When Charles and Patricia Buhring decided to downsize from their large home in Gunbarrel, they chose to take their time and find the perfect new home.

“It took us two-and-a-half years, looking at houses from Castle Rock to Fort Collins, before we decided on The Cottages at Erie Village,” Patricia says.

“We’d always liked Erie Village’s colorful Victorians and the interesting architectural styles,” Patricia recalls. “The homes are different from each other, not exactly the same. And we like the small-town feel of Erie. It is growing, but there is still the feeling of community here. It’s a very friendly neighborhood.”

The parks and nearby amenities are important to the Buhrings as well. “When our grandson visits, he loves to go to the parks and play on the swings. There are lots of places to go for walks and friendly people to say ‘Hi’ to. The Erie community center is about a mile away – we can work out or swim, and it’s also nice to have the library so close.”

The charming and unique cottage homes are at once welcoming and refined – each one comes with both an inviting front porch and a private patio. A colorful streetscape with generous trees, picket fences and attractive groupings of homes suggests an earlier era.

Sustainable construction methods and materials are also important to owners at The Cottages. “I drive a Hybrid car,” says one resident, “and the Built Green designation was a very big part of our home choice. There’s a real broad selection of Built Green options and finishes to choose from nowadays. We all have to look at ways to live well, while managing our impact on the environment. It’s an efficient house, easy to heat and cool. We have great windows, so we get a lot of light, too.”

John Martin, sales associate for The Cottages at Erie Village, says that homeowners love the “lock-and-leave” lifestyle, which means never having to mow a lawn, shovel snow or paint a fence. It’s a great fit for many “downsizers” who travel often or active singles who just want the freedom to enjoy a carefree lifestyle.

Final Phase: View lots and a new Ranch Model Home

As The Cottages at Erie Village move into the final phase of development, new home sites have just been released. Each lot features mountain views or directly adjoins a community pocket park, bringing the feeling of open space right to your door.

There’s also a brand-new model home to tour and discover the incredible value you get with ownership at The Cottages. Homes start in the low $200,000s.

“We’ve also made a few updates to the Nantucket, our most popular Ranch plan,” says David Sinkey, marketing director for Boulder Creek Life and Home, “adding more circulation and finish options. As with all Cottage homes, the lower level is completely finished, and includes an additional bedroom, full bath and a rec room. We think the Nantucket offers great features, design and a manageable size that many single homeowners find very appealing.”

Visit The Cottages at Erie Village Today

From Boulder: Go east on Highway 7 (Baseline Road) to County Line Road, north through the Town of Erie to Bixler Boulevard. Turn left and look for the flagpole on the left. From Denver: I-25 to Exit 229, drive three miles west on Highway 7 to County Line Road, north through the Town of Erie to Bixler Boulevard, turn left and look for the flagpole on the left.

The sales office (303.772.3063), located at 1111 Village Circle, is open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday and Monday.

For information on other innovative communities by Boulder Creek Life and Home, visit www.LiveBoulderCreek.com.

Cooler temperatures and falling leaves are daily reminders that it’s time to finish those outdoor home maintenance projects, winterize the garden and get ready for the cold season.

But instead of raking, painting and frequent trips to the hardware store, residents at The Villas at Pleasant Valley in Longmont are spending their time on hiking trails, enjoying a round of golf or planning a day trip to the high country.

The maintenance-free community is getting rave reviews from active empty-nesters who are seeking a carefree lifestyle, well-appointed ranch floor plans with classic exteriors, and outstanding energy-efficient features.

“It’s always a good time to reduce your home maintenance workload by moving into one of our new patio homes, where all maintenance is done for you. This leaves you more time to enjoy the amenities of the pool, clubhouse and fitness center, and most importantly, your new quality of life!” says Terry Shoaf, lifestyle consultant at The Villas at Pleasant Valley, by Kemmons Wilson Communities.

While many people are interested in downsizing their residences to fit their lifestyle, they’re not looking to downscale their quality of life. At The Villas, you get the best of both worlds.

