3. The town is best known for having inspired the popular TV show South Park. You can also enjoy some excellent cuisine here, including a Mexican restaurant, some Chinese and Vietnamese food, and a great pizzeria. Its location is very convenient. You can enjoy pack trips, trails, and camping. here, including a Mexican restaurant, some Chinese and Vietnamese food, and a great pizzeria. What is the most affordable mountain town in Colorado? 16 of the Best Mountain Towns in Colorado by a Local The best mountain towns near Denver include: There are a lot of incredible mountain towns in Colorado and nearly all of them are stunning. It is the bounty of fairy tale towns. An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. With tons of variety in landscapes, there are plenty of must-see places in Colorado. Head southwest to Durango for unforgettable treks found within the San Juan National Forest. Found in the southwest corner of the state in one of the most remote spots, the historic mining town of Silverton is one spot for an epic trip. 18 Most Charming Mountain Towns In Colorado To Visit In 2023 Dating back to the 1880s, these buildings now offer shopping, galleries, coffee shops, restaurants, and plenty of watering holes. The word Ouray means The Arrow and the town was named this because it sits in a narrow valley with steep mountains on three sides. Outdoor enthusiasts love this town that is tucked away just north of the Gunnison National Park. , and although it mainly caters to tourists, its also quaint and homely. Then, we scored all of the mountain communities in Colorado based on these categories to find the most affordable Colorado mountain towns. 11 must-visit mountain towns for this summer in Colorado Its cost of living is also low, which makes it a great option if youre working on a budget, and its not far from the Ute Mountain Reserve and the Canyons of the Ancients National Monument. However, the jobs are seasonal and low wages positions. We may earn commission from links on this page, but we only recommend products we back. Yes, from there it got its name Paonia. Large elk herds roam the town freely. It is an ideal place to be close to nature with a cost of living index is 94.8 (USA average of 100). You can also go dog sledding through the Colorado mountains or spend your days fly fishing or golfing. You dont have to spend your time in the great outdoors to appreciate Leadville, though. If youre looking for a quick getaway from Denver, then youll want to check out some of these beautiful mountain towns less than two hours from the Mile High City. If you buy something through one of those links, you wont pay any extra penny, but Ill get a small commissionthat encourages me to deliver more helpfulcontent for you. Population: 5,430 Cost of Living Index: 3% Below Colorado Average Median Home Price: $545,000. The Orvis Hot Springs are close by, offering steamy pools situated in natural settings. Set within White River National Forest, Vail sits at the base of Vail Mountain. It is one of the most travel destinations in the state with a strong economy exclusively on coal mining and agriculture. If you'd like to get on top of the rock rather than within it, the park serves up world-famous climbing, too. Everyone dreams about living a quaint and rugged life in the Rocky Mountains, but many of the famous ski towns like Aspen, Vail, Telluride, and Breckenridge have gotten way too expensive in the last few years. Jill Gleeson is a travel journalist and memoirist based in the Appalachian Mountains of western Pennsylvania who has written for websites and publications including Good Housekeeping, Womans Day, Country Living, Washingtonian, Gothamist, Canadian Traveller, and EDGE Media Network. Population: 14,777. Also, I want you to know the pros and cons of living in Colorado before coming here. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. It sits just on the east of the Middle Fork South Platte River, northward to Alma and Hoosier Pass, and close to Breckenridge for skiing. 6. As one of the most well-known mountain towns in the state, Vail is the perfect summer escape. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. Leadville. Up and Coming Colorado Towns | Affordable Mountain Towns in Colorado Anglers will find fish aplenty thanks to the town's locale at the headwaters of the Rio Grande and San Juan rivers. 10 Affordable Mountain Towns for Retirement - US News & World Report It is indeed thecheapest mountain town to live in Colorado. Salida is a cozy mountain town located where the, , including rafting and some history tours, and if youre a fan of hot springs, youll be pleased to learn that its only about a, 10 minute drive to the relaxing Poncha Springs, Salida also has plenty of cultural significance. However, because of the towns location deep within the Rocky Mountains, visitors can also stop by the Curecanti National Recreation Area and see the Blue Mesa Reservoir. , but you can also enjoy things like trail riding, Rocky Mountain Wildlife Park, a ski resort, and rafting experiences. We start off our list of the most affordable mountain towns in Colorado with Manitou Springs. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". At 10,151 feet, Leadville sits at the foot of Mt. Be sure to pay a visit to the Breckenridge troll. Be sure to bundle up if you visit Leadville in the winter. Johnstown (Population: 13,306) Located just south of Fort Collins is Johnstown with its higher-than-average incomes, low cost of living and affordable housing. The giant troll, who goes by the name of Isak Heartstone, is truly a sight to see. You can also have some fun with llama trekking and the town even has a little theater, too. . 9 Of The Best Mountain Towns In Colorado The other highlight of Glenwood Springs is that it is home to several Colorado hot springs.