The holiday season is upon us, and it’s time to start tackling your shopping list! If you’re looking to get some thoughtful and unique gifts while supporting your local businesses at the same time, then you’ve come to the right place! Here are a few of our favorite local stores.
Number 1. Trunk Nouveau: Located in Aurora’s favorite Stanley Marketplace, Trunk Nouveau carries a number of pieces from local and regional artists, offering unique gifts like jewelry, candles, kitchenware, and more! The best part? This local business donates 6% of every purchase to non-profit organizations in the area!
Number 2. Nu Life Organics: A mobile all-natural bath and body company based out of Denver, you can catch them at seasonal local farmer’s markets and through it’s online shop!
Number 3. Lawrence and Larimer: Locally recognized by 303 Magazine as one of the 6 Black-Owned Businesses that Are Revolutionizing the Denver Fashion Scene, Lawrence and Larimer houses streetwear, accessories, candles, and more.
Number 4. Paisley & Park: Perfect for the fashionista on your list, Paisley & Park offers trendy apparel for everyone, with styles ranging from bohemian chic to Park Avenue timeless.
Number 5. The Local at Southlands: Carrying local products and foods and just a quick 15-minute drive from the Painted Prairie community, The Local at Southlands offers handmade gifts, local food and drinks, and other gifts made by Colorado vendors! It’s a great place to grab a bundle of items and create a unique Colorado gift basket!
Number 6. Heirlooms Antique Mall: This massive (14,000 sq feet!) antique mall will transport you to a timeless and mysterious space with historical pieces and treasured knick-knacks, perfect for anyone on your list.
Number 7. Little Wolf Boutique: Perfect for the little ones on your list, this adorable children’s boutique carries kid’s clothes, baby gear & furniture, and even toys. Find this gem in the Stanley Marketplace, conveniently located about 11 miles from Painted Prairie!
Number 8. Patterns & Pops: Cozy, chic, and everything in between, including children’s wear, Patterns & Pops is a Downtown Denver local boutique started by two best friends with an addiction to shopping! Everything in this quaint little shop is under $100, so break out that wallet; it’s time to shop!
Number 9. Coloradical: Your new go-to clothier for all things Colorado, including t-shirts, hats, patches, sunglasses, stickers, and more! Find this local shop in person and online! #GiftIdea: Create a special bundle for your favorite Coloradoan!
Number 10. Aspen & Pine: The ideal place for your favorite outdoorsman! With everything from camping gear and skis to sporting rentals and provisions, this sustainable outdoor shop is a great place to snag a gift certificate or winter gear for anyone on your list!
With a handful of incredible local boutiques and gift shops less than 25 miles from Painted Prairie (and online!), you’re sure to find the perfect gift for everyone on your list! The only question left is, where will you shop first?
Here’s your go-to guide for a smooth transition.
Colorado is famously known as the “Centennial State” because it gained statehood 100 years after the signing of the nation’s Declaration of Independence. But if we are being honest, we like to call it the Sunshine State (sorry, Florida). Why? Because Colorado is sunny over 300 days of the year! And in addition to great weather, this mountain state has so much to offer locals and new residents alike.
If you’re considering relocating to the Denver Metro area, we highly recommend you start making a bucket list! Denver is known as the Mile High City and as a place where outdoor adventure meets urban sophistication, and there’s just no other place like it!
Did you know that the Denver Metro area is home to several standout company headquarters? Top companies like Frontier Airlines, Chipotle Mexican Grill, Arrow Electronics, Ball Corporation, and Wells Fargo have set up shop in the Denver area, making it a great place to work and live.
Looking for something a little more specific? Check out Andrew Hudson’s Job List, an online job posting board that’s been around for over 20 years!
Now that you’ve found a job let’s find a place to settle down!
Painted Prairie, awarded both Denver Metro’s and the nation’s 2021 and 2022 Community of the Year, is a neotraditional community just outside of Denver proper.
Conveniently located just a few minutes from DIA, Painted Prairie offers homes from eight world-class builders in a welcoming and diverse community. Whether your family is buying a new home for the first time or you’re an empty nester looking to downsize, you’re sure to find a home that’s perfect for you.
