Centrally located in the USA between the Rocky Mountains and the Great Plains, Colorado real estate is as popular as ever. Buyers of Colorado property choose from expansive lands near desert-like basins to the west, then plateaus, alpine mountains, and grasslands. However, the bulk of Colorado’s population lives along the eastern edge of the mountains in the Front Range Urban Corridor, mostly in the state's largest city and its capital City of Denver.
Known as "Wall Street of the West," Denver, Colorado real estate is popular for its convenient access to the Denver International Airport, its important financial, industrial, service, and technological sectors, and also for its proximity to the world-class ski resorts in Summit County, Grand County, and Eagle County as well as recreational amenities in the Rocky Mountains. Its suburbs include some of the 21st century's fastest-growing communities such as the master-planned Highlands Ranch real estate, Castle Rock real estate, Castle Pines, Littleton, and historic and rural communities interesting enough to draw a significant number of visitors each year.
Native peoples inhabited the area for more than 13 millennia and, after the era of European explorers and trappers, the United States acquired it with the Louisiana Purchase in 1803 and the Mexican Cession in 1848. When gold appeared along the South Platte River in 1858, many more settlers flocked to the area. Finally, in 1876 during the celebration of the nation's Centennial, the State of Colorado joined the Union as the 38th state, earning it the moniker the "Centennial State."
Though the entire state rests above 3,281 feet elevation, nearly half of it is flat. However, Mount Elbert at 14,440 feet elevation is the highest peak in the entire Rocky Mountain range and 51 peaks known as "Fourteeners" are 14,000 feet in elevation or higher. Downtown Denver measures in at 5,280 feet; hence the nickname "The Mile High City."
The Continental Divide stretches across the crest of the Rocky Mountains. Within the interior of the Rocky Mountains are several large parks or high broad basins including North Park, Middle Park, and South Park. To the south lies the San Luis Valley. Across the Sangre de Cristo Range to the east of the San Luis Valley lies the Wet Mountain Valley. The Colorado Mineral Belt stretches from the rugged San Juan Mountains in the southwest to Boulder and Central City on the Front Range and contains most of the historic gold- and silver-mining districts.
East of the Southern Rocky Mountains are the sparsely populated Eastern Plains and the states of Kansas and Nebraska line the borders there. The most southwestern point of the state called "Four Corners" is where Colorado meets Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah.
Overall, the climate is cool and dry compared to the rest of the United States with higher elevations receiving more precipitation and cooler weather. The Eastern Plains is a semi-arid continental climate known for its abundant sunshine and cool clear nights. In the mountains, summer nights are cool and the winters see abundant, powdery snowfall, which the skiers love. The cities in the foothills tend to have slightly warmer winters due to Chinook winds.
The diverse economy ranges from agricultural with cattle, wheat, dairy products, corn, and hay to a sizeable number of U.S. military and government facilities, including the maintenance of abundant National Forests and Parks. There is a high concentration of scientific research and high-technology industries, and others such as food processing, transportation, machinery production, chemical production, and, of course, minerals such as gold and molybdenum, and tourism.
With such a solid economic base, a hearty and creative people, and magnificent surroundings, many tourists settle into a primary or second home "where the mountains meet the plains." Contact Kelly Oberbillig at 1 (888) 727-2466 for expert advice and assistance when relocating your family.
