Glenwood Springs is a historic resort city, situated along the confluence of the Colorado and Roaring Fork rivers, and famous for its hot springs and mountainous terrain. As the county seat for Garfield County, Glenwood Springs is a regional hub for transportation, healthcare and retail. With a population of over 10,000 people, the city continues to grow. The city was settled in 1883 and has since drawn tourists and locals alike to explore its natural recreation – including former president Theodore Roosevelt. “It’s a tourism town, but I love the community. We’re so lucky to live in a place like this, but have it still feel like a small town,” says Realtor Jennifer VanDyke with The Property Shop, who lives in Glenwood Springs and has 10 years of experience.
In addition to tourism, the city excels in the healthcare, education, retail and food services industries. Glenwood Springs’ top employers include Valley View Hospital, Colorado Mountain College, Walmart and Glenwood Hot Springs Resort.
Glenwood Springs has been a destination city for more than a century.
Glenwood Springs visitors and residents can enjoy a day on the Colorado River.
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Roaring Forks Valley natural recreation and hot springs
Glenwood Springs has 15 public parks, including a skate park, a dog park, a whitewater park and an ice rink. Two Rivers Park has a boat ramp and an outdoor amphitheater. Other notable sites include The Glenwood Community Garden, Glenwood Springs Golf Club and the city’s community center, which has a rock-climbing wall and an aquatics center.
Yampah Springs is a regionally famous natural hot spring. There are three separate attractions in the city using it as a source for recreation: Glenwood Hot Springs Resort & Pool, Iron Mountain Hot Springs and Yampah Spa & Vapor Caves. Another attraction is the Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park. The Western-themed amusement park features roller coasters and cave tours on Iron Mountain. In addition to man-made facilities, the Glenwood Canyon is nearby, as are the Colorado and Roaring Fork rivers. The city is also about 43 miles from multiple ski resorts in Aspen, though the Sunlight Mountain Resort is closer. “We live right in town, and I love the accessibility to hiking and the rivers. There’s a trail we use that follows along the water and goes through some very lovely neighborhoods,” VanDyke says.
Glenwood Springs has three hot springs options including Yampah Hot Springs and Vapor Caves.
The Glenwood Springs recreation center has a climbing wall and an aquatic center.
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A mixed bag of mountain homes and townhouses
Neighborhoods close to downtown have traditional single-story and multi-story houses, split levels and ranch-style homes, while neighborhoods farther south commonly have raised ranches and contemporary mountain homes. North of I-70, near the resorts, are cabin-inspired condos and contemporary townhouses. There are also vacant land plots available for new construction. The city’s housing market has a wide variety of single and multi-family properties.
According to VanDyke, most Glenwood Springs residents live year-round in properties they own. The median price is $995,000, while the average for a townhouse is $745,000. “The majority of what I sell are single-family homes, but in the last five years we have seen a huge influx of apartments and rental units come up on the market,” VanDyke says.
Home sizes and styles vary widely in Glenwood Springs.
Condos are available in Glenwood Springs for those not wanting a single family home.
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Local shops and restaurants downtown
Downtown Glenwood is the city’s primary shopping and dining district along Grand Avenue. There are dozens of gift shops, clothing boutiques, outdoor gear stores and novelty shops. Local restaurants include upscale bistros, casual American cafes, coffeehouses, steakhouses and international eateries. There are also a handful of commercial shopping centers farther south on Glen Avenue with national retailers, chain and fast-food restaurants, small businesses and a Walmart.
Multiple breweries and taphouses provide nighttime entertainment. “Downtown is really cute and authentic. They built a new bridge a few years ago and they do live music under there now,” VanDyke says.
Glenwood Springs residents have many options when it comes to shopping and dining.
Glenwood Springs' Main Street has several cozy dining options.
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Garfield County’s transportation hub
As a Designated Silver Level Bicycle Friendly Community, Glenwood Springs has a pedestrian and cyclist-friendly infrastructure, from trails to bike lanes. Public transportation options include local bus lines from Ride Glenwood Springs (RGS) and Roaring Forks Transportation Authority (RFTA). There are two park-and-ride bus stations in the city served by both. Glenwood Springs Station has Amtrak trains running. Interstate 70 cuts through the city traveling east to west. Colorado state Route 82 branches from I-70 and travels south. For general aviation services, the Glenwood Springs Municipal Airport is about 4 miles from downtown.
Getting educated in Roaring Fork public schools
Glenwood Springs is served by the Roaring Fork School District enrolls roughly 5,800 students across 14 public schools. Of these, two elementary, one middle, two kindergarten-through-eighth-grade schools and one high school are located in the city. The district earns a B-plus grade from Niche.
Glenwood Springs Elementary School is a diverse PreK-5 school in the heart of Glenwood Springs, Colorado.
Glenwood Springs Middle School serves grades 6-8 and feeds into Glenwood Springs High School.
Glenwood Springs High School of the Roaring Fork School District.
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Year-round events in Glenwood Springs
Multiple annual events keep the city engaged. The Strawberry Days Festival is Colorado’s oldest festival, having started in 1898, and takes place in June. Music Under the Bridge is a summer concert series in Downtown’s Bethel Plaza. The city also hosts New Year’s and Fourth of July celebrations.
There is always something happening in Glenwood Springs
Summer concerts are held in Glenwood Springs' Two Rivers Park.
Glenwood Springs' Bethel Plaza plays host to many events throughout the year.
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Four seasons and decreasing crime
According to the Glenwood Police Department’s 2023 Annual Report, the number of crimes against persons reported saw a 32% decrease from the previous year. Reported crimes against property decreased by 42%. Rates of violent crime were on par with the national average while property crime was slightly elevated compared to state averages.
Glenwood Springs has an alpine climate which creates low humidity and drastic temperature changes from day to night. “We get all four seasons. It’s gorgeous in the fall, but in the summer, you can do a lot more stuff,” VanDyke says. With multiple rivers in the city, some areas may be at risk of potential flooding. In the dryer months, there is also a potential for wildfires because of the surrounding landscape.
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