CNN Money Magazine picked various Colorado cities as being in the top 10 “Great American” places to live.  The criteria for this is based on financial standards, quality of life, low crime rate, a variety of entertainment and culture, education, health statistics, climate and area population. 

Colorado made the ranks in all areas, offering quality education for kids, a wide array of colleges to choose from, fast job growth, with a low 4.4% unemployment rate and minimal crime rate. 

Recreation and entertainment

Opportunity for these are never far away; with museums, the Pueblo zoo, the Great Sand Dunes, Rocky Mountain National Park, ski resorts, biking, hiking, and a variety of restaurants including American cuisine, Mexican, and Italian, Greek, French, pubs and steakhouses just to name a few.  For more details check out http://www.colorado.com.

As far as the climate in Colorado is concerned, generally you can look forward to around 300 days of sunshine every year, with mild temperatures much of the time. 
 
Colorado Education
Colorado boasts a wide selection of educational choices ranging from the public school system, private schools and home schooling.

The state’s public schools are funded through a combination of state revenues and local property taxes. In the past the property taxes made up the majority of funding, but due to its recent decrease, the alliance, “Believe in a Better Colorado” (http://www.believeinabettercolorado.org) has been formed in an effort to raise awareness about the schools needs and dreams for future growth. 

Colorado is very accepting of home schooling, whether of the traditional style, eclectic or unschooling style. 

Details on all of the above can be found at http://www.cde.state.co.us

Residential Property Taxes

Currently, Colorado residential property taxes are around 8%, and are reassessed every odd-numbered year. The revenue generated from property taxes stays within county in which it is paid.  It goes towards schools, roads, police, fire and other local services.  For more information refer to http://dola.colorado.gov
Economy

With manufacturers in food, printing, publishing, machinery, transportation and communications, a strong economy base is present in Colorado.  It also offers opportunity in the farm industry, concentrating mainly in livestock, corn, hay and wheat.

With the breathtaking scenery and many attractions at your fingertips, Colorado is at the top of the list for family fun, entertainment, investment and a place to call home all wrapped up in one beautiful, bountiful state.

Colorado - GREAT CASH PRICE - Mountain Views - 5 Acres
	$2,900.00 Time Remaining: 1d 18m

5 AC BLANCA COLORADO, COUNTY ROAD FRONTAGE,NO RESERVE
	$861.00 (9 Bids) Time Remaining: 1d 1h 8m

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Many still refer to the Park as the Gator Farm, but it has expanded since it opened to the public and added many new attractions such as Ostriches, Emus, donkeys and over 100 species of reptiles including Rattlesnakes, Gaint Pythons, Tortoises, Crocodiles and more. Still it's main attraction is the gators and the park has well over 400 gators!

You can do a lot more than just look at the gators, you get to hold them and even attend an Alligator handling class, if you are "brave" enough to do so. This is the only class in the world where you are able to get hands-on experience with an 11 foot alligator. You will learn how to handle a small gator and then gradually build up to a larger size alligator, the whole way up to the 11 footers! The three hour class fee is a hundred dollars and you must sign up and pay in advance.

The Colorado Reptile Park's address is 9162 CR 9N., Mosca CO, 81146 and for you GPS die hards out there the GPS Coordinates 37 42.373N 105 52.201W (but seriously you can't miss the gaint alligator signs on Hwy 17 or give them a call at 719-378-2612)

Formerly known as Forbes Ranch, owned by Steve Forbes, the ranch was sold to Louis Moore Bacon in 2007 after Mr. Forbes decided Bacon-with his solid conservation record,  could be trusted to preserve the ranch.  To date the ranch still offers its facilities as a corporate retreat and it is still used as a private hunting preserve.  In conjunction with the Division of National Wildlife, the ranch offers guided hunting tours during elk and deer season; available only to Colorado residents. 

Within the ranches is beautiful Mountain Home Lake where people enjoy hiking,camping and fishing during the summer and the avid fisherman has been known to brave the cold winters for a day of ice fishing on the lake.

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The community of Trinchera Ranch offers lake views, mountain views and lots of peace and quiet to enjoy during your visit.

Below are photographs from inside of Trinchera Ranch, located in Fort Garland, Costilla County Colorado