Black Forest

It’s common for Colorado locals to spend their weekends camping and exploring the state’s forests, but immersive groves of peaceful pines are a part of daily life for those living in Fox Run. Located in the northern Colorado Springs suburb of Black Forest, the neighborhood hosts a combination of sprawling open land and wooded spaces. “You’ll easily find houses that come with at least two and a half acres,” says Realtor and longtime Colorado Springs resident Melanie Weseman of Citadel Realty LLC. “Some people want to be gentleman farmers, while others want to have 4-H.” Residents can explore the outdoors at Fox Run Regional Park, send their children to highly rated public schools and enjoy convenient access to events and shopping in Monument and Black Forest. Interstate 25 is close by, affording locals convenient access to the mountains and urban areas. Most properties in Fox Run are nestled in dense pine groves, though there are some situated in open grasslands, with plenty of space for gardening and farming. “There are lots of luxury homes around Fox Run,” says Tanner Gibson, a local real estate agent with Cutting Edge Real Estate who has served the area for three years. Log cabin-inspired built in the late 20th century are priced between $600,000 and $900,000 while sprawling New Traditional homes from the early 2000s start at $1 million. Large newly built homes in sleek, modern designs cost between $1.5 million and $1.9 million. Kids can start learning at Ray E Kilmer Elementary and progress to Lewis-Palmer Middle — both schools earn A-minus grades from Niche. Older students can attend A-rated Palmer Ridge High, which Niche ranks as the fifth-best high school in the Colorado Springs area. The high school’s career pathways allow students to begin preparing for future careers in computer science, business and marketing, engineering, digital media and industrial design. Fox Run Regional Park is a hub for outdoor recreation, defined by its sweeping meadows, groves of ponderosa pines and distant views of Pikes Peak. “It’s a huge park,” says Weseman. “Of course, you’ve got the dog park, playground and sports fields, but that’s not all Fox Run Park is known for. There’s also a little pond and gazebo where weddings and different events are hosted.” Residents can use the park’s four miles of multi-use trails to go hiking or horseback riding or sit by the pond to watch the koi fish and turtles swim. Golfers can drive 7 miles south to play on two 18-hole courses at The Club at Flying Horse. While Fox Run does not have restaurants or stores, residents are only a 2-mile drive from the options in Monument. Locals start their day on a cozy note with breakfast burritos and coffee from the Serranos Coffee Company and grab tacos for lunch at Arlene’s Beans. Residents step back into the past at Rosie's Diner, a 50s-inspired diner with shiny chrome finishes, jukeboxes and hearty portions of classic comfort food and milkshakes. On weekends, friends meet for a beer on the outdoor patio and taproom at Pikes Peak Brewing Company. Residents can grab ingredients and household essentials at King Soopers or Natural Grocers and go retail shopping at big box stores like Walmart. “There’s also a large farmers market in Black Forest that has a lot of local vendors,” Gibson says. The Backyard Market has a summer and holiday market that showcases locally sourced produce and artisanal items. Fox Run is car-dependent, and winding residential roads lead out of the neighborhood. Commuters drive 2 miles west to merge onto Interstate 25, where they can drive about 15 miles south to downtown Colorado Springs. Locals can also drive north on Interstate 25 to travel 30 miles to Castle Rock and 60 miles to Denver. The Colorado Springs Airport is 25 miles southeast for out-of-state trips. Neighbors gather for seasonal events at Fox Run Regional Park. During the summer, neighbors can grab their lawn chairs and head to the park to enjoy live performances and food trucks at the Thursday evening summer concert series. Residents can also roast hot dogs by the fire, listen to live music and enjoy hayrides at the park’s Winter Fun event in February. “The neighborhood is also close to Old Monument for events and festivals there,” Gibson says. Locals can find farm-fresh produce, honey and dairy at the Monument Hill Farmers Market, and return during December to kick off the holiday season at the Monument tree lighting ceremony.