Mountain - Plains - Moving to Denver!

Hey all,

I'm very excited. My g/f has been given a great opportunity to pursue her PhD at CU Denver/Anschutz in Reproductive Sciences.

I might also be pursuing my MA at U Denver and CU Denver.

Anyway, I'm very excited to be moving to Denver from Detroit. I love cycling, climbing, and snowboarding. My two main bikes are road and a fixed/ss project build.

So, what's the job market like? My professional experience has been in IT (Help Desk/Sys Admin), but I have a lot of bike shop experience (having worked at REI for a few years now). I'd be happy to forward a resume/CV to anyone who might be interested in helping.

I'm sure I'll think of more questions, but I'm still geeked about it.

Cheers!

How exciting! You'll love it. I relocated to Denver from the Midwest (Mpls, MN) myself this past fall. When are you making your move?

I haven't gotten a good grip on what the industry is like out here- however, I work South of Denver in the Denver Tech Center (located in Greenwood Village, CO- kind of the downtown away from downtown), so keep this area on your map if you're looking for IT jobs.

Good luck!

We're looking to move in late July.

I'll check out the Tech Center. I would need an entry level Sys Admin type position, but I have a lot of experience.

I've heard IT is tough, but there are plenty of bike shops plus REI's flagship store.

Congratulations. I came to Denver for my Ph.D. and never left. It is the best place I have ever lived.

The job market here is better than most, but still tough. I work for an east-coast company from my house, running a division of product marketing. I know a lot of people in the tech industry, so PM me when you are closer to moving.

Housing is going to be a lot higher than Detroit, so brace yourself. I guess that would be true of anywhere though.

If your gf is going to be out at Anschutz (in Aurora), you may want to live on the east side of town. Commuting to the tech center can be hell, but there are IT jobs down there. I would look into IT jobs at Anschutz as well. The medical industry is hiring and they need IT too.

Thank you so much for so many helpful responses! I'm not opposed to moving out there sooner ahead of the lady, so long as the opportunity is right.

IBM has a huge data center in boulder. Seems as if they are in layoff mode these days, but you never know. They still support a very large number of outsourced accounts from there. The tech center does indeed have a lot of jobs, under normal circumstances. Avaya has a facility in Arvada; they do quite a bit of IT. Best of luck with the move and the job search.

Congratulations. I came to Denver for my Ph.D. and never left. It is the best place I have ever lived.

The job market here is better than most, but still tough. I work for an east-coast company from my house, running a division of product marketing. I know a lot of people in the tech industry, so PM me when you are closer to moving.

Housing is going to be a lot higher than Detroit, so brace yourself. I guess that would be true of anywhere though.

If your gf is going to be out at Anschutz (in Aurora), you may want to live on the east side of town. Commuting to the tech center can be hell, but there are IT jobs down there. I would look into IT jobs at Anschutz as well. The medical industry is hiring and they need IT too.I live nearly in Aurora (Lowry) and work in the tech center. Commute isn't bad- all back roads, 10 miles, about 25 minutes. course, today it took 2 hours, 45 minutes to get home from work because it snowed a couple inches (and people out here can't drive in snow!!)

I live nearly in Aurora (Lowry) and work in the tech center. Commute isn't bad- all back roads, 10 miles, about 25 minutes. course, today it took 2 hours, 45 minutes to get home from work because it snowed a couple inches (and people out here can't drive in snow!!)

It's only during the spring snows that they can't drive. I'm not sure why...

It's only during the spring snows that they can't drive. I'm not sure why...
what a PITA. its not even that bad!

what a PITA. its not even that bad!

I did put the truck in 4 wheel drive when I was out earlier this morning. You must have missed the crazy blizzard thing going on. That was fun. :)

How exciting! You'll love it. I relocated to Denver from the Midwest (Mpls, MN) myself this past fall. When are you making your move?

I haven't gotten a good grip on what the industry is like out here- however, I work South of Denver in the Denver Tech Center (located in Greenwood Village, CO- kind of the downtown away from downtown), so keep this area on your map if you're looking for IT jobs.

Good luck!

That reminds me... why haven't we had lunch?

I work less than a block from Arapaho light rail station...

Haha, glad I could spark conversation. There's a light rail between Denver and Arapaho, like A-Basin?

I've heard IT is tough, but there are plenty of bike shops plus REI's flagship store.

