To early to go to Denver?

[David]

I've had my fill of Texas, so it's time to move out and I'm debating if I should try to go to Colorado yet, mainly Denver area. I need to pick a spot that will be comfortable to sit for about a month maybe two.

I had planned to pick up a side job here in Texas to refuel the travel funds a bit faster but one thing led to another and I didn't stay working at the place I started.

It's getting too hot in Texas so I need to move out soon. I'm looking at Denver area but I see they are still getting snow... :s Is this just like a freak thing, this late in the year or is it just too early to go there?

 

[Drifted_Cowboy]

It's been cold pretty regularly here in Colorado Springs. We're supposed to get snow tomorrow. Middle of June it should be stable.

 

[Reducto]

The nice thing about living in a vehicle is it moves - why not find a spot somewhere in between where the weather is good right now?

I'm a big fan of this site - you can get seasonal averages, historic data, everything you need on any location:
http://www.wunderground.com/q/zmw:80202.1.99999

 

[David]

The nice thing about living in a vehicle is it moves - why not find a spot somewhere in between where the weather is good right now?

I'm a big fan of this site - you can get seasonal averages, historic data, everything you need on any location:
http://www.wunderground.com/q/zmw:80202.1.99999

I'm looking at the major cities, because I need to make some extra money. It's much easier to find work in larger cities, specially in the mid & south west.

 

[minimotos95]

i'm going to say it depends on your insulation and tolerance for sleeping in the cold
here on the western slope it's rarely dropping below 32f at night. my van is basically uninsulated and i have only had my toes freeze once or twice in the past few weeks. other than being dryer the climate here is about the same as denver.

 

[gadgetMe]

We have many more warm days than cold days this time of the year

It is a good bet to come to Denver after Mothers Day, we sell water plants it almost always snows right before or a couple days after.

So the middle of next week should be good... The thing about the weather here is .. if it snows one day ... the next day it melts rapidly..

next weeks weather
Enjoy your stay ..
Putz

 

[decodancer]

Get an electric blanket that runs off 12 volt, it will keep you toasty on those cold nights.

 

[Starlight]

Seems to me that the touristy areas will be hiring right about now. It might be worth watching craigslist for areas where there are a lot of job openings -- unless you really really love big cities, that is. Trinidad looks like a nice mid-sized city -- a pretty place close to really nice scenery.

One thing I discovered is that the emissions requirements on vehicles (if the program is still being followed) applies to the eastern slopes from Colorado Springs north past Denver. So, if you're planning on staying longer than 90 days, you'll have to get a vehicle tag and emissions inspection.

 

[user 423]

Check on the river rafting/canoeing businesses in CO since you have experience on the water. I'm not real familiar with them but do remember seeing some of those type businesses on the river around the Buena Vista/Salida area. There are probably other rivers where that is popular in CO. Memorial Day weekend they may start up...weather permitting.

http://www.arkansasrivertours.com/employment/

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So, if you're planning on staying longer than 90 days, you'll have to get a vehicle tag and emissions inspection.

Would this apply to seasonal employment? I'm hoping to host at a campground and the season is a little over 4 months.

 

[gadgetMe]

No need to worry about emission stickers,

They do not have the windshield stickers anymore,

The only time they require them now is when you get new lic. plate stickers, (if you have a CO plate) the emission inspections are every 2 years now for Co residents

 

[David]

Check on the river rafting/canoeing businesses in CO since you have experience on the water. I'm not real familiar with them but do remember seeing some of those type businesses on the river around the Buena Vista/Salida area. There are probably other rivers where that is popular in CO. Memorial Day weekend they may start up...weather permitting.

http://www.arkansasrivertours.com/employment/

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Would this apply to seasonal employment? I'm hoping to host at a campground and the season is a little over 4 months.

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I don't have any white water experience as I've lived no where with that kind of rivers, however that webpage seems to be for training and they want $500 for their course.. I'd rather get paid than have to pay to get a job. :huh:

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No need to worry about emission stickers,

They do not have the windshield stickers anymore,

The only time they require them now is when you get new lic. plate stickers, (if you have a CO plate) the emission inspections are every 2 years now for Co residents

Yea it would be pretty hard for any cop to prove you had been there 90 days anyway.

 

[user 423]

Well I did see where they offer the course but also under "Positions Available" they list openings for both experienced and trainee guides. The don't indicate that guide trainees must be enrolled in the course but maybe that is the deal.

I notice the pay isn't so great either but they offer camping for the season for about $100 per month and that's not a bad deal.

Just bouncin' ideas your way....

 

[psytechguy]

I was up in South/Central Colorado last week, around 8000 ft. It was still too cold at night for my taste, and that was before the latest cold front. 10" of snow in the past couple days where I was at.

