Westminster

In Southeast Westminster, a municipality 10 miles north of Denver, you have all the advantages of living in the mile-high city, without the high cost of living, says Realtor Brittany Heckenburg with Keller Williams Avenues Realty. “Denver is known for its microbreweries, downtown nightlife and sports teams,” she says. “But with home prices high, Denver is a harder market to buy into. In Westminster, the buy-in is entry-level, and you can have the same lifestyle.”<br><br>In this well-established section of Westminster, where most homes were built between 1950 and 1980, the streets are wide with mature spruces and pines and traditional sidewalks. Here, you’ll find midcentury-modern, ranch and split-level homes with large picture windows, some with brick facades, starting at $400,000, and contemporary two-story homes with prominent garages that start at $600,000. Properties in the Hidden Lake subdivision list for as much as $1.3 million and feature boat docks and houses with up to 3,000 square feet of living space. “Hidden Lake is only one of a few lakes in the Denver area that allow powerboats,” Heckenburg says. “If you love boating and want to live near Denver, Westminster is a great option.” Condos and town houses are also available in the $225,000 to $475,000 range, many with community pools and biking/hiking trails nearby.<br><br>The schools that serve the community all received Cs from Niche. Harris Park Elementary keeps students focused on their goals by having them complete goal forms and displaying them in the hallways, a practice students love. When they rise from fifth grade to middle school, students receive all their goals sheets from previous years as their diplomas. At Shaw Heights Middle, more than 450 students participate in the school’s physical education program each year. The instructor is cross-fit kid certified, ensuring workouts are both challenging and safe. Students at Westminster High can gain college credit and real-world experience by taking advantage of the school’s career and technical education program. Several career pathways are offered, including construction technology, engineering and animal science. Students work closely with local businesses and community leaders and are better prepared for college or the workforce after graduation.<br><br>A popular recreational area and transportation hub is the Westminster Station and Nature Play Park, constructed along Little Dry Creek. The playground is built almost entirely of logs, boulders, rope and other natural materials, with a slide that follows the natural slope of the hill and a wooden bridge that connects it to a performance stage where concerts and other events are held. Little Dry Creek Dog Park is about a block west and features separately fenced areas for small and large dogs. To the east, you’ll find the train station itself, with commuter service to Denver’s Union Station. The station features beautifully designed landscaping that overlays Little Dry Creek, with walkways in a geometrical pattern and steppingstones that guide commuters over the creek. The neighborhood is also dotted with parks like Tennyson Knolls Park, which features a children’s playground, tennis courts and a half basketball court.<br><br>You’ll recognize the Westminster City Center by its distinctive Spanish-tile red roofs. Popular stores like DSW and Barnes & Noble are located here. At the Sheridan Crossing Shopping Center, you’ll also find a Walmart Supercenter and King Soopers grocery store. If you and your family are fans of great burgers, look no further than Jim’s Burger Haven. This old-school burger joint uses only Colorado-raised beef with no antibiotics or hormones. Jim’s also hosts car shows and sponsors a race team and a little league baseball team to preserve the legacy of its founder, Jim Moser. Frolic Brewing is about a 9-mile drive northeast of the neighborhood, but well worth it. Here, you can sample nearly 20 beers and hard seltzers on tap and try dozens of foodie favorites, such as smoked chicken, pork or brisket on Texas toast or creamy buffalo chicken pizza.<br><br>With Route 36 running through Southeast Westminster, the neighborhood also offers fast access to Boulder, Heckenberg says. Whether it’s the proximity to two major cities, the cost of living or all the recreational opportunities, Westminster may have the perfect Colorado address for you.