Entering The Villas at Pleasant Valley is like driving into a small village. Quiet streets are bordered by a landscape of trees, shrubs and flowers. Homes are arranged to resemble large single-family residences, creating a warm and inviting neighborhood feel with sweeping Front-Range-and-beyond views. You’ll enjoy privacy without sacrificing convenient access to attractive community amenities. The key to this intimate, small town feel is the carefully controlled scale of the neighborhood and meticulous attention to orientation of the homes.

Home ownership privileges at The Villas include use of the community clubhouse, the perfect place to socialize with neighbors or enjoy a football game on the big-screen TV. A new fitness center with an array of exercise equipment and flatscreen TV makes your workouts all the more enjoyable.

The Villas at Pleasant Valley is ideally located, within minutes of shopping and city amenities. A system of hiking and biking trails connects with the Ute Creek Golf Course, just a few blocks away. The 96-home community features innovative two- and three-bedroom designs with two-car attached garages priced from the $230s. Each home has either a patio or an enclosed sunroom offering views on three sides.

Buy Now, Buy New

Home buyers in today’s market have many choices available, and now is a great time to be looking for your new home. “We’re still in the early development of our community,” Shoaf says. “This offers early buyers many choices, from choosing their site and floor plan, to picking their interior finishes.”

Homes at the Villas feature exteriors with brick or stone masonry and James Hardie siding, ornamental lighting fixtures and either a patio with decorative fencing or sunroom with fully insulated windows. Interior appointments include tiled entry foyers, gas fireplace, formal dining area, eat-in kitchen and marble vanity tops.

Energy efficiencies are built in. Every home incorporates Built Green® standards, with dual pane Low-E windows throughout, 90-percent efficiency gas furnace, central air conditioning, programmable digital thermostat, R-38 ceiling and R-18 wall insulation and insulated entry, service and garage doors. All floor plans are built around a well-conceived traffic pattern, with an abundance of storage space, 36-inch wide entry doors and 34-inch wide passage doors, lever faucets and door handles, convenient receptacle heights and a large master suite.

Visit The Villas at Pleasant Valley

From Main Street, take Hwy. 66 east to Pace Street. South on Pace to Santa Fe Drive and turn west. The sales office is located at 2463 Santa Fe Drive.

For more information, call 303.772.7600 or go to www.KWCommunities.com.

Kemmons Wilson Communities was founded more than 50 years ago. It continues its tradition of creating exciting home communities such as The Villas at Great Plains Park, an 80-home maintenance-free neighborhood in Aurora. For information about The Villas at Great Plains Park, call 303.696.6000.

By Judy Finman

Colorado’s natural beauty – blue sky, sunshine, mountains, wide vistas – is the backdrop for a popular new neighborhood in Boulder called Northfield Commons. Its distinctive features are sublime views, trail connections, a neighborhood park, and a pleasing variety of home styles, from traditional and Colorado craftsman to contemporary loft-style. This appealing mix includes single-family houses, duplexes, row houses, town homes and condominiums.

Every home meets Built Green® and E-Star® standards for eco-friendly and energy-efficient living, which means lower energy costs, healthier indoor air, less water usage and improved overall comfort, while reducing pollution and conserving natural resources.

Northfield Commons occupies a 22-acre site between Kalmia Avenue and Palo Parkway in northeast Boulder. The semi-rural charm of quiet, tree-lined streets is balanced by the convenience of nearby restaurants, bank, shopping and public transportation.

A New Northfield Commons Homeowner

Dee Perry moved to Northfield Commons early this summer. “I love Boulder,” she says. “I was born and grew up here.” In deciding to move she first looked at the fine old Boulder neighborhoods and realized the houses there needed a lot of work. She wanted something newer.

“Northfield Commons was an effective way for me to get into a new – and green – home,” she says. “Northfield Commons is close to anywhere I want to go in Boulder. The bike path comes through here, and I can get on Foothills Parkway. It’s a great place to be. I like the diversity here – people my age who are downsizing, and also families with children, and single people.”

Perry chose a single-family home with a main-floor master suite. “If I’m here 20 years from now, everything I need is on the first floor.” Besides the bedroom suite are a great room, dining room and kitchen in an open floor plan, and a powder room. She is enjoying the whole house. The third floor in her model is a skyloft, with a deck; just inside is a kitchenette, perfect for entertaining. On the second floor are an office, two guest rooms, and a “room with a fireplace and windows, with comfy chairs, my reading area.” The basement, which is partially finished, has potential as a theater. “My house is very contemporary in style; it’s the same floor plan as the one next door that’s a craftsman.”

