Lookout Mountain – From downtown Golden, Head up 19th Street, cross the 19th Street bridge and begin your climb to Lookout Mountain. At the base you will find the living community for Colorado School of Mines on the south side of 19th Street, and a gorgeous neighborhood of single family homes, Beverley Heights, on the north. Wind up the mountain alongside cyclists to Lookout Mountain community of homes & Mount Vernon Canyon Club . Mountain homes, micro-neighborhoods with views for days of east overlooking Golden, the mesas, Denver and beyond… or west spying the continental divide, valley, ridges as far as the eye can see. Foothill & Mountain views.
Genesee – Minutes from the C470/ I-70 junction, climb I-70, 5-10 minutes for the Genesee exits. For the scenic drive, take Lookout Mountain Road and enter the lovely community of Genesee. While still Golden, Genesee residents love their mountain living and ease of access to Golden and Denver with the peace, quiet (and wildlife) and space of mountain living. Similar to Lookout Mountain, the view… the views are simply amazing. Many micro-neighborhoods, gated communities, single family homes, available land and even town home communities comprise this beautiful mountain community and park. Fantastic Golden schools and there’s a bus!
Evergreen – Darling mountain town about 30 minutes from Denver. On I-70, pass the Genesee exits, about 15 minutes from the junction of I-70/C470 (it is also accessible the “back route” via 285 passing Morrison). Evergreen is 11.5 square miles but feels larger, I think, due to the mountain roads and nature of the community. Evergreen boasts a quaint downtown located a few miles off of I-70 and a beautiful lake, which is home to all sorts of winter and summer fun. A variety of home offerings from massive mountain estates, a rustic mountain lodge with acreage, town homes to single family home developments. Perhaps this town is one of the best kept secrets? Feels like you are far away from a big city, when in reality, it’s quickly and easily accessible. The friends I have who call Evergreen home, adore their community.
Idaho Springs: Up Clear Creek Canyon from downtown Golden, west about 28 miles via scenic Highway 6 or I-70, lies the idyllic western town of Idaho Springs. You surely have seen the Charlie Taylor Waterwheel to the south side for I-70, the landmark of this cute town. The homes tucked in the mountains all around Idaho Springs knock my socks off. From off the grid living, with full solar power, well and septic to standard utilities… it’s all available: dream mountain estate, little log cabin, original Victorian. Want ridiculous, breathtaking views of the 14er, Mount Evans, this is your place. Townsfolk have great pride in their beautiful surroundings and love the Rocky Mountain views, life but without ski traffic and prices of resort towns. I get it.
Coal Canyon – North and west of Golden, located west off of Highway 93, head up the canyon into the beauty of Coal Canyon. Mountain home living with the convenience of Golden to to the south and Boulder to the north. Coal Canyon typically boasts larger acreage and spectacular mountain views. With available land to build and existing homes, Coal Canyon provides the opportunity to have convenience of big city culture and amenities within minutes while living the privacy and quiet of the mountains.
Golden Gate Canyon: Wind up from Highway 93, west on Golden Gate Canyon. This lovely drive quickly takes you from the feel of “town living” to Mountain properties. Golden Gate Canyon offers quieter living, fewer cars, more land, opportunity to purchase an existing home or build your dream mountain property, as many have, and a change of pace. Continue winding west (about 14 miles from downtown Golden) and you will land at Golden Gate Canyon State Park with miles and miles of incredible hiking, mountain biking and camping. Residents love their property and consider themselves lucky to be among the trees, breathing mountain air with a short drive to Golden. Golden schools.
Black Hawk – Off Highway 119, find the mining city and Casino of Black Hawk. It is actually the smallest city in Colorado. Interesting, huh? Founded in 1859 during the gold rush, it maintains the history and charm with many (mostly?) modernized store fronts for tourists hitting the Casinos. While small, it’s got that small Colorado mining city charm and character that awes so many. I happen to love driving through and around this tiny city, especially in the fall. Can you tell I love where I live? Each spot seems to have a spot in my heart and I can find the benefits. Everyone has a somewhere. THAT is exactly why I love what I do. Helping people find their “spot” is such a joy. Residents of this area are certainly no exception.
Nederland: The cute tag line of Nederland,“Life is Better Up Here”… is legitimate per my insider scoop — all who live in this gem of a town, believe this. Nederland began as a trading post between the Ute Indians and European settlers (I am indeed my father’s daughter. I love random information. A wannabe Cliff Clavin.) Once a rich mill site for silver ore, now rich in beauty, happy residents, a gorgeous reservoir, stunning homes, a darling downtown dotted with cafes, restaurants and store fronts. Eldora Ski mountain is a bunny hop away (4.8 miles to be exact). Nederland is just up the hill from Boulder, along 119 – and offers a cross section of living options: cottage/bunaglows, acreage, mountain home, vacation homes, log home, family estates. I cannot adequately articulate the charm of this town with one short paragraph. I feel a blog post coming on to give proper honor… stay tuned.
Conifer – Located up Route 285, in the foothills southwest of Denver. Mountain biking, hiking, rock climbing, four wheeling, camping, cross country skiing, snow shoeing, sledding… another awesome, friendly, outdoor lovin’ community easily accessible from Denver Metro. More community pride, more folks who love where they live – residents of Conifer are pleased to be off the main I-70 path and perhaps want to keep this awesome spot a secret!
Bailey – Both Buffalo Creek Trail System and the Colorado Trail are accessible from Bailey. Continuing southwest from Conifer, Bailey is about 35 miles from Denver and just east of Kenosha Pass. I just named Kenosha, Buffalo Creek Trail and the Colorado Trail in one sentence. Let’s take a moment to realize the incredible beauty that suggests! It’s as you picture, meandering creek, evergreen and aspens on either side of the winding route 285; Bailey, where literally, a river runs through it – North Fork South Platte River. The riverside meadows, cabins, and family homesteads provide primary and secondary homes to residents. I would like to believe that residents in and near Bailey breath deeper and slower. It’s lovely.
Susanne Reh Homes 