EVERGREEN
Jefferson County

Evergreen is the gateway for the mountain communities, a place where city and mountain living come together. Probably the best known of all the mountain communities, at an altitude of more than 7, 000 feet, Evergreen sprawls between Mount Evans on the south to Lookout Mountain on the north. Pines, abundant wildlife, beautiful mountain vistas, and quality housing attract those who want the advantages of a big city. The town proper is located on both sides of beautiful Bear Creek.

The very beginnings of Evergreen go back to Thomas C. Bergen. He became the first settler in the region in 1859, when he built a log cabin on the site that now bears his name. Like many others, Bergen heeded the call of gold only to find his fortune in selling and trading to the men on their way to hunt gold.

By 1959 the mountain communities were beginning to convert from summer to year-round living. This required modernizing water, sewer and communication services, which was accomplished through bond issues. In 1970, Interstate 70 was completed, and the new ease of commuting generated new development. For a hassle-free commute, the Regional Transportation Department (RTD) offers three bus routes from Evergreen to the metro area. With a year-round population of over 36,000, most residents live in the mountains surrounding the town. Some of the homes back up to State or National park lands, which will never be developed, while many others enjoy the panoramic view these parks provide.

Schools in Evergreen are part of the Jefferson County School District. The Jefferson County School District is the largest district in the state of Colorado with over 87,000 students. SAT scores are substantially higher than national averages, and with a student-teacher ratio of only 21, students receive individual attention.

Some of the new developments, like Genesee to the north and Bailey to the southwest, include office buildings and other business spaces so people who live here might also conduct their business locally.

Evergreen is only 45 minutes from the historic, mining towns of Central City and Blackhawk. Though gold and silver played out long ago in these two mining towns, a new "mother lode" appeared as limited gambling was introduced and attracts large numbers of tourists year round. An additional 45 minutes and you can be on the slopes of one of Summit County's ski areas, Breckenridge, Copper or Keystone.