More than just a place to live, Painted Prairie features an abundance of amenities, like community gardens, play areas, various parks, and even more to come in 2023. If you’re new to the Denver area, Painted Prairie is a great place to learn, evolve, have adventures, and grow.
If you have kids and they are of school age, Painted Prairie is located within the boundaries of the Adams-Arapahoe 28j school district. Elementary and middle school children in Painted Prairie attend Harmony Ridge P-8 School. High school students attend Vista Peak Preparatory School or High Point Academy P-8, an extremely convenient charter school option.
For those looking to further their education, the Denver area has a handful of incredible colleges to attend, like the University of Denver, the University of Colorado Denver, and CSU Global, just to name a few.
As a new Colorado resident, you’re probably excited to explore the great outdoors, and hiking is a great way to do it! Ranging from easy to difficult, these Day Hikes Near Denver are a few of our favorites.
Did you know that over half of the states in the U.S. don’t even have professional sports teams? Colorado has six! The Denver Broncos, The Denver Nuggets, The Colorado Rockies, The Colorado Rapids, The Colorado Mammoth, and the Colorado Avalanche games are fun for the whole family!
Foodies rejoice — The Denver Metro area (specifically Aurora) is a hotspot for incredible food from both local and world-renowned chefs! Stanley Marketplace, a community of 50+ independently owned businesses (and only 11 miles from Painted Prairie), is an awesome place to sample tasty eats from a handful of restaurants and even enjoy some local shopping! What could be better?
We’re so glad you’ve decided to move to our great state, and we can’t wait for you to enjoy all that it has to offer!
Ever wonder why you should buy a newly-built home rather than a resale? Well, we have five reasons why you will want to consider buying a new home, especially at Painted Prairie.
Here’s our list:
Are you ready to explore Painted Prairie’s new homes? Click on this link to learn more about our builders and what they are building at Painted Prairie. Our homebuilders are some of the best in the country and they are ready to welcome you home.
Pumpkins and hayrides and dancing, oh my!
Painted Prairie’s third annual Harvest Fest was one for the books, as we kicked off fall with a day full of fun!
We enjoyed a sprawling Artisan Market with some of our favorite vendors, including Fat Cat Ceramics, your newest obsession, crafting gorgeous hand-spun pottery, and Woven in Wild, funky handmade macrame, with a side of hippie glam jewelry, just to name a couple!
This year our Alice and Wonderland characters scattered throughout Periwinkle Park and along Orleans Street to test out our littlest Prairie guests’ trivia knowledge! Each character provided a punch to their punch cards, with a yummy candy prize at the end.
Denver’s hottest band, Funkiphino, entertained the crowd, ensuring our dancing feet didn’t stop all afternoon long! The sounds of this fan-favorite funk group boosted our energy and made for the perfect soundtrack for the day.
Giant games like Connect Four and Jenga provided some exciting competition, while those looking for something a little more mellow enjoyed frolicking in the pumpkin patch.
Those looking for a fresh and fun way to tour the neighborhood took part in an old-fashioned hayride, passing through all of Painted Prairie’s pocket parks and model homes.
Our guests worked up quite an appetite, enjoying all of the festivities! Luckily we had some of Denver’s most delicious food trucks in attendance! Guests enjoyed tasty eats from Walking Taco Company, Uncle Dave’s BBQ, and White Rabbit Coffee after enjoying some groovy tunes and perusing the artisan market.
Our newest home models from David Weekley and Parkwood Homes were the stars of the show, with potential new Painted Prairie residents filtering in and out throughout the day, discovering reasons why our community is such a coveted place to live.
David Weekley Homes opened its newest model, The Sloan, at 21005 E. 61st Drive, Aurora, CO. A gorgeous 2,300 square foot home featuring three to five bedrooms, two to three full baths, one-half bath, and a two-car garage.
