KristinB

Aberdeen is one of my favorite Pueblo neighborhoods. Just southwest of the downtown area, Aberdeen is known as the "rich" part of town, but in reality the homes are priced as affordably as the rest of the city. This neighborhood is well-kept and safe. The homes are historic and architecturally beautiful; the twisting little roads that wind through the suburb are surrounded by trees and beautiful lawns / gardens. If I were to buy a house in Pueblo, this would be one of the neighborhoods where I'd look.

We attended a concert in Aspen last week, but stayed in Glenwood Springs - because it was so much cheaper than Aspen! We were grateful for the affordable hotel rooms, but we had no idea Glenwood itself would be such a delightful town. We ate at the Daily Bread and the Pullman for breakfast / brunch, where we had the most incredible "diner food" - fresh local coffee, corned beef hash, homemade jam. Everything we tasted was amazing. We bought our afternoon cup of decaf at Sacred Grounds, where the baristas were so friendly that they gave us a cup for free as long as we promised to come back later. We wandered along the river, in and out of bike shops and little boutiques, along the gorgeous, mountainous golf course. It was a perfect trip. Next time, we'll visit Glenwood for Glenwood's sake - not just because of its proximity to Aspen.

The Mesa Junction district spans several blocks near the Rawlings Library, in the historic district of Pueblo. Known as "the Blocks" by the locals, this small neighborhood stands on the hill overlooking Union Ave. and most of Pueblo's downtown. This part of town is one of Pueblo's hidden gems. In just a few blocks, you can find a beautiful community garden; Latka Studios, a gorgeous art gallery that provides amazing sculptures throughout the city; and the Cup and Bowl, a pottery gallery that hosts art classes and studio space. There are some beautiful apartments in this area, old eccentric homes, and wonderful neighbors. This is the place to find block parties on the weekends, neighbors inviting you over for a burger, fire pits in backyards, cyclists.

The only real downside to the neighborhood is that there is no grocery store within maybe four or five miles. But, besides that, there are multiple restaurants, coffee shops, bookstores, bike shops, and bakeries. It's a beautiful part of town.

This is the town where I was born - a tiny, historic community only thirty miles from Washington D.C. With only 200 citizens, Clifton was founded in 1771. Many of the original buildings and houses still stand, and have been converted to residential homes and wonderful little shops and boutiques. Clifton is also near Fountainhead Park, where the Potomac River collects in an intricate lake-like body of water, providing wonderful fishing, kayaking, and general exploration through the trees and hills.

Olathe is located just a few miles south of Delta. The town is known for its sweet corn, which is renowned all over the state as the best sweet corn in Colorado. Olathe even has an annual sweet corn festival during the summertime.

The population of Olathe is about 1600 people, and cover just a little more than one square mile of land. There is very little industry in Olathe aside from farming; I believe nursing and healthcare are common as well.

Olathe's high school has always done very well in sports. Their football team has won several state championships over the years.

In Delta County, Paonia is known as the town that's a little... different. Paonia is a small town in the mountains near the Grand Mesa, surrounded by a fairly conservative community, and yet they are nationally known for the liberal environmental newspaper the High Country News. Their annual Earth Day festival rivals Seattle and San Francisco in its hippie-ness. Also, Paonia and the Overland Reservoir have hosted the Rainbow Gathering over several decades - and If you don't know what the Rainbow Gathering is, look it up. Or better yet, just go.

In short, Paonia is a fantastically quirky and richly beautiful town that deserves a visit if you are traveling through the area.

Troy Avenue is mostly a residential street, located near Colorado State University on the east side of town. There are also a handful of fast food restaurants, shopping areas, and gas stations; as well as Praise Assembly of God. For the most part, the homes and apartments nearest the school are very nice; the more you travel east, the more run-down the street becomes. Although housing is very affordable, it’s best to evaluate the area before you buy or rent off of Troy.

Another issue with Troy is that the street is a cross-section for East and South High School, and therefore it can get crazy during football season. With high schoolers joyriding and starting fights with players from other teams, it's rarely dangerous but often irritating on Friday nights.

Cedaredge is a very small town mostly known for its proximity to the Grand Mesa. The town is made up of about 2200 people; everyone else who comes through Cedaredge is generally headed to the mountains for fishing or hunting. Although the town is growing rapidly, it retains its rural and remote atmosphere.

Applefest is an annual fall festival that brings in lots of tourists and income to the town; many locals set up booths and sell handmade art, jewelry, ciders, and food. There's is usually music and a few carnival rides for the kids.

Besides its beautiful countryside, Cedaredge is also known for its orchards - most apples and peaches. Although many of these have been cleared out to make way for new houses, there are still plenty of places to pick fresh fruit in the summer.

Manitou is one of my favorite areas to visit in southern Colorado. Located west of Colorado Springs, Manitou is a little touristy, a little hippie-ish, a little outdoorsy - which is probably why I enjoy it so much. It's a small town, with about 5,000 people; so Manitou's activities are limited by its size. But if you're looking for a day away from the hustle and bustle of the city, this is a great place. Downtown Manitou is full of little shops, art galleries, co-ops, antique stores, and even a penny arcade. For the outdoor lovers, the Manitou Incline provides a great hike that's strenuous but still short enough to finish in a morning.

Alameda Avenue runs the length of Aurora, and as such there are a thousand things to do there. This street is mostly dedicated to businesses, including plenty of chain restaurants and retail stores, as well as some novelty places. One special spot that comes to mind is Bittersweet, a restaurant with a seasonal menu that changes based on what is growing in their on-side garden. Artisanal places like Bittersweet mingle with bars, strip malls, and fitness centers. It’s a busy, business-centered street which has just about anything you might be looking for.

Home to Colorado State University – one of the best veterinary schools in the country – Fort Collins is definitely a college town. Full of bars, coffee shops, and kids on bikes, this city is bursting with the kind of life that comes from a large population of students.

However, Fort Collins is unique in that the busy college atmosphere doesn’t take away from the rest of the town. The city has a charm all its own, whether you’re a student, a graduate, or someone who’s just arrived in northern Colorado. Everyone can appreciate the life and liveliness of Fort Collins.

Located just forty minutes north of Denver, the trip to Fort Collins immediately takes you out of bustle of city traffic and into more rural country – farms, prairies, and grazing land for cattle. The town itself is a decent size (about 150,000 people), but it fits seamlessly with the hills and plains surrounding it. This gives the city a nostalgic feeling – old meets new; town meets country.

Fort Collins is a bit of a hippie town, in the best possible way. Like Seattle or Portland, the community is full of love for the environment and love for art. Co-ops sell works by local painters and sculptors; a bike library allows people to rent bicycles for the day; thrift stores offer back-to-school specials; and clubs are jam-packed with music lovers on Friday nights.

There are plenty of outdoor activities as well, including boating, fishing, hunting, and hiking. In particular, Horsetooth Reservoir (located just west of Fort Collins), is full of trails for hikers and campers.
In case you haven’t seen it in my glowing review, Fort Collins is one of my favorite Colorado cities. I highly recommend it for anyone who is looking for a lively, artistic place to live.