Available Homes

“Northfield has been selling very well,” says sales manager Kate Lyons. “We had 15 closings in August alone. We see homeowners barbecuing, walking their dogs, riding on the bike paths – and smiles everywhere. Six model homes are open: from condo to row house to duplex to single-family. Buyers have a lot of choices and a variety of architectural styles, too.”

Of the 190 homes planned for Northfield, about half are under contract or sold. More than half of the single-family homes are sold. “Over the next six months we’ll introduce some new floor plans and home designs from each builder,” says Lyons.

“Two single-family homes with main-floor master suites, designed by Markel, are ready,” she says. “And we’re offering two duplexes – one by Coast to Coast with a main-floor master suite – and the other, by Markel, with a third-floor skyloft with indoor/outdoor potential, such as a hot tub. Three loft row homes are also available – in a trendy urban design, with decks and patios and four finished stories.” She encourages homebuyers to check with the sales office for monthly incentives and specials.

Trails, Parks and Recreation

Four Mile Creek Trail and Wonderland Creek Trail are accessible from the Northfield Commons bike path. Both trails lead to open space. The focal point of the community is a beautifully landscaped park, with picnic tables and half basketball court, within walking distance of every resident. Pleasant View Sports Complex borders the eastern edge of Northfield Commons, and North Boulder Recreation Center and Spruce pool are nearby.

Contact Information

Northfield Commons is marketed by Markel Homes and Accent Properties. The sales office is located in the southwest corner of the neighborhood at Kalmia Avenue and Silverton Street. It is open daily, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Call Kate Lyons at 303.442.0309, and visit www.NorthfieldCommonsBoulder.com.

A variety of condominiums at Northfield Commons meet the guidelines for the City of Boulder Homeownership Program. Visit the Northfield Commons Web site for more information.

The Builders of Northfield Commons

Coast To Coast Residential Development, Inc., has more than 20 years of residential and commercial building experience. Its homes incorporate indoor and outdoor living environments in unique ways and feature architectural details often found in custom homes.

Markel Homes Construction Company has been a leader in planning and creating Colorado neighborhoods for more than 30 years. Its trademark is distinctive design, architectural variety and compelling interiors that mirror the natural beauty of Colorado. Markel values parks, trail access and open space in the neighborhoods it develops.

Hendricks Fine Homes is a small Boulder-based builder that focuses on creating quality homes designed for today’s busy lifestyles. Owner Cary Hendricks has worked with many new and renovating homeowners, and brings clarity and experience to any project and the ensuing relationship.

Accent Properties has been a leading participant in the Boulder real estate market since 1976. It specializes in a full range of real estate services, including all aspects of residential realty and custom home building and construction design.

Louisville is lauded as a first-class place to live and raise kids. It’s got excellent schools, lots of open space, knockout views of the Flatirons, great hiking and biking trails, a vibrant downtown and proximity to Boulder, Denver and the mountains.

In 2007 the city ranked third on Money Magazine’s “Best Places to Live” list. And, in the May 2008 issue of 5280, it made the list of 14 neighborhoods “Where It’s Safe To Buy (Even Now).” 5280 describes Louisville as a “sleeping giant of real estate,” and praises its quaint downtown, active cultural and civic calendar, eclectic mix of old and new home styles, and family-friendly atmosphere. Upcoming rail access, great schools, and a community-building Main Street were all factors in its selection.

Markel Homes’ North End neighborhood is Louisville’s first new community in 20 years – quite a distinction. It is well sited off South Boulder Road at 95th Street, close to trails, open space and downtown Louisville.

North End introduces fresh Colorado-inspired architecture in ranch and two-story single-family homes with open floor plans, and in town homes. All come with quality interior finishes and amenities that reflect the way people like to live. They’re constructed with the environment in mind – Built Green® and Energy-Star® rated – which means healthier indoor air, lower energy bills, reduced pollution and less water usage.