Denver's IT market is pretty good, check out http://rmiug.org for localized job postings, as well as monster, dice.com etc. My company is hiring, check out http://ecollege.com/Careers.learn --and we just happen to be looking for a Sys Admin I :D

I live nearly in Aurora (Lowry) and work in the tech center. Commute isn't bad- all back roads, 10 miles, about 25 minutes. course, today it took 2 hours, 45 minutes to get home from work because it snowed a couple inches (and people out here can't drive in snow!!)

Lowry to Highline Canal Trail to Cherry Creek Trail to the Res, then west to Union and past Cherry Creek HS and you're in the tech center. Used to be my bike commute when I lived at 23rd and Monaco (ish). You should try it!

(and I just finished shoveling my driveway covered in a solid 8" of the white stuff. Gotta love March in Denver!)

That reminds me... why haven't we had lunch?

I work less than a block from Arapaho light rail station...crap if I know, dex is in the same neighborhood. looks like its time to organize a bf lunch- or perhaps, post-work dtc ride (you know, when this snow melts!!)


Haha, glad I could spark conversation. There's a light rail between Denver and Arapaho, like A-Basin?I wish!! nope, arapahoe station is just a LR station in the tech center.


Denver's IT market is pretty good, check out http://rmiug.org for localized job postings, as well as monster, dice.com etc. My company is hiring, check out http://ecollege.com/Careers.learn --and we just happen to be looking for a Sys Admin I :Dthats what I thought! ;) but.. I didn't want to broadcast your company to peoples all over the web.

A certain BF poster (me) is located at the SW corner of Greenwood Plaza Blvd and Orchard.
We could do laps in the Cherry Creek Park after work.
It takes about 10-15 min to ride from where I work to the park. Then I can take the cherry creek trail to the platte to thornton.
I really detest driving to work.

Anyhow, hello to the OP. :)
There are quite a few friendly riders here. I am more partial to the club mr mclaughlin introduced me to. A very nice group of people and I seem to spend most of my time on facebook bsing with them.

A certain BF poster (me) is located at the SW corner of Greenwood Plaza Blvd and Orchard.
We could do laps in the Cherry Creek Park after work.
It takes about 10-15 min to ride from where I work to the park. Then I can take the cherry creek trail to the platte to thornton.
I really detest driving to work.

Anyhow, hello to the OP. :)
There are quite a few friendly riders here. I am more partial to the club mr mclaughlin introduced me to. A very nice group of people and I seem to spend most of my time on facebook bsing with them.:eek:that's very nearly the corner I'm workin too... sure hope you aren't the person I waved the finger at the other day... :o

I'd be game for a few laps.

I am in the harlequin plaza BTW. The belco credit union building to be exact.
No one has flipped me the bird lately but I tend to daydream quite a bit. lol

Stupid Denverites, always leavin' us Northern folk out of things... humph... :notamused:

I'd be willing to make a trip up north for a group ride one of these days.
Just don't be expecting a cute girl with pink hair. I'm a skinny bald white guy with shaved legs and a lycra fetish. :p

I'd be willing to make a trip up north for a group ride one of these days.
Just don't be expecting a cute girl with pink hair. I'm a skinny bald white guy with shaved legs and a lycra fetish. :p

two outta three ain't bad :lol:

I'm at Belleview/Monaco, and can get to Village Greens Park in just a few min (via Union). I can be coaxed into a lap or two around the res as well...

UA, I'll head up north too, just gotta plan it, y'know?

Monaco St? I don't think monaco pkwy intersects belleview.
If so I ride by your work each time I commute. Small world. lol

I'll probably do a ride up Rist Canyon later this spring. You guys are welcome to join, but I'm slow and fat, so I won't be burning up the road...

Haha, glad I could spark conversation. There's a light rail between Denver and Arapaho, like A-Basin?

No, sorry to say, that's some train station in the city they are talking about. To get to A-Basin you have to sit in a ridiculous traffic jam in your car. The key to Colorado skiing is weekdays. It's idiotic that there is no public transportation to ski. There's a "ski train" but it's like $50/each way and runs only once a day, to Winter Park (I think).

I'm eating my heart out right now, looking at the biggest storm of the year, and I have a huge project to complete at work tomorrow. Otherwise I would be hitting the powderday tomorrow.

...

p.s., this forum really does need a group ride, doesn't it!

I'll probably do a ride up Rist Canyon later this spring. You guys are welcome to join, but I'm slow and fat, so I won't be burning up the road...

I'm in.

