If Colorado homes are known for their proximity to the mountains, and they are, it’s important to consider that about half of the state consists of some very flat land.  In the middle of the state, running north to south, is where the mountains rise up and decide whether each raindrop is destined for the Atlantic Ocean or the Pacific.  At the meeting of plains and hills, Colorado’s “beachfront,” so to speak, is some of the most coveted Colorado real estate there is.

In Boulder, this uprising of rock creates the celebrated splendor of the Flatirons. In Fort Collins, the hills and giant rectangular sheets of rock form a border of Horsetooth Reservoir. In Estes Park, the peaks rise to 14,000 feet, and are hemmed in by the boundaries of Rocky Mountain National State Park.  In Colorado Springs, the mountain border at the west end of town was once the home of the Broadmoor Hotel’s own private ski resort. (The lifts are now closed for good, but the hotel is as nice as ever.)

Here’s a roundup of some properties just west of center with mountain flavor, the outdoor activities, and the privacy, without the commitment to long commutes to a town or city for everyday ammenities and conveniences.

• Nederland–Just 20 minutes up Boulder Canyon, “Ned” has the basics in town, and the Eldora Mountain Ski Resort.
• Jamestown–Just 20 minutes up Lefthand Canyon, Jamestown is a hit with families and bluegrass band enthusiasts.
• Eldorado Springs–Just 20 minutes from Boulder, Eldorado Springs is a beautiful getaway minutes from Eldorado Canyon, a cliffhanger’s paradise.
• Lyons–Just 20 minutes north of Boulder on highway 36, Lyons is a peaceful small town surrounded by some of the most spectacular mountain scenery in Colorado.
• Golden–Just 20 minutes west of Denver, Golden overlooks Table Mountain, and is the gateway to both “xtreme” and tamer outdoor attractions including Bear Creek and the Coors Brewing Co.
• Morrison–Golden’s next door neighbor is the smaller, more vertical version of living where the buffalo roam, and is home to famous Red Rocks Amphitheater.
• Estes Park–At the edge of Rocky Mountain National State Park, Estes has gained a reputation with tourists and locals for being the epicenter of kinder, gentler living.  But don’t let the atmosphere fool you. It’s also been named “The gutsiest town in Colorado.”
• Manitou Springs–Just 20 minutes from Colorado Springs, Manitou is the alternative to Colorado Springs’ mainstream, big-box lifestyle. (Read: They have little funky shops that are independently owned.)
• Woodland Park–at the edge of Pike National Forest, a little further away from Colorado Springs, Woodland Park homes are usually surrounded by plenty of acreage and trails that go…everywhere.