Powderhorn

Denver is known for its abundance of outdoor adventures, and the suburbs that surround the city do not stray from this claim to fame. Powderhorn, a residential community 30 minutes southwest of the city, is certainly an opportune locale for anyone seeking opportunities to ski, hike, swim and just get active—both indoor and outdoor.

Along the southern edge of Powderhorn, the four-lane South Simms Street leads to Eagle Point, a broad subdivision full of muted, earth-toned postmodern Craftsman-like and postmodern ranch homes with landscaped lawns and distant mountain views. These houses, with two-car garages and driveways, range from 2,000 to 3,000 square feet and can cost between $775,000 to $900,000. Sidewalks weave through the development up and down the streets, making it easy for residents to breathe in the fresh air.

A drive down West Coal Mine Ave, another four-lane road that cuts through the northern part of the neighborhood, will pass by Panorama Ridge and Woodbury Hills. Split levels, ranches and modernized Craftsman houses in these subdivisions range from 2,500 to 3,500 square feet in size and $700,000 to $800,000 in price. Homeowners maintain smaller front lawns with aesthetic gardening and enjoy the privacy of fenced-in backyards, parking their vehicles in attached garages or driveways to keep the streets and sidewalks open for dog walks and morning strolls.

Young learners living in Powderhorn can attend Powderhorn Elementary School, which receives a B grade and is ranked for having the Best Public Elementary School Teachers in the state, according to Niche. Students can then move on to Summit Ridge Middle School, which receives a B+ Niche grade, before attending Chattfield High School, ranked among Niche’s Best High Schools for STEM in Colorado.

On the north side of West Coal Mine Ave is Powderhorn Park, where soccer players run drills, joggers cruise the paved track and parents push their kids on the swings. One mile to the west, Powderhorn residents can become members at Ridge Recreation Center, which includes access to an indoor pool and waterpark, basketball and volleyball courts, a rock wall, a fitness center and an outdoor playground. Right next door is the Edge Ice Arena, where hockey games and ice-skating practices take place. “Powderhorn is a suburban area with a lot of easily accessible outdoor activities that are either right in your backyard or a short drive away,” says local church administrator and community member Cathi Thelen. Three miles to the east of the neighborhood, off West Bowles Avenue, is Clement Park on Johnston Lake Reservoir. “A lot of sports teams use the fields for games and there's an Amphitheater for live music concerts,” Cathi adds.

Kipling Place Shopping Center is a five-minute drive east, where Powderhorn residents can exercise at the 24-hour fitness center, run errands at CVS, grab a bite at one of the fast-food restaurants and catch a movie at the cinemas. Locals can pick up fresh ingredients and household essentials at Natural Grocers just a mile outside of the neighborhood. Two miles on the other side of town, people living in Powderhorn can get their one-stop shopping done at Wal-Mart before sitting down for a breakfast burrito at Bowle’s Café, a cozy Czech-inspired diner, both off Interstate 470.

“C-470 is a major highway that can take you to the Red Rocks Park and Amphitheater in just 15 minutes, and you’ll pass Bear Creek Lake on the way, where people go to kayak, swim, hike, and golf on the multiple golf courses in the area,” says Cathi. Locals can continue on Interstate 470 for 15 more minutes to get to Denver, where there are even more shopping and dining options, as well as art museums and a vibrant nightlife.

Written By

Mary Beth Greene

Photography Contributed By

Laurel Turton

Video By

Austin Lewis