Blending Georgetown’s historic charm with an outdoor lifestyle
Situated deep in the mountains of Colorado, Georgetown has historic roots. Founded as a gold mining camp in the 1850s, it was dubbed the ‘Silver Queen of Colorado” after successfully mining silver. When the industry ran dry a century later, the town rebranded to become the tourist attraction it is now. Downtown Georgetown is part of the area’s National Historic Landmark District and has multiple museums placed between shops and restaurants in 19th-century buildings. In addition to its old-timey charm, the town is surrounded by thick forests and mountains. “It’s such a vibrant community. We have everything a small town needs, plus we have recreation right in our backyard,” says Kerry Ann McHugh, a real estate agent with Peak One Realty who has about 30 years of experience and lives in Georgetown. “We very much cherish the history of our town and community.”
A wide selection of housing from different time periods
Homes in Georgetown come in a variety of styles – there are new construction properties close to Georgetown Lake, and some that were built in the 1870s near downtown. Minimal traditional single-story homes and cottages are common in the historic district, alongside raised ranches from the 1970s. Prices range from $450,000 to $525,000. There are also two-story homes built in the same timeframe. Some resemble American foursquares, and others are Victorian-inspired with dormer windows, lace trims and front porches. These properties cost between $650,000 and $1.1 million. New Traditional multi-story homes built in the 2000s go for similar prices and have farmhouse features. “As you go towards the lake area, the restrictions on building loosen up. You have more flexibility with what you can build there,” McHugh says.
Townhouses and condominiums are other options in Georgetown. Some units were built between the 1970s and 1990s and have an apres-ski aesthetic, while others are new construction with modern features. These are priced around $350,000 to $680,000.
The CAP Index Crime Score in Georgetown is 2 out of 10, compared to the national average of 4.
Recreation in the mountains, on the lake and in the parks
Georgetown is flush with nearby outdoor recreation from Clear Creek and the surrounding mountains. Guanella Pass is a natural area with multiple hiking trails and campsites. “It’s the most serene hiking you can imagine,” McHugh says. One of these trails leads to Clear Lake, which has picnicking and fishing. Several ski resorts are drivable from Georgetown, including Loveland Ski Area, Keystone Ski Resort and Breckenridge Ski Resort. For additional ideas, the Georgetown Gateway Visitor Center offers travel guides for the area’s natural areas. It’s also the site of the Annual Georgetown Bighorn Sheep Festival in November, where festivalgoers can take guided hikes and gaze upon migrating herds.
Georgetown Lake is a major source of recreation in town. Fishing and non-motorized boating is allowed during the warmer months, and in the winter, visitors can go ice fishing and ice driving. There are also a handful of maintained parks. City Park has a wooden playground structure, a gazebo and picnic tables, while Greenway Park is mostly made up of woodland trails. Werlin Park has an ice-skating rink and a dog park.
Exploring the community through historic attractions and events
One of the town’s most notable attractions is the Georgetown Loop Historic Railroad, offering scenic train rides through the area on vintage steam locomotives. An optional walking tour is available for the Lebanon Silver Mine, a halfway point on the route where passengers can stop to pan for gold. There’s also the Capital Prize Gold Mine Tours in town. Another unique experience that Georgetown offers is the Hotel De Paris Museum. The Hamill House Museum is another novelty in a 19th-century home that’s decked out with period furnishings. “The folks who run the Hamill House have also renovated the old School House – we’ve turned it into a cultural center,” McHugh says.
During the first two weekends of December, downtown hosts the Georgetown Christmas Market. The event mimics an outdoor European marketplace, with dozens of vendors selling handcrafted gifts. Carolers dressed in Vintage costumes wander the area, and horse-drawn wagon rides are available.
Retail and dining in Downtown Georgetown and beyond
Downtown Georgetown is part of the historic district, with Sixth Street as the main area for commerce. “It’s a very well-established business district,” McHugh says. There are multiple gift shops, antique stores, clothing boutiques and novelty shops – all housed in 19th-century buildings. Shoppe Internationale is a year-round Christmas store, and Kneisel & Anderson is an old-timey grocery store. Local eateries include Lil’ Annie’s Cafe, which serves coffee and sandwiches, and 511 Rose, an upscale American restaurant and bar with live music.
For more options, there are a handful of restaurants at the roundabout on both Argentine and 15th streets. Scooter’s Smokehouse & Grill is known for its Texas barbeque. Georgetown Market is the area’s main grocery store option, and Cabin Creek Brewing is located near Georgetown Lake.
Getting educated at Clear Creek public schools
Georgetown is one of four areas served by the Clear Creek School District. Georgetown Community School, for kindergarten through sixth grade, earns a B-plus grade from Niche, while Clear Creek Middle has a C-plus. From there, students can attend the B-minus-rated Clear Creek High School, which offers multiple Advanced Placement courses and a computer technology department. Students can also participate in the Work Study Program and get internship experience.
Traveling around Georgetown by bus or car
Despite downtown’s pedestrian-friendly layout, getting around Georgetown typically requires a vehicle. The RoundAbout is a local bus service for Clear Creek County that has bus stops scattered through town. Interstate 70 is the area’s main thoroughfare, traveling east and west through the mountains. Commuters can use I-70 to reach downtown Denver, about 45 miles away. U.S. Route 6, known as Grand Army of the Republic Highway, is another route. The Denver International Airport is roughly 68 miles away.
The environmental risks of mountain living
Georgetown’s surrounding mountain landscape comes with unique environmental factors. The average annual snowfall for Georgetown is 100 inches, much higher than the Colorado average of 67 inches. Heavy rainfall can also create potential flooding along Clear Creek that may impact roads and personal property. There is also a risk of potential wildfires. As such, the Georgetown Volunteer Fire Department responds to fire and medical emergencies in the area.
