Spring has finally arrived, and summer is hot on its heels, which means we get to pack up our picnic baskets and enjoy dining with loved ones outside. Planning on spending summer weekends at a nearby reservoir or weekday evenings catching the sunset sprawled on a blanket at the park? These creative and easy recipes make dining outdoors simple, fun, and healthy.
Grilled Veggie Skewers
Colorado’s Farmers Markets are bursting with fresh produce, making this recipe simple, fresh, and seasonal. Cut up your favorite veggies (such as bell peppers, zucchini, onions, mushrooms, cherry tomatoes, etc.) and thread them onto skewers. Brush them with olive oil and season with salt, pepper, and your favorite herbs. Grill until charred and tender. For a twist on the classic veggie skewer, try this recipe, which incorporates a tangy chimichurri sauce.
Quinoa Salad with Pomegranate Seeds
An ancient grain, quinoa is a super food that goes with just about anything. Roast your favorite veggies, such as sweet potatoes, carrots, and Brussels sprouts, and toss them with cooked quinoa, chopped kale, pomegranate seeds, feta cheese, and a lemon-tahini dressing. Make this recipe ahead of time for a fantastic, filling, and healthy side to go along with picnic mains. Swap out different ancient grains to try instead, like farro, amaranth, or barley, as the base of this dish.
Watermelon Feta Salad
This popular picnic fruit salad is turned on its head with the addition of arugula or spicy greens. The sweetness of the watermelon cuts the tanginess of the feta while the balsamic glaze pairs beautifully with each element. Cube watermelon and toss with crumbled feta cheese, chopped mint, and a balsamic glaze. Serve over your favorite farm-fresh salad greens. Get the recipe here.
Mediterranean Wrap
This main dish makes a great go-to picnic lunch because it’s simple and easy to pack. Spread hummus on a warm whole-wheat wrap and add sliced cucumber, tomato, red onion, feta cheese, and roasted red pepper. To make this Mediterranean wrap a little more gourmet, consult Chelsea’s Messy Apron, which adds sun dried tomatoes, preserved lemon, and greek olives. If you’re craving a little more protein, add pre-made falafel and drizzle with tzatziki. Roll up and enjoy!
Orecchiette with Pesto Dressing
Scratch-make your very own orecchiette with The Pasta Project to create the freshest pasta salad you’ve ever tasted. Once cooked, toss the “little ears” with pesto, preserved lemon, sun dried tomatoes, chopped up cured meats, pine nuts, and parmesan cheese. Check out the dozens of pasta salad variations and find a recipe that speaks to you, here.
Berry Tartlets
Chocolate chip cookies are always a hit, but have you ever considered bringing a fresh berry tart to the picnic? Snag some mini tart shells and fresh berries next time you’re at the store and use pantry ingredients for the rest of this simple yet decadent dessert. This recipe instructs home chefs to fill mini tart shells with a mixture of cream cheese, honey, and vanilla extract. Top with fresh berries (such as raspberries, blueberries, and strawberries) and serve chilled. Whip up fresh cream to top the whole thing off.
These fresh takes on classic picnic recipes may just compel you and your pals to schedule weekly parkside rendezvous. Make them ahead of time to enjoy an impromptu meet up, complete with a blanket, picnic basket, healthy eats, and the great outdoors.
The Independence Community makes it easy for residents to embrace the longer days and Colorado’s picturesque landscapes because of our close proximity to nature. Numerous parks, miles of trails, and unobstructed views of the Rocky Mountains offer daily reminders of how close and how necessary nature is to our livelihoods. Contact us today to learn more about our welcoming community.
As Denver, Colorado, continues to grow and expand, Elbert County — situated just east of this bustling metropolis, follows suit. Each year, the towns of Elizabeth, Elbert, and Parker welcome new boutiques, restaurants, and parks. This Mother’s Day, treat your mom, spouse, sister, or friend to a thoughtful gift from a local shop, or take her on a fun excursion around Elbert County. Here’s a simple gift guide that will make the leading lady in your life feel loved and appreciated.