Known for its prime location near 88th Avenue and Standley Lake, Kings Mill is a suburban Westminster neighborhood with convenience and an abundance of activities. Nicki Thompson with RE/MAX Alliance, with over 20 years of experience in the Denver Metro area adds that “Kings Mill’s fantastic location is minutes from Wadsworth and Highway 36, department stores, grocery stores and churches,” as well. Although housing inventory is low across the board in Colorado due to disproportionate construction, the relatively accessible home prices in Kings Mill make it a coveted option. With outdoor recreation opportunities and highly rated schools nearby, “Kings Mill is certainly a place to consider if you’re seeking affordability in Jefferson County,” says Realtor and Westminster resident Karen Levine with RE/MAX Alliance. Additionally, 88th Avenue features shopping centers with department stores, fitness clubs and restaurants. With downtown Denver about 14 miles away and amenities aplenty in close reach, Kings Mill offers a low-key lifestyle with activities available for residents who desire more action. One of the biggest draws to Kings Mill is its outdoor recreation and its proximity to Standley Lake, which spans about 3,000 acres and includes an impressive wildlife refuge. Locals can watch the magpies here and hit the trails for a bike ride or stargaze in one of the park’s campsites. From the lake, Oakhurst Park is easily accessible, which is a linear greenway popular for daily dog walks. The park also has a colorful playground and an expansive picnic shelter that can accommodate large groups, making it a popular spot for birthday parties and summer barbecues. More facilities are available at Kings Mill Park, such as tennis courts and a skatepark. Skirted by the Big Dry Creek Trail, one of Westminster’s main trail systems, Westbrook Park includes courts for street hockey and tennis, along with a sprawling playscape with a central seating area. With access to Westbrook Shopping Center to the north and other mini malls off 88th Avenue to the east, Kings Mill residents have plenty of options to pick up groceries and other necessities. King Soopers, Safeway, Target and Walmart are all within 3 miles, along with other big-box stores, like The Home Depot. Kings Mill also has numerous popular dining-out options. Those craving a spicy meal can head to Corona’s Mexican Grill, where the signature salsa has a reputation for starting a fire that only an order of fried ice cream can extinguish. Thompson also mentions Old Chicago and Marcos for pizza and CD’s Wings, which claims the best wings in Colorado since 2007. As pickleball continues to dominate the athletic space, Kings Mill has kept up with the trend. Introductory classes are available at Pickleball Food Pub, where local food partnerships help this increasingly popular sport become a catalyst for conversation and connection. Hoffbrau is another spot for social activities, known for its live music, dancing and saloon-inspired atmosphere. Children in Kings Mill can attend schools in Jefferson County Public Schools (Jeffco), beginning at Lukas Elementary and Wayne Carle Middle, which both score B grades on Niche. Standley Lake High, which also earns a B, is the only Jeffco school to offer an IB Diploma program in Westminster, and students zoned for different high schools often come here to take advantage of the district’s choice enrollment program. As an additional option, parents can choose to send their kindergarten through Grade 8 students to B-plus-rated Woodrow Wilson Academy, a charter school with a special program for home-schooled students. Built primarily in the 1970s, houses here range from ranch-style homes and contemporary wood sided builds with stone sidings to condos clad in terra cotta. Levine notes that the average home value of just over $500,000 is significantly lower than the city average of almost $570,000. Condos often start around $300,000, while single-family homes can climb up to about $950,000. Side-by-side duplexes offer mirrored floor plans and yard space, and many homes include electric baseboard heat, something Levine notes as an attractive feature for homebuyers. “Electric baseboard heat was a challenge in the past because electricity was expensive at the time, but it’s more attractive now as we’re electrifying everything,” Levine says. As more residents turn away from gas, homes already fitted for all-electric appliances become more sought after. Residents can hop on Highway 36 and Interstate 25 to head toward downtown Denver, and Thompson mentions that a perk of Kings Mill’s location is proximity to RTD-Denver bus stops along 88th Avenue. While some residential streets have sidewalks, the walkability is relatively low, as most residents get around by car. Parking is not an issue, as most properties have built-in garages or driveways. For air travel, the Denver International Airport is about 26 miles away. Health and urgent-care clinics are available within a couple miles, with the closest major hospital about 8 miles away at North Suburban Medical Center.

Close to nature Trailside is in the Westminster/Arvada area northwest of Denver. The neighborhood is situated equidistant between Denver and Boulder and offers lots of bike and walking trails. Trailside is an apt name for this area, as a paved walking and biking trail follows the Little Dry Creek Tributary through the middle of the neighborhood. The trail also goes through two parks in Trailside, providing convenient access to outdoor recreation. Trailside is also considered at the Rocky Mountains' Eastern foothills. Convenience for outdoor fun The two parks in Trailside include Nottingham Park, where the paved trail that follows the Little Dry Creek Tributary begins, which is around 7 acres. The park has a pavilion, several picnic tables, some under a shelter, multi-use turf fields for soccer or baseball and a playground. Trailside Park is larger than Nottingham Park at 10 acres but is a longer and thinner piece of land. There is a pavilion, two picnic tables and a playground. A short drive to the west