Surrounded on all sides by mountain ranges, North Park–also known as Jackson County–is a region set apart from the rest of Colorado, geographically as well as culturally. For the most part, the people who live here are working class or have retired to the area. They are no strangers to hard work and a place like this has plenty of space to spread out. I can seem isolated at first, but once you settle in, you’ll soon recognize it as a place that could provide opportunities to those who are seeking new adventures.

People come and go, and some of our long-standing residents have retired to warmer locations and lower elevations. That isn’t to say that the need for these services and businesses hasn’t remained. If you have thought about what it would be like to start over in a new place, a small community in the mountains, or new places to explore, you should consider North Park.

New Openings and Plenty of Room to Grow

Our long time residents are aging off, with a population age average in the county of about 54. Industry has shifted over the years. At one time, North Park was in the midst of a boom, with oil and natural gas, mineral and coal mining, and lumber production in addition to cattle ranching. Walden boasted several filling stations, a movie theatre, bowling alley, and several cafes and bars. It’s a different town now than it was thirty years ago, and not in the same way as you would think from looking at other mountain towns in Colorado.

Since those days, the population stabilized and towns changed very little throughout the area. Businesses came and went, but the spirit of the people who call this place home still stands strong. In recent years, you might have noticed some vacancies in store fronts where there were once well-loved establishments. 

Property costs rank among some of the lowest in the state, while neighboring counties are among the highest. It’s an area that has historically been geared more towards raw materials and resources, agriculture, and tourism access to the beautiful surrounding area. Today much of our economy is based on public land access, either through tourism or resources.

Unlike other remote areas of Colorado which have been set apart for industry, corrrectional facilities, or simply forgotten as the cities along the Front Range expand. Walden and the rest of Jackson County sit at the precipice of a new era of growth. With travel and tourism booming in the Rocky Mountains and so many destinations filling up, North Park isn’t a bad place to be when it comes to a future of new prospects.

Location, location, location

Where is North Park anyway? It sits in a unique location in the central Rockies of Colorado, right on the border with Wyoming. It’s far from being the Front Range, but not really the Western Slope. Walden sits at the hub of CO HWY 14 and HWY 125, which means we are often a stop along the way for people traveling long distances. Many people know Walden as a place to pull over, fuel up, load up on snacks, or even stop for a bite to eat.

We are about an hour from Steamboat, an hour and a half from Winter Park, and right in the backdoor of some of southern Wyoming’s most beautiful landscapes. Being on the way to somewhere else means that we aren’t crowded and congested like mountain towns on the I-70 corridor, or resort destinations further south in the Rocky Mountains.

It’s a humble community, spacious, and lacking pretentiousness. A real taste of how Colorado used to be. We have abundant wildlife, a thriving local culture, and we are unsurpassed when it comes to untamed wilderness in the Rockies. We are no strangers to working hard and playing hard, with something going on here all year long.

Lights! Camera! Action! 

North Park is no stranger to being the backdrop for filming locations. In the past, it has been used for commercials, television, and movies. The stark contrast of the Medicine Bow, Park Range, and Neversummer Mountains with the rolling plains of high country desert have the potential for a variety of different locations for various shots, depending on what is needed for production.

Contacting the North Park Area Chamber of Commerce is a step in the right direction to getting access to all sorts of potential filming locations, or at the very least putting you in touch with someone who can help you out. There are still places that look like the American West that haven’t been littered with condominium complexes, or ski runs that have to be edited in post-production. The cost of permits and access are very reasonable compared to similar shooting locations too!

A perfect place to retreat, relax, and recharge

Some visitors can’t help but stay. Even a brief stop in town is enough to make the curious stick around longer to explore. Our outdoor spaces have fresh air and clean water. With the exception of the occasional parade through Walden, traffic is not a problem. While the rest of the state is sweating through the summer months, up here, our days are sunny and cool, our mountains beckon you to seek adventure, and our shimmering lakes are the best place to cast a line and spend an afternoon enjoying every passing moment.

Whether you are an avid sportsman, or adventure enthusiast, there’s almost no limit to what you can find up here.

Low crime 

Jackson County is a sparsely populated section of the northern Colorado Rocky Mountains, with a population of only about 2000 at any given time of the year. Our community is about as safe as you can get, and its residents tend to watch out for each other. Crime has been so low for decades that collections of the police report for the local newspaper have been published, offering a bucolic view of rural mountain life. Like any community, it has its challenges, but by and large, it’s a town where people feel safe to live.

Calling All Entrepreneurs!

Over the last few decades, North Park has felt the impact of a population decline. As our population ages, many services and businesses have taken a cut. During the COVID-19 pandemic, we said goodbye to several businesses that were icons to the community. There is also the problem with the “graying-off” of our population. As more people retire or the elderly move to lower altitudes, we find fewer faces in the crowd which had been familiar. The average age of Jackson County is around 54 years old. As far as places to retire go, it’s a wonderful destination, especially for summer homes and seasonal businesses.

There’s plenty of room for growth in our community, with a need to fill some of the businesses that have been shuttered for a few years, and still more that might be ready for someone to fill their shoes as retirement approaches. As a burgeoning hub on two major thru-hiking trails, we have the potential to become a gateway town for big hikes in the Rockies.

Unforgettable in So Many Ways

Whether you are visiting, passing through, or looking for a new place to set down some roots, North Park has so much to offer. We are a small community with incomparable views of majestic mountain splendor, open spaces for recreation, and a laid back mountain vibe you will think about for years. We are a place rich in history and traditions that continue to change and grow.

With close proximity to public land and breathtaking views, you can experience freedom on a whole other level that lots of places in Colorado on have memories of. So whether you are looking to start a new chapter in your life, launch a new business, or set down some roots in the most quintesential bastions of small mountain town living, we have got the place for you.

When you visit, take care not to fall in love with North Park at first sight. Dip your toes in the pool first to see if the water is right for you before you dive in. Check into a hotel or vacation rental through VRBO or AirBnB. Stay for a weekend. Scope out the area throughout different times of year, and take your time. We will still be here when you get back.

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