8 Things to Know Before Moving to Conifer, CO

Located in Jefferson County, Conifer, Colorado, is a small unincorporated community in the United States. Just west of Denver, in the foothills, you’ll find it along US Route 285. A post office, initially named Conifer, opened in 1984 as the catalyst. George Conifer, who ran a bar in the area, is credited by some residents with inspiring the town’s name. Still, others attribute it to the presence of coniferous trees in the area around the first settlement. 

Let’s talk about eight things to know before moving to Conifer, CO.

1. The air is dry

The air in Conifer, like the rest of Colorado, is quite dry. If you want to avoid nose bleeds and sore throats, you’ll need to moisturize your skin more frequently.

Water is essential, so make sure you consume more of it than you think you need. In the Rocky Mountains, dehydration is common, but preventing altitude sickness can be as simple as drinking enough water.

2. Marijuana is legal here

Since its legalization, the marijuana industry has flourished in this city. Your social circle probably includes people who occasionally buy marijuana (and could even offer you some).

You can never really get used to it, but eventually, it just becomes the usual. You should keep this in mind before moving here.

3. A cost of living index of 150

Conifer’s cost of living is 50% more expensive than the national average and 30% more expensive than the national average. This means that if you’re moving from a less expensive state, you should remember that you’ll have to pay a higher price for most expenses.

The median home price is almost double the national average, at $763,309, and the median household income is about $103,173.00.

4. The property and violent crime rates are lower-than-average

Conifer has an extremely low crime rate compared to other American cities. The rate of violent crime is 10.3, which is lower than the national average of 22.7, while the rate of property crime is 15.3, which is significantly lower than the national average of 35.4. 

Because of this, people who care deeply about living in a secure neighborhood will love calling Conifer home.

5. It snows a lot

In Conifer, at the base of the Rocky Mountains, temperatures are mostly mild. The city enjoys 228 days of sunshine a year, and the weather is generally pleasant year-round.

Due to its high altitude (over 8,000 feet), Conifer is subject to harsh weather and circumstances. Summers in the region typically include heavy snowfall and frequent thunderstorms. Annual rainfall in Colorado is 17 inches, and annual snowfall is 95 inches.

6. A low unemployment rate

The projected job growth rate in Conifer is far higher than the national average, at 40.64%. This is indicative of a robust labor market with several openings for job seekers. The unemployment rate of Conifer is under 2%, which is significantly lower than the national average of 3.6%. Conifer’s thriving economy gives its citizens excellent opportunities to advance in their chosen fields.

The dominant employers here are small businesses, as well as the educational sector.

7. The people love the outdoor environment

In general, Conifer residents are an outdoorsy bunch that want to keep busy. Since most people in Conifer come from somewhere, they are exceptionally sociable and eager to make new friends. They’ve embraced the mountain lifestyle that the area’s natural beauty and abundant wildlife have to offer. 

They enjoy several outdoor pursuits like hiking, fishing, mountain biking, camping, hunting, and skiing.  Since Conifer is a relatively tiny town, you may likely relate with the owners and staff of local companies on a first-name basis. If you are a regular, they may even remember your coffee preference. 

8. Visit Staunton State Park or Slaughterhouse Gulch

Think about how nice it would be to live in a pine forest with sweeping mountain views. You can go fishing, snowshoeing, horseback riding, and mountain biking on hundreds of acres in nearby open space parks in Conifer, such as Staunton State Park and Flying J Ranch.  

Slaughterhouse Gulch is a fantastic destination for those who prefer off-roading in their Jeep or other all-terrain vehicle. Evergreen Lake is conveniently close, offering a variety of outdoor activities, from canoeing and paddle boarding in the summer to ice skating and ice hockey in the winter.

In Conclusion

Conifer might be a small city, but it has a lot going on for it. The people are friendly and outdoorsy, it’s a safe place to live in, and the unemployment rate is low.

On the other hand, this city is expensive to live in, and the air is quite dry.