|
|||||||||
|
|
Conifer is nestled in the foothills of the Colorado Rockies just 30 minutes west of Denver and the surrounding suburbs.
Towering forests of blue spruce, pine and fir provide a serene habitat for deer, elk, fox, birds and other wildlife.
Conifer offers many amenities – shopping, schools, health care, etc. – all in the beauty of a magnificent mountain
setting. Elevations range from 7,500 to 9,500 feet. Conifer was originally settled during the late 1800’s as a ranching
community and stage/freight stop for folks moving on to the high country gold fields.
Conifer is a hub for a number of communities located along the highway including Morrison, Pine and Bailey. Pike and Arapahoe National Forests surround this corridor of communities and provide access for hiking, cross country skiing, camping and picnicking. The nearby South Platte River has excellent trout fishing, along with kayaking and canoeing opportunities. The area is less developed than its neighbor, Evergreen, 10 miles to the north. However, there is considerable commercial and residential developments currently in progress. Two new grocery-anchored retail centers are under construction and many national restaurants are coming including Chili’s, Qdoba, Quizno’s and more. There are several new residential land developments just west of Conifer near Pine Junction featuring 2 acres or more. These communities – Morrison, Conifer, Pine and Bailey – are all accessed from U.S. Highway 285 with Morrison being closest to Denver and Bailey the furthest. You’ll hear the term “the 285 corridor” which represents the highway connecting all these communities. There is public bus transportation from Pine, Conifer and Morrison directly to downtown Denver. Denver International Airport is 60 miles from Conifer via Highway 285 to C-470 to I-70. Downtown Denver is just 38 miles from Conifer. ` Climate: Average summer temperatures range from the mid 80’s to the lower 70’s (Fahrenheit). Summer usually brings sunny days with an occasional afternoon rain shower. Autumn is a gorgeous time of year here, the temperatures are warm during the day to enjoy the golden leaves against the bright blue skies! Autumn evenings are cool and crisp. Average winter temperatures are in the mid 40’s. Winter storms are generally brief and are followed by periods of warm sunny days. Spring can be a wardrobe challenge in that one day can feel like the beginning of summer and the next day – snow! Our mountain communities are typically 10-15 degrees cooler than Denver, which is a blessing in summer. In winter, Denver suffers from temperature inversions where frigid and polluted air settles over the city. Mountain air is clear and mild. At 7,000+ feet in altitude, the sun is stronger and your lungs weaker. Water takes longer to boil, hard-boiled eggs take longer to cook, and you’ll need more flour when you bake! Average days of sunshine: 252/yr Average precipitation: 18.75”/yr Average humidity: 40% Average snowfall: 83.9”/yr Population Snapshot: (based on 2000 Census) Population: 13,740 Households: 5,241 Median Age: 40.7 Per Capita Income: $38,163 Median Household Income: $79,661 Educational Attainment: 48% - Bachelors/Graduate Degree Housing: Several areas of Conifer have well established neighborhoods, however there are newer residential areas as well. Most homes have individual wells and septic systems, however there are a few subdivisions that have community water and/or community sanitation. The average home price in the Conifer/Pine area is $360,445. The home price in the Bailey area is $246,748. Home prices range from $75,000 to multi-million dollar estates. Single family homes are predominate in the area. Vacant land is readily available and prices vary greatly depending on several factors such as location, topography, views, trees, access, availability of power, etc. The average price for land in Conifer is $184,507 and $70,754 in Bailey. There are several new land developments located in the Pine Junction area (between Conifer and Bailey). Property Taxes: Your property taxes are determined by multiplying the tax rate, (set by local government entities) by the assessed, or taxable value of your property. To ensure equalization, the assessor must determine residential property values by using only appropriate market information. Where you live within a county determines the taxing entities to which you will pay your taxes. Assessed values are calculated by multiplying the actual value by a percentage, which is subject to change by the Colorado Legislature each odd numbered year. By Constitutional mandate, the change in percentage maintains the present balance of the tax burden between residential and all other taxpayers. The current percentage will be shown on your Notice of Valuation. The multiple listing service information of available properties shows the property taxes for each property. Government: Conifer and the 285 corridor communities are not incorporated, so all services (police, road maintenance, courts, etc.) are provided either by Jefferson County or Park County. Fire protection is provided by several special districts. The county seat for Jefferson County is located in Golden and in Fairplay for Park County. Employment: There are many employment opportunities in the Conifer area, however the majority of residents commute to the Denver Metropolitan area. the Help Wanted section in the Classifieds section of the local newspaper or online at www.hightimbertimes.com for current local opportunities. Health Care: Twenty-four hour ambulance service is available by calling 911. The Flight for Life helicopter is on call at all times. A full range of physicians and specialists in private practice offer medical services including pediatrics, obstetrics, dermatology, osteopathic, family practice, etc. and are listed in the local phone directory. A wide range of dental care is also available including oral surgery, orthodontics, cosmetic dentistry, etc. Mt. Evans Hospice and Home Health Care, Inc. offers a licensed hospice program and complete care of the homebound due to illness, disability or injury. Elk Run Assisted Living is located in Evergreen and accommodates 68 residents. It features apartments with kitchenettes as well as a central dining room, and ample health and personal services. The Life Care Center is located in Evergreen and offers skilled and intermediate nursing care, along with respite care and a senior day care program. Occupational, speech and physical therapy are offered. The Life Care Center includes a chapel, gift shop, ice cream parlor, two dining rooms, an activity room and a physician’s exam room. Senior Services: Support groups for the senior citizens in the mountain area are provided by the Senior Resource Center in Evergreen. The center offers social and educational programs as well as legal aid, health screening, tax and energy assistance, transportation, counseling, and homes visiting referral. Utilities: Electricity/Gas: Intermountain Rural Electric Association supplies electricity to the area and Colorado Natural Gas is the natural gas supplier. Area homes use one or more of the following for heat: electric baseboard or radiant, natural gas or propane forced air or hot water. There are several propane suppliers in the area. Many homes offer wood burning or gas fireplaces, wood burning stoves or pellet stoves. Water & Sewer: Most homes have individual wells and septic systems, however there are a few subdivisions that have community water and/or sanitation districts. When buying a home with a well and septic system, buyers should always have these systems tested to make sure they are working properly. Most homes use a satellite dish for television, some have antennas for local network channels. Phone service is available in all areas from Qwest Communications, which also offers high speed Internet to many locations. There are a few local companies that offer high speed Internet via satellite dish as well. Road Maintenance: Newcomers often ask about road maintenance in our mountain communities. Roads are maintained by the county and the state. Since most residents commute to Denver and the children depend on school buses, the road crews are very prompt with snow removal. Your driveway is yours to maintain, so it’s a good idea to arrange for snow removal before you need it! Front wheel drive, all-wheel drive and 4-wheel drive vehicles do the best here. Primary Schools/Colleges/Day Care/Libraries: Primary schools in the area are located in two counties – Jefferson and Park. The school system is determined by the county of residence. All mountain area schools follow the traditional 9-month school year calendar. Opening and closing hours are staggered at each level to enable busses to run efficiently. There are several private schools in the area as well. For a complete list of schools, area colleges/universities and child care/pre-schools, click on “Info Links”. There are three libraries in the mountain area, the Conifer Library is located in Conifer High School, the Park County Library is in Bailey, and there is a library in Evergreen. |