Morrison: A Mountain Town Within Reach Of Denver

Morrison has the atmosphere of a small, friendly town. There are a range of different types of residential property, including many beautiful single family homes with spectacular mountain views. The Morrison community is predominantly made up of young professional couples, many of whom are attracted to the town by its proximity to Denver.

The town of Morrison is located within Jefferson County within commuting distance of downtown Denver. It is separated from the rest of the metropolitan area by the Hogback rock formation. While this does not impede travel into the city of Denver, it does ensure that residents of Morrison can enjoy spectacular views and a rural atmosphere. Living in Morrison does not feel like living in a suburb of Denver. Instead, it is almost like living in a town high in the mountains, but with the added advantage of having all of the amenities of the city only thirty minutes away.

The Morrison Natural History Museum is one of the most interesting local attractions. It holds some of the fossilized dinosaur remains that have been found in the local area. Morrison was at the center of the so-called Bone Wars during the 19th century, when rival paleontologists were racing to find the best fossil specimens. The section of late Jurassic sedimentary rock is now known as the Morrison Formation because of the number of fossils that were found around the town. Some of the most important fossils that are on display in the museum are the first fossilized tracks of a baby Stegosaurus ever to have been found. More dinosaur tracks can be seen out at one of the 19th century dig sites at Dinosaur Ridge.

Red Rocks Amphitheatre, a natural rock structure in Red Rocks Park, hosts numerous outdoor concerts in what must be one of the most interesting venues in America. The amphitheater is surrounded by intriguing rock formations that provide the perfect acoustic environment. The rest of Red Rocks Park is also very beautiful and it provides excellent recreational activities for the local residents. There are also a selection of trails that run through the Jefferson County Open Space Parks that surround the town, where it is possible to hike, run, cycle or go horseback riding. The Bear Creek Trail is one of the most popular routes around Morrison. It runs from Bear Creek Lake Park in Lakewood right through the most historic areas of Morrison, alongside the creek. The Heritage Center at Two Creeks Plaza lies along the trail. From both the Plaza and the trail, it is possible to see the amazing TNT restaurant mural, which shows the history of Morrison from the prehistoric days of the dinosaurs to the present day. You can also see the bell, made in 1879, which once hung in a belfry at the Morrison School. The trail ends at Morrison Park, although it will soon be extended towards Red Rocks Park and the Mount Falcon Open Space.

The downtown area of Morrison and Bear Creek Avenue are the main commercial areas in Morrison. The town has an excellent range of shops and restaurants.