Mountain - Plains - denver vs. co springs?

i'm looking to relocate to colorado and i have some friends in denver BUT i'm also interviewing for a position in colorado springs....i've never been to either place but i'm heading to denver next weekend to check things out. -this job is far from a sure thing, but if i'm offered the job, i'm not sure if i should take gainful employment in the springs or good times in the big the city and keep looking for work.

i've heard a variety of good and bad things about co springs, and i've heard only overwhelmingly positive things about denver, can some of you locals help me out here?

thanks,

dan

Go with Denver :)

I don't know personally I could live in the Springs. I love Denver. But I've lived here my whole life :)

I'm bias so I'm not a good person to ask. The riding is good in both places, for both road and mountain.

Goodluck with the job thingy.

Snowy

As far as I know the riding is the same in both places. You could throw in other factors if they matter to you.
Ex: cost of living, traffic, things to do, etc

The only thing I am aware of is the general political nature of both areas is somewhat opposite.
Colorado Springs= conservative
Denver = liberal leaning

If you're not opposed to Suburbia, work in Springs, live in Castle Rock, party in Denver...

I live in the Springs and it's a nice little small town. The best thing about it is the proximity of the foothills. In Denver you are rather removed from the mountains, depending where you live.

You will have to travel to denver if you are interested in a bunch of fine dining and less than mainstream entertainment.

But if you don't mind a small town, it's pretty fine.

I am rather out there in the left politically and I am tolerating the place. More than tolerating. It helps to live downtown CoS, I almost suffocated in suburban Monument, the only thing that saved me was Pikes Nat'l Forest.

The only thing I am aware of is the general political nature of both areas is somewhat opposite.
Colorado Springs= conservative
Denver = liberal leaning

This observation is spot-on so keep that in mind if you're politically active. In addition, there is one Army base, two Air Force bases, and the Academy here in the Springs with certain implications on the community. That said, the USA Triathlon headquarters are here as well as the US Olympic training center.

I chose Colorado Springs over Denver because I moved here from Dallas and didn't feel much difference between there and Denver. I can say that you can get to work, home and to the bar by bike in the Springs. And while that may be possible in Denver too, it SEEMS more practical in the Springs.

You'll have many more questions - feel free to contact me if you like.

Mick

There is "Denver" and there is the "Denver Metro Area" and they are far apart politically. Denver is liberal, but Jefferson County (Tom Tancredo) and Douglas County are QUITE conservative. I live in Parker, a smaller booming suburb. Lots of recreational activities (brand new 100,000 sq ft field house) and bicycle trails where I can go 40 miles out and back just crossing 3 streets.

Here is a map of the Denver Trail System. My home is near the bottom of the map. The Platte River Greenway Trail goes about 30 miles north and south, and you cross only 2 small streets. All 600 miles of trails are interconnected.

http://members.aol.com/dnvrfox/denverbikemap1.jpg

Here is a typical Parker area trail - yes, it can be that deserted, though not likely on Sundays.

http://members.aol.com/dnvrfox/SVI_0019.JPG

http://members.aol.com/dnvrfox/SVI_0020.JPG

The air seems cleaner in CoS.

But the roads are not great, overdevelopment of housing, underdevelopment of infrastructure.

Oh yeah, the velodrome!

The air seems cleaner in CoS.


Oh yeah, the velodrome!

Very true.

Also, there are more traditional mullets on bikes per capita in CoS and the surrounding areas. Do the math.

Then you can throw Boulder into the mix. :p
I would say that CoS and Boulder are polar opposites.

Then you can throw Boulder into the mix. :p
I would say that CoS and Boulder are polar opposites.

Boulder is the opposite of everything!

hmmm....thanks for all the input.

yeah, i'm definetely on the left side of all things political, and i grew up here in phoenix, so i'm pretty freakin' sick of the suburbs.

-i just got off the phone with 'the job' in the springs and it looks like i'll be visiting their office monday for a second interview....

all things being equal, i think denver sounds like more of my cup of tea, but i'm glad to hear there are at least a few liberals surviving (and apparently thriving) in co springs.

Denver is great for riding if you live in the city. I usually avoid the MUPs because the cars are easier to deal with than the pedestrians. The worst problem I've ever had with cars is a few honks during rush hour on a busy street.

i'm looking to relocate to colorado and i have some friends in denver BUT i'm also interviewing for a position in colorado springs....i've never been to either place but i'm heading to denver next weekend to check things out. -this job is far from a sure thing, but if i'm offered the job, i'm not sure if i should take gainful employment in the springs or good times in the big the city and keep looking for work.

i've heard a variety of good and bad things about co springs, and i've heard only overwhelmingly positive things about denver, can some of you locals help me out here?

thanks,

dan



Lets forget even the political climate down in Colorado Springs (not good - and Sunday rides are out of the question with those people, they are all in church). Putting that aside, Denver is a better location and here is why:

(a) There are MANY MANY more routes along the front range. They have this great road called the Peak-to-Peak Highway which runs at the top of the front range heading North from Blackhawk all the way to Estes Park. All along the way are routes from the plains up to the Peak-to-Peak, so you can plan on a 40 mile out and back up say Golden Gate Canyon Road, or you can take one of the routes up, ride the P-to-P for a while, and then head back down another route such as Lefthand Canyon Road or a myriad of other routes.

(b) South of I-70: there are also a ton of small roads heading into the mountains south of I-70.

(c) Boulder - a lot closer to Denver, nuff said.

(d) Lookout Mountain - may be the best training mountain in the country. It is the perfect lenght and gradient to allow for training for the mountains.

(c) Flagstaff Mountain - another great training mountain, although the steeper gradients makes it a great test for other rides such as St. Mary's Glacier

(d) Plains: there are tons of great routes in the plains north of Denver, with little traffic and development. If you need to base train, there are great places north-west of Denver to do as such.

(e) Denver social life

(f) Denver - bike shops: many, many more bike shops in the Denver area. It is rare that you will not be able to find a specific component.

(g) Colorado Springs has Dr. James Dobson as its leading community leader. My contention is that if the US Olympic Training center was not located in the Spings, it would not register in the minds of cyclists as much as a cycling mecca.