 

[David]

I was up in South/Central Colorado last week, around 8000 ft. It was still too cold at night for my taste, and that was before the latest cold front. 10" of snow in the past couple days where I was at.

Yea, I've been driving my way across Texas the last two days and we had a cold snap here and it got down into the mid 40's and I remembered I don't like the cold.

I'd like to stay above 50 degrees when ever possible. 65-75 is pretty nice.

 

[Van-Tramp]

I must say, if you are not in CO right now, you are missing out. Yes it can still get a little cold over night (mostly not, but occasional 30's overnight) but the spring bloom is in full force down on the front range. In another 2 weeks it will be too hot and the bloom will have moved 1000 ft in elevation.

I usually return to CO in late March, risking a few final snow showers and temps in the 20's overnight, but it is worth being here for April and May. By June you have to move up the mountains or risk cooking yourself in the van.

 

[David]

I must say, if you are not in CO right now, you are missing out. Yes it can still get a little cold over night (mostly not, but occasional 30's overnight) but the spring bloom is in full force down on the front range. In another 2 weeks it will be too hot and the bloom will have moved 1000 ft in elevation.

I usually return to CO in late March, risking a few final snow showers and temps in the 20's overnight, but it is worth being here for April and May. By June you have to move up the mountains or risk cooking yourself in the van.

Damn, well this whole elevation thing is new to me.. I've lived most of my life in FL except a few recent years in New England, but there was no need to escape to elevation there nor could you go anywhere but to FL to get away from the cold.

This out west stuff is new to me.. I did however leave Texas several days ago coming to New Mexico. I decided due to the snow in Colorado I'd head to Albuquerque and decide what to do from there.

Well after checking out Carlsbad caverns in the south and hanging out in Roswell for a day & night, I've now made my way to Albuquerque and it's freaking hot today..

It was very nice last night, but today I can tell there is no hanging around here this time of year. I think I'm going to stick around another day or so and head toward Santa Fe then finally up into Colorado. I need to get somewhere decent size that I can set up for a month or so and make some money.

Unless someone has a better suggestion I suspect I'll be heading toward Denver by the end of this coming week unless I come across a better option.

 

[Van-Tramp]

Let me know if/when you are coming up. I will buy the beer.

 

[David]

Let me know if/when you are coming up. I will buy the beer.

Yea I will for sure.. I don't really see any options outside of Denver to pick up a quick temp job doing forklift work. I saw a ad in Flagstaff for my kind of work, but I suspect the weather there is also nearing the end of the good times isn't it?

 

[Van-Tramp]

Flagstaff is not a bad idea. It is at 7000ft so will be great weather for the summer.

Denver will get very hot in short order. Although we are at 5000 ft, it still reaches 90's and some times 100's. I know that doesnt sound hot for some of you, but you are also subjected to much higher radiant heat from the sun up here. 90s here is similar to 110's down at sea level... F'kn hot I say.

The Front Range (Denver to Fort Collins) is not an easy place to camp. While all the Walmarts at friendly, it will be too hot to do that long term. There are only a few RV parks and all are booked up years in advance (and costly). There are a few state parks, but at $20+ a day it will cost you.

I stay at my local Moose Lodge where I have a 20amp hookup, good enough to power my AC unit. I donate a few hundred a month to them each month. I stay about 30 miles North of Denver though (Longmont, CO) ... I wouldn't want to actually stay within the Denver-metro area myself.

 

[David]

Flagstaff is not a bad idea. It is at 7000ft so will be great weather for the summer.

Denver will get very hot in short order. Although we are at 5000 ft, it still reaches 90's and some times 100's. I know that doesnt sound hot for some of you, but you are also subjected to much higher radiant heat from the sun up here. 90s here is similar to 110's down at sea level... F'kn hot I say.

The Front Range (Denver to Fort Collins) is not an easy place to camp. While all the Walmarts at friendly, it will be too hot to do that long term. There are only a few RV parks and all are booked up years in advance (and costly). There are a few state parks, but at $20+ a day it will cost you.

I stay at my local Moose Lodge where I have a 20amp hookup, good enough to power my AC unit. I donate a few hundred a month to them each month. I stay about 30 miles North of Denver though (Longmont, CO) ... I wouldn't want to actually stay within the Denver-metro area myself.

Darn, that really sucks as far as the heat goes, I kind of assumed the altitude would save me there. Granted I've been in Texas the last month plus, so I expect I could survive there, but I was hoping to finally find some decent weather.

Maybe I'll look into the job in flagstaff a bit more. I was able to survive the heat in Texas due to staying close by the rivers where I could sneak in quick swims.. Since I hit NM the rivers are all dried up or muddy...