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Teller County
living can be fun and exciting. Whether you’re drawn by the great outdoors, to work in the new gambling industry in Cripple Creek or for some other adventure in the mountains, there are always plenty of activities and scenic beauty to make life in our area a unique experience. Teller County is mostly public land (Pike National Forest, Mueller State Park and Florissant Fossil Beds,) and it offers a wonderful place to live with a high quality of life.
Teller County's three incorporated cities offer services and amenities such as public water and sewer systems, police patrol, retail and professional services. If you choose to live within a city, you will pay city and county property taxes in order to fund services provided by both entities.
Teller County Communities:
Cripple Creek
P.O. Box 430 – 80813
(719) 689-2502
Incorporated in 1892, Cripple Creek is the County seat and is home to the Teller County Courthouse, which was built in 1904. The City is a National Historic Landmark District and has building regulations intended to preserve historic structures. Many of the old brick buildings in town are original and date to the reconstruction of Cripple Creek which had burned two times by 1896. The "new" buildings, it was decided, should be built of brick. Cripple Creek is one of three limited-stakes gambling cities in Colorado, allowing wagers of up to $5.00. A new Teller County Administration building opened during the summer of 1999 and was named The Centennial Building in honor of the 100th Birthday of Teller County. It is located at the corner of Carr & "A" Streets. The City offers the usual city amenities, including park and recreation facilities. It also has a nursing center, doctor's office and 24-hour emergency services. There is a branch of the Southern Teller County Library District in town and the Cripple Creek museum offers an excellent trip back in time to the mining days. At the present time the population of Cripple Creek is approximately 1,500. The sales tax rate is 6% (2% City, 1% County, 3% State.)
Victor
P.O. Box 86 – 80860
(719) 689-2284
Founded in 1893, Victor is Teller County's southernmost city. Victor is a National Historic Landmark and enforces historic preservation codes. It is called "The City of Mines."
You may hear locals and old timers use the term "The District." This refers to the entire mining "district" from the 1890's. It includes Goldfield, Cripple Creek, Victor and surrounding areas.
Victor is the boyhood home of Lowell Thomas. He worked on two local newspapers and was editor of The Victor Record before becoming one of the most famous journalists in the world. There is a branch of the Southern Teller County Library District in Victor. The population of Victor is approximately 499 and has a total tax rate of 7% (3% City, 1% County and 3% State.)
Woodland Park
P.O. Box 9007 – 80866
(719) 687-9246
Woodland Park is the largest city in Teller County. Incorporated in 1891, Woodland Park is often called The City Above the Clouds. It is located at the junction of State Highway 67 and US Highway 24. There are several County offices located in Woodland Park. These include Parks, Road & Bridge, Health and Environment, the Building and Planning departments, and a branch of the Clerk and Recorders Office. Woodland Park offers scenic locations for custom-built homes, city police, park and recreation facilities and programs and many other services. Woodland Park has experienced a 3% (approx.) growth rate during the past two years. Limited water supplies are impacting planning, development and growth.
The population of Woodland Park is 7,200with a total tax rate of 7% (3% City, 1% County and 3% State.)
Four communities, other than organized cities, also exist in Teller County. Under the jurisdiction of the County Government. The Teller County Sheriff's Department patrols the areas and responds to emergencies.
Divide
The most central community in Teller County, Divide is located at the summit of Ute Pass. It has a post office, fire station, commercial area, and several county facilities including the Sheriff's Office and Jail, North Road district, Vehicle Maintenance and Animal Control. Central Divide is served by a sewer system. Check with the Planning Department to determine if your property is within the sewer district. Home water service is provided by private entities or individual water wells. Divide has the Hayden Divide Community Park and the Loop Trail. Mueller State Park is just a few miles to the South on Highway 67.
One of the fastest growing communities Divide has one of the largest voting precincts. The area is a combination of wide-open spaces and dense forest. Several large ranches continue to operate in the Divide area and Elk are frequent visitors to the fields along the roadside. Keep your eyes open!
Other Communities
Florissant
Once an incorporated town, Florissant is Teller County's western-most community. Home of the Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument, Florissant has its own post office, a branch of the Rampart Regional Library District, the Heritage Museum and a community park.
The community is located at the intersection of State Highway 24 and County Road 1, called "Teller One" by locals. Central Florissant has a water and sewer district.
Florissant was once a favorite camping ground of the Tabeguache Ute Chief Ouray. (Tabeguache is pronounced "Tab - e - wah.) In fact, the Ute tribes roamed and hunted throughout central Colorado, including Teller County. Visit Florissant and learn about its interesting history.
The Four Mile Area
Once a major ranching and agricultural locale, the Four-Mile community is fast becoming a residential area. Four-Mile Community Center, 4-Mile Emergency Services Fire Station and Four-Mile Church are the only public facilities in the area. Construction on a County Park in this area will begin in 2000.
Goldfield
Adjacent to Victor, Goldfield was once a mining town. The small community has water service from the city of Victor but households are on private septic systems. Goldfield is graced by historic homes and the restored Goldfield Fire Station.
Rural Life
The remainder of Teller County is made up of rural subdivisions and unplatted parcels. Forty-nine percent (49%) of Teller County is Public Land.
Some subdivisions offer central water services but none have central sewer. It can be difficult and expensive to obtain phone lines, electric service and/or road maintenance. It may take longer for Emergency Services to read your home if you live in some of these areas. Check these things out first before buying.
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