$1,713,433Average Value$645Average Price per Sq Ft4Homes For Sale
Active mountain community near Boulder
Mountain peaks and river valleys are accessible from Sunshine Canyon, a remote neighborhood along a ridge, about 7 miles west of Boulder. “It’s called Sunshine Canyon because we get more sunshine than the other ridges in the area,” says Real Estate Broker Brooke Weathers with Compass, who has lived in Sunshine Canyon for almost 20 years. “Beyond the natural beauty, the warmth and the people, the topography is really in our favor.”
Sunshine Canyon is a remote neighborhood along a ridge, about 7 miles west of Boulder
Commuters from Sunshine Canyon can take the road east to get to downtown Boulder.
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Single-family mountain homes
Homes in Sunshine Canyon are scattered along dirt and gravel roads that wind through the natural landscape. Luxury mountain homes with rustic, cabin-inspired features such as wood exteriors, balconies and beamed ceilings are common. These properties span 3,000 to 4,500 square feet and cost $1.2 million to $2.5 million, depending on size and architecture. Traditional farmhouses with acres of flat land and grassy fields are also available. These homes are 2,000 to 2,500 square feet and priced around $700,000 to $1 million.
Older cabins from the early 1900s are rare, but still available on the mountain. There are also a handful of mountain homes with a modern design, such as floor-to-ceiling windows and simple exteriors. These properties are similarly priced, between $1.1 million and $1.5 million. “The neighborhood has a smattering of different homes,” Weathers says. “A lot of properties are over 35 acres because you’re not allowed to subdivide them less than that. It guarantees the mountain character of the area because we do not have density.” Larger properties lend to more privacy and seclusion. The CAP Index crime score for Sunshine Canyon is 1 out of 10, which is significantly lower compared to the national average of 4.
Older cabins from the 1950s are rare in Sunshine Canyon, but still available on the mountain.
Traditional ranch houses with acres of flat land are also available in Sunshine Canyon.
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Mountains, creeks and trails
Sunshine Canyon is surrounded by mountains. Sunshine Canyon Trail follows the nearby valley and is open to hiking, biking and horseback riding. It connects to the Centennial Trail and the Red Rocks Spur Trail outside the neighborhood. There’s also the Fourmile Canyon Creek, which has multiple trails that follow a stream, as well as the Lion's Lair Trail. Bald Mountain Scenic Area is a short hike off Sunshine Canyon Drive that leads to a vista of the Great Plains. There are picnic tables by the trailhead for resting. The Peaks to Peaks Loop is accessible from the area for a mile-long hike. Additionally, Sunshine Canyon Drive has a roadside scenic overlook less than 2 miles from Gold Hill that looks out into the valley.
Have a gorgeous hike on the Lion's Lair Trail in the afternoon.
Welcome sign greets you at the Bald Mountain Scenic Area.
Sunshine Canyon Drive has a scenic overlook nearby Gold Hill that looks over the valley.
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A-rated schools in Boulder
Families living in Sunshine Canyon can send their kids to schools within the Boulder Valley School District. Flatirons Elementary School earns an A grade from Niche and has a Nordic Ski Program. Casey Middle School is considered a Pre-Advanced Placement school and receives an A-minus. Boulder High School maintains an A grade and offers multiple career pathways programs, including a curriculum for teaching, business and the visual and performing arts.
Flatirons Elementary School earns an A grade from Niche and has a Nordic Ski Program.
Casey Middle School is considered a Pre-Advanced Placement school and receives an A-minus.
A view of the Boulder High School buildings from the street.
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Getting the community together
Sunshine Canyon’s community is notably close, with at least three seasonal events held every year at the local fire station. These include the Sunshine Community Festival in the fall and the Wine Tasting Fundraiser in November. There are also several smaller events held at the historic schoolhouse, such as a Halloween event for kids and an arts and crafts festival. “You can be a hermit, but if you want a community that’s really connected and cares about each other, then this is the place,” Weathers says.
In Sunshine Canyon beyond the natural beauty, the warmth and the people are in your favor.
The Gold Hill General Store in Sunshine Canyon also sell groceries and local artisan items.
