This is the first in a series about the different neighborhoods in and near Silverthorne. Mesa Cortina is actually not in the Town of Silverthorne, but in unincorporated Summit County. Most residents use the Silverthorne post office and it is in the Silverthorne area in our MLS system.

Mesa Cortina consists of three different subdivisions, Mesa Cortina West, Mesa Cortina Sub, and Cortina. There is also a new subdivision nearby called Cortina Ridge, but it has its own homeowners association and is not considered part of Mesa Cortina. The neighborhood consists of roughly 250 homesites. Mesa Cortina West, toward the bottom of the hill, was the first part to be developed.

Some of the homes were built in the 1970s as mountain getaways for people living in Denver. Over time, those little cabins have been remodeled, added on and updated, and vacant lots have been developed, so the neighborhood now has about 50% full time homeowners. The lots in Mesa Cortina West are all half acre lots, but as you go up the hill the lots become 1/3 acres in size. The elevation varies from about 9200' at the bottom to about 9600' at the top. Being in the mountains of Colorado, there can be a lot of snow in the winter but he roads are well maintained by the County.

The subdivision is surrounded by either National Forest or County Open Space. Part of what makes it such a popular area is that the trees grow tall and even though the lots are relatively small, you feel as if you have a couple of acres. Hiking trails are plentiful through the National Forest and you often see skiers and snowshoers in the winter. The Mesa Cortina trailhead is at the bottom of the subdivision and the Buffalo Mountain trailhead is at the top. Pine Beetle is an issue in the forest service lands and nearby lots, and the neighborhood has worked very hard to control the beetle infested trees and remove any dead ones to alleviate fire danger. The forest service is currently planning a timber sale all around the residential areas, removing dead and dying trees. Although the fire mitigation is welcome, losing the trees will be a painful time. As the forest opens up and the understory gets more sun, the aspen and spruce will grow and prosper. I think it will end up prettier, with a better diversity of trees and more color in the fall.

Cortina, the highest part of the neighborhood, has the best views. They are getting even better as trees are removed, and views of the lake and surrounding mountains are excellent. Home prices in Mesa Cortina vary from around $400,000 for a smallish cabin, to just under $1,000,000 for a newer home with good views. The average price is probably in the $600,000 to $800,000 range.

Mesa Cortina has its own water and sewer system, with community wells providing most of the water. The roads are public, and about half are paved. Fire hydrants dot the area so that getting insurance on the property is not an issue. There are covenents and architectural guidelines, and it is one of the few areas where RVs can be parked near your home, and where you can have (approved) fences for pets. The annual home owner association dues are $100 a year. HOA meetings are held twice a year, in February and August, and the August meeting is usually followed by a picnic. The website is http://www.mesacortina.com/.

Bordering the National Forest, the area is home to a variety of wild animals, including moose, bear, foxes, racoon, deer and elk. Many homeowners put out birdfeeders attracting hummingbirds and many other birds. Bears can be a problem if the feeders are in an accessible area and care must be taken to bring them in at night.