We do need a group ride. I was just riding with skylab on the peak-to-peak highway and we thought Golden might be a good middle ground for a bunch of people. Need some snow to melt now though.

*grabs a hair drier*

I live right by where all you guys work! Well, a little bit south I guess, but I'd love to do an after work ride too! I'm on Yosemite and Dry Creek basically.

Sorry to bring the thread further off topic.

Anyhow, I just moved here in the fall too. You'll like it here, I don't think I'll be moving anytime soon despite the freak snow storms in March.

I live right by where all you guys work! Well, a little bit south I guess, but I'd love to do an after work ride too! I'm on Yosemite and Dry Creek basically.

Sorry to bring the thread further off topic.

Anyhow, I just moved here in the fall too. You'll like it here, I don't think I'll be moving anytime soon despite the freak snow storms in March.

March and April is when it snows in Denver. It is normal for the weather to change from jetstream to upslope. The mountains suck most of the jetstream moisture out, and we don't get it in the Winter.

That said, a few Decembers ago, we got two huge upslope storms and that was 'freak'.

Denver's IT market is pretty good, check out http://rmiug.org for localized job postings, as well as monster, dice.com etc. My company is hiring, check out http://ecollege.com/Careers.learn --and we just happen to be looking for a Sys Admin I :D

Thanks! Unfortunately, I'm not quite qualified for Sys Admin I yet. I need more of an entry level Sys Admin position.

I'll keep an eye out for sure.

Let's do a group ride when I get out there and you can all laugh at me when I attempt to climb hills...because we don't really have those things here in Michigan.

.."this forum really does need a group ride, doesn't it! "
don't forget your BF friends in the mountains! I'd come down for a ride. Or, be glad to have folks up here as a starting point.
We got hit with an easy 18 inches out of this storm. Sad to say my season is over due to this rotator/labrum issue. There's some sweet mooshy powder out there.

"March and April is when it snows in Denver. It is normal for the weather to change from jetstream to upslope. The mountains suck most of the jetstream moisture out, and we don't get it in the Winter. "
for the first few years I lived here I didn't know an upslope from the pope. I just thought it started snowing in September and didn't really stop - for certain - until late July. In 1984 it snowed on EVERY holiday. July4th we got about 8 inches of very heavy crud. Labor day it snowed. President's day.
These last few years are the first times I've ever seen it rain up here in October, or even November.

This was the first year since I moved here (1995) that it rained in Denver in February. I thought I left winter rain in the Northeast.

BTW, I can vouch for the riding around SKYLAB's house. Can't wait to get back up there this summer.

Perhaps we should take some turns hosting people on our favorite rides. Mine will all be leg-burning climbs with at least 4k' of climbing ;)

This was the first year since I moved here (1995) that it rained in Denver in February. I thought I left winter rain in the Northeast.

BTW, I can vouch for the riding around SKYLAB's house. Can't wait to get back up there this summer.

Perhaps we should take some turns hosting people on our favorite rides. Mine will all be leg-burning climbs with at least 4k' of climbing ;)

I may have to opt out of your ride. I prefer my heart not explode.

Well... 4K feet is not too bad. That is unless it is like 20 miles long.

I may have to opt out of your ride. I prefer my heart not explode.

Er, wait, aren't you the guy who suggested Rist?

DARKSTAR and I did 4100 feet over 40 miles. Not the smartest first ride of the year I've ever done. The terrain up here is such that none of the climbs are over 4-5 miles long before you get a nice descent. Its those long slogging climbs like GG Canyon that will eat you up.

I love GG. Except that the last time I tried it I had been back on my bike for a month after my accident.
Plus, I was recovering from a cold followed by my lovely allergies. Lets just say that the results were not pretty (as pwnt can attest to). I made it to the first descent and turned around.

Well... 4K feet is not too bad. That is unless it is like 20 miles long.

They really aren't bad, although I find that I do so much foothills climbing that my rides are often 3-4k' up and then back down. The nice thing about the ride I did with skylab is that it was up and down several times. I had no idea we did over 4k' until I looked at the stats.

datajunkie, don't you ride with Club Evergreen? Of course 4K' is not bad for you ;)

BTW, I climbed over 20k' last week. It was a great week for early season. Right now, I am trying to face riding on the trainer. That's spring in CO.

"BTW, I climbed over 20k' last week."
Braggart. I foresee a very frustrating early season for me this year, with the shoulder thingy putting paid to my xc season.

