There's gold in them hills / I heard the man cry / There's gold in them hills / For the taking -- There's Gold In Them Hills, The Black Crowes
Most residents of Sherrelwood and northwest Denver probably have no idea that their land was once the site of a big time gold rush
There's gold in them hills / I heard the man cry / There's gold in them hills / For the taking -- There's Gold In Them Hills, The Black Crowes
Most residents of Sherrelwood and northwest Denver probably have no idea that their land was once the site of a big time gold rush. Just down the road in Arvada, at the confluence of Clear Creek and Ralston Creek, is the site of the first gold strike in Colorado. Well, one bit of gold -- actually five dollars worth of it. This led to another, and soon the Pike's Peak Gold Rush was born. Over 100,000 people flooded the area from all over the country, coming to seek their fortunes in Colorado. After the Gold Rush, Denver was fortunate enough to secure its place as a stop on the transcontinental railroad. Once the railroad arrived, there was no holding back the city. The influx of supplies, tourists and residents to serve them secured Denver as the hub of this new western frontier. Sherrelwood grew up with the growth of Denver and is now home to about 18,000 people.
Sherrelwood is an unincorporated community that lies less than 10 miles north of the city of Denver, Colorado. It is bounded on the south by the Denver Boulder Turnpike, by 84th Avenue on the north and west, and by Interstate 25 to the east. One of the draws of Sherrelwood is its easy access to Denver and the quick 30-minute trip up to Boulder.
According to Sperling's Best Places, the cost of living in Sherrelwood is 4% lower than the average in the U.S. Perhaps because of this, the area has actually had a bit of a growth spurt. According to census data, Sherrelwood added 2.53% more people from 2000 to 2010. Because it is nestled between two major highways, residents don't commute more than 30 minutes on average.
Sherrelwood is an unincorporated area, so it is included in the Denver-Aurora-Boulder Combined Statistical Area for economic and census purposes. It is considered an urban area, though parts can seem downright suburban with bigger housing lots and tree-lined streets.
Though not an incorporated town or city, it is a distinct geographical area of Denver. You will also hear it referred to as North Denver. If you are searching for it on GPS, Sherrelwood is part of the 80221 zip code.
Within the area, there are some good options for places to rent, and rent is generally below the average for Colorado. You will mostly find apartment complex living: not so much city apartments, but rather apartment complexes in the city. Easy access to major highways is a big draw for those thinking of moving to Sherrelwood, especially if you have to commute to downtown Denver.
Many of the more residential streets also offer home rentals. It is possible to find month-to-month rentals in Sherrelwood.
Being so close to Denver, vacancies are not abundant, so you may want to give yourself at least a couple of weeks to find an apartment rental in Sherrelwood. Landlords and apartment complexes will likely want to see proof of your income, of course. Some may require a background check or credit check, also. As with most apartment rentals these days, if you have pets, it will likely cost you a little bit extra.
One of the great perks of living in the Denver area is that you are less than two hours from some of the best ski areas in the world, including Vail and local hangout spot Breckenridge. Even if you aren't a skier, these towns offer fun outdoor activities year-round with hiking, mountain biking and even an alpine super-slide down the mountain at Breckenridge. The Rocky Mountains offer endless opportunities for hiking, swimming and just enjoying breathtaking views.
Outdoor fun without leaving home can be had right in Sherrelwood at Sherrelwood Park. The park is a large green space in the city that surrounds the Kalcevic Reservoir, a local fishing spot. This is a good place for an evening walk or the daily rounds with the dog.
Sherrelwood is only a couple of miles from Water World if you crave summer fun in the wave pools and on the water slides. The other local favorite, Elitch Gardens Theme & Water Park, is less than 10 miles away. It's easy to get into Denver for some world-class fun at the Denver Zoo, the Downtown Aquarium and the Denver Museum of Science and Nature.
Within the boundaries of Sherrelwood, you should be able to find all that you need including grocery stores, plenty of restaurants and coffee shops, a library, local schools and parks. Public transportation includes bus service to Denver and surrounding areas provided by the Regional Transportation District (RTD) of Denver. If you're heading far, the Denver International Airport is an easy 30 minutes down Interstate 270.
If you don't want to move into Denver proper, Sherrelwood is a little, affordable slice of Denver that may be just the place you're looking for.