The Embellished Rose
This family-owned florist in Elizabeth, Colorado, is a great place to buy a gorgeous bouquet this Mother’s Day. The talented floral decorators behind The Embellished Rose put a unique spin on each bouquet, making every gift special. They also offer an array of gift shop items that rotate on a routine basis, so there’s always something new to discover.
The Carriage Shoppes Tea Room
Treat your mom to tea at this authentic tea room situated in the heart of Elizabeth. What was once a livery stable has been transformed into a charming tea parlor with a complete tea service. Make a reservation, dress up, and sip Earl Grey out of fancy tea cups, dine on sweet desserts, and swap cherished family memories while making new ones.
Antelope Alpacas LLC
Instead of gifting Mom an item, give an experience she’ll never forget. Antelope Alpacas, located in downtown Elizabeth, is a natural-fiber store that hosts a variety of classes including crochet, spinning, weaving, and fiber preparation. If your mom, wife, sister, or friend is a DIY enthusiast, a class at this shop will be right up her alley.
Small Town Mini Donuts
For the matriarch with a sweet tooth, look no further than Elizabeth’s very own donut shop. Small Town Mini Donuts serves up hot, fresh donuts on a daily basis. Unique varieties make up most of their menu, including donuts drizzled with Nutella, stuffed with peanut butter, or topped with bacon. Bring Mom by for a decadent breakfast or grab a dozen to-go and enjoy them at the park, on the trail, or for extra indulgence points – in bed.
The Naked Goat
Situated in Elbert, Colorado, The Naked Goat Soap Shop & Cafe is a favorite among locals. Known for their natural, farm-fresh products, handmade soaps and personal care items, the crew behind these goods appreciates the value of locally sourced ingredients and small-batch goods. Make your mom a gift basket with Naked Goat products and treat her to lunch at the cafe to support this growing business.
The Independence Community is nestled in the heart of Elizabeth, Colorado, and boasts scenic views of the Rocky Mountains. With easy access to the charming downtown and Colorado’s rugged terrain, Independence is a wonderful place to raise a family, settle into retirement, or simply live more richly, removed from the stress and worry big city life can bring. Contact us to learn more about our welcoming community, lovely town, and spacious homes.
Camping season is almost upon us, which means miles of hiking trails, restful nights under a blanket of stars, and outdoor cooking adventures await! Nothing tastes as good as a meal cooked over a campfire with friends and loved ones, especially after a long day in the great outdoors. Here are a few of our favorite meals to enjoy during your next camping trip.
Campfire Skillet
A campfire skillet scramble can play to your strengths as a chef, and the versatility of a skillet meal can play to most dietary preferences. The best part of this recipe is how inclusive it is of all the ingredients you’d think to pack on a camping trip. Try making this classic recipe if a red potato and bacon scramble sounds tasty, or this one for a maple sausage and sweet potato scramble. Make it easy on yourself while camping by precooking any meats, peppers, or potatoes ahead of time. Crack some farm fresh eggs over top, and voila, you’ll have a hearty, healthy breakfast to get your day started!
Blueberry Cobbler
For hungry campers with a sweet tooth, how about whipping up an easy blueberry cobbler? Fresh or canned berries work great for this camping indulgence. Fortunately, the rest of the ingredients are easily packable and nonperishable. Plenty of campfire blueberry cobbler variations exist, so you can easily search for the perfect recipe to fit your needs. We like this pre-made biscuit recipe, or try this recipe, which includes vanilla wafers and marshmallows. Serve over a slice of angel food cake with ice cream (if you’re car camping and can swing this luxury), or right out of the pan. It’s that good.
Knock-Off Pad Thai
Instead of a complex authentic Pad Thai dish, this simpler version incorporates a few less, but still delicious, ingredients. This recipe uses tofu and a sauce made from just four simple ingredients. Make it easy on yourself by preparing the sauce ahead of time. We also suggest cutting a few corners by trying this dish, which levels up the protein with peanut butter. To add a pop of color and a little crunch, chop up fresh cilantro and peanuts to sprinkle over the top of each bowl before serving your hungry fellow campers.