Parkwood Homes, a brand new builder to the community, debuted its first model, The Chelsea, at 21275 East 61st Drive, Aurora, CO 80019. Boasting a rooftop deck, a carriage house perfect for a home office or guest hideaway, and many more traditionally modern finishes, this model is a gorgeous addition to the neighborhood.
Remington and Berkeley Homes’ brand new sales trailers were also open and sharing what’s to come in the Painted Prairie community from these incredible local builders. (Now open at 6286 E. 62nd Drive and 6286 Lisbon St. in Aurora, CO.)
Thank you to all who came out to celebrate our favorite event of the year, checked out our latest model homes and sales trailers, and joined us to ring in the new season! If you have photos from the event, please tag us at @paintedprairieco on Instagram and Facebook!
To stay up to date on the latest and greatest from Painted Prairie, sign up for our newsletter!
Orange you glad it’s fall? We sure are! There are so many ways to celebrate the season in and around Painted Prairie! Here are a few of our favorite fall activities.
Peruse a local pumpkin patch to find a few to bring back to the neighborhood for a friendly carving competition! Nearby Painted Prairie, you’ll find Nick’s Garden Center & Farm Market. In addition to their impressive pumpkin patch, this local business also has games, rides, mazes, photo opportunities, an inflatable obstacle course, and so much more!
One of the best ways to gather friends and family? With delicious food in a gorgeous setting! Have everyone on your guest list bring something fall-themed, like pumpkin cookies, mulled wine, or apple pie. Enjoy a tasty meal in one of our covered areas, with a side of mountain views! You’re sure to have a great and yummy time!
Some might argue it’s the most beautiful time of the year! Get out and enjoy the great Colorado outdoors with a festive fall foliage tour or hike! Not sure where to go? Check out these Dayhikes Near Denver!
Kick off a cool, sunny afternoon at High Prairie Park’s Great Lawn in the best way possible with all your friends and neighbors! Add to the fun with some BBQ grilling, and you’re sure to have a ball.
Are you ready to have a spooky good time? ALIVE! Haunted Ghost Tour at the Gaylord Rockies will bring legends and lore to life with scary tales while you stroll through the Grand Lodge.
If you’ve never been to the Rocky Mountain National Park during elk season, we suggest you put it on your to-do list ASAP. Take a private 3-hour guided tour from the locals who know the area best! It will be an experience you’ll never forget.
What’s better than a little sunshine and exercise to enjoy the fall season? Right within the Painted Prairie community, you’ll find High Prairie Park. A great way to enjoy a few hours outdoors, just moments from home!
Running from October 7 – 9, this family favorite event at Chatfield Farms includes access to the 10-acre pumpkin patch, corn maze, and more! This seasonal favorite event will also feature hayrides, photo booths, entertainment and live music, food trucks, and local crafts and artisan booths, just to name a few! Remember to snag your tickets before arriving, as tickets will not be available onsite.
Whether you’ve got a student at the school or just love local teams, attending an exciting Friday night game at Vista Peak is a must-do! Go team!
All the animals you can dream of, minutes from Painted Prairie! Boo at the Zoo: Storybook Safari is a safe and socially distanced Halloween Celebration every day in October! You’ll experience costumed fantasy characters, festive seasonal-themed food and drink, mythical creatures, and even art with LEGO bricks! It’s fun for all ages!
There’s so much to do in and around Painted Prairie, the only question left is, which will you try first!?
We are excited to announce the addition of new sales centers and model homes from some of our world-class local and national homebuilders, featuring brand new floorplans not yet seen in the community!
Parkwood Homes is hosting its Grand Opening celebration on Saturday, September 17, from 11 am to 3 pm. Offering tours of its first model home, The Chelsea, and lunch by Walking Taco Denver, a local food truck favorite.
Parkwood’s stunning Chelsea model boasts a rooftop deck, a carriage house perfect for a home office or a guest hideaway, and many traditionally modern American finishes.
The Chelsea is located at 21275 East 61st Drive, Aurora, CO 80019.
Later that evening, come back and enjoy one of Painted Prairie’s favorite events, Movies in the Park featuring Jumani: Welcome to the Jungle. The free show begins at sundown (around 7:15 pm).
