Our first-ever Painted Prairie Holiday Lights Challenge was a great success! Everyone’s festive displays showcased the community and holiday spirit all December long.
We’re happy to announce that 6016 N. Lisbon St. is our First Place winner! This home received the most neighbor votes and is the recipient of a family 4-pack to ICE! Polar Express and a overnight stay at the Gaylord, courtesy of the Gaylord Rockies Resort.
Second Place winner is 21155 East 59th Ave. took home a $150 Home Depot Gift Card courtesy of the PPOA and Painted Prairie. Third Place was a tie with $75 Home Depot Gift Cards going to 21254 East 62nd Ave., and 6204 N. Lisbon St. Congratulations to all our winners and thank you for making our community shine bright!
Recently, KB Home partnered with Jared Allen’s Homes for Wounded Warriors – along with its trade partners – to build a brand-new, energy-efficient, and mortgage-free home for a deserving U.S. Army veteran in Painted Prairie.
During a ceremony held at Painted Prairie in early October, U.S. Army veteran Dan Rose and his family accepted the keys to their brand-new home on 61st Avenue. The home is built for wheelchair accessibility and features many touches to enhance Dan’s mobility throughout the home.
Dan was a U.S. Army Engineer in charge of clearing explosives from roads. In 2011, he was wounded when his truck drove over an IED in Afghanistan, sending him and his vehicle flying into the air. The blast broke his pelvis and multiple vertebrae. Dan was flown to Germany and then to Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C. for spinal fusion surgery. His injuries left him paralyzed from the chest down.
Five years after his injury, Dan found new hope through the use of an exoskeleton suit that allowed him to walk. Soon after, he met his wife, Lisa, got married, and had their daughter.
Since his accident, Dan has been a role model for his wife and daughter by participating in sports, traveling, and being a husband and father. The family’s last home was not wheelchair accessible and was difficult to navigate with his chair.
We are proud to welcome SGT Dan Rose and his family to the Painted Prairie community and wish them nothing but the best memories in their new home.
For a list of corporate sponsors, trade partners, and vendors who worked with KB Home to complete the home, click here.
About Jared Allen’s Homes 4 Wounded Warriors (JAH4WW)
JAH4WW has built homes for 29 veterans nationwide, and it hopes to raise that number to 35 by the end of 2024. Allen is a former NFL defensive end and founded the nonprofit in 2009 after visiting several U.S. bases in Iraq during a USO tour. The organization is committed to building mortgage-free, accessible homes tailored to the needs of each veteran, recognizing their sacrifices and enhancing their quality of life.
About KB Home
KB Home is one of the nation’s largest homebuilders. Founded in 1957 as Kaufman & Broad in Detroit, Michigan. It was the first company to be traded on the NYSE as a home builder. Its headquarters are in Los Angeles, California. The company has built 600,000 homes since its founding.
As the air gets a wee bit crisp and the autumn season approaches, Aurora is gearing up for a series of exciting events that will bring the community together to celebrate culture, food, fun, and creativity. Here’s a summary of the must-attend happenings for September and October 2024.
Vail Octoberfest Lionshead • September 6-8 • Lionshead, Vail
Nestled in the European-inspired town of Vail and taking place over two weekends in Lionshead Village and Vail Village, the Vail Oktoberfest brings an international audience together to celebrate an authentic Bavarian festival. Clad in dirndls and lederhosen, Vail Oktoberfest attendees prost, polka dance and eat all weekend long.
Open-Air Market at Painted Prairie • September 7 • High Prairie Park
Discover some of Denver’s best crafters at our Saturday market in High Prairie Park. You’ll find fresh produce, baked goods, soaps, crafts, and much more. Grab breakfast at our on-site food and coffee trucks, browse the market for unique finds, and enjoy a relaxing summer morning at Painted Prairie. (Food trucks available 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.)
