I may be moving to Colorado, (Boulder area)

[cally]

I would love some information and ideas about where to live. I've lived in the SF Bay Area all my life with only a few years spent elsewhere. I spent last week in the Boulder area and I have many concerns. This would be a forced move for work but I'm trying to get excited about the move. Some of the amenities I want to find are good dog walking areas, farmer's markets and local food, views, and to get out of the college town area of Boulder. I'm concerned about the air pollution, fire risk, and water supply---are some areas better than others (I've worked on these issues in the past but know little about Colorado)? It seems like some of the towns may have fewer restrictions on development than others. The surrounding communities appear to be much cheaper but I'm not sure if there is development restrictions or enough water supply for the new deve lopment.

Any information or advise is appreciated.

One more thing, I would like to get involved in campaigns for the Fall election so I would like to know information on that.

[CrispyQ]

1. Boulder is gorgeous. The weather is (mostly) fantastic.

Boulder is a dog-friendly town. There are trails all over Boulder & east Boulder county as well as a couple of dog parks, so your pooch will be happy. During the summer, there is a wonderful farmer's market in downtown Boulder, as well as the small towns in east Boulder county, Erie, Lafayette, Louisville. Most of them start up in May & some run as late as November.

Air pollution - well, there are days in the winter where you can see the brown cloud as you look out east. However, Boulder sits in a little valley that gets a lot of wind & often on the worst days, we don't have much pollution. Finally, the wind is good for something. Speaking of wind - we get some doozy wind storms - January is the worst month for those. Many, many years ago, the giant plate glass window of my neighbors house shattered due to wind.

Water - This will be a hot issue in this area & the southwestern US very soon. But the way the corporations are sucking up all water rights, it's may be an issue everywhere.

Fire risk - always high in the summer due to arid conditions, although most fire risk is in the mountains, not on the plains.

Public transportation - we have a great bus system in Boulder & Denver.

Housing - Whether rent or mortgage, in Boulder you are going to pay more. But since you're used to SF prices, if your income remains the same, it may not be such sticker shock for you. Prices for housing in eastern Boulder county & Longmont are somewhat more reasonable.

Politics - Boulder county is a liberal pocket of what used to be a red state & while CO is more blue than in the past, we have areas that are not. Remember that awful Musgrave woman & that Tancredo asshole? Both from CO.

Mark Udall(D) is up for re-election in 2014. Michael Bennet(D) is up in 2016. If you're in Congressional District 2, Jared Polis(D) will be your congressman & his seat is usually safe. While acceptable dems, I would not call them stellar. Bennett, particularly, is weak. Also, the religious wackos are very successful at getting those horrid fetus rights bills on the ballot every few years.

Some local political orgs:
http://www.bocodems.org/

http://dw-bc.org/

I hope you like CO. It may not be as fantastic as CA, but there are worse places you could land.

[cally]

3. thanks for the detailed response

I'm looking forward to working on some campaigns and in a state that is somewhat of a swing state which California is not. We have our share of political whackos (too numerous to list) but thankfully not where I currently live.

I liked what I saw of the area but I did not like the snow!!!

[cally]

4. Adding commute time to reduce housing costs is very familiar

and the housing costs in Boulder are much less than most of the SF Bay Area which is a primary reason why we are considering the move. Still, Boulder prices seem much higher than the surrounding areas and I know people who ride their bike to work from Louisville so that is enticing.

Thanks for the hints on the wind and snow. I hadn't heard about the wind and snow concerns. We keep hearing the sugar coated version of living in Boulder and I know nowhere is that perfect. Still, the area is gorgeous and folks seemed very nice and welcoming.

[Paladin]

5. I Hope You Really Love Snow. (n/t)

[CrispyQ]

7. We're getting bombed.

It always drifts against my back door, looking deeper than it is everywhere else, but today the front looks pretty bad, too. We still had lots of snow from before.

Remember a few years back - was it 04? We got all those snow storms starting right around Christmas. One a week for six weeks. We had so much snow! A fellow DUer snapped this shot somewhere in Denver:

[cally]

10. If I move, I hope someone in my neighborhood has one of those

I don't like snow but I like to work more than hate snow.

[cally]

9. Yeah, well...I really hate snow

It's pretty and all but it's cold!

[Slit Skirt]

6. Cally

I can hook you up to the political scene in Boulder...they are very active and some groups are a little better than others. I know some stellar activists I can introduce you to

Boulder is gorgeous, pet friendly, and very progressive

[cally]

8. sounda great.

I probably won't move for at least six months but may come stay for a month around March. I would love information, Thanks.

[sldrty]

11. Newlands

[sldrty]

12. I need help - does anyone have experience with Boulder County CFI - Jane Wells

I am looking for anyone who has had experience with the Boulder County Child and Family Investigation unit, particularly anyone who has had experience with Jane Wells, Ph.D. If you have, or know of anyone who has, please email me. I am particularly interested in experiences women have had with her and her reports.

I would also like to ask that, if you post on boards other than DU, you post this request (other boards can reach me at: [e-mail])

[curico]

13. Information on Jane Wells a CFI in Boulder County

Hello,

I just found your posting. Were you able to find out anything about Jane Wells?


If you used her, would you be willing to share your experience? I am certainly willing to share my experience!!! I would love to hear if anyone else has feedback/experience with Jane Wells


Thanks!