Conifer is an unincorporated town in Jefferson County, Colorado, United States. Conifer is located along U.S. Route 285 in the foothills West of Denver. The Conifer Post Office has the ZIP Code 80433.[2]
History
Conifer was known in the 1860s as Bradford Junction, a stop on the stagecoach road to South Park. A few buildings were erected, including a tavern, rest house, and general store. Bradford Junction deteriorated by the 1890s when the stagecoach road was replaced by the Denver and South Park railroad.
By the 1920s the area was simply known as Conifer, a destination known for its beautiful mountain scenery and abundance of wildlife. For decades, the area was primarily a cattle ranching area, and there is still some ranching in southern parts of the community.
Today
In 2006,Conifer was experiencing explosive retail growth. Conifer has several new areas of commercial development including retail, restaurants,and entertainment. While there has been major development of retail and commercial development the rate of business failures is extremely high. The Conifer Main Street Shopping Complex has experienced the closures of a Chili's, Baskin Robbins, and two other locally owned retail stores. The Conifer Commons Shopping (known to locals as the old Safeway building) complex has experienced the closures of the Aspen Creek Hardware and several small businesses. The King Soopers shopping complex, located in the Aspen Park area, has seen the closures of a Quiznos, Dominos, candle shop, and smoke meat restaurant. There is less than 30% occupancy in combined four largest retail/commercial complexes in the Conifer area.
Conifer residents are served by the Elk Creek Fire Protection District, a mixed career/volunteer fire department with approximately 60 active duty firefighters.
Education
Students living within Jefferson County attend Jefferson County schools. Those neighborhood schools are Elk Creek Elementary School, West Jefferson Elementary School, West Jefferson Middle School and Conifer High School. Prior to 1996, high school students matriculated to Evergreen High School in neighboring Evergreen.
Students living in Park County west of Conifer Junction attend Platte Canyon Schools. Those neighborhood schools are Deer Creek Elementary School, Fitzsimmons Middle School, and Platte Canyon High School.
Landmarks
- The Clifton House Inn, Jefferson County Register of Historic Places
- The Conley Coffee Shop, Jefferson County Register of Historic Places
- The Lubin-Blakeslee Place at Meyers Ranch, Conifer, Jefferson County Register of Historic Places
- Midway House at Meyers Ranch, built 1889, National Register of Historic Places 5JF.303
- Original Elk Creek Fire House, Jefferson County Register of Historic Places
- Pleasant Park School, built 1894, Colorado Register of Historic Places 5JF.972
- Yellow Barn at Bradford Junction, built 1918, Jefferson County Register of Historic Places
- Long Bros. Garage at the intersection of Kings Valley Drive and Hwy 285
- Coney Island Hot Dog Stand was originally in the Aspen Park area of Conifer, but was moved to the nearby community of Bailey.
Notable People
Trivia
Geography
Conifer is located at 39°31′14″N 105°18′21″W / 39.52056°N 105.30583°W / 39.52056; -105.30583 (39.520463,-105.305843).
See also
References
External links