Wine Walk • September 12 • Southlands
Indulge in a delightful evening featuring local wineries showcasing their best selections. Stroll through Southlands as you sip and savor exquisite wines paired with delicious bites from nearby restaurants.
Movie in the Park at Painted Prairie • September 13 • High Prairie Park
Bring your chairs and blankets to High Prairie Park and catch a two-fer featuring a couple of our favorite empowering icons. Encanto will start after sunset at 7 p.m., and Barbie will follow immediately after at 9 p.m. Come early starting at 6 p.m., and grab something to eat and drink from K’s Concessions and Mac ‘N Noodles food trucks!
Breckenridge Oktoberfest • September 13-15 • Downtown Breckenridge Colorado
The 28th annual Breckenridge Oktoberfest, presented by Breckenridge Brewery, will blend cherished traditions with exclusive collectible steins and the distinct flavors of Breckenridge Brewery.
Agricultural Festival • September 14 • Plains Conservation Center
Celebrate Aurora’s rich agricultural heritage at the Agricultural Festival. Families can enjoy educational activities, live demonstrations, farm animals, and local produce, making it a perfect day out for everyone.
Colfax Canvas • September 14 • Fletcher Plaza
Explore creative expressions at Colfax Canvas, where local artists showcase their talent through murals and street art. This festival celebrates the arts with interactive installations and performances highlighting Aurora’s cultural diversity.
A Taste of Home: Open House Tours • September 21 • Painted Prairie Models
Join us in our kitchens (and all of the other rooms) for a tasty tour of Painted Prairie’s 11 delectable models. Sample free bites at each builder, explore all they have to offer, and experience the true flavor of our discovery meets diversity community.
Aurora Mini-Con • September 23 • Aurora Municipal Center
A must for comic book lovers and pop culture enthusiasts! Aurora Mini-Con offers panels, vendors, cosplay contests, and guest appearances. Join fellow fans for a fantastic day filled with all things geeky.
Havana Street Global Night Market • September 28 • Leezakaya – Parking Lot
Dive into the flavors of the world at the Havana Street Global Night Market! This lively event features a variety of international food stalls, local artisans, and live entertainment. It’s a perfect way to experience global cultures without leaving Aurora.
Prairie Harvest Fest • October 5 • High Prairie Park at Painted Prairie
It’s our fifth year of celebrating all things fall at Painted Prairie. This year’s Prairie Harvest Fest is gearing up to be the biggest and best yet! Join in the fun with hayrides, a pumpkin patch, an open-air market, a ton of kids’ activities, and plenty of fun for adults and pets too!
Enter to win our Costume Contest and see if you will land some sweet prizes from the Gaylord of the Rockies. Don’t forget the food trucks are back bringing local favorite flavors from in and around Aurora. Prairie Harvest Fest is a perfect family outing to get you in the mood for fall family fun.
Freefall Bluegrass Festival • October 11-13 • International Bridge Vail Village
The 2nd annual Bluegrass Fest is a two-day family-friendly free event in the streets of Vail Village with food, drinks, kid activities, and all-day bluegrass music.
Treat Street • October 19 – 20 • Arapahoe County Fairgrounds
This family-friendly event is all about candy and fun! Kids can enjoy trick-or-treating in a safe environment, with a variety of booths and activities.
Fall-O-Ween • October 19 • Southlands
Combine the best of fall and Halloween in this fun-filled event packed with activities, games, and seasonal treats. Dress up in your favorite costume and join the celebration!
Fall Into Fun Festival • October 19 • Aurora Municipal Center
Families will love the wide array of activities at Fall Into Fun Festival, from arts and crafts to live entertainment. It’s the perfect way to brighten up your autumn days!
Boo N’ Brew Candy Crawl • October 26 • Town Center at Aurora
Sip on some craft brews while enjoying an evening of candy crawling! Perfect for adults looking to celebrate Halloween with a twist.
2024 Halloween on Havana Street • October 26 • Gardens on Havana
Get ready for a spooktacular evening filled with costume