Shaw Heights

DESCRIPTION:

Originally home to the frontiers looking to score a fortune during the Colorado Gold Rush of 1858, Shaw Heights is a mainly residential neighborhood about 2 miles from downtown Westminster. Located on the Front Range, distant views of the Rocky Mountains fill the landscape in almost every direction. Walking along the wide paved sidewalks, canopied by aspens and birch trees, a range of architectural styles line the streets.

Single-family ranchers are a foothold amongst the landscape, with unique, custom-builds scattered between Tudor-inspired homes to newly built town houses and modern homes. Many of these households display one to two-car garages and modest front yards with blooming flowerbeds in the Spring. “Shaw Heights is an extremely family-friendly area. Many of the homes are family homes, ranging from three to five bedrooms,” says Angel Hernandez, broker at Paisano Realty, who is local and has been in real estate for 33 years. Prospective homebuyers can expect median sales prices around $500,000, with prices beginning in the low $400,000s to the mid $500,000s, with some larger homes in the $600,000 range. With an average lot size of around 7,405 square feet, there is enough room to enjoy a backyard barbecue while the family dog chases squirrels around the yard.

The neighborhood is served by Westminster Public School District, receiving average ratings on Niche. “There are quite a few schools right in the heart of the neighborhood,” Hernandez says. With such close proximity, students can easily walk to class. Students attend Mesa Elementary School with a C and Shaw Heights Middle School with a C-minus. Westminster High School scores a C-plus and is home to competitive sports and a top-notch performing arts program. Home to the Mariachi de la Luna, the program aims to inspire personal growth and enrichment through studying Mariachi music. Westminster’s Mariachi de la Luna has performed at notable community events, such as the Cherry Creek Diversity Conference and the Women’s Conference in Brighton.

Locals can go to Rotary Park for an afternoon when the sun shines, practicing their baseball pitch among the vast, grassy open fields. Boasting a playground with a miniature climbing wall, children can practice their bouldering skills, emulating the authentic Coloradan lifestyle. About 2 miles away, residents can spend the day on the range at The Greg Mastriona Golf Courses at Hyland Hills. “Within about a 4 mile radius there are 4 different golf courses that residents can explore,” Hernandez says. At the same time, those looking to practice their golf skills in a fun atmosphere can head next door to Adventure Golf and Raceway for a laughter-filled game of putt-putt. Home to go-karts, a ropes course and a maze, there will surely be something for almost everyone. For a day filled with the great outdoors, a mere 6 miles away is Standley Lake Regional Park & Wildlife Refuge. Spanning over 3,000 acres, it’s a local spot to spend the day on the lake. Here, you can hike throughout the sun-filled morning while admiring the iridescent sunsets by night.

Although Shaw Heights is primarily residential, restaurants and retail stores are bountiful just outside the neighborhood boundaries. A little under 2 miles away, Westminster City Center is home to big-name stores such as Barnes & Noble and Ross Dress For Less. The neighboring Alamo Drafthouse and Cinema offers a relaxing ambiance for a night out, where you can order a cocktail while watching the newest movie to hit the big screens. For a bite to eat, The Old Spaghetti Factory is a family-friendly chain featuring traditional Italian entrees, while Saltgrass Steak House is the place for a juicy Porterhouse Steak. Surrounded by popular chains, The Wishbone Family Restaurant stands out from the crowd. Family-owned and operated since 1963, you can feel right at home with its welcoming environment and delicious fried chicken. Families can choose from various grocery stores, from H-Mart to Walmart and King Scoopers to Costco Wholesale.

The Regional Transportation District line provides reliable and quick commuter rail services between downtown Denver and Westminster, making commuting around town relatively simple. With bus routes scattered along North Federal Boulevard and nearby access to US Route 36, entertainment options extend far beyond the neighborhood boundaries.

Written By

Lillie Duston

Photography Contributed By

Alex Dickerson

Video By

Austin Lewis