Conifer, Colorado facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Conifer, Colorado
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Sign along Highway 285
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| Country | United States |
| State | Colorado |
| County | Jefferson County |
| Settled | 1860s |
| Government | |
| • Type | Unincorporated community |
| Elevation | 8,277 ft (2,523 m) |
| Population
(2009)
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| • Total | 19,683 |
| Time zone | UTC−7 (MST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−6 (MDT) |
| ZIP Code |
80433
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| Area code(s) | 303 and 720 |
| FIPS code | 08-16770 |
| GNIS feature ID | 0204717 |
| Website | Conifer CoC |
Conifer is a community in Jefferson County, Colorado, United States. It is not an official city, but a place where people live together. You can find Conifer in the beautiful foothills west of Denver, right along U.S. Route 285.
Contents
History of Conifer
A post office opened in Conifer in 1894. People are not completely sure how Conifer got its name! Some say it was named after George Conifer, who owned a local tavern. Others believe it was named after the tall, cone-bearing 'conifer' trees that grow all around the area.
Geography and Climate in Conifer
Conifer is located at 39°31′16″N 105°18′19″W / 39.52111°N 105.30528°W. It sits at a high elevation in the mountains. On November 1, 1981, a small earthquake happened near Conifer. It was a magnitude 3.1 tremor.
What is the Climate Like in Conifer?
Conifer has a humid continental climate. This means it has four distinct seasons. The average temperature for the year is about 38.6 °F (3.7 °C).
Summers in Conifer are warm, but the nights stay cool. Winters are chilly, and temperatures can drop close to zero. The area gets a good amount of snow, especially in winter months.
| Climate data for Conifer, Colorado | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °F (°C) | 65 (18) |
70 (21) |
72 (22) |
78 (26) |
86 (30) |
95 (35) |
95 (35) |
93 (34) |
91 (33) |
83 (28) |
72 (22) |
66 (19) |
95 (35) |
| Mean daily maximum °F (°C) | 38 (3) |
41 (5) |
46 (8) |
53 (12) |
62 (17) |
73 (23) |
78 (26) |
76 (24) |
69 (21) |
59 (15) |
45 (7) |
38 (3) |
57 (14) |
| Mean daily minimum °F (°C) | 7 (−14) |
10 (−12) |
17 (−8) |
23 (−5) |
31 (−1) |
38 (3) |
43 (6) |
42 (6) |
34 (1) |
24 (−4) |
15 (−9) |
9 (−13) |
24 (−4) |
| Record low °F (°C) | −46 (−43) |
−48 (−44) |
−25 (−32) |
−15 (−26) |
6 (−14) |
22 (−6) |
28 (−2) |
26 (−3) |
7 (−14) |
−9 (−23) |
−26 (−32) |
−33 (−36) |
−48 (−44) |
| Average precipitation inches (mm) | 0.40 (10) |
0.54 (14) |
1.28 (33) |
1.92 (49) |
2.10 (53) |
1.76 (45) |
2.55 (65) |
2.68 (68) |
1.25 (32) |
1.15 (29) |
0.89 (23) |
0.58 (15) |
17.1 (436) |
| Average snowfall inches (cm) | 14 (36) |
11.3 (29) |
7.2 (18) |
2.5 (6.4) |
0.6 (1.5) |
0.1 (0.25) |
0 (0) |
0 (0) |
0.2 (0.51) |
1.7 (4.3) |
8.3 (21) |
17.6 (45) |
63.5 (161.96) |
| Source: Weather Underground | |||||||||||||
Interesting Places and Landmarks in Conifer
Conifer and its surrounding area have several historic buildings and natural attractions. These places help tell the story of the community.
- The Clifton House Inn: This old inn is listed on the Jefferson County Register of Historic Places.
- Conifer Junction Schoolhouse: This historic schoolhouse is recognized on the National Register of Historic Places.
- The Conley Coffee Shop: Another spot on the Jefferson County Register of Historic Places.
- The Lubin-Blakeslee Place at Meyer Ranch: This historic site is also on the Jefferson County Register.
- Midway House at Meyers Ranch: Built in 1889, this house is on the National Register of Historic Places.
- Original Elk Creek Fire House: This old fire station is on the Jefferson County Register of Historic Places.
- Pleasant Park School: Built in 1894, this school is on the Colorado Register of Historic Places.
- Yellow Barn at Bradford Junction: Built in 1918, this barn is on the Jefferson County Register of Historic Places.
- Coney Island Hot Dog Stand: This famous hot dog stand was in the Aspen Park area of Conifer for many years. It was later moved to the nearby town of Bailey.
- Staunton State Park: This huge state park is about 3,908-acre (1,582 ha) in size. It is located 6 miles west of Conifer and offers many outdoor activities.
Schools in Conifer
Students who live in Conifer attend schools within the Jefferson County school district.
- Elk Creek Elementary School
- West Jefferson Elementary School
- Marshdale Elementary School
- West Jefferson Middle School
- Conifer High School
In 2011, Newsweek magazine ranked Conifer High School as one of the top 500 schools in the entire nation.
Community Services in Conifer
The Elk Creek Fire Protection District serves the residents of Conifer. This fire department has about 60 firefighters. It is made up of both full-time firefighters and volunteers who help keep the community safe.
Famous People from Conifer
Some well-known individuals have lived in Conifer:
- Amy Bruckner: An American actress.
- Trey Parker: The co-creator of the popular animated show South Park.
- Blaine Sumner: An American powerlifter.
- Sarah Thomas (marathon swimmer): An American marathon swimmer known for her incredible long-distance swims.
