Refined mountain living and celebrated live music a stone's throw from Denver
At first glance, Morrison may seem like a remote town isolated from the rest of Colorado. But residents of this mountain enclave are less than 20 miles away from the heart of Denver, just west of the more suburban spaces of the Lakewood area. The town calls itself “The Nearest Faraway Place,” thanks to its dual nature. “You see a lot of people going out there that just want to get away,” says Tom Day, a real estate agent with LIV Sotheby’s International Realty. “It’s an area with great solitude.” Day sells luxury homes alongside his wife Clare in the Morrison area and the Denver/Jefferson County market. While Morrison has a distinct feeling of separation from the city, residents can still easily access the highlights of Denver from the town, including world-class concerts at Red Rocks Amphitheater. The town has a thriving tourism industry, but locals also love it for the outdoor lifestyle opportunities and scenic views of the Denver Foothills.
Morrison is located between Denver and the mountainous edges of Jefferson County.
Red Rocks Amphitheatre sits just north of Morrison, providing stunning views.
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Quirky shops and sophisticated dining on Bear Creek Avenue
Most of the local restaurants and stores within Morrison are situated along Bear Creek Avenue, the town’s stretch of the CO-74 highway. Morrison Mercantile and The Moxi Poppy offer handmade gifts and home goods, while the area’s Stinker and Rocket convenience stores offer quick stops for snacks, simple items and gas. Foodies can choose from reliable diner fare at The Cow – An Eatery, pizza and pasta dishes from Tony Rigatoni’s, or Central European selections from Café Prague. Residents with discerning palates can enjoy charcuterie, shrimp and grits, and cocktails at Hungry Goat Scratch Kitchen & Wine Bar. For groceries and other everyday items, Walmart is 7 miles southeast of town in Littleton, while Safeway sits 5 miles north of town in Lakewood.
Dine at The Hungry Goat, a scratch kitchen and wine bar in Morrison.
Collect clothes or cute gifts from Morrison Mercantile in downtown Morrison.
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Iconic live concerts at Red Rocks Amphitheatre
The town of Morrison sits just south of Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre, one of the United States’ premier music venues. Known the world over for the impressive view of the rust-colored sandstone structure that gives it its name, Red Rocks has hosted music and cultural events for more than a century. Acts like The Beatles, Johnny Cash, Diana Ross, U2, Fleetwood Mac and deadmau5 are just a few of the names that have taken the stage over the venue’s 118-year history.
Red Rocks Amphitheatre near Morrison is a very popular concert venue nation-wide.
The best place to catch a show is at Red Rocks Amphitheatre near Morrison.
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Contemporary cabin-style estates and split levels on the Denver Foothills
Split-levels and ranch-style homes sit alongside elaborate mountain mansions on the hills of Morrison. “It’s a higher-demand area with higher prices,” Day says. “If the homes are in great shape, they’re going to sell quicker.” Home values can generally range from $525,000 to more than $1.35 million. Sales within the immediate area of town are rare, and homes that make it to the market sell quickly – sometimes in as little as a week. When searching for a home in the Morrison area, Day advises buyers to make sure they partner with agents carrying designations such as the Certified Mountain Area Specialist certificate, which he and his wife Clare both have. This will help buyers avoid the pitfalls often associated with agents who are not familiar with the unique laws and zoning regulations in the Foothills and mountains.
Contemporary mansions line mountain streets in Morrison.
Split-level homes with garage annexes can be found on the hills of Morrison.
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Acclaimed learning from Jeffco Public Schools
Morrison families can send their young learners to schools within the Jeffco Public Schools district. Red Rocks Elementary, located immediately north of downtown on Maple Street, integrates its mountain setting into educational opportunities for students. The school holds an A-minus grade with users on Niche. Carmody Middle School holds a B on Niche and provides more than 25 clubs and extracurricular activities. Bear Creek High School earned an A-minus grade with Niche users.
Red Rocks Elementary School in Genesee received a score of A- on Niche.com.
Bear Creek High School is an above average, public school in Lakewood.
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Outdoor life is waiting at Mount Falcon Park and more
Morrison residents have a variety of mountain parks and hiking trails to enjoy within a few miles. One mile away from the town center, the Morrison Trailhead offers access to the hiking, equestrian and biking trails of Mount Falcon Park. Northeast of the neighborhood on Titans Road, the Mount Morrison South Ridge Trailhead leads to a challenging upward climb of more than 2,000 feet. Residents can find excellent views of the Front Range and Red Rocks Amphitheater from the top of the mountain. About 2 miles southeast of town, locals can follow Bear Creek Avenue and Soda Lakes Road to Mount Glennon Park. This area is designated officially by Jefferson County as a park but does not feature any official trails, facilities or parking areas. Climbing and activities within the area are allowed, but visitors use the area at their own risk.
Red Rocks Park near Morrison has miles of trails to hike or bike.
From Morrison Trailhead locals can hike, bike or take horseback rides through Mount Falcon Park.
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Take CO-8 to reach Denver and the suburbs
Morrison’s location at the intersection between the CO-74 and CO-8 highways connects it to the Denver area to the east and Idledale to the west. Residents can reach the central business district in Denver with a 17-mile drive northeast. For medical emergencies, the nearest hospital is the AdventHealth West Littleton ER, located 7 miles southeast of town in Littleton. Morrison residents traveling out of town can expect a 40-mile drive east to Denver International Airport. Residents will likely need to commute by car to jobs in the Denver area, as Morrison lacks connections to the local Regional Transportation District bus lines.
Morrison residents can reach downtown Denver with a 17-mile drive northeast.
Morrison is located between the CO-74 and CO-8 highways.
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Important things to know
Drivers will want to keep track of their speed while traveling through Morrison. The town is known as one of the Denver area’s most notorious ticket traps, with previous town budgets marking as much as 52% of annual revenue in the area as coming from traffic fines. To avoid issues, residents should keep their rides below 25 miles per hour in the area, including on bicycles.
Road biking and mountain biking alike are popular pastimes in Morrison.
Restaurants, boutiques, and bars line Bear Creek Avenue in downtown Morrison.
On average, homes in Morrison, CO sell after 61 days on the market compared to the national average of 53 days. The median sale price for homes in Morrison, CO over the last 12 months is $764,364, down 2% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
The Dolph Team at Keller Williams Foothills Realty is recognized as one of the best REALTOR® teams in Conifer, Evergreen, and the Denver Metro area, delivering proven results for buyers and sellers. In just the past 5 years, they’ve closed 120+ transactions and $84M+ in sales. With over 18 years of combined licensed experience, their expertise covers all price points — from luxury foothills homes and mountain estates to land and investment properties. As Certified Mountain Area Specialists with 80+ verified reviews across Google, Zillow, and FastExpert, the Dolph Team is known for responsive communication, trusted results, and a client-first approach, making them a top choice for anyone searching for a Denver Metro listing agent or mountain property expert.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