Southwestern Gnocchi
Unlike other pastas, gnocchi doesn’t take nearly as long to cook, which means you’ll use less fuel and water. Just pop these doughy potato pillows into a pot of boiling water and wait until they float. This recipe instructs campers to toss the gnocchi into pre-prepared foil packets complete with cheese, corn, and tomatoes that are then heated over the campfire. For Italian style pasta, pesto and sundried tomatoes are the way to go. Want to skip the waste and hassle of a foil packet? Simply toss cooked gnocchi into your skillet to crisp up while adding ingredients from whichever recipe you choose.
Beer Brats & Peppers
Nothing is simpler than this classic campfire recipe. Cut peppers and onions before hitting the trail and freeze brats to extend their shelf-life. Heat up a skillet over the campfire or a pan over your camp stove and brown up pre-cooked brats while the peppers and onions caramelize – no recipe needed. Serve on a bun with spicy mustard.
Cinnamon Apple Pie
Apple-based recipes are always a hit because they deliver a boost of freshness that is much needed after days spent on trail or in the backcountry. Plus, apples are easy to pack and stay fresh longer than most fruits. There are numerous apple pie recipes that incorporate the classic ingredients, but this one may be the best bang for your buck. If you’re car camping or celebrating a special occasion with a night under the stars, level up your apple pie dessert with this dutch oven recipe.
Your campsite comrades will thank you for whipping up any of these delicious and impressive dinners or desserts. Folks back at home will appreciate these treats, as well!
Independence Community is located just a stone’s throw from the footsteps of the Rocky Mountains, with miles and miles of hiking trails and campsites where you can enjoy these classics. Contact us to learn more about our community and available homes.
Looking forward to the warmer, longer days of springtime? We’re excited about this beautiful season, which is especially breathtaking in Colorado. If you’re on the search for activities to enjoy during this mild and sunny time of year, there’s plenty to do in and around Elbert County! The options we share here are convenient to the Independence Community, so you can soak up the experiences without traveling too far from home.
Meander Along the Casey Jones Park Trail
What’s better than a great springtime hike here in Colorado? If you want to stay local to Elizabeth, Casey Jones Park is your go-to destination for all things outdoors. This park has been a mainstay in Elizabeth since the early 1900s, and now serves as a beloved community landmark. The expansive open space features a playground, baseball fields, disc golf, and a trail with serene views. If you’d like to walk the 1.3-mile trail, you can access it by parking near the north end of the baseball fields.
Visit Indigo Blooms Botanicals
Indigo Blooms Botanicals operates right here in Elizabeth. This lavender farm uses its home-grown ingredients to create organic skin care products (which make great gifts!) and is just a 15 minute drive from Independence. This venue occasionally hosts open farm days, classes, and other special events, so watch the Facebook page for updates!
Explore Castlewood Canyon State Park
Located nearby in Franktown, Castlewood Canyon State Park makes for an awesome day trip, and there are plenty of unique sights to enjoy on your journey. Castlewood Canyon is best known for the remains of the Castlewood Canyon Dam, which burst and flooded Denver in 1933. Whether you’re a history buff, outdoor enthusiast, or both, this state park is a must-see.
Explore the Local Gift Shops
Elizabeth and the surrounding towns may be small, but that’s part of their charm! There are wonderful local businesses in Elbert County, and we love spending the day checking out the gift shops. Whether you’re looking for artisan ice cream, incredible antiques, or customized laser engraving and embroidery, you’ll find it all here. Just stroll along Main Street or hop over to the neighboring town of Kiowa to uncover gems you won’t find anywhere else.
