Elizabeth
Welcome to the town of Elizabeth, Colorado. Because of its central location Elizabeth is a perfect small town on the west side of Elbert County. Elizabeth sits quietly 40 miles from Denver, 25 miles from Castle Rock and 18 miles from Parker. Elizabeth with all its lush rolling hills, beauty and pine forests was recently named the Tree City USA by the National Arbor Day Foundation. There are many vacant lots and acreage for sale currently in and around Elizabeth.
The elevation is 6,530 feet and receives a truck load of snow each year. There are a number of options in Elizabeth for real estate investments. There are numerous horse properties, ranch style homes, restored Victorian homes and a great deal of open prairie. Homes sell in the area from the $100,000s to multi-million dollar estates, farms and ranches. There are also still many agricultural properties on the market. In the year 2005 there were approximately 1,500 residents and 513 housing units.
The town of Elizabeth was first a saw mill owned by the Weber Brothers in 1855. Just three years later gold was discovered in Running Creek. Prospectors flocked to the area but it was soon found out that the gold was of very poor quality and that was the end of the gold rush in Elizabeth. But the people that had come there wanted to stay and build a life for themselves. The new residents found the soil to be good and a value much higher then gold. Cattle ranching, dairy farming, and agriculture were successful and filled the needs of Elizabeth residents as well as near by Denver. The small town of Elizabeth was a stopping point for the railroad to Denver.
Thanks to a local resident, Thomas Phillips who offered up part of his land to be used as the town square, the town was incorporated in 1901. With a population of 300, Elizabeth was prospering with lumber, a creamery, feed and general merchandise. The school had 93 students attending daily and life was good.
The depression of the 30s was not kind to any small community and Elizabeth was no different. When the flood of 35 hit Elbert County, the railroad ties were removed from Elizabeth and thus created the downfall of the already sinking town. In 1960 the population was still only 250. But not to fear as the transportation systems were improving and the community grew slowly over the next 40 years. Today Elizabeth has a growing population of around 1500. The town is discovering that it is in a perfect spot for young families to get the quiet rural small town feel and commute to the metropolitan city to work. Elizabeth offers the best of both worlds.
Denver Technological Center, Colorado is located 40 minutes away and employs a lot of the residents from Elizabeth. The DTC landed in Colorado in 1962 and was determined to build not only a unique work enviornment but a place where it’s employees could live and raise there families. They succeeded and today have over 35,000 employees. Having the Elizabeth CO Spring Valley Golf Course in town gives the community plenty of time to enjoy and relax.This public 18 hole course is at 6400 feet and sits on both sides of the beautiful Running Creek. Opened in 1997 the course has a 72.2 rating.
Main Street in Elizabeth is filled with many vintage clothing stores, antique shops and unique toy stores.There are plenty of locally owned restaurants of different venues such as Mexican, Italian or enjoy a great barbecue.
Elizabeth School District has two elementary schools, one middle school and two high schools in the area. And a pre-K and child care facility. Their website provides boundary questions, school locations, and enrollment information.
For more recreation the hot spot outside of town is the Castlewood Canyon State Park. Located in the Black Forest there are many activities available for all ages, including, hiking, rock climbing and bird watching. Summer in Elizabeth means the Elizabeth Stampede and Rodeo is in town and you wont be disappointed. The opportunities to volunteer along side other community members are endless. The Elizabeth Stampede and Rodeo , features a town parade, rodeo and antique car show. For the past 7 years the Rodeo has been voted the best small rodeo of the year by the PRCA Mountain States Circuit. The rodeo is fully sanctioned and brings competitors from all over the nation both professional and amateur. Not only is there a band with live music but there is a parade to start off the event. Anyone can participate.The theme this year is for the American Breast Cancer Society so entries in the parade are asked to wear pink. You will see, antique cars, horse and buggy, wagons, sponsors and of coarse the Ugly Truck Entries! They are always looking for volunteers email them at Info for Rodeo
If your curiosity has gotten the better of you and you would like to know more about the town of Elizabeth please contact The Richins Team Office for all the latest information on housing in Elizabeth Real Estate.
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