouds in the summer. Its isn't consistent and it certain could be possible, but you would want to make sure you have a contingency plan for those days when it gets crappy and you don't want to risk travel. Inquire with your potential employer if they have any plans in place for such situations such as an agreement with a local hotel.

I-76 its self isn't a bad road, about half of it is concrete, but half way to Ft Morgan it transitions to an asphalt surface that has consistent expansions cracks. It doesn't rock the car to much, but does add some pitching motion and a distinct whine. There also is a lot of truck traffic on this road. Tanker drivers seem to drive with a lot of abandon on this stretch and I've nearly been involved in an accident once and witnessed a couple of other close calls with drivers in front of me.

The Brighton area is growing and becoming more suburban like all the time. In adjoining Lochbuie there are still places where you can get acreage to go along with your house purchase. To get in a little closer to the city you could also look at Henderson.

[bluescreen73]

When we first moved back to Colorado I commuted into the Stapleton/Montbello area from Brush for about 6 months. I wouldn't suggest doing it. It's not a difficult drive, but it's long, and the mileage adds up quickly. I put between 25,000 and 30,000 miles on my car during that time. With gas at $3-$4 per gallon it'll get expensive quickly.

The hazards - blizzards, deer, strong winds, severe thunderstorms (hail), isolation. If you're working regular hours (8-5) you're gonna be driving in the dark both ways for about 3 months. That significantly increases the likelihood of hitting a deer. If your car breaks down between Roggen and Wiggins you're gonna be there a while.

If I were working in Fort Morgan, the furthest east I'd live is Sterling and the furthest west I'd live is Wiggins (and there's not much there).

[jwiley]

I would agree with Bluescreen, Fort Morgan to the even the Brighton area is going to be tough. I grew up along that stretch of I-76. It is not terrible occasionally, but if you have to make that drive every day than I don't know many that would even consider it. I know several construction companies from out there that put their guys in hotels when they get jobs in Denver. If I had to do it than I could for a few weeks, but no way long term.



You may want to check if Hudson or Keenesburg would work for you to actually live in. It is close enough that people commute to Denver daily, but also not a terrible drive into Fort Morgans.

[daprara]

i lived in Brighton and my wife commuted to Fort Morgan:


i76 can be miserable in the winter as it takes very little snow in a heavy wind to cause a white out. You just cant find the road at those times. The speed limit is 75mph on i76 with very little traffic so could be an easy drive in good weather. Listen to an ebook on your iphone or something. The last few winters here have been mild and no reason to assume this year is going to be different. Lots of peeps who live in denver have a 40-50 minute commute into work, you would too. Lower wear and tear on your car since it is a direct drive with no stop and go. Weather patterns seem to skip over Brighton but Fort Morgan gets more frequent hail and over all bad. If you can arrange a ride share your in luck



I lived in Brighton for a long time. Its not Denver tho you would not be really lacking in the basic things. The drive form Brighton to Denver would be along Vasquez Blvd as the toll road e470 is expensive. Not a bad drive but goes through an industrial area of Denver. Traffic on Vasquez is getting grid lock but not quite there yet. Brighton housing costs are slightly lower than denver. In Brighton or out lying areas use caution if you buy into a well and septic situation. the city of Brighton water is no great thing so get a RO Filter for your drinking water.



something should be said for Fort Morgan; it has a heavy farm processing industry base. Sugar, meat packing and a cheese plant so not a clean environment. Plant workers tend to poor and on work permit. Its a small town with a watch your back attitude.


best of luck

[Aonia]

Thanks for the advice and insights, everyone! This has given us a lot of food for thought. About how many days a year would y’all estimate the interstate closes? We drove in yesterday and noticed the gates at various points. I’ll be making some test drives of the commute the next couple days, so we’ll see how it goes.

Daprara, did your wife work for the college by any chance? Any thoughts on the college either way? We’ve had a good first impression of Brighton so far. Seems like friendly folk. Thanks for the tip about the water.

[NorthDenverGirl]

Brighton is a great town to live in. People are generally friendly. The school district there did just go to 4 days a week, in case that is of concern to you. It is being built up and there are a lot of newer neighborhoods.

As for the commute I think you got some great information above.

[daprara]

the winters have been mild last few years so likely the i76 has not been closed recently.
if it is windy it only takes a little snow on the planes to totally reduce visibility

[StealthRabbit]

Ft Morgan and Brush will have 80% of what you need, Amazon the rest, except the monthly Costco / 'culture fulfillment' run.

I daily trucked a circle route originating in Denver that included Ft Morgan / Brush (and on to Rapid City / Buffalo, WY). there were some rough mornings in Ft Morgan, ~ 10 / yr.

When possible cut your daily commute to a bike ride or walk.

I would expect CDOT has some data on I-76 road closure stats over last 40 yrs. Since 2000, they are VERY fast to close roads far before the risk becomes great; +/-. We used to just drive around the closed freeway gates (Closed for snow), even in our semi trucks / buses. CDOT is now way paranoid to liability and risks, and will not expose inexperienced drivers to messing up transportation routes.

There are some really nice Quality of life advantages to living in a small rural city, that has good access to Metro for occasional events / airport ... (Brush / Ft Morgan will meet that criteria)