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.
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.
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.