Meet a North End homeowner

Craig Seidler and his wife, Sonya, 15-year Lafayette residents, are building a single-family home at North End, scheduled to be ready on Nov. 7.

“We chose North End because of its proximity to our kids’ school, its green aspect, and the value we perceive the houses have,” says Seidler. “We looked at houses in Louisville built in the 1980s that need updating – and they cost the same as homes in North End.” Through open enrollment Seidler’s daughter, age 9, and son, 6, have attended a Louisville elementary school. “Our upcoming move to Louisville guarantees they’ll move along with their classmates in Louisville.”

The Seidlers especially like the open floor plan and main-floor master suite in the Sanitas design, along with sliders on the main floor that invite in “a ton of light. It’s also a good layout for entertaining,” Seidler says. “Working with Markel, we re-jiggered the back entry with a mud room and closet for the kids’ backpacks and stuff.” They like having the kids’ bedrooms upstairs with a loft area.

“This is a good neighborhood for families,” Seidler says. “The open space and pocket parks invite kids to head outside and toss a ball around.”

“We felt really good about buying a green home and hope to see good savings. We won’t use a lot of water to do the lawn and feel good about conserving energy. Thanks to the proximity to stores on South Boulder Road, there’s no need to drive to the market. We can bike to the grocery store. We’ll get an extend-a-bike and put saddlebags on it.”

Seidler bikes to work in Boulder from Lafayette. His commute will be even shorter after the move to North End. “I’ll just hop onto Baseline Road.” He is looking forward to light rail in a few years; the station location is projected for Route 42 in the heart of Louisville’s downtown. “We’ll be able to bike to the station and take the light rail to Denver.”

Visit the five newly decorated model homes

North End has just opened its models. Three are single-family homes; two are town homes.

Three single-family models:

The Sanitas is a roomy contemporary two-story home featuring a main-floor master suite with private patio. The fluid design moves family and guests easily from kitchen to dining area to patio or great room. An optional outdoor-living package converts a patio into a second living room.

The Eldorado boasts a fresh architectural style and open floor plan with 10-foot ceilings on the first floor and a main-floor master suite. Note the well-designed kitchen and second-story get-away corner loft, the full bath and two additional bedrooms.

The spacious two-story Caribou comes with a front or rear master suite – your choice. A secluded first-floor study (or private guest quarters with bath) is an ideal hideaway. Metal accents and wood beams add architectural character.

Two town home models:

The Flagstaff invites you to enjoy the outdoors on its front courtyard with optional fireplace, front porch and enclosed container garden area and patio. Ten-foot ceilings soar in the large main-level living area, with a cozy fireplace and plenty of natural light. The upper level contains a master suite, two other second-floor bedrooms, full bath and laundry room.

An open floor plan, with 10-foot first-floor ceilings and an 8-foot entry door give the Sugarloaf a spacious look and feel. Besides the first-floor master suite, there are two second-floor bedrooms and bath. The front porch and side patio promise hours of relaxation and enjoyment.

Sales Associate Michele Steward says, “We have homes that are ready to move into, and already have homeowners living in the neighborhood. Pricing is sensible: Single-family homes are in the $400,000s, and town homes in the $300,000s. In the future we’ll offer condo lofts and custom singles, too. It’s an opportunity to buy a brand-new home in Louisville, which is otherwise almost impossible.”

Visit North End

The sales office is open daily 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., at 2411 Rose Court, Louisville, CO 80027. Michele Steward can answer all your questions and show you around. Contact her at 303.604.9196 or Michele@MarkelHomes.com. Read Markel’s blog at www.MarkelHomes.com/news.

You’ve seen the progress and heard the news about Calmante, the new maintenance-free community of luxury townhomes in Superior. With high-end architecture, personally customized detailing and an exclusive Front Range location, Calmante’s “Limited Edition Living” has a lot of people talking. Now it’s time to see this new community for yourself.

“We’re seeing an incredible amount of interest in these gorgeous homes,” says Stephanie Lyon, Calmante sales manager, “and now is a perfect time to come out for a personal ‘hard hat’ tour. We love showing people the upscale features and fantastic home designs that you just cannot find anywhere else in this area.”

