Southeast 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.”

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Written By

Christopher Kopczynski

Photography Contributed By

David Rieck

Video By

Pasha Chichagov