conifer

conifer [Lat.,=cone-bearing], tree or shrub of the order Coniferales, e.g., the pine, monkey-puzzle tree, cypress, and sequoia. Most conifers bear cones and most are evergreens, though a few, such as the larch, are deciduous. Conifers are widely distributed over the world but are mostly found in the highlands of temperate regions. The conifers, the ginkgoes, and the cycads comprise the three most important groups of gymnosperms, i.e., plants without true flowers. Conifers are classified in the division Pinophyta, class Pinopsida.

Any member of the order Coniferales, woody plants that bear their seeds and pollen on separate, cone-shaped structures. They constitute the largest division of gymnosperms, with more than 550 species. Most are evergreen, upright trees and shrubs. They grow throughout the world (except in Antarctica) and prefer temperate climate zones. Conifers include the pines (Pinus), junipers (Juniperus), spruces (Picea), hemlocks (Tsuga), firs (Abies), larches (Larix), yews (Taxus), cypresses (Cupressus), bald cypress cypresses (Taxodium), Douglas firs (Pseudotsuga), arborvitaes (Thuja), and related groups. They include the world's smallest and tallest trees. Conifers supply softwood timber used for general construction, mine timbers, fence posts, poles, boxes and crates, and other articles, as well as pulpwood for paper. The wood is also used as fuel and in the manufacture of cellulose products, plywood, and veneers. The trees are the source of resins, volatile oils, turpentine, tars, and pharmaceuticals. Conifer leaves vary in shape but generally have a reduced surface area to minimize water loss. Especially in the pines, firs, and spruces, the leaves are long and stiff and are commonly referred to as needles. Cypresses, cedars, and others have smaller, scalelike leaves. Conifers were the dominant type of vegetation just before the advent of angiosperms (see flowering plant).

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Conifer is an unincorporated town in Jefferson County, Colorado, United States. Conifer is located along U.S. Route 285 in the foothills West of Denver. It is the birthplace of South Park co-creator Trey Parker and child actress Amy Bruckner. The Conifer Post Office has the ZIP Code 80433.

History

Known in the 1860s as Bradford Junction, a stop on the stagecoach road to South Park. A few buildings were erected, including a tavern, rest house, and general store. Bradford Junction deteriorated by the 1890s when the stagecoach road was replaced by the Denver and South Park railroad.

By the 1920s the area was simply known as Conifer. A destination known for it's beautiful Mountain scenery and abundance of wildlife. For decades,the area was primarily a cattle ranching area, and there is still some ranching in southern parts of the community.

Today Conifer is experiencing explosive growth. There are several areas of new development in the community, including a new Safeway center completed in late 2006 and a King Soopers center each with a variety of restaurants and taverns, which was completed in 2005. A new cultural arts complex is being planned and Highway 285 has been improved making the 15 mile drive to Denver a pleasure. Ranches are being replaced by multi million dollar homes and developments. Conifer is being listed as one of the top Colorado communities due to its rural lifestyle and convenience of City living within minutes of Denver.

Education

Students living within Jefferson County attend Jefferson County schools. Those neighborhood schools are Elk Creek Elementary School, West Jefferson Elementary School, West Jefferson Middle School and Conifer High School. Prior to 1996, high school students matriculated to Evergreen High School in neighboring Evergreen.

Students living in Park County west of Conifer Junction attend Platte Canyon Schools. Those neighborhood schools are Deer Creek Elementary School, Fitzsimmons Middle School, and Platte Canyon High School.

The schools in Conifer and Evergreen are considered by many to be the best in Jefferson County.

Landmarks

• The Clifton House Inn, Jefferson County Register of Historic Places
• The Conley Coffee Shop, Jefferson County Register of Historic Places
• The Lubin-Blakeslee Place at Meyers Ranch, Conifer, Jefferson County Register of Historic Places
• Midway House at Meyers Ranch, built 1889, National Register of Historic Places 5JF.303
• Original Elk Creek Fire House, Jefferson County Register of Historic Places
• Pleasant Park School, built 1894, Colorado Register of Historic Places 5JF.972
• Yellow Barn at Bradford Junction, built 1918, Jefferson County Register of Historic Places
• Long Bros. Garage
• Coney Island Hot Dog Stand was originally in the Aspen Park area of Conifer, but was moved to the nearby community of Bailey.

Trivia

• Conifer is depicted in the South Park episodes "Grey Dawn" and "The Return of the Fellowship of the Rings to the Two Towers" as the home of the fictional Two Towers video store. South Park creator Trey Parker is from Conifer.
• The Aspen Park neighborhood of Conifer was home to the Coney Island hot dog stand from 1970 until 2006, when it was moved to Bailey, Colorado.
• A magnitude 3.1 tremor centered on Berrian Mountain about 1 mile north of Conifer occurred on November 1, 1981, at 8:03 p.m. MST.
• Conifer is home to one of two Safeway flagship stores (the other being in Boulder, Colorado). The Safeway was moved to a new building in late 2006 above highway 285.

Geography

Conifer is located at (39.520463,-105.305843).

See also

• Denver-Aurora Metropolitan Statistical Area
• Denver-Aurora-Boulder Combined Statistical Area
• Front Range Urban Corridor
• List of cities and towns in Colorado

References

External links

• Conifer Area Webcams
• Conifer Area Chamber of Commerce