Aspen, Colorado, is one of the biggest ski resort areas in the beautiful state of Colorado. It sits in an area of the Elk Mountains and the Sawatch Range, which is a part of the stunning Rocky Mountains. Roaring Fork River runs near the city as well, which means that this city offers no shortage of stunning natural beauty! During peak vacation times, there are thousands of visitors to Aspen, but there are fewer people permanently living in the area, meaning that despite all of its tourism, it has a very friendly, small-town feel. Even better, all of Aspen is very gay-friendly and has a smaller, but friendly LGBTQ community. Because it is such a popular tourist destination it can tend to be a more expensive place to live, but for those with a little extra room in the budget, Aspen would truly make a wonderful place to call home.
A Look at Aspen's History
Aspen was initially founded as a mining town during the Colorado silver boom. Initially known as Ute City, its name was later changed in 1880 to reflect the trees that grew abundantly in the area. Aspen remained a mining town for some time, but eventually became recognized for its other stunning natural attributes, including its snowy weather and slopes perfect for skiing. As a result, over time, it grew from a small mining town to a tourist destination known across the world as one of the best spots for skiing in the United States. It remains so to this day. It’s also known for being a friendly, welcoming, and vibrant town with much to see and do for visitors and residents alike.
A Few Fun Facts About Aspen
Read more fun facts about Aspen here.
Aspen’s LGBTQ Community
Aspen is a city that loves and supports its LGBTQ community with a variety of resources, including:
PFLAG Roaring Fork Valley is the Aspen area’s local chapter of the national PFLAG organization, which is the largest grassroots organization of its kind in the country. PFLAG is well-known for its mission of supporting LGBTQ people, friends, family, and allies across the country in a wide variety of ways. With 500 chapters and more than 200,000 members in the United States, PFLAG plays a critical role in providing advocacy, support, and resources to the LGBTQ community.
Aspen OUT is a local, community-based group that seeks to serve the LGBTQ community of the greater Aspen area by providing resources, support, and a variety of events and opportunities to ensure that the LGBTQ community feels celebrated, served, and connected.
What's the Weather Like in Aspen?
It probably comes as no surprise that those who call Aspen home can expect to experience plenty of snow – an average of 153 inches per year, in fact! Throughout the course of the year, the temperature can range from an average low in January of around 7ºF, to an average high in July of about 80ºF. Spring and fall are typically mild and pleasant times to enjoy all of the stunning natural beauty that the Aspen area has to offer. Aspen receives an average of 20 inches of rainfall each year.
Can’t-Miss Events in Aspen
Aspen’s Gay Ski Week is absolutely a must-try event for those who live in the Aspen area. Whether you’re an expert skier or a novice, it doesn’t matter – the most important part of the week is celebrating Aspen’s LGBTQ community and all that it adds to the area. The event is very popular and draws many visitors and residents alike each year. Don’t miss the chance to join in on the fun yourself!
The Best Neighborhoods in Aspen
The LGBTQ community in Aspen is sprinkled throughout the city, which means that there are many wonderful places to choose from. If you want to move to Aspen, be prepared to pay higher prices, as the city often tops lists of the most expensive places to buy a home. In fact, it is often very rare to find a home under several million dollars in price. Those who love unique architecture will love the historic value of just walking around the city searching for real estate. The area is famous for its Swiss Chalet style homes There are also many Queen Anne houses with wrap-around porches and fancy ironwork as well as standing examples of small wood clapboard cottages that were used to house the miners long ago.
Housing does not turn over easily in this very sought-after destination, so it is always a good idea for interested buyers to contact a knowledgeable and experienced Aspen gay realtor who can provide advice and guidance regarding what is available in the area.
Arts and Entertainment
Theatre Aspen is Aspen’s only professional theatre company, and a very talented one, at that. Throughout the year, the company puts on a wide variety of shows – all of them excellent, and each one unique. Don’t miss the chance to enjoy a show (or a few shows!) for yourself.
The Aspen Art Museum, founded in1979, is a beautiful contemporary art museum located in the heart of the city. Its exhibits include drawings, paintings, sculptures, and more, and it is a wonderful place to spend an afternoon learning, feeling inspired, and having fun.
Parks and Recreation
One can hardly think of Colorado without thinking of the majestic Rocky Mountain National Park – and Aspen is located right in the very heart of the Rockies. Without a doubt, this means excellent skiing – but it also means plenty of opportunities to hike, wander, explore, and enjoy all that this diverse, scenic, and stunning natural park has to offer.
Aspen and skiing go hand-in-hand, and whether you’re an expert or a beginner, there are plenty of options available here to enjoy skiing on some of the very best slopes in the country.
Aspen Nightlife
J-Bar is an Aspen tradition.
Contact an Aspen Gay Realtor Today
If you're ready to make a move to Aspen, at www.gayrealestate.com, we're here to help you take the first step toward finding an agent who knows and loves the community, and who can help you find a home and a neighborhood you'll love. We're proud to have a network of excellent realtors in Aspen, and we would love to help connect you with the right one. Contact an Aspen gay realtor today for a free, no-obligation consultation!
