Unemployment Dropping in Colorado Springs

The unemployment rate for the state of Colorado and Colorado Springs is dropping, according the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment. A 7.2% unemployment figure for September is welcome news to the local area, and should help stabilize the housing market, along with everything else that has been hit by this recession. We'd rather be at 4%, but compared to 10%, 7.2% looks good!

The new Costco on North Nevada near I25 (University Village) opens later this month, making the 2nd Costco to open in the area in less than 2 years. I finally bit the bullet and joined yesterday, figuring that while Sam's Club on Woodmen is a more convenient location for me much of the time, with 2 stores that are both in major travel corridors (the other store is at Barnes and Powers), the prices and selection will make it worth it.

The sun is out again after yesterday's minor snow event. This time of year it goes back and forth between summer and winter a lot, and with 80 degrees last Sunday, we knew it was bound to go the other way at some point. Very little snow actually stayed on the ground, and it is melting as fast as the sun can find it.

Today's photo was taken Sunday up in Basalt (near Aspen, about 4 hours away), where there was still some color left on some of the trees. Early season wind storms stripped a lot of the hillsides of their aspen leaves, but the valleys of the Frying Pan and Roaring Fork Rivers were very pretty. Independence Pass was still open, but normally closes later in the month when the snow gets more serious in the high country.
Got questions about living in Colorado Springs? Call me at 719-590-4768 or 888-568-6784! Visit me on Facebook to see even more photos!

Woodmoor - Easy Access, Mountain Resort-Like Atmosphere

There are places you can live in the greater Colorado Springs area that do not feel like you are near a town of 600,000, and the Woodmoor area in Monument is one of them. I listed a home this past week that is kind of an anomaly, in that it is an almost brand new home in an area that is pretty much completely built already. Woodmoor started in the 60's, but most of the homes tend to be from 90's, when our big construction boom snatched up the remaining vacant lots. Woodmoor is one of the only single family residential areas to my knowledge that has full time staff for the HOA (the Woodmoor Improvement Association), and offers a security patrol to augment the El Paso County Sheriff's Department. Dues are $209 / year. It is 1/2 to 1 acre density, with lots of trees, greenbelts running through it, and plenty of foxes, deer and squirrels for neighbors. Woodmoor is one of those places that feels like you on vacation when you are home, and yet it is very convenient for freeway and shopping access, making it popular among those who have split commutes (one going to Denver and the other to the Springs). Drive time is almost the same to the south end of Denver (30 minutes) or downtown Colorado Springs. Prices start in the mid 300's for smaller 70's built homes, but can approach a million for newer, larger, well equipped luxury homes. The home pictured was completed in 2007, and with 4200 square feet, almost all finished area, it is listed at an extremely good price for $499,900.

Take a tour of 18360 Sloan Lane.

See more photos and the MLS information for 18360 Sloan Lane.

Got questions about living in Colorado Springs? Call me at 719-590-4768 or 888-568-6784! Visit me on Facebook to see even more photos!

Big Sports Weekend In the Springs, Despite Dreary Weather

I am flat out glad for the sun today, after a 3 days of not seeing it! This is very rare here, as is freezing drizzle and extremely cold temperatures for this time of year. Thankfully we'll be back in the 60's and sunny this week, more normal for the season.
The Broncos are now 5-0. No one here expected them to win their first 5 games. I guess Josh McDaniels, the new coach who replaced a much beloved Mike Shanahan, and Kyle Orton, who replaced the cry baby quarterback Jay Cutler, can finally smile and relish the moment. What a great game yesterday!
Wish we could say the same for the Rockies. The pitching staff walked 3 of the 6 runners who scored, not exactly a proud moment for the team. They've got to win tonight, or their Cinderella season is over.
The slick roads were full of accidents this weekend, including a minor one when a car slid through a red light and lightly hit my wifes car. Thankfully she was not hurt, and even the car was ok. The first icy roads of the season almost always cause more trouble than the later in the season, when people have had a little practice. Ice is also more dangerous than snow, because often the road can look 'just wet', when in fact black ice is covering it. And in the fall, very few people have snow tires on their cars yet. I personally have not used snow tires for years, but many even use the studded variety for winter, making trips up to the ski areas a bit more secure. Of course sunshine is the best remedy for icy roads, and it was good to finally get some back this morning!
Got questions about living in Colorado Springs? Call me at 719-590-4768 or 888-568-6784! Visit me on Facebook to see even more photos!

Winter Weather Makes Another Fall Visit in Colorado

2 days ago my grandson and I were out in the back yard enjoying a 72 degree sunny day while he played on the swing set. This morning, there is snow all over the trees, and although todays highs will allegedly reach the mid 50's, another front is coming tonight that will have us in the 20's tomorrow. We'll still get some nice weather before winter really sets in (the trees haven't even really changed that much in town here!), but it is a reminder that winter is on it's way! Glad I got the sprinklers drained before it gets here.
Speaking of tomorrow, the Rockies and the Phillies at Coors field for game 3 of their playoff series will be a cold one! Hopefully that will translate into additional home field advantage.
Got questions about living in Colorado Springs? Call me at 719-590-4768 or 888-568-6784! Visit me on Facebook to see even more photos!

Ski Season Starting Tomorrow???

Hard to believe as it is, the Colorado ski season will actually begin tomorrow, October 7 at Loveland Ski area, and on Friday the 9th at Arapahoe Basin. I always figure on Halloween being the logical start of the season, but with some early season cold snaps, advances in snowmaking equipment, and some early natural cover, it's like Christmas in October for those of us who love to ski.

Speaking of October sports, it is another 'Rocktober' here with the Colorado Rockies in the baseball postseason once again. We'll see how far they go this time, but it is very fun having both the Rockies and Broncos doing so well!

Who would ever have guessed the Broncos would be 4-0 with a new rookie coach, a disgruntled star receiver, and a new quarterback with a mediocre track record at best? There is a lot of football to play, but they are making it a fun season to watch so far!

Today's photo was actually taken last October at Parliament Park in Briargate

Got questions about living in Colorado Springs? Call me at 719-590-4768 or 888-568-6784! Visit me on Facebook to see even more photos!

Preliminary September Home Sales Data Look Strong for the Springs

Home sales for Colorado Springs in September were up 12.2% over last year at this time, according to preliminary figures. Prices were off 10.25% on average at $214,848, and median was down 5.0% at $189,900. On average, homes sold at 97.2% of the asking price. See the link on the menu for more details.

Fall weather changed yet again, after a weekend in the low 80's, it might hit 50 today, although the skies are clear blue and sparkly. Freeze warnings out for tonight, got to drain those sprinklers! The trees are getting quite pretty around town, although it seems different on every street. The maples and aspens seem to have got the lead so far. Todays photo was taken last year near Cripple Creek.

Got questions about living in Colorado Springs? Call me at 719-590-4768 or 888-568-6784! Visit me on Facebook to see even more photos!