Pagosa Springs, or maybe Grand Lake... looking to move to CO for a permanent residence... need opinions. Cost and job availability are of no issue, everything is taken care of, don't need any commute options or anything else. I'll be flying out to look at both, but some more local opinions first would be appreciated.

LG98

definitely want to stay away from any of the pine beetle damaged forests. They're a severe fire hazard. The beetles are killing off so much forest, especially in northern CO. they mostly eat lodgepole, but ponderosa is also something they attack, which is common in the south unlike lodgepole.

Probably in the end the whole state is just at risk... we've mismanaged our forests for too long, and everything is ripe for teh infestation to keep spreading.

I've riden up to the Vallecito burn area, the "Durango fire." That happened years ago, and it's still a disaster. Its not just the dead trees... theres danger of mudslides and falling debree. It's going to be a long time for things to grow back in. It's just a matter of time before we see that in more places.

Even if you don't have many needs, you might want to reconsider moving anywhere too isolated, unless you enjoy riding by horse everywhere. And even then, the economy of tourist driven areas may go bust when petroleum does, so there might not be anywhere to ride TO.