Its the second steep climb in GG canyon that separates the climbers from the rest of us. Right before you cross into Gilpin county for the first time. Guy Hill I think? That last pitch is an easy 15% - probably higher; and thats after 4 miles of over 5% just prior. ooof!
Trail Ridge road is easier than Golden Gate. Much easier.

^^^I didn't say I climbed them fast or even well ;)

I am going nuts. I can't bring myself to ride the trainer today. I am just going to mix up some cocktails soon and forget about it.

I am just going to mix up some cocktails soon and forget about it.

DUDE - an excellent plan. I'm still going to head out and try to hit the rec center for a half hour on one of their stationary cycles. I've been doing too much cocktail based pain management this week.
I look forward to climbing fast and well with you this summer. It will happen. Yes it will.

I love GG. Except that the last time I tried it I had been back on my bike for a month after my accident.
Plus, I was recovering from a cold followed by my lovely allergies. Lets just say that the results were not pretty (as pwnt can attest to). I made it to the first descent and turned around.
DJ - email or let me know when you're looking for some canyon/mountain rides this summer. I should have my legs under me by then and recovered from surgery. Have you ever tried Twin Spruce to Gap rd up to 119 off of Hwy 72? Thats got some great climbing to it.
I don't really like climbing 72 but with a group I'd be more comfortable. Twin Spruce is near the gas station down before you get to Wondervu.

Monaco St? I don't think monaco pkwy intersects belleview.
If so I ride by your work each time I commute. Small world. lol

Monaco does intersect Belleview. Greenwood Village spent several million of our money a few years back to disguise the fact, putting a jog in so that it doesn't look like it. Evidently they succeeded. Monaco, with various man-made obstacled and circles - but there is a pathway - then goes south to Orchard where it dead-ends at Orchard - continuing here and there in the neighborhood just south of Orchard (where I lived - Palos Verdes - for about 30 years).

Incidentally, there is a trail from Palos Verdes (SE corner of Orchard and Holly) that goes underneath Orchard and Holly, goes down through the Preserve, and intersects the Highline Canal Trail.

They really aren't bad, although I find that I do so much foothills climbing that my rides are often 3-4k' up and then back down. The nice thing about the ride I did with skylab is that it was up and down several times. I had no idea we did over 4k' until I looked at the stats.

datajunkie, don't you ride with Club Evergreen? Of course 4K' is not bad for you ;)

BTW, I climbed over 20k' last week. It was a great week for early season. Right now, I am trying to face riding on the trainer. That's spring in CO.

Club hypoxia is my club. Unfortunately, my climbing needs work since I spend winter out on the plains and in denver. I am at 39K feet for the entire year and 95% of that is on a fixed gear. That is what I get for living in Thornton.
20K in one week has me beat hands down.
I am having issues with my trainer as well. I need to ride my intervals but looking at my trainer is depressing.

DJ - email or let me know when you're looking for some canyon/mountain rides this summer. I should have my legs under me by then and recovered from surgery. Have you ever tried Twin Spruce to Gap rd up to 119 off of Hwy 72? Thats got some great climbing to it.
I don't really like climbing 72 but with a group I'd be more comfortable. Twin Spruce is near the gas station down before you get to Wondervu.

OooooOo! That looks like fun. I have ridden by it a few times on the CC GG 119 loop.
I would definitely like to get together. My climbing improves greatly with others ripping my legs off. :p

Monaco does intersect Belleview. Greenwood Village spent several million of our money a few years back to disguise the fact, putting a jog in so that it doesn't look like it. Evidently they succeeded. Monaco, with various man-made obstacled and circles - but there is a pathway - then goes south to Orchard where it dead-ends at Orchard - continuing here and there in the neighborhood just south of Orchard (where I lived - Palos Verdes - for about 30 years).

Even looking at google maps I do not see this.
I see where it turns to princeton then eastmoor then quebec. I have used this way of coming into DTC from time to time. The pedestrian bridge off dtc pkwy is useful to get over i-25. Crossing under i-25 on belleview or orchard is interesting. :eek:

Club hypoxia is my club. Unfortunately, my climbing needs work since I spend winter out on the plains and in denver. I am at 39K feet for the entire year and 95% of that is on a fixed gear. That is what I get for living in Thornton.
20K in one week has me beat hands down.
I am having issues with my trainer as well. I need to ride my intervals but looking at my trainer is depressing.

Riding my new fixed-gear this winter really taught me to attack small "hills" here in denver.