Only minutes from Highway 36 and Boulder, Calmante is within easy reach of the Pearl Street Mall, FlatIron Crossing Mall, Interlocken, multiple golf courses, pools and rec centers, and the bright lights of Denver. Head out the other direction and you’ll find hiking and biking trails with miles of peaceful scenery. It’s a lifestyle that appeals to young professionals, active adults and single-parent families who are looking for low-maintenance living in an upscale setting.

“The owners of Calmante have put a lot of energy into making sure everything is first class at Calmante,” says Terri Johnson, community sales manager. “The HOA manages everything for low-maintenance living including snow removal, yard maintenance, exterior building maintenance, trash removal and common area maintenance. It’s perfect for those who travel frequently or those who live here only part of the year; they like to know that they can take off and not have to worry about anything.”

Volume spaces with incredible light and views, private patios and courtyards, walkout lower levels and main floor master suites are trademarks of the homes at Calmante. Buyers enjoy working with Calmante’s design center and professional interior designers to make their home a genuine expression of their taste and personality.

Four different home plans, plus a high degree of personalization unprecedented in a townhome community, ensure your home will be everything you intended.

The two-story Cascade offers a grand sense of scale and a generous layout. With a main floor master suite and a private deck, the Cascade’s upper level can be configured with two bedrooms, two baths and a loft, or with a junior master suite with five-piece bath and walk-in closet plus an additional third bedroom with full bath. Both options include a spacious great room with kitchen and dining areas that open to a private courtyard. “The Cascade ‘lives’ like a single-family home,” says community sales manager Stacey Buck.

Buyers looking for a little less floor space without sacrificing the openness of two-story living will find a lot to like in The Brook, a three-bedroom, three-and-a-half-bath plan that includes an optional elevator for easy access to the upper level master retreat, second bedroom with full bath and a laundry room. A private courtyard and gallery entry on the main level lead to an open kitchen, formal dining room and great room with adjoining study.

The Boulder Falls ranch floor plan matches convenience with craftsmanship to create a winning design featuring a main level master with private deck or patio, five-piece bath and generous closet space. A home office, laundry room, cook’s kitchen with center island and walk-in pantry, and formal dining room with wet bar and private deck or patio complete the main floor.

All homes at Calmante include two-car garages with custom cedar doors, gas fireplaces, slab granite kitchen counters with tile backsplashes, Delta hardware in the kitchen and baths, and five-piece master baths with jetted tub and poured concrete shower pan. Boulder Creek Boulder Creek Life and Home builds these homes to Built Green standards, with 90-percent efficient furnaces, low-E windows and programmable thermostats. Each home also offers a private courtyard that may be customized by adding an outdoor kitchen and a fireplace.

Visit Calmante and experience Limited Edition Living

Calmante is being represented by Stacey Buck and Stephanie Lyon of Trilogy Real Estate and Terri Johnson of ReMax of Boulder. Call the Calmante sales center at 303.242.3199 to schedule your personal showing. The sales center is located on the southeast corner of McCaslin Boulevard and Coalton Road at 2701 Calmante Ave. in Superior and is open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Sundays and 1 to 5 p.m. on Mondays.

For more information on Calmante, visit www.LiveCalmante.com.

Life doesn’t get much better than this: a luxurious, custom-designed home at Goldbranch in Niwot.

Imagine a blue-sky Colorado morning. You pour a mug of java and step out of your gourmet kitchen into your private courtyard. You sip, relax, and bask in the glorious mountain view. Later you stroll on one of the scenic walking trails within the Goldbranch community. You wave to a neighbor practicing on one of three putting greens located in Goldbranch Village. In the evening, friends arrive for a leisurely dinner. You light your outdoor fireplace and watch the sun set behind the mountains. In this maintenance-free community, your yard work has been done for you. And, if you wish, the affiliated concierge service will arrange for a personal chef to prepare dinner. When you retire for the night, you rest easy, thanks to Goldbranch’s secure private enclave.

Goldbranch is the newest luxury residential development on Colorado’s Front Range and the last in the quaint town of Niwot. Located on a gently sloping hillside, it is a private community of 10 Village homes on half-acre lots, and seven custom Estates homes on one-acre lots. Goldbranch is unlike anything in the Boulder area – it combines the elements of fine living in one complete package.

