Mountain views and a welcoming community in Westcliffe-Silver Cliff
Located amid the open fields of Wet Mountain Valley, near the scenic peaks of the Sangre De Cristo Mountain range, the towns of Westcliffe and Silver Cliff offer peaceful living among the natural beauty of southern Colorado. Less than a half mile from each other, these two small towns are more like one tight-knit community, sharing public schools and amenities.
Silver Cliff earns its name from the boom of silver mining in the area in the late 1800s, while Westcliffe gained population as a stop along the Denver and Rio Grande railroad shortly after. Today, the local economy is largely dependent on ranching and agriculture. “Silver Cliff still has that Old West, mining town atmosphere, while Westcliffe is a little more modern,” says Brittany Martin, a resident and broker with Martin and Tope Real Estate. “I grew up in Westcliffe, and it has a really great, know-your-neighbor feel and a really welcoming community. Over the past 15 years, the area has shifted a bit with an increase in our retired population.”
A diverse housing market, from century-old bungalows to new homes
The Westcliffe-Silver Cliff area has a diverse housing market, from 1890s bungalows to new construction. Most homes near the towns' centers are on quarter to half-acre lots, while the surrounding hills have multi-acre properties. Manufactured homes and quaint abodes with less than 1,000 square feet range in price from $70,000 to $220,000, while larger homes can sell for $290,000 to $670,000.
Extracurriculars for Custer County high schoolers
Custer County elementary, middle and high schools share a campus on Main Street. The elementary and middle schools both earn a C-plus grade from Niche, while Custer County High School receives a B-minus. High schoolers have a wide variety of extracurriculars to consider, including Knowledge Bowl, a fiber arts club and SnowCats, a skiing and snowboarding club. In downtown Westcliffe, the West Custer County Library hosts a range of community events and programs, including a weekly writing group, teen art programs and a Dungeons & Dragons club.
Long-standing businesses and local favorites on Main Street
Main Street is lined with a variety of local businesses, from art galleries to eateries. Sugarlump serves coffee, hand-scooped ice cream, toasted sandwiches and baked goods. Down the road, Bootleggers Bistro offers pub bites. The Dutch Pantry & Deli is a cozy spot offering dry goods, doughnuts and made-to-order sandwiches. Westcliffe has an active art scene, with places like Greenstone Artworks and Andy Mast Fine Art featuring works of America’s western landscape and Old West life. “The Village Shop is one of the longest-standing businesses in the area,” Martin says. The well-established business sells pottery, jewelry, clothing and more. For groceries, shoppers can visit the local Lowe’s Market or Sunflower Natural Foods. On Fridays between June and September, locals flock to Jess Price Memorial Park for the Westcliffe Farmers Market.
Outdoor recreation space and nearby trailheads in Wet Mountain Valley
There are numerous outdoor recreation areas in Westcliffe and Silver Cliff, with panoramic mountain views around every corner. Bluff and Summit Park has picnic tables, walking trails and a small amphitheater. Memorial Park is home to a playground, a baseball diamond and open field space. On the east end of Silver Cliff, Dundee Memorial Park has two enclosed dog parks. “One of the biggest perks of living here is access to the trails and high-mountain lakes of the Sangre De Cristo range,” says Martin. “There are tons of trailheads within a half-hour drive. The Rainbow Trail is one of the most popular paths and spans the entire length of the mountain range.” The community is also around a 2-hour drive from Great Sand Dunes National Park, home to thousands of acres of dunes, forests and wetlands. Visitors can hike along wooded trails, sandboard on the dunes or swim in Medano Creek during May and June.
An annual bluegrass festival and antique car show
Every July, Bluff and Summit Park hosts the High Mountain Hay Fever Bluegrass Festival, with food vendors and around a dozen live performances. During Labor Day weekend, the High Altitude Horsepower Car Show comes to Main Street, with dozens of classic and antique cars.
Take Colorado 96 to Pueblo
Drivers can reach downtown Pueblo in around 55 miles via Colorado state Highway 96. Pueblo Memorial Airport offers a small selection of commercial flights. Colorado Springs is roughly 80 miles northeast.
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Written By
Jillian Pillow
