Need info on areas near 'Springs for a move. Fremont county?

[Waldo1]

Performing due diligence in prep for a move in about 6 months. Our son, DIL and grandkids are moving to 'Springs for his work and we are looking for someplace near there with some acreage. We want o be an hour or so away and have been looking in Fremont county near Florence and up north of Canon City. There is land available around there that has some trees and elevation, as opposed to the flatlands towards the east. If I'm missing something, someone please point it out! We are flying up in 2 weeks to look around a bit. Suggestions on where to look? Suggestions on where NOT to look? Any horror stories? Any and all info is appreciated. If you like, please send me a PM and we can discuss it off the Board.

Thanks,

Waldo1

[FoxtArt]

In my stay, I haven't seen any members around that live there to be honest. I haven't even driven through, just heard it has a lot of prisons and not as good economically. Google and city-data should definitely be used, if you haven't already.

[68Charger]

Search of Fremont county on this site and you should find some things... the county gov't is corrupt, but I managed to live North if Penrose off hwy 115 for 20 years without getting in trouble.

It is a prison county- then entire economy there is based on prison wages (they are the largest employers)

Depending on what brings you to the area, that's not necessarily a bad thing, but it has it's down sides.

[earplug]

If your buying acreage, research the water rights and costs. Many places sold the water rights off years ago and you might be buying useless land.

[BushMasterBoy]

If I had to do it all over again, I would have stayed in Cocoa Beach, FL. I have been in the Cripple Creek area with it -20F and the wind blowing 50MPH and the entire town had no electricity for 3 days. I was in a little camper with propane, so I was cozy. The rest of the town not so.
I live in Pueblo West. Was fairly quiet in 2006. Now it is noisy. Used to be the coyotes howl at night, now it dogs barking.
If you really want mountain living try Teller county. Park county is cheaper. Living in the mountains can be brutal. Extreme weather is the norm. You can go hiking in a t-shirt and shorts, 30 MINUTES later the temperature has dropped 40 degrees and golf ball sized hail is beating you to death. It can snow in the middle of summer.
Make sure you have a firearm. You can call 911 and they might not be able to get to you for hours.
If you live in the forest, your house can burn down in a huge conflagration.

I would make a list of all your criteria, and go with that list. Make sure the property was never a meth lab.

Look at Google earth, it will show the terrain. I have seen roads closed for months, due to washouts.

Watch out for shyster realtors. They will lie to you.

Sometimes it is brutal living here.

[davsel]

There are a lot of properties in Teller County up Hwy 24 - Divide, Florissant, lake George areas - If your lungs can handle the altitude. It's 45 minute drive from Florissant to the edge of Colorado Springs. Temps average around 12 degrees cooler than the Springs - Snowfall is only slightly more. Beautiful country and people leave each other alone.

[BushMasterBoy]

Here is a website that shows all the road conditions and even has cameras of the roads in real time. Might check it before you leave for trip around here in Colorado.

https://www.cotrip.org/home.htm

[esaabye]

Also close is Black Forest, Falcon, Elizerbeth. Prices will be higher then Fremont County but you will also be closer to the front range if that is a positive.

[TheGrey]

Have you ever driven in the mountains? How about in winter conditions?

Are you seeking to do anything with the acreage? Or just seeking elbow room?

[Waldo1]

Hey, Doc. I've driven through the Rockies twice, but not extensively within them. Logged many more miles in the Smokies and Appalachians. I was born in and spent my first 38 years in central Michigan (farm country) so winter driving, feet of snow, ice and freezing rain that can knock out power for weeks at a time are no stranger. I've also ridden-out two hurricanes. Acreage is just for wandering around, having space for a few animals, having a decent place to shoot and privacy.