“With the use of stone and stucco and boosted tile roofs, the Village will appear to be a Tuscan village,” says Deb Dribnak, sales manager. “Unique appointments afford each home its own distinct charm. Steven DeWitt, the architect, designed five basic concepts, and each house will be a variation of one of these designs. Village homes feature private courtyards with fountains, covered loggias and porte-cocheres, automated entry gates and many more elegant details. The Estates lots will feature more custom designs, but all will reflect the old-world European style of architecture – such as French country or Mediterranean style.”

Chief operating officer Ron Ibsen of Goldbranch Properties Corp., developers of Goldbranch, says, “This is a secure, luxurious enclave. The community enjoys spectacular views of the mountains. We have a spec – or show – home called Casa Siena that sets the stage. It is on the market and is almost finished. It has a rural theme inside, with beams and rustic woods. It captures the indoor/outdoor living so popular in Colorado. All rooms on the main floor open to a central courtyard. You can have your friends over to watch a CU or Broncos game, and have the TV and the cooking center under the covered loggia.”

He explains that the design guidelines follow old-world European styling. In The Village the stone is the same on all the houses, as it would be in Tuscany, where it would all come from the same quarry. The roof material, too, is the same on all the homes. “We want the Estate homes to blend and be harmonious with the Village; they are larger and carry out the old-world European design.”

The Goldbranch developers all live nearby – they are very hands-on, attentive to detail, and involved on a personal level. “We are all Boulder people developing this project; we are part of the fabric of the local community,” says Ibsen.

The Goldbranch Vision

Steven DeWitt is the architect who designed the 10 Goldbranch Village homes and the first Estate home. He is also building three of the homes in partnership with the developers. “Our vision for Goldbranch was to create a community based on the courtyard concept we all found charming in Italy. All the details, such as bubbling fountains, stone towers and rambling loggias, create the environment we are seeking.

“The developers’ vision was that Goldbranch would be a couple of levels higher than anything in Boulder County – more exclusive, more secure, something unique. They came up with a Tuscan vernacular theme. We are capturing this vision with the use of special details and materials gained from our own experience living and working in Italy and France. This enclave will be the last little jewel box in Niwot.”

He adds an environmental note: “Besides being beautiful and artistic dwellings, these will be energy conscious homes, with solar and geothermal options.”

This rural Mediterranean-style community will allow you to live your dream in the last undeveloped subdivision in Niwot. Prices start at $2 million.

Exemptions From New County Building Restrictions

Goldbranch is exempt from size limitations through August 2012, thereby allowing buyers to build whatever size home they desire.

With respect to BuildSmart, the County’s green building program, Goldbranch has several pre-BuildSmart builder plans available for immediate use, allowing buyers to build to their desired level of green.

Visit Goldbranch Estates

Visit the on-site Welcome Center Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, noon to 4 p.m. Ask for a tour and take a look at the beautiful Casa Siena. For more information, call sales manager Deb Dribnak at 303.652.0510 or e-mail

sales@goldbranchestates.com, and enjoy the Web site, www.goldbranchestates.com.

Directions

From Boulder, take Foothills Parkway (157) North. This becomes the Diagonal Highway (119). Turn right onto Niwot Road and go east one mile. Turn right onto Longview Drive.

Homebuyers pay attention when McStain builds another neighborhood. This weekend, head over to Lafayette and visit Indian Peaks, one of the most desirable communities in Boulder County.

A brand-new McStain development – Indian Peaks South – is just starting to transform the 100-acre site at the southwest corner of Highway 42 (95th Street), south of Baseline Road. Aug. 23 and 24 celebrate the Grand Opening of two designer-decorated model homes, now open to the public.

It is 16 years since McStain created the plan and started construction on the first homes at Indian Peaks. And now, McStain is building the last piece, Indian Peaks South, making it even more interesting, more colorful and even better for the planet. The neighborhood will feature a private community center with pool, generous open space and a neighborhood park, and a network of meandering trails that have been a signature feature of Indian Peaks.

