Something narrow, like a spruce. Will probably take approximately 20 years to be 20 ft. tall, assuming a start with a small specimen. You could lop a little off that wait by planting a larger one, but not much. And a large one could be much more expensive and harder to find - anything over about 5 or 6 ft. tall might not even be present in a particular market in any given year.

Here we have companies specializing in larger specimens, perhaps there is enough upscale purchasing around there for one of these operations to actually be present - despite the rigorous climate. Even if there isn't a big tree company if you have the budget you can get a landscape contractor to come out and put in a big tree.

bboy: Thanks. No budget for a giant tree, but we're investigating options.

laag: Good psychological advice, I know. (I used to be a practicing therapist.) I think looking past the pole will become easier after we move in. The development below we actually found attractive -- it is way below us and across a lake and valley; it reminded us of a place we once visited in Switzerland.

Thank you, both.

bboy: Thanks. No budget for a giant tree, but we're investigating options.

laag: Good psychological advice, I know, and it is a gorgeous view. I think looking past the pole will become easier after we move in. The development below we actually found attractive -- it is way below us and across a lake and valley; it reminded us of a place we once visited in Switzerland.

Thank you, both.

Question...Will you be building a sitting/viewing deck on that side of the house?

laag is right (as usual). I know this because my parents live in Evergreen with a very similar view and a very similar power pole. I don't even notice the power pole, nor do they. It is a shame that Colorado has not used underground utilities more extensively, but I do think you will focus more on the view and less on the power pole as you get used to it. Gorgeous location!

We are. It's very small, 8x20. We have a walkout basement, and a patio there that is also 8x20. From the lower level it's easy to look out and ignore the pole/transformer; not so easy from the deck. Our lot is at the top of a ridge, with a valley below, several mountain ranges ahead, and a lake to the right and below. The mountain seen from the main level is the only close one, though. The walkout basement has a level area in front of it about 20x37; after that the front slopes down quickly and there are slopes upward to both sides.

Susan,
If I understand the situation correctly, from the inside you will be viewing the scene looking across your small deck. If this is so then I would put some serious thought into the deck railing. Probably a cable type railing would work well and the parallel line across the horizon should help to draw the eye downward and outward. If dealing with a large picture window, placing a telescope by the window would keep the eye looking forward as one moved about inside the house.

prairie love: Thank you. It is a wonderful location. The utility company is just about immovable, and still putting up power poles. Amazing in this gorgeous State.

nandina: Thanks for your helpful suggestions. Your name reminds me to find out if we can plant nandina here. I planted it along our foundation in Northern California, and loved it.

Won't be hardy there at all. Get a copy of the Sunset Western Garden Book to check on such things. Another one you might have a use for is The Garden of Joy by James Searles. Probably not in print - don't know one way or the other - but maybe you can find it in a library system, at a used book store, or on the internet. Talks about gardening in the intermountain region and has extensive section of plants that are suitable.