With springtime on the horizon, the ideas highlighted here will help you make the most of the season without having to go too far from home. If you desire the tranquility of small-town living with close proximity to outdoor activities and local shopping, you’ll love the Independence Community. Our conservation community in Elizabeth, Colorado combines nature with history, along with stunning new homes that are sustainably designed by top builders. If you’d like to learn more about available homes, please contact our team.
It’s no secret that Colorado’s Front Range communities are highly sought after places to live. When new communities are created, there’s an obvious need for additional homes, neighborhoods, and roads, but how about preserving the past? Fortunately, at Independence we value history and treasure the legacies left behind by those who came before us. That’s why we’ve gone to great lengths to honor our original homesteaders by preserving the land’s original historic structures, and integrating them into usable amenities within our modern community.
History, First
Prior to the arrival of settlers to the area, Ute, Arapaho, and Southern Cheyenne Native American tribes called the Great Plains in this area home. These tribes were nomadic, living in collaboration with the living ecosystem – including buffalo, elk, and deer – so both could survive and thrive.
As the settler colonialism mindset continued to drive people west, the county of Elbert became the cross-roads of many crucial railroad tracks, including the Colorado and Southern, Denver and New Orleans, and Rock Island. Because the Native populations were such knowledgeable stewards of the land and soil was extremely fertile, modern farming in this area exploded. This gave way to logging, dairy production, a saw mill, and more throughout the handful of towns that make up Elbert County.
Preservation, Second
Elbert County is home to numerous historic structures that were built in the late 1800s and early 1900s. The group behind Independence in Elizabeth, Colorado, wanted to acknowledge and incorporate the rich histories of the land, while continuing to protect large swaths of land from development. Some structures are in states of disrepair. However, others can be restored, preserved, and utilized.
In an effort to promote the heritage of Elbert County, Independence has preserved and restored several century-old structures located within the community. Additionally, many artifacts found within these buildings have been restored to their original appearance. The History Quest, a local company that specializes in genealogy, history, and restoration has saved and restored numerous artifacts and plans to display them in a local coffee shop, once open, and in preserved structures.
Independence has also preserved its three iconic windmills as a testament to innovation and collaboration with the natural world. The Farmhouse Victorian and its barn, complete with a vintage American flag painted on its side, are currently under renovation with the Victorian, set to be a coffee shop. License plates from the first 76 home buyers have also been mounted on the side of the historic barn as a testament to the year Americans signed the Declaration of Independence: 1776.
Going Beyond
In addition to preserving the old, Independence is committed to creating new spaces that allow all living residents within the neighborhood to thrive. Wildlife corridors, existing wetlands, and natural habitats have all been restored. In partnership with the Butterfly Pavilion, Independence is also creating a Pollinator District to ensure that pollinator diversity and abundance increases in Independence’s main community center – Homestead Park.
Denver Urban Gardens and Independence Community are also creating community gardens that will enable volunteer resident gardeners to build upon their current gardening skills, promote natural beauty, and foster healthy food sources this spring/summer. Water-wise techniques will be implemented throughout to ensure this dryer environment can make the most out of its water sources.
It’s an effort to preserve historical structures while also creating new, healthy spaces for people, plants and animals to thrive. The Independence Community in Elizabeth, Colorado is committed to utilizing our resources to preserve what came before, and to preserve what’s to come, so future generations can enjoy this beautiful space we call home. Contact us to learn more about our conservation community just outside of Parker, Colorado.
Decorating your new home can feel overwhelming, but rest assured, we have simple tips to help you hone your aesthetic and create a sanctuary that feels welcoming to all. Experiment with these DIY hacks and your new space will feel like the perfect home!
Feel Out the Space
It’s tempting to want to double down and decorate every nook and cranny of your new home. However, even if you’ve got your design aesthetic dialed and feel confident it won’t change in the coming years, feeling out the space is helpful before decorating with soft furnishings like art, rugs, and trinkets. Prior to selecting these embellishments, draft a desired floor plan for each room. This can help you to determine where you want to situate the larger and “softer” furnishings and minimize the time spent shopping, testing, and returning furniture and home accents.
