[denverpete]

Ahh, Ronzi. I hate it when you're right. On to the advice.

Denver, Boulder, and Ft. Collins are about as different communities as you could think of (not to mention being quite far apart). Both Boulder (or as we like to call it - The Free Republic of Boulder) and Ft. Collins are college towns with all that comes with that. Housing in Boulder is pretty expensive while some of the outlying areas around it are fairly reasonable.

While all of the communities along the front range (in view of the mountains) are made up of fairly outdoor oriented people - those in Boulder and Ft. Collins (along the foot hills – what most call mountains) would likely be widely considered even more so. Learn to love fleece. Mountain Biking actually involves real mountains and road biking in Boulder can bring you in touch with some of the world's premier riders. Boulder and Colorado Springs have easy access to some premier climbing sites literally within biking distance. Those in the high country (mountains) are even more outdoor oriented and usually even more laid back. Believe it or not, not everyone skis or snowboards – but nearly everyone has at least one outdoor activity they pursue.

The lifestyle here is quite different than what those from the East or West coast are typically used to. For some, the focus on the outdoors, casual dress, and general “slow it down” nature just isn’t for them; those people either stay and ******************** or leave. For those who were born here or move and choose to stay, Colorado becomes a passion. We joke about not wanting people to move here (okay, not really joke – we honestly don’t want people to move here) because we like it the way it is – not the way some transplant thinks it should be. Plus all you people are clogging up I-70 on the weekends!

I've only spent 2 years of my life not living in Colorado - and I choked up on seeing the mountains again when I moved back. I've travelled to every state in the Union - and I can't think of a single place I'd rather live....