will lead to Standley Lake, which spans about 3,000 acres and includes a wildlife refuge. Of course, there’s fun on the water, including paddleboarding, kayaking and fishing. The lake is also the primary drinking water source for the City of Westminster. Pomona Lake is much smaller and is a little bit closer. That lake is stocked with largemouth bass, catfish and bluegill. Cul-de-sacs and suburban winding roads There’s very little chance of someone driving through the Trailside neighborhood without having a purpose. With entrances off the main streets of 88th Avenue, Wadsworth Boulevard and Garrison St, the homes in the neighborhood can be found on winding roads that connect to various cul-de-sacs. “The homes here were all built in the same period of the late 1970s and early 1980s,” says Karen Levine, a Realtor with RE/MAX Alliance. “That’s why there are so many ranch-style and bi-levels.” Most have three to four bedrooms and 1,000 and 2,400 square feet. “The single-family homes are priced between $450,000 and $600,000,” Levine adds. Condos and townhouses also are prominent, with some below 1,000 square feet. Those prices run from $300,000 to $400,000. Sixty-six percent of people in Trailside are homeowners. Throwback vibe and Italian food The owner of Sano’s Italian Kitchen says on the restaurant’s website that he wanted to create a throwback vibe to Denver supper clubs of the 1950s. Signature dishes include the Eggplant Caroline and classic Italian dishes like Fettuccine Alfredo or Rigatoni Macaroni. Snarf’s Sandwiches started in Boulder in 1996 but has grown into a regional chain. The sandwiches are made to order with premium meats, cheeses and crisp veggies. King Soopers and Safeway are just a few miles south on Wadsworth Boulevard for grocery needs. Top 20 school district in Colorado Kids in Trailside can attend schools in the Jefferson County District, ranked the 20th best school district in the state. Weber Elementary has a B overall rating and a student-teacher ratio of 15-to-1. Moore Middle School has a campus parent portal that allows families to maintain emergency contact information, pay fees online and keep up with classroom progress. The school has a B-minus Niche grade. Pomona High School has a B overall grade and offers 45 career and technical education courses to ready students for lifetime careers. Light rail connects to downtown Denver The B light rail line operated by the Regional Transportation District of Denver goes from the Westminster Station on Grove Street, about five miles away, to downtown Denver. The downtown station can connect to other light rail lines. RTD also runs bus lines with multiple stops on 88th Avenue. It’s less than a 20-minute drive to the North Suburban Medical Center in nearby Thornton.

With parks to the north, south, east and west and a host of malls and shopping centers in the vicinity, one would be hard-pressed to find nothing to do in Westcliff and Cambridge, Colorado. “Most of the homes were built in the late 1990s,” says David Hakimi, team leader of Colorado’s Elite. “They range from anywhere from starter to move-up homes, and there’s a number of tract homes as well.” The home styles in Westcliff and Cambridge are a mix of bi-levels, tri-levels and ranch houses, with prices falling between $600,000 and $700,000 and some featuring stone detailing. Students attend Semper Elementary School, which is rated by Niche at a B-. Mandalay Middle School is rated at a B- with Niche, while Standley Lake High School has a score of B and its extracurricular programs have won awards. Those include its newspaper publication and its branch of the Family, Career and Community Leaders of America. Over at Westminster City Park, walk through its gates and find several baseball fields, a skate park and a recreation center alongside a sizable green space. The park’s varied amenities are perfect for a pickup game of baseball, perfecting your skating or rollerblading on the skate park’s ramps or taking a stroll along its pathways. Sherwood Park offers a playground and some pavilions, while Ryan Park features baseball fields and a playground of its own. “The area’s close to Broomfield and close to Lake Arbor and Standley Lake,” Hakimi says. “Lake Arbor has a golf course, as well, and Standley Lake is a nice lake with a decent size. There’s no motorboats allowed, but they do allow paddleboards and sailboats.” Standley Lake also features a wildlife refuge and an expansive open space alongside the water. “Standley Lake is probably the biggest, coolest thing next to Westcliff and Cambridge, for sure,” Hakimi added. “There’s the two lakes there in the area with really close proximity to both of those.” There’s no shortage of malls in the region, either. “You’re fairly close to Flatirons Crossing, which has quite a bit of nice stuff in it, and Westminster Mall is definitely in the vicinity,” Hakimi says. “Both are a mile or two in each direction, and Interlocken is north of the Rocky Mountain Airport and has quite a bit of employment just a mile or two up the highway.” Both Westminster Mall and Flatirons Crossing have a numerous local and national chains. Nearby is the Westminster Promenade, stacked with shops, restaurants and more for residents of the area. Catch the latest movies at the AMC Theaters inside, make a day of it at Dave & Buster’s and cap things off with Menchie’s Frozen Yogurt. The Ice Centre at the Promenade is home to hockey, ice skating, lessons and more for anyone looking to take to the ice indoors. Also in the area is LaMar’s Donuts, with an expansive menu of baked goods, as well as a Vasa Fitness. Just across Highway 36 are the Shops at Walnut Creek, where shopping chains include Old Navy, PetSmart and a SuperTarget and restaurants consist of Buffalo Wild Wings, Cold Stone Creamery and more. Wonderland Brewing Co. has something for nearly everyone, focusing on craft beer alongside providing more than half a dozen attractions for patrons. Customers can take to the mini-golf course behind the main building, or enjoy pickleball, cornhole, pinball and arcade games, an outdoor stage and more.