Begin in the Bedroom
Most of us spend a majority of our time at home in our bedrooms. Make your bedroom a sanctuary: a clutter-free oasis where you can feel grounded and calm as you design the rest of your home. You’ll feel less pressured to rush the process for the rest of your home if your bedroom is completely designed and livable.
Introduce Your Style From the Start
Set the tone of your home at the front door. Consider bringing in warm and welcoming accents to the entryway, or even decorating the front porch with a bench, modern lighting, and planters you can swap out with other arrangements depending on the season. A visually-intriguing rug can also introduce your design aesthetic from the first impression – be it southwestern, mid-century modern, bohemian, or farmhouse-chic.
Hang a Mirror in Every Room
Mirrors are a go-to for making a room feel more expansive. Find mirrors that fit the size of each room and hang one in a prominent place so it reflects an opposing wall or window. Mirrors work to bounce light, so if you can’t place one in every room, consider adding at least one to rooms with less natural light, so they will feel airier and more spacious.
Arrange to Invite Conversation
In any living space with ample seating, consider arranging furniture in a “U” or “H” shape so that your couches “talk” to your chairs. Depending on the size or your living room and your furniture, face individual seats or love seats opposite the couch, instead of framing everything around a television. Pull furniture away from the wall to make the room feel larger and more welcoming.
Keep It Neutral
Use neutral paint tones on common-area walls so you can change up your decor periodically without having to repaint. Grays, tan earth-tones and other neutrals help inspire more of a flow from room to room, whereas solid, bright colors can create too much of a transition from space to space.
The Independence Community in Elizabeth, Colorado, melds people and place, fostering harmony between nature and residents. Our homes are built with views for miles plenty of space to roam. Community is key and we’d love to invite you to meet ours.
Seeing our great state from the wheels of a bicycle is both freeing and healthy and it’s also one of the most efficient and climate-friendly ways to travel! Fortunately for Independence Community residents, Elbert County offers plenty of bike trails for traversing this beautiful area. Here are a few to check out (including the distance from Independence) when the snow and ice have finally melted!
Hilltop Trails – 8 miles
Situated between Parker and Elizabeth, Colorado, Hilltop Trails offers a series of hiking and biking trails with sweeping views of the surrounding foothills and mountains. Gentle grades and easy terrain make this a great option to stretch your legs or treat out-of-town visitors to an approachable outdoor adventure!
Sulphur Gulch Trail – 10 miles
This four-and-a-half-miles trail that crosses under Parker Road connects Cherry Creek Trail with Bar CCC Park. The well-maintained concrete path makes biking a breeze, no matter the season. Head out on Sulphur Gulch Trail during a warm winter day to enjoy sights of the Rockies in the distance, or take a side trail to experience another part of the great outdoors.
Castlewood Canyon State Park – 15 miles
Trails range from one to four miles long at this quiet state park. Located nearby in Franktown, there are over a dozen different trails in Castlewood Canyon State Park to explore that are especially beautiful in the spring, thanks to the blooming wildflowers, budding trees, and cottonwood blossoms.
Chatfield State Park – 30 miles
A beautiful series of trails wind through Chatfield that are frequently enjoyed by hikers, joggers, horseback riders, and bikers. Leisurely pedal your way through natural areas and over small ponds of water on Chatfield’s pedestrian trails. With 10 miles of paved and 16 miles of unpaved terrain, this biking area offers plenty of adventure for even the most skilled bikers!
Bonus Trails: Cherry Creek State Park – 19 miles
Cherry Creek State Park is also well worth the short drive. Pop your bikes on the bike rack and spend a day tooling around the miles and miles of bike trails throughout this vast state park. The bike trails are well-maintained and boast plenty of other two-wheeled explorers year-round, in addition to parks, campsites and BBQs.
Living just outside of Denver’s hustle and bustle offers residents easier access to nature and the mountains. Independence Neighborhood is home to beautiful open space, biking and walking paths, and so much more. Contact us today to learn more about our community-focused neighborhood!