David Weekley Homes opens its newest model, The Sloan, on Saturday, September 24 from Noon to 3 pm. The homebuilder is hosting several activities for kids and brokers, including a free lunch and self-guided model and community tours.
The Sloan model home features 2,300 square feet and three to five bedrooms, two to three full baths, one half bath and two-car garage. After September 24, the model will be open daily from Monday through Saturday 10 am to 6 pm, and Sunday Noon to 6 pm for tours at 21005 E. 61st Drive, Aurora, CO.
Explore more of David Weekley’s new 47′ front-load products or all of their alley-load home options.
Local Colorado homebuilder Berkeley Homes is slated to open its new sales trailer at Painted Prairie on Saturday, October 1, just in time for the third annual Prairie Harvest Fest! Meet their team at the Information Tent along N. Orleans Drive from 10 am to 3 pm.
Berkeley Homes’ models are currently under construction and are anticipated to be open in early 2023. The sales trailer will be located at 6286 Lisbon Street in Aurora, CO.
The two-story alley-loaded homes will reflect a modern farmhouse and prairie aesthetic and pricing will start in the high $500Ks. The three- and four-bedroom floorplans range in size from approximately 1,750 feet to 2,500 feet and will include a two- or three-car garage. Available options include an outdoor patio, recreation room, basement and additional bedrooms.
Meritage Homes is back at Painted Prairie! New sales trailer opens Thursday, November 17, 2022, located at 6312 N. Lisbon Street, Aurora, CO 80019.
These two-story townhomes with alley-load garages set the standard for energy-efficiency.
The 3 bedroom, 2.5 bath floorpans range from 1,428 to 1,874 sq. ft. and will feature a two-car garage. Prices start in the mid $400Ks.
As you can see, there is a lot happening at Painted Prairie!
Download the new Painted Prairie App from the App Store or Google Play to see inventory, connect with our homebuilders, explore events, get directions and so much more. Look for the Painted Prairie logo!
*Imagery and information is subject to change without notice.
Congratulations! You’ve decided to embark on the homebuying journey, and it’s time to get your ducks in a row. As a first-time home buyer, you may be tempted to start hitting open houses, but there are a few things you should attend to first. As a potential homeowner at Painted Prairie, it’s important to understand the ins and outs of mortgage loans and homeowners insurance. These aren’t topics that get most buyers really excited and dreaming, but they are crucial to the process!
When considering a mortgage lender for a new construction home, it’s important to do your research. We reached out to Valerie Cameron, the Senior Loan Originator at Prime Lending to get her expert advice.
Much like finding a realtor that you can work well with, Valerie recommends talking to three different mortgage lenders to start — it is important to choose someone who you communicate well with. Do they talk more, or do they listen more? If they listen more, are they truly hearing what you’re asking?
In addition to great communication, it’s important your lender has significant experience in financing new construction homes. There are many nuances to new construction that are not found in a resale home. Construction schedules can fluctuate, and if your lender is not familiar with the process, it can create unwanted delays.
During your lender interviews, make sure to ask them about rates, loan terms, down payments, and mortgage insurance and compare them. Each lender likely uses different forms, allocating fees in different categories. Valerie shares, “Be sure to ask your potential lender whether or not you’ll be working directly with them or if you will be passed over to an assistant. If they pass you over, are you okay with that?”
As a new construction home buyer, you’ll want to understand that mortgage loan rates can be locked long-term. The larger your loan, the longer you can lock the rate. “I recommend talking to someone who understands and regularly executes long-term locks,” says Valerie.
Remember that there is a fee to lock a long-term loan; however, if you don’t cancel the loan, the fee is then credited to your closing costs. Because of the variables with new construction, you’ll probably not know your closing date until you’re close to it. Make sure to lock your loan in longer than you think you’ll need it — it’s much cheaper to take this route than to extend the lock on your loan.
