Nestled on the east side of the continental divide in Park County, Colorado, at an elevation of 9,700 feet, Spruce Creek is a fictional place which incorporates many of the real features of the area. In my imagination it lies a few miles off of Hwy 285, west of Denver, south of Georgetown, east of Fairplay, and north of Colorado Springs.
The population of the town numbers in the neighborhood of 700 hardy souls if you count only the people that live within the town limits. But ranchers, mountain guides, and creative types seeking solitude, who come into town to collect their mail, consider themselves part of the population and push the numbers up. During the summer, tourists invade, fall brings hunters in search of trophy bucks, and winter and spring the ski bum population fluctuates.
The town has only one school: elementary grades, K-6, in the left wing; middle school students, 7- 9, in the center along with the administrative offices; and high school students, 10-12, in the right wing. The town benefits because multi-grade disciplines like music and band can be taught by a single teacher at all three levels.
Spruce Creek has one bank, a medical clinic, a town hall and a post office. There are two nice restaurants, a couple of coffee shops, a ski and sporting goods store, one bed and breakfast, a grocery market, a bar, a liquor store and Spruce Creek Veterinary Hospital. Outside of town, there are Mom and Pop motels catering to the tourists, hunters, and skiers. There is no police force in Spruce Creek. Law enforcement is provided by the county, the state, and the forest service, depending on the offense and the jurisdiction.
Come back soon to learn more and enjoy our western hospitality.
The population of the town numbers in the neighborhood of 700 hardy souls if you count only the people that live within the town limits. But ranchers, mountain guides, and creative types seeking solitude, who come into town to collect their mail, consider themselves part of the population and push the numbers up. During the summer, tourists invade, fall brings hunters in search of trophy bucks, and winter and spring the ski bum population fluctuates.
The town has only one school: elementary grades, K-6, in the left wing; middle school students, 7- 9, in the center along with the administrative offices; and high school students, 10-12, in the right wing. The town benefits because multi-grade disciplines like music and band can be taught by a single teacher at all three levels.
Spruce Creek has one bank, a medical clinic, a town hall and a post office. There are two nice restaurants, a couple of coffee shops, a ski and sporting goods store, one bed and breakfast, a grocery market, a bar, a liquor store and Spruce Creek Veterinary Hospital. Outside of town, there are Mom and Pop motels catering to the tourists, hunters, and skiers. There is no police force in Spruce Creek. Law enforcement is provided by the county, the state, and the forest service, depending on the offense and the jurisdiction.
Come back soon to learn more and enjoy our western hospitality.