Tour the two smartly furnished model homes: The Cypress House, with four bedrooms (one a main-floor master suite) plus study and loft, and three and a half baths, has 3,258 finished square feet, including the basement. The Walden House has three bedrooms plus study and loft and four baths; it has 2,514 finished square feet plus 1,238 unfinished basement square feet. Both homes come with two-car garages. Basement finishing by McStain is available on homes with unfinished basements.

Variety and Choice

Eventually the neighborhood will have 307 residences – 29 single-family homes in the Classic Series (priced from the low-$500,000s to mid-$600,000s), 128 single-family homes in the Traditional Series (from $390,000 to high-$400,000s), 40 duplex units (from the low-$200,000s), 11 custom homes (coming in the next year) and 99 townhomes (scheduled for a future phase of development).

Right now, the Traditional Series, which offers five floor plans to choose from, is well represented by the two model homes opening this weekend. The Classic Series homes, with four floor plans to choose from, are larger, set on larger lots, with three-car garages. Some are being built now.

Homebuyers and the Environment

D.D. Ferguson is excited about the new ranch home in Indian Peaks South that McStain is building for her. This is her second McStain home – the first was also in Indian Peaks, in Hilltop, where she bought the model home some years back. “I was really impressed with it,” she says, “and I said if I ever buy a house again, it will be another McStain.”

The daughter of a builder, she notices the little things as well as the big ones. “We’re starting from the ground up. We pick everything, inside and outside, even the color of the stone, as well as the paint. Everyone is very accommodating and flexible. They included what other builders consider upgrades: picture frame windows, putting in our front yard, 42-inch uppers in the kitchen, maple cabinets, glass-top stove, tank-less hot water heaters, garage door openers, high-efficiency sealed combustion furnace with air filter – all standard. And high-quality materials – like 2x6s, rather than 2x4s. And the crews are keeping the place clean every day.”

The piece de resistance for her and her husband, Rick, was the incentive of free solar roof panels if they closed by a certain date. “We like that McStain is really a green builder. Our electric bill should be very low.”

The location is great for the Fergusons. Their daughter is already in the Boulder Valley Schools, Rick Ferguson can commute via the local bus to his job in Boulder, and D.D. Ferguson has an easy drive to her work in Niwot.

“The community has a lot of trails for biking, and there’s a pool and a park. It’s good for the kids. It looks like other families with kids are moving here, too.”

McStain is a founding member of Built Green Colorado. All builders must register each home in order to receive the Built Green designation. And McStain is one of just a few Colorado builders to make a 100-percent commitment to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s ENERGY STAR® program. ENERGY STAR-labeled houses are designed to perform 30 percent more efficiently than the typical home; all McStain homes meet the ENERGY STAR standards for energy efficiency

McStain Neighborhoods is one of the most highly acclaimed homebuilders in Colorado. It’s won awards for architecture, neighborhood planning, and, most of all, for environmentally friendly house designs. McStain has one of the highest customer satisfaction ratings of any homebuilder in the nation. Among McStain’s numerous awards are the 2005 Builder of the Year (Colorado Homebuilders Association) and the 2004 Built Green Home of the Year (Discovery House). In 2007 the Denver chapter of the American Institute of Architects awarded McStain’s Hedgerow neighborhood at Indian Peaks both the People’s and Architect’s Choice awards.

The Indian Peaks South sales office is located at 2818 Crater Lake Lane, Lafayette. Hours are Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sunday and Monday, noon to 6 p.m. Contact Neighborhood Consultant Jésus Orozco, Jr., at 303.665.8200, jesus.orozco@mcstain.com. For more information, visit www.McStain.com.

Sopris Homes lives by a simple motto: Build amenity-rich, energy-efficient luxury homes in the most desirable communities.

No wonder homebuyers fall in love with Sopris homes. Offerings at The Sanctuary at Huntington Trails, a brand-new community in Westminster, are a perfect example.

Stylish Tuscan, European and Craftsman exteriors complement functional and architecturally enhanced interiors. These homes are designed for the way people really live – with Great Rooms, spacious kitchens with large islands and breakfast-bar seating, luxury master suites, inviting indoor and outdoor courtyard living spaces and rich-looking hardwood floors.

