Conifer Surveys

To better understand what the community believes is important, CAC has facilitated 6 surveys since 2006.

This guides our direction for study and action, gets the community’s input on record and lets us share with public officials.

Our Study/Action teams exist to achieve results based on this feedback.

Your input is vital as we meet with local and county organizations like the Mountain Resource Center; members from Jefferson County’s Library, Open Space, and Transportation & Engineering, and Planning & Zoning programs; County Commissioners and more. We want to thank the many individuals and organizations that provided input as we developed the survey.

Your comments have driven change! For example, Jeffco Library made the determination to establish a stand-alone independent library for Conifer, and they used feedback that you provided on this survey to make that decision.

2026 Survey Results Summary

Total respondents: 804

Demographics:

• The majority of respondents (59 percent) were over the age of 55 and 69 percent were female.
• While 33 percent have lived in the area for three to ten years, 30 percent have lived here for over 26 years and 29 percent for 11 to 25 years.
• The majority (55 percent) are in a two-person household with 33 percent living with three to five people.

Living in Conifer – Why live here:

• The vast majority (71 percent) said because of the natural environment, clean air and wildlife.
• Other popular answers were small town/rural character (43 percent); larger lot sizes (34 percent); closer access to outdoor recreation (27 percent); and commute time to Denver (22 percent). (Respondents could choose up to three.)

Issues of concern:

1. Wildfire risk ranked number one, with 39 percent saying it is the most important.
2. Insurance cost and availability
3. Traffic and safety on 285
4. Lack of recreation center
5. Mountain pine beetle
6. Preservation of small-town character
7. Limited water resources
8. Not enough well-paying jobs
9. Lack of access to childcare, early care and learning programs

Businesses:
Top responses to businesses that could be introduced or improved in Conifer in rank order. (Respondents could check all that apply):

1. Restaurants (50 percent)
2. Car wash (49 percent)
3. Lodging (bed and breakfast, small inns) (26 percent)
4. Drug stores (24 percent)
5. Clothing/shoe stores (20 percent)