Evergreen Strong
What a Colorado town can teach us about beauty, resilience, and being a good neighbor
Evergreen, Colorado, is a small town about forty minutes west of Denver, but a world away from city life. If you’ve ever driven west on I-70 from Denver, you know the feeling. One minute you’re rolling across flatlands, the next your car seems to tilt upward like the nose of a jet at takeoff. Suddenly, you’re climbing into the foothills, and the Rockies begin to show their face.
To highway travelers, Evergreen looks like just another pit stop - gas stations, a Starbucks, McDonald’s, Walmart, and Home Depot. Basically, almost any mid-sized town in the USA. But take Highway 74 south another few miles and you’ll discover something altogether different: a town wrapped around a sparkling alpine lake, surrounded by evergreens, and pulsing with small-town charm.
Evergreen Lake is the heart of the community. A one-mile path circles its edge, popular with runners, dog walkers, and anglers casting for trout, bass, or even tiger muskie. In winter, the lake transforms into one of the largest outdoor skating rinks in North America, hosting hockey games, ice fishing, and the annual New Year’s Day Polar Plunge. My stepdaughter Kristen and granddaughter Addie braved it this year -twice in Kristen’s case, because Addie needed a little extra courage. Meanwhile, I stayed on the warm side of the registration desk and camera lens, happy to cheer on braver souls.
The Majesty of the Elk
One of Evergreen’s most majestic features is its elk herd. Colorado has the largest elk population in the world, and Evergreen—along with Estes Park—is one of the best places to see them. Locals know that traffic can grind to a halt when elk decide to cross the road, but we don’t mind. Watching them roam through our neighborhoods or graze by the lake never loses its magic.
Like any wild animal, they deserve respect. June brings protective mothers guarding their calves, and autumn means rutting season when massive, antlered bulls bugle their challenges across the hills. They are as big as horses, and though usually calm, they can turn dangerous when feeling threatened. Dogs, in particular, trigger their instincts, as they resemble wolves. Tourists snapping selfies too close are often reminded why telephoto lenses exist.
Video credit: Karen Loucks Rinedollar
Celebrations and Traditions
Evergreen knows how to celebrate. In August, the Rotary Club’s Ducky Derby sends thousands of numbered rubber ducks racing down Little Cub Creek, cheered on by hundreds of locals and tourists alike. The fundraiser supports community events like the beloved Holiday Walk each December. That evening kicks off with Santa lighting the Lake’s Christmas tree, then hopping aboard a fire truck to parade through town. The night ends with Santa himself playing harmonica at the Little Bear Saloon, to the delight of children and grown-ups alike.
Weekly farmer’s markets, Saturday “Coffee and Cars” events, and concerts, classes, and exhibits at the Center for the Arts Evergreen fill the calendar. Every season brings a reason to gather, connect, and celebrate the charm of small-town life.
Roots and Resilience
Long before Evergreen became a community, it was summer hunting grounds for the Arapaho, Cheyenne, and Ute tribes. Homesteaders arrived around 1859, followed by Denver residents seeking summer cottages to escape summer heat once automobiles made mountain getaways possible.
Today, Evergreen has about 8,600 residents. Despite its proximity to Denver, it has resisted becoming a faceless bedroom community. You won’t find any big box stores in Evergreen’s historic district. Instead, you’ll discover mom-and-pop shops, cozy cafés, and neighbors who know your name.
Evergreen’s Reality
Even idyllic towns have their challenges. Last week, Evergreen was shaken to its core when our high school joined the heartbreaking list of American schools touched by gun violence. It was a reminder that there are no completely safe places. Tragedy, though it feels out of place here, can find even the most peaceful communities.
And yet, in true Evergreen fashion, the community rallied. Neighbors showed up with food, blankets, and comfort. First responders worked tirelessly. Teachers and parents came together to surround students with love. The same spirit that makes us gather for duck races and holiday walks also makes us resilient in the face of heartbreak.
Why Evergreen
I never imagined, on that first road trip decades ago, that I’d one day call Evergreen home. Back then, it was just another exit, another dot on the map. We used to ride our motorcycles to Evergreen as a quick mountain escape and fun ride. Now, it’s my community. A place where elk bugle in the fall, where children skate on a frozen lake in winter, and where neighbors cheer for ducks racing downstream in summer.
Evergreen is more than a town—it’s a reminder of what happens when natural beauty, history, and community spirit come together. For me, it’s the place where life feels both grounded and elevated, where the mountains meet the heart.
✨ And maybe that’s the lesson Evergreen offers all of us: focus on the beauty around you, treasure the people who make life meaningful, and never underestimate the power of simply being a good person. The mountains are lovely, but it’s kindness that makes a community thrive.
Lovely description of a “magical”place Karen. The beauty, the events, the wildlife, and mostly the people. Unfortunately tragedy touches us all and I am sorry for the awful gun violence that you experienced. Yet I am grateful that neighbors pulled together with love, kindness, support and supplies to ease the pain just a little.
I was fortunate enough to visit Evergreen, CO last year for a writing retreat. It was September and the air smelled so fresh and so clean. The log 'cabin' we stayed at had incredibly beautiful views. We even had a fox visit us a few times. It is definitely a peaceful little mountain town. Your description brought my memories of your hometown back to life.