Until recently, there was no such thing as Downtown Westminster or “Downtown Westy,” as it is commonly known. “Downtown Westminster has really undergone some modernization,” says Joann Perito, an Avenues Unlimited broker with 26 years of experience selling in Colorado. “There are some things that still are from the old Westminster Mall, but most of that got knocked down and has been redone with apartments; it’s newer, trendy and there’s walkability.” Perito adds that residents love knowing, “We can go over to the Alamo, have dinner, have drinks, watch a movie; and all of this really close to US-36, which is the gateway to Boulder.” Shopping centers line the neighborhood edges, from box stores to local businesses and chains on the first level of new apartment complexes. Locals browse the shelves at retailers such as Ross and Ulta at Westminster City Center on the east side, while shoppers at Towne Center at Brookhill on the west side explore the racks at Burlington and stock up on home improvement supplies at Home Depot. Grocery shoppers find everyday items at H Mart and buy in bulk at Costco in the neighborhood’s center. A morning drive to Sweet Bloom connects residents with what Food & Wine magazine called the best coffee shop in Colorado in 2022. Next door, Tap & Burger also holds national recognition – not just for the restaurant's juicy burgers – but for the culinary director responsible for creating the menu, Top Chef alumna Carrie Baird. There is no need to decide between dinner and a movie for date nights, with local theater chain Alamo Drafthouse in the neighborhood’s southeastern corner. While construction slowed following the pandemic, new luxury housing options quickly joined the area's more established inventory. Units in the Townhomes in the Harlan community were the first completed and feature newbuild amenities coupled with city and mountain views from their rooftop terraces. “In Downtown Westminster, there’s a community called Trendwood, and because of the new Downtown Westminster, those values of that Trendwood exploded in the last three years – those normally were around $185,000, and now you’re seeing homes at $600,000 – it’s because people were like ‘Look where we get to live. We can go shopping, bowling and the Alamo is super close,’” Perito says. While late 1970s ranch-style homes list between $440,000 for a three-bedroom and $585,000 for a five-bedroom, early 2000s Contemporary Craftsman in Wadsworth Estates list between $740,000 and $1.1 million. Homeowners associations maintain the upkeep of community amenities like clubhouses in these newer developments, with monthly dues hovering between $115 and $150. Rentals comprise 65% of the neighborhood, with rent ranging roughly between $1,400 for a one-bedroom and $3,000 for a three-bedroom. Downtown Westminster students may attend Jeffco schools. Since Colorado is an open-enrollment state, they may apply to any public school regardless of their district. Downtown Westminster students are districted for Adams Elementary, Mandalay Middle School and Standley Lake High School, each of which earns a Grade B from Niche. Standley Lake students may challenge themselves academically and athletically by choosing from the 14 Advanced Placement courses and 21 varsity sports programs offered. Residents are within a 2-mile radius of recreation, from parks with trails to sports courts and fields. Across from the Towne Center at Brookhill, children climb and slide on Westglenn Park’s playset while parents watch on from the picnic pavilion. McFall Park sets the stage for playing pretend with its castle-themed playground. Walkers and bikers enjoy the warmer weather setting out on the park’s paved loop trail, seeking out the splash pad along with other parkgoers when temperatures peak. Just north of town, Westminster City Park draws softball and soccer players with the Christopher Fields, disc golf enthusiasts with an 18-hole course and locals looking for entertainment with annual events such as the Independence Day firework celebration. The park’s recreation center provides a welcome relief from Colorado’s low temperatures, with a pool, sauna and indoor fitness center. Contrasting the calm on the greens at The Greg Mastriona Golf Courses at Hyland Hills, the neighboring Adventure Golf & Raceway unleashes the inner kid with many opportunities for exploration. Mini golfers weave through the park’s 54 holes, avoiding water obstacles in the jungle as a volcano erupts a hole over. Competitors also find fun along Go-Kart tracks and up high on the park’s ropes course. Located at the crossroads of Sheridan Boulevard and U.S. Route 36 – the Denver Boulder Turnpike – Westy commuters arrive in Downtown Denver in under 14 miles and Downtown Boulder in roughly 17 miles. Regional Transportation District (RTD) has routes around both roads, and US-36 is joined with the U.S. 36 Bikeway, stretching north to Boulder and south to Denver. Between these main roads, public transit and bike paths throughout the community, residents can unlock the most from Downtown Westminster.