Fort Lupton

Known for its large properties and quiet dirt roads, Aristocrat Ranchettes is a small, rural community located 5 miles from Fort Lupton and 30 miles south of Greeley. The neighborhood is equestrian friendly, with many back yards housing horses and other farm animals, while the residential streets are surrounded by hundreds of acres of open fields and farmland. “The main draw to the area is that you get more land for your money compared to neighborhoods in Fort Lupton,” says Alexis Moran, a local real estate agent with Realty One Group Premier. “You’re pretty close to Denver too, but out here you can see the stars at night and views of the farmland in the day.” Locals have views of the Rocky Mountains from their front yards, and a lack of traffic on the cottonwood-lined streets allows for a peaceful atmosphere. Ranch-style homes and bungalows sit on single-acre lots. Prices range from $200,000 to $600,000. Empty lots, usually around 1 acre, sell for $100,000 to $190,000. Two-bedroom homes built in the 1960s and 1970s range from $280,000 to $350,000, while newer builds with three and four bedrooms go for $400,000 to $650,000. Fenced-in yards are common, and many back lots have been converted to horse paddocks. Additionally, most homes have low-water-use landscaping instead of grass due to the area’s arid climate in the summer months. Twombly Elementary School and Fort Lupton Middle School both have a C-minus overall grade from Niche. Fort Lupton High School earns a C rating and partners with Aims Community College for its concurrent enrollment courses. The high school offers a varied selection of extracurricular activities, including Spanish club, folklorico dance and Knowledge Bowl. The Fort Lupton Public Library is a mile from Fort Lupton High and hosts adult book clubs, weekly craft nights and monthly Mexican street food cooking classes. Residents of Aristocrat Ranchettes can drive 5 miles to Fort Lupton to run errands or grab a meal. “A lot of the local restaurants get their eggs and dairy products from nearby farms,” Moran says. Wholly Stromboli has been in business for over a decade serving pizzas, calzones and strombolis. The Speakeasy at Wholly Stromboli is a prohibition-era-themed cocktail bar below the casual eatery and can be rented for private events. Santiago’s Mexican Restaurant is a Denver-area chain with authentic Mexican cuisine served all day, from stuffed sopapilla and breakfast burritos to carnitas street tacos and tamales. The Safeway on 1st Street is the go-to spot for groceries and essentials. The Waves of Grain Farmers Market is held each Wednesday in Railroad Park, where visitors can buy fresh produce, organic eggs, grass-fed beef and more. The Coyote Creek Golf Course is a public, 18-hole course with verdant fairways and greens. Community Center Park sits behind the Fort Lupton Recreation Center and has paved walkways, soccer fields and a playground. The rec center has an indoor pool, basketball courts and a fitness center complete with a 27-foot rock climbing wall. The city's recreation department organizes events and programs, including both youth and adult sports leagues and dance classes for kids. Pearson Park sits on the western bank of the South Platte River and is home to baseball diamonds, a scenic walking path, open fields and two enclosed dog areas. For horseback riding, locals can take the one-hour, 58-mile drive to Fort Morgan to ride along the Twamore Trails that wind alongside the South Platte River. Residents can take state Route 85 about 30 miles north to Greeley or 35 miles south to downtown Denver, while Interstate 76 can take drivers 58 miles northeast to Fort Morgan.