09/10/2026
Iâve lived in all of Denver, Vail, Glenwood Springs, even Puebloooâand now I call Ridgway home.
Honestly after living in very different parts of Colorado, I genuinely think the stretch from Montrose to Telluride is one of the best places you can live in the state.
Hereâs what you need to know â
    1. You donât deal with Front Range traffic every time you want to do something. An afternoon adventure can actually be an afternoon adventure.
    2. Youâre surrounded by places people travel across the country to visit. Telluride, Ouray, Ridgway and the San Juans are just⌠home.
    3. Adventure is in every direction. Skiing, hiking, biking, jeeping, rock climbing, ice climbing, paddle boarding, hot springs, lake days, reading by the river, bird watching, and you donât have to plan a whole vacation to do any of it.
    4. Itâs a destination, not somewhere you just drive through. I think thatâs part of what has protected this area from becoming like so many other Colorado mountain corridors.
    5. Each town is completely different. Montrose gives you the everyday conveniences. Ridgway gives you community. Ouray feels like nowhere else in Colorado. Telluride gives you world-class everything tucked into a box canyon.
    6. It still feels like the Colorado people are looking for. Thatâs the part I donât think people understand until they spend real time here.
I moved to Ridgway from Denver and the change of pace hit me immediately. Now? I canât imagine going back. I was just there and wow I canât believe that was a normal life for me once.
If youâre thinking about moving anywhere from Montrose to Ridgway, Ouray or Telluride, comment MOVE and Iâll send you my guide.
And if you already live hereâwhat would you add?