High in the southern Colorado Rockies lies a valley steeped in the traditions and tradition that have made southern Colorado welcoming to people all over the world. With the rolling hills of the Wet Mountains to the east and the marvelous Sangre de Cristo Mountains rising to the west, the Wet Mountain Valley, home of Westcliffe, recommends a location where the pace is a little slower and individuals are a little closer to the earth.
During the 1870's, silver and gold were found in the surrounding hills, and several boom towns emerged in the sheltered valleys of the Wet Mountains. While the mining days of tradition are long gone, the small neighborhoods of Westcliffe and Silver Cliff remain with the other day's buildings restored by private individuals.
Fifty-two alpine lakes, accessible by foot, horseback or ATV, await those wishing to cast their lures or simply relax and enjoy the purity of the air and the quiet of the forest. Water skiing enthusiasts take pleasure in picturesque Lake De, Weese situated 5 miles north of Westcliffe by means of a paved street.
While an approximate forty percent of the land around Westcliffe is secured by the federal government through the U.S. Forest Service and the Wilderness Act, a wide array of land and property is offered for private ownership. The valley flooring typically advises us of the entrance to the Great Plains with its broad open vistas while the surrounding Sangre de Cristo mountains offer shelter and privacy with their aspens and evergreens.
Grocery stores, a bowling street, and fitness/swimming centers are recent additions to the Westcliffe neighborhood and a complete variety of area occasions and activities attract both locals and visitors to the location each year. Medical needs are served by a modern-day center, staffed with a full-time medical professional and nurse practioners.
We welcome you to check out Westcliffe, CO. Perhaps your heart, like the hearts of a lot of others, will be touched by the beautiful charm of the Wet Mountain Valley and you'll decide that 365 sunrises and sunsets in this special place is an experience you do not desire to miss.