Buying a Home in the Front Range

Foothill towns from Boulder to Colorado Springs, with Castle Rock in the middle.

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Photo: Hogs555, CC BY-SA 3.0
Counties
Boulder, Jefferson, Douglas, El Paso, Teller, Park
Main corridor
I-25, C-470, and US 285
Elevation range
About 5,300 to 8,500 ft
Major cities
Denver and Colorado Springs
Highest peak nearby
Pikes Peak ยท 14,115 ft
Towns in this guide
12

Drive times are typical and change with traffic and weather.

Living in Front Range

What it's like to live in Front Range

The Front Range is the first wall of the Rocky Mountains, and the name also covers the populated strip just east of it. On North Star it means the foothill towns from Boulder and Golden in the north to Colorado Springs and Woodland Park in the south, with Castle Rock right in the middle.

These towns sit roughly between 5,300 and 8,500 feet, and life here comes in a few versions: college towns at the base of the foothills, mountain communities along US 285, suburbs and rural acreage in Douglas County, the Tri-Lakes towns on the Palmer Divide, and the Colorado Springs area under Pikes Peak.

It suits people who want mountain access with a city job still in reach. Denver anchors the north half, Colorado Springs the south, and I-25 ties it all together.

The map

Every town in this guide

Hover a pin for a quick look. Click to open that town's guide.

Neighborhoods

Where to look in Front Range

Douglas County suburbs

Castle Rock and Castle Pines: planned neighborhoods, Douglas County schools, and an easy I-25 commute.

Acreage country

Franktown, Larkspur, and Perry Park: unincorporated, rural-feeling areas with room for horses.

The 285 foothills

Evergreen, Conifer, and Bailey: mountain communities west and southwest of Denver.

Tri-Lakes

Monument and Palmer Lake on the Palmer Divide, served largely by Lewis-Palmer School District 38.

Colorado Springs and Woodland Park

The big city at the foot of Pikes Peak, and the mountain town up US 24 where many Springs workers live.

Boulder and Golden

Two county seats at the foot of the foothills, with universities and trails at the edge of town.

Get outside

Things to do in Front Range

  • 01

    Pikes Peak

    Reach the 14,115-foot summit on the Pikes Peak Highway or the cog railway from Manitou Springs.

  • 02

    Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre

    A 9,525-seat amphitheatre near Morrison, dedicated in 1941.

  • 03

    Garden of the Gods

    A free park in Colorado Springs and a National Natural Landmark.

  • 04

    Castlewood Canyon State Park

    Near Franktown, home to the ruins of the 1890 Castlewood Dam.

  • 05

    Chautauqua and the Flatirons

    Boulder's 1898 Chautauqua, a National Historic Landmark, beneath the Flatirons.

  • 06

    Roxborough State Park

    A 3,339-acre Douglas County park with red sandstone fins tilted at about 60 degrees.

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FAQ

Front Range questions, answered

What is the Front Range?

The easternmost range of the southern Rockies, and the populated corridor just east of the mountains from Boulder to Colorado Springs.

How far is it to Denver International Airport?

The airport is about 25 miles northeast of downtown Denver, so drive times grow the farther south or west you live.

Which towns have the most acreage?

Rural, unincorporated areas like Franktown, Larkspur, and Perry Park, plus the US 285 foothills. Lot sizes vary, so check each property.

Is wildfire a concern?

Yes, especially in forested foothills. You can check a specific address at coloradoforestatlas.org.

How far are the ski resorts?

Loveland Ski Area is about 53 miles west of Denver on I-70, and Eldora is about 21 miles from Boulder. Times vary with traffic and weather.

What is the difference between the Denver side and the Colorado Springs side?

The Palmer Divide around Monument and Palmer Lake splits the two. Colorado Springs is about 70 miles south of Denver on I-25.