This Valentine’s Day, instead of giving the traditional card and chocolates, treat your significant other to something new and different to show them how much you care! There’s plenty to do for this special day in and around Elizabeth, Colorado. Here are a few options to inspire you:
Plan a Ski Date
February is one of Colorado’s best snow months. If your valentine loves playing outdoors in the wintertime, treat them to a surprise ski day. Pack coffee or hot cocoa in a thermos, bring along some chocolate-covered strawberries, and share a picnic at the top of the mountain or in the gondola (especially if it’s chilly outside!). Echo Mountain Resort is a fun, small ski mountain about two hours from Elbert County that makes the perfect getaway for a February 14th ski date.
Go Antiquing
Give yourself and your date a budget and check out local antique shops for a truly unique gift. Stop by Randy’s Antiques in downtown Elizabeth and peruse the aisles of artwork, home goods, and more. Drive over to the neighboring town of Franktown and check out Old World Heirlooms or AntiQued for more interesting and unique finds.
Sunrise & SunnySide Up Eggs
Independence is home to plenty of open space, rolling hills, and walking paths that our residents use to enjoy nature on a daily basis. Head over to Homestead Park with a hot mug of coffee and catch the early morning sunrise. Greet the day, give thanks, then head downtown to one of Elizabeth’s locally-owned diners for a hearty breakfast.
Hot Springs Getaway
Idaho Springs is just a hop-skip-and-a-jump from Elizabeth and has one of the best established hot springs along the Front Range. Indian Hot Springs has both private soaking rooms and public pools that are saturated with healing minerals. Book a private room and experience a tranquil soak in an underground cave.
Bike to Meridiem Spirits
Taste locally-made spirits in the heart of Elizabeth, Colorado at Meridiem Spirits. Made from Colorado grains, the team at this micro distillery put a whole lot of love into their craft and craft cocktails. Grab dinner in town and end the night by tasting world-class gin, vodka, and whiskey made right in your backyard.
These Valetine’s date ideas offer the chance to dig into all the fantastic things our corner of Colorado has to offer. Meet new people, try a different activity, and recharge with your loved one in the great outdoors.
Looking for a home that offers community, open space, and a sanctuary away from the rush of daily life? Independence values both people and mother nature. It’s why we’ve created a neighborhood that prioritizes homes close to nature and community connection. Contact us today to learn more.
With the holiday season behind us, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by “all the things” we were given and purchased over the past few months. Our homes tend to collect so much more during the last few months of the year that we look toward January 1st with resolve to put away the holiday decorations, straighten up and create a stress free environment in the place where we spend the most time. Here are a few simple tips for refreshing your home decor this new year (without purchasing a bunch of new things!).
Declutter and Organize
Before introducing anything new to your space, go through your entire home and donate items you no longer need or use. If you haven’t used it, worn it, or thought about it over the past year, get rid of it. There are plenty of donation sites near Elizabeth, Colorado that redistribute home goods, clothes, and accessories to people in need. Check out Donation Town to find a charity nearby that will pick up donated items.
Add Bright Artwork
Sometimes refreshing wall decor is all a space needs to feel enlivened and different. Find local artists to support to keep your community vibrant and thriving. The Front Range of Colorado is home to so many talented burgeoning painters, graphic designers, and photographers that you’ll be able to source an abundance of awesome finds.
Bring Life Indoors
Wintertime in Colorado can fluctuate between beautiful and dreary. Add some greenery to your space and literally breathe life into your home by adorning shelves, tables, and empty corners with house plants. Not only are they beautiful to look at, but they can actually help clean the air in your home. Indoor plants are proven to bring mental relief and instantly brighten up any space. Instead of shopping for indoor plants from a big-box store, consider visiting your local nursery like Plum Creek Garden Market.