If you’re considering buying down to a lower interest rate, you’ll want to consider how long you plan to stay in your home. In an ever-changing market, rates can change multiple times each day. Take a look at the math. Here’s an example: If it costs you $2,500 to buy down the rate to save you $30 a month, it will take you 7 years to break even. If you don’t plan on sticking around for that long, it won’t be worth taking this step.
Another crucial part of the home buying process is homeowners insurance. We spoke to Kelly Stewart from Farmers Insurance to lend a little insight.
When choosing an agent, Kelly recommends considering someone with at least 3 years of experience in the industry. Be sure to check their website and social media reviews. Are they personable, knowledgeable, and listen to your concerns? Are they responsive and professional? These are important questions as your agent plays a crucial role in helping protect your assets.
You should engage an insurance agent about 14 – 30 days before closing, Kelly shares. Loan officers like to have the insurance address early in the process and finalized at least 7-10 days before the closing date.
Once you’ve picked your agent and are buying a new home, there are ways to lower your cost on your homeowner’s policy! Kelly helped us understand the risks and benefits to consider:
In the future, be sure to check in with your agent anytime you:
Are you looking for more information about mortgage loans and homeowners insurance? Join us on Saturday, August 13th from 9am – 1pm at the Painted Prairie Home Tours with a Twist event, in partnership with 5280. Valerie Cameron and Kelly Stewart will be there in person to answer your questions on Mortgage Loans and Homeowners Insurance, plus you’ll find experts in other housing industries such as interior design. No RSVP is needed — we can’t wait to see you there!
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to work with an interior designer on your home? If you’re an avid HGTV fan, it may feel like designers are magicians, right? It seems like designing, purchasing, and executing a vision happens in just a few days — but in reality, it’s a much more complex process!
As a home’s very first owner, you’ll be responsible for making a fair amount of design decisions on your own, and with a new build at Painted Prairie, you’ll want the beauty of your interior home to be just as spectacular as the exterior.
You may be thinking, can I afford to hire an interior designer? Is it even worth it? Truthfully, you can’t afford not to hire an interior designer! Why? An interior designer can save you money. Have you ever purchased a piece of furniture that blew your mind in the store but looked entirely out of place in your home? What about painting a whole room a particular color for it to turn out completely different than what you were picturing? An interior designer will help you navigate the design process, avoid costly mistakes and make decisions that will increase the value of your home.
“By collaborating with an interior designer, you’re gaining a partner in your overall building process. You’ll have someone to present new ideas you may not have thought of before. Design fatigue is REAL, and having someone to listen to you and help organize your thoughts who also understand the scope of the project is really helpful,” shares Jocelyn Verano of Ellis Design Studio.
So when should you get an interior designer engaged in your process? Truthfully, as early as possible, even in the architectural phase of building. Our experts tell us, “An interior designer can help you communicate with your builder. Many people don’t understand adjusting to a new scale in a new home. Interior designers can help you choose fixtures that complement your home’s architectural design and adjust to the scale of furnishings.”
We spoke a little more in-depth with Jocelyn to gain insight into design trends for 2022. “Warm color palettes and earthy tones are very on trend right now,” Verano states. “Camel, linen, and naturals. And don’t forget about texture! Texture is huge and can help make a contemporary style feel timeless. If you’re looking to add a little color to your neutral spaces, try a saturated deep teal or olive green. Remember, less is more. A reduced volume of accessories can make a big impact.”
Jocelyn also shared her top three recommendations for people moving into a new space regarding interior design:
1. Hire a professional. In a new living space, the scale of your home is going to be completely different. An interior designer can help you navigate through this.
2. Get settled in and take inventory of what you have and love. A great interior designer will help you find the perfect places for your favorite things.
3. Take the time to decide your aesthetic and how the space will work for you. You want your everyday living space to be not only beautiful but functional as well — something that feels like home.
Are you looking to get a little more information about interior design? Join us on Saturday, August 13th from 9am – 1pm at the Painted Prairie Home Tours with a Twist event, in partnership with 5280. Jocelyn Verano of Ellis Design Studio will be there in person to answer your questions on interior design, plus you’ll find experts in other housing industries such as mortgages and insurance. No RSVP is needed — we hope to see you there!