All Sopris homes come with an Owner’s Entry complete with coat closet and a beadboard-backed bench with plenty of hooks and cubbies, as well as the unique and functional Home Center with its elegant Tharp cabinetry to match your kitchen – designed as a place for briefcases, mail, backpacks, you name it. Spaces like this, plus numerous walk-in coat and linen closets, make it easy to live and entertain in every Sopris home.

In the dream kitchen, Tharp custom cabinets are staggered in height and depth, with architectural details, crown molding and deep drawers. A professional stainless steel range hood with five-burner gas cook-top and spacious islands top off a gourmet cook’s delight.

Built Green

Sopris Homes was the first builder in Colorado to build to Energy Star standards, which include energy-efficient criteria for insulation, windows, ductwork and heating and cooling systems, all set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Sopris provides superior HVAC systems with multi-zone engineering and casement (crank-out) and low-E windows on all its homes.

Sopris Homes is also the first builder in Colorado and the only builder in Boulder County to build to Environments for Living standards, which include strict guidelines for the amount of energy used to heat and cool your home.

“The goal of Environments For Living is to build a cleaner, healthier, longer-lasting and more energy-efficient home,” Sales Consultant Jen Schell says. “The bottom-line benefit for the buyer is in every home they actually guarantee what your energy usage will be to heat and cool your home at 72 degrees.”

At The Sanctuary at Huntington Trails, Sopris offers these features in four ranch-style floor plans, as well as two-story models. Home sizes range from 2,693 to 5,029 finished square feet. All have full basements.

The new community, with 204 home sites that range from the low $600,000s to more than $4 million, is situated in Westminster at McKay Lake. It offers easy access to the Westminster trail system and open space, plus a private community pool, clubhouse and children’s playground.

And now: The Redstone from Sopris Homes

The new Redstone courtyard-style home is inspired by La Maison des Vues in this year’s Parade of Homes at Solterra in Lakewood, on view July 26 to Labor Day. This award-winning residence was built by Waterstone Homes in partnership with Sopris Homes. Despite its grand appearance, the Redstone also epitomizes homeyness. Inviting courtyards blend indoor and outdoor living spaces; it’s perfect for comfortable family living and entertaining. Like all Sopris Homes, the Redstone provides plenty of functional living spaces and a place for everything from the trademark Owners Entry and Home Center to a second-floor bonus or children’s family room.

Come see La Maison des Vues, at 15291 West Warren Drive at Solterra during the Parade of Homes. It sells for $2,150,000. Or consider its cousin, the Redstone, which starts at $774,900 in The Sanctuary at Huntington Trails, or $918,650 on a one-third acre home site in Promontory, Sopris Homes’s newest community.

Promontory at McKay Shores

Promontory at McKay Shores is in Broomfield, on the northeast side of McKay Lake, at 138th and Zuni. Featured are luxury and custom home sites from one-third to more than one-half acre, walk-out and garden-level basements, and West-backing mountain-view home sites on open space. This premier community offers a private pool and clubhouse, shore fishing on McKay Lake and an abundant trail system. Promontory is near neighborhood grocery shopping, restaurants, multiple golf courses and I-25, with an easy commute to Denver, Boulder or Longmont.

Sopris Homes has first choice on premier home sites scattered throughout the community, so if a Sopris home on a larger home site with a spectacular view is what you have been waiting for at a great price, take advantage of this opportunity to select your home site. Sopris luxury homes start in the $800,000s.

How To Get To The Sanctuary and Promontory

The Sanctuary at Huntington Trail is located at West 144th Avenue and N. Huron Street in Westminster. To get there from Boulder, take US 36 to McCaslin Boulevard north, then head east on West Dillon Road, which becomes West 144th. Turn right into The Sanctuary at Huntington Trails just past McKay Lake Open Space, before you get to Huron Street.

The Sopris Homes sales office is open from noon to 5 p.m. daily, or by appointment. Call Jen Schell at 720.224.2044, or e-mail her at JenandDaltin@msn.com.

For more information or to view completed homes by Sopris, visit the model home at 144th and Huron or tour the Web site at www.soprishomes.com.

From the moment you step inside the award-winning model home, you will see why Sopris’ Carbondale Model Home at the Sanctuary at Huntington Trails was honored in the 2007 Flatirons Tour of Homes and was named the 2007 Home Builders Association Bar Awards Home of the Year.