Reinventing itself has become part of the culture in Black Hawk. This city, with only around 100 year-round residents yet boasting an annual budget of $25 million, is ready to transform once again.

If you are looking for mountain living in a vibrant community, Black Hawk has plenty to offer. There are a variety of homes and land options for sale in this community tucked away northwest of Denver. Black Hawk is located on the scenic Peak to Peak Highway, and the views in this area of the Indian Peaks are spectacular.

Burrowed next to the Arapahoe National Forest in the shadow of Maryland Mountain, this thriving gambling community, which covers a mere two square miles, is gearing up to revamp its image once again. The city is realigning historic Gregory Street to create a new pedestrian mall. Plans call for craft beer and distillery purveyors on the mall as well as a variety of retailers and restaurants. Additionally, a parking structure has been erected to accommodate over 100 cars. Rounding out the metamorphosis,  the city has acquired hundreds of acres of land on Maryland Mountain in the hopes of creating a network of hiking and single-track biking trails.

From gold rush town to gambling mecca to now pursuing prodigious plans to diversify, Black Hawk continues to tweak its vision in order to create a year-round, varied economic base. While gambling will most likely continue to fuel its economy (the city’s gambling operations contribute $91 million in taxes to the state), city leaders also recognize the importance of attracting a wider base.

As a result, Black Hawk is in the process of establishing itself as a resort destination for people interested in other activities than just gambling — namely mountain biking and hiking, and providing shopping and dining opportunities. With the hopes of becoming a year-round destination, plans also include doubling the hotel capacity to reach 1,500 rooms. Check out the Mountain Mocha Cafe for the best coffee above 9,000 feet.