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Traveling around Sunshine Canyon
Sunshine Canyon’s expansive and mountainous landscape requires a vehicle. Sunshine Canyon Drive is the neighborhood’s main thoroughfare, winding through the terrain. Commuters can take the road east to get to downtown Boulder.
Over 35 acres properties in Sunshine Canyon guarantees the mountain character of the area.
Sunshine Canyon Drive is the neighborhood’s main thoroughfare, winding through the terrain.
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Nearby shopping and dining hubs
Since Sunshine Canyon lacks commercial spaces, driving is required for shopping and dining. Gold Hill is a neighborhood roughly 4 miles away that has a main street. The Gold Hill General Store & Pub is a one-stop shop that serves homecooked meals and craft beer while also selling groceries, merchandise and local artisan items. Down the road, the Gold Hill Inn has a beer garden out back with live music. Downtown Boulder is about 7 miles from Sunshine Canyon and has more options. Spruce Confections specializes in breakfast pastries and coffee, while SALT is a farm-to-table bistro. Boulder’s 28th Street commercial corridor has national retailers like Target and REI, plus grocery store options like Safeway, Trader Joe's and Whole Foods Market.
Spruce Confections specializes in breakfast pastries and coffee in Sunshine Canyon.
Boulder’s 28th Street commercial corridor has national retailers like Whole Foods Market.
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The risks of mountain living
Living in a mountainous region can sometimes present unique challenges. The area’s thick forestry and vegetation may put the area at risk for potential wildfires, which is why the Sunshine Fire Protection District has two stations in the neighborhood. The volunteer stations respond to both fire and medical emergencies. According to Weathers, the Fourmile Canyon Fire of 2010 has mitigated the land, so it is now at less of a risk compared to the surrounding valleys.
Additionally, the neighborhood sees roughly 106 inches of snow per year, which is higher than Boulder’s average annual snowfall of 89 inches. “I’ve lived here for 18 years, and I only pay a guy to plow my driveway like five times a season. Usually, it just melts away with the sunshine,” Weathers says.
Sunshine Canyon gets more sunshine than the other ridges in the area hence the name.
Some modern homes energy needs in Sunshine Canyon are provided by solar power.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Zana Leiferman,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
Bald Mountain Scenic Area
Lion's Lair Trail
Sunshine Canyon Scenic Area
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Sunshine Canyon
US
Homicide
1
4
Sexual Assault
1
4
Assault with Weapon
1
4
Robbery
1
4
Burglary
1
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
1
4
Larceny
1
4
Crime Score
1
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Sunshine Canyon Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Sunshine Canyon, Boulder sell after 48 days on the market compared to the national average of 49 days. The median sale price for homes in Sunshine Canyon, Boulder over the last 12 months is $779,000, down 55% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Where else can you live like you're on retreat and be only 12 minutes to downtown, where your drive home is a meditation on beautiful scenery and every turn brings awe inspiring views? Welcome to Sunshine Canyon; the closest in, easiest to drive, and sunniest canyon in Boulder. Great investment opportunity with the Sundance Film Festival coming to Boulder for the next 10 years. This 2,808 sq ft,
Hidden in the tranquil foothills just 15 minutes from downtown Boulder & 1 hour to the Denver airport, is an extraordinary mountain home on the market for the first time. A 17+ acre legacy estate, stunningly crafted with massive timber posts, hand-selected stone, and architectural design that embraces its wild surroundings-this is not simply a home, but an experience. From the moment you drive
Welcome to 5554 Sunshine Canyon Dr! An amazing ~23 acre lot with a designated building site and great access. Situated just 5 easy miles above Boulder and in one of the most sought after mountain communities this is the building opportunity you have been waiting for! This prime location offers amazing views to the east and plenty of acreage and opportunity for whatever your heart desires. 4 mile
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Zana Leiferman,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
323
Median Age
53
Population under 18
14.6%
Below the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
29.7%
Above the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$204,412
Significantly above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$200,639
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
100%
College Graduates
78.4%
Significantly above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
35.5%
Above the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
60.9%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
12''
Average Winter Low Temperature
-1°F
Average Summer High Temperature
80°F
Annual Snowfall
106''
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
10/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
0/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