Rearrange the Furniture
Sometimes rearranging the stuff you already have can refresh an entire room! There is an art and thought-process to creating a welcoming and relaxing space. Certain pieces of furniture are representative of larger ideas, like the dining room table as a place to connect, or the living room couch as a place to recharge, together. Check out these simple Feng Shui tips for arranging each room of your home to invite peace and harmony in.
Add Color
It’s safe and easy to select neutral tones for our entire home, but too much beige can feel drab and lack character. Introduce pops of color by finding unique, hand-woven rugs or interesting throw pillows to spruce up the living room. Kitchen towels, counter-top appliances, or cabinet hardware offer other easy places to play with colors. Buy some new bedsheets in a funky pattern or swap out your duvet for something lively. There are so many quick ways to inject a bit more life into your space without making it feel cluttered or chaotic.
We invest a lot of time, energy, and money into our homes. We select a home close to nature, in a peaceful neighborhood that allows us to feel safe and rooted. Purging old, outdated or damaged items in your home and replacing them consciously with thoughtful, locally-sourced pieces is one of the quickest ways to breathe new life into any space.
Looking for a home that offers peace, tranquility, and an oasis away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life? Independence Neighborhood in Elizabeth, Colorado, is thoughtfully designed to connect its residents with each other and the great outdoors. Contact us today to learn more.
If you live in Colorado, you know there are many adventures around every corner, making Colorado a great place to start a bucket list. Elbert County, with its Great Plains location southeast of Denver and its rural ranching lifestyle, is the perfect place to experience a variety of adventures ranging from camping, hiking, and riding horses outdoors to shopping at a small-town boutique. If you’re a new Elbert County resident, or visiting for any length of time, here are a few special adventures to add to your 2023 bucket list:
Camping, Hiking, and Outdoor Adventures
Pitch a tent or park an RV at Casey’s RV Hideaway in Elizabeth. Enjoy a first-time camping adventure and start a family tradition!
Hike one or all of the trails at Castlewood Canyon State Park. Trails are easy to moderate and range from less than a mile to four miles.
Ride horses at Latigo Trails Equestrian, which spans 45 acres and hosts an indoor and outdoor arena.
Shopping Excursions
Browse antique treasures from the Eastern Plains at Dancing Wolf Gallery. The items in this boutique are carefully chosen from nearby farmers, ranchers, and other locals, so you know they’re supporting local businesses and neighbors.
Purchase a handcrafted cowboy hat at the Powder River Hat Company. Check this off of the bucket list, and show off your Colorado style.
Local artists are as unique as their work at The Whispering Aspen in Elizabeth. Support community members associated with Integrated Life Choices and take a creative gift home.
Culinary Quests
Order a slice at Buzzards Pizza, arguably one of the best in Elbert County. This place offers every type of pizza topping you can think of (and more)!
Try an elk, bison, or beef burger in the homey South 40 Bar and Grill. A popular restaurant for visitors and locals, the cocktails here are exclusive to Elbert County.
Teetotalers rejoice! Book a private tea party at The Tea Spoon, where the locals rave about the tea and atmosphere. Sip a cup in a place that gives new meaning to high tea.
Occasions for Relaxation
Get your zen on! Do yoga at Evans Park in Elizabeth, with nature as your backdrop and the wind in your hair. The beauty of this setting will inspire you to stay and stroll the park.
Pamper yourself and get your glow on at Natural Reflections Spa. Enjoy a relaxing facial or skincare treatment.
Grab your waders and fishing pole for a day at West Kiowa Creek. Locals know this spot as a great one for catching fish.
Living in Colorado certainly has its perks; the vibe is laid-back, and there’s something to fit any lifestyle. Here in Elbert County, residents enjoy the advantages of modern life with the charm of small-town roots. Take advantage of living here, create that 2023 bucket list, and capture these memorable outdoor, shopping, culinary and relaxing adventures. The Independence Community in Elizabeth embraces the spirit of getting outdoors and adventure. Learn more about the community and Elbert County by trying one of these great activities.