City in the Denver foothills prioritizing natural space and recreation
Ken Caryl is a city of subdivisions at the foot of the Front Range in southwestern Denver. “There’s not much more development here; it’s much less populated, so less traffic, fewer people, and it feels a little bit more like you’re getting into the mountains in this part of town versus the buzzing suburbs,” says Mindi Sanders, a Realtor at eXp Realty in Littleton, who has lived in the community since 2013. “Ken Caryl is referred to in two different ways. There’s what would qualify on a map, and then the true Ken-Caryl Ranch master-planned community.” The master-planned community spans most of the area and includes over 4,000 residences and 120 acres of green space and parks. This city of about 33,000 and is a short commute from healthcare employers and the Denver Tech Center.
Chatfield State Park sits southeast of Charter, offering plenty of outdoor activities.
Ken Caryl Ranch Community Park near Dakota Station has a backdrop of mountain views.
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Venturing outdoors and Ranch House Park events
Parks vary from 2-acre green spaces with a playground and multi-use field to 17-acre Dakota Lodge, an equestrian center with trails and a fishing pond. Meadows Golf Club is a public course at the foot of Hogback Mountain. Ranch House Park sits at the community’s center and has a swimming pool, athletic fields, disc golf course and open space for hosting annual events. Rockin’ in the Ranch is a summer series hosted on the park’s soccer field that includes food truck vendors and live music. “There are tons of different interest groups—Ken Caryl ladies hiking, Ken Caryl camping, all mostly Facebook groups—so it makes it feel like a much smaller community because you’re able to meet and connect with people so easily through those groups,” Sanders says.
Nearby, Chatfield Reservoir spans over 5,300 acres and has nearly 33 miles of trails, many of which are bike- and equestrian-friendly. During the warm spring and summer months people boat and water ski. South Valley Park is 995 acres with red sandstone spires and dirt paths totaling almost 8 miles. The Denver Botanic Gardens Chatfield Farms has ticketed tours and exhibits centered around agriculture and horticulture.
Horseback riding is common sport at the Ken Caryl Equestrian Center.
Hildebrand Ranch Park is a popular destination where visitors can walk and bike dirt trails.
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Ken Caryl communities with Craftsman influences and trail access
The neighborhood has many ranch-style and new traditional homes with Craftsman influence. Ken-Caryl Ranch is a master-planned community with sidewalks running along the streets that connect each subdivision to playgrounds, athletic facilities and schools. The median single-family home price is $650,000, about $250,000 higher than the national median, according to the National Association of Realtors. Condos and townhouses are also available in communities such as Meadowbrook Heights, and these range in price from about $220,000 to $650,000.
Most residential streets in Meadowbrook Heights do not have paved sidewalks.
Most homes in Meadowbrook Heights are surrounded by mature trees.
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Jeffco Schools district through Chatfield High School
Jefferson County Public Schools district, locally known as “Jeffco Schools,” serves Ken Caryl and earns an A-minus from Niche. Most ninth through 12th-grade students attend Chatfield High School, and others may attend Dakota Ridge High School; both schools receive A-minus grades.
Falcon Bluffs Middle School is an above average school in Littleton with a score of B+ on Niche.
Chatfield High School is a highly rated public school in Littleton.
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Shopping centers, Southwest Plaza and entertainment centers
Shopping centers with national grocers, retailers such as Kohl’s and fast food chains are pocketed between subdivisions. There are more restaurants that serve Mexican food and pizza, as well as a variety of local sports bars. Southwest Plaza is an indoor shopping mall with major retailers and a Round1 Bowling & Arcade. Bowles Crossing shopping mall is nearby and has additional retail chains, a movie theater and a paint your own pottery studi.
Visit Southwest Plaza for shopping, dining, and entertainment activities.
Southwest Plaza Mall has a food court with a number of nostalgic eateries.
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Highway and toll road travel around Ken Caryl
State Highway 470—locally known as “C-470”—runs through Ken Caryl’s southern area before it merges with Extension 470, a toll road. The Denver Tech Center is about 20 miles via C-470, and the Denver International Airport is about 25 more miles away and has domestic and international flights. Kipling Parkway ties the area to downtown Denver in roughly 20 miles. Downtown Denver has national sports teams, stadiums and Fortune 500 companies. The Regional Transportation District has regional buses that run between Ken Caryl and Denver.
Crime data is not available for Ken Caryl
Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office serves Ken Caryl, but crime data is not readily available.
Written By
Lauren Melton
Photography Contributed By
Laurel Turton
Video By
Maurice Boone
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Ken Caryl Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Ken Caryl, CO sell after 42 days on the market compared to the national average of 50 days. The median sale price for homes in Ken Caryl, CO over the last 12 months is $565,000, up 5% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
LaDawn treats each of her clients as a potential neighbor - even if you do not end up living next door to her! Buying or selling a house is not just a financial transaction; it is a big change that can be difficult, emotional, or even scary. It also requires market expertise of the JeffCo and Denver metro area, and the passion, quality service and impeccable integrity she brings to each transaction. She is honored to help you manage through that change and to invest in you as you search for the house and neighborhood you will call "home."
LaDawn was not always a realtor, supporting her clients, negotiating contracts on their behalf, and managing the hundreds of the details required to buy or sell a home. For many years she enjoyed a successful and rewarding career in public relations, corporate communications, marketing, employee communications and change management. Along the way, she also earned a master's degree in communications and marketing. However, she had a secret obsession - houses. In her spare time, LaDawn checked out new listings, visited open houses and researched neighborhoods. She decided to embrace her passion, invest in herself, and become a licensed real estate agent. She never looked back. Now her professional experience helps her market and sell her client's homes while helping them manage the change involved with moving.
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.
