7 Things to Know to Help you Adjust to Life in Colorado
Colorado.
We are getting an influx of new Coloradans as a result of virtual work leniency and the fact that Colorado is just awesome. Yes, it’s a fact. If that’s you, let me be the first to say WELCOME! You’re going to love it here.
I myself moved here back in 2016 for my work as an engineer and quickly learned just how common Colorado transplants are. It’s kind of a running joke that finding a native Coloradan is like finding a needle in a haystack. It’s also the reason you’ll see proud bumper stickers that say ‘Native’ over a silhouette of the Rockies. Don’t worry though, as much as people complain about how the amount of people flooding here, everyone is very friendly and welcoming!
There are lots of reasons to move to Colorado, from the beautiful weather and awesome people to the job opportunities and the plethora of outdoor activities. We're getting a lot of new people moving to Colorado from Texas, California, Florida and even international locations. But moving anywhere can take some adjusting, so I’m here to help you make the change a smooth one. These are my favorite tips and fun facts to new Colorado transplants:
Sunburn. If you’re as pasty as me, you’re already familiar with the need to apply this often. But even if you’re used to being in the sun frequently, the sun here is not to be taken lightly (ha, get it? light…). You know you’re a mile up, and that makes breathing more challenging, but did you realize that means the sun is now a lot closer than you’re used to? I know what you’re thinking, what’s one extra mile when we’re millions of miles away? It’s a lot, trust me. Wear sunscreen if you’re going to be in the sun more than 20min., and it is absolutely a must have for mountain hikes that are even higher in altitude. I cannot tell you the amount of friends that thought we were exaggerating and ended up looking like a lobster after a day.
Snow melts on the South side. Another fun fact about the Sun here is that sunlight comes mostly from the South. This may sound obvious, we’re pretty far north of the Equator, of course the Sun comes from the south, right? Well, remember that the Sun is much stronger here than in states at sea level, so that fact comes in handy. If you’re trying to grow plants, you’re going to want a South facing window. And if you’re like me and hate shoveling snow, try to find a home with the front facing South. The snow will melt in a day or two on that side of the street, whereas the home opposite may stay snowy for a week. It will cut down dramatically on the amount of shovelling you have to do.
Snow preparation. Thankfully we don’t get a whole lot of standing snow, it generally melts quickly. This is great for people like me who don’t want four straight months of trudging through ice and slush. But results in a lot of people being caught off guard when it does snow. My advice to anyone moving here is to get a snow scraper as soon as you can and just leave it in your car. If you’re coming in Summer, you’ll probably have to wait till September (or just order one online). If you’re not prepared, you’ll be scraping snow off your car with a credit card. Been there, done that, do not recommend.
What’s a 14er? A 14er (fourteen-er) is a mountain whose peak is above 14,000ft. We have 53 official 14ers here in Colorado, and it’s a common activity to try and hike them. At 14,000 ft. you’re above the tree line and you’re subject to altitude sickness. I myself got altitude sickness hiking a 14er (Mt. Quandary) and haven’t done another one since. But if you’re up for the challenge, I recommend starting with Gray’s and Torreys. It’s very beginner friendly and you don’t have to do both peaks if you need a break. I don’t recommend doing a 14er until you’ve lived here a couple months, but a lot of people do anyways. So if that’s you, don’t forget that sunscreen and a LOT of water. And a sign, to prove you were there of course.
Red Rocks. Another popular local attraction is Red Rocks. It’s an incredibly famous outdoor amphitheatre in Morrison where you’ll find some of the best performers every Summer. From the Beatles and John Denver to One Republic and Daft Punk, Red Rocks has hosted some of the most popular performers over the last 80 years. But a lot of people don’t realize you can go there for all kinds of things, not just concerts. You can exercise there, attend a morning yoga class, picnic and watch the sunset, the list is long. But one of the coolest things they offer is Film on the Rocks. Look out for their Summer schedule and check out a classic movie you love on the most unique screen you’ll ever find.
Skiing. In case you’re moving from a bubble and haven’t heard, skiing is a big deal in Colorado. If you’ve never done it before and are even a tiny bit interested, you should definitely try it out your first Winter here. I moved to Colorado from Florida, so I had barely even seen snow before moving here. I took a lesson my first Winter here and I highly recommend Copper Mountain’s Ski & Ride University for beginner adults. If you do want to ski, the big debate every season is whether to get the Ikon pass or the Epic pass. Each gives you access to different ski resorts, and both have Local options that are cheaper than the full pass. They also both have options outside of Colorado, including some international resorts, so check out their locations before committing.
Weed. One of the first states to legalize marijuana, Colorado still attracts plenty of pot tourists. I’m going to preface this by saying that I don’t partake myself (yes, this disclaimer is 90% for my boss, but also 10% to warn you that I’m no expert). But as this is one of the things Colorado is most known for, it had to make the list. If you plan to smoke, it is extremely easy to find dispensaries in Denver, and a variety of options. Just remember that it is not legal to smoke it in public places, and your landlord may or may not allow it if you're renting. But if you’re planning to buy, there are no rules for smoking your own property. If you also don’t partake, then don’t worry. It’s common, yes, and you will still smell dispensaries around town. But overall I’ve found most people are respectful and it doesn’t impact me all that often. The hype has died down a lot and in general the only place I run into it is concerts (which was the case before it was legal, too).
Now you're 7 steps closer to being a Coloradan! There are so many other things I could talk about, like the strong recommendation that you get a dog (other furry friends may be substituted pending their willingness to hike) or that an outdoor hobby is required, or all about brewery culture. But I can’t spoil all the fun before you get here.
Colorado is one of my favorite places and I’m confident you’ll love it here. Congratulations on your big move, and get ready to do all the things! Follow me on Instagram for other Colorado tips and tricks, as well as a heads up on some great local places! And please reach out to me, I absolutely love meeting new transplant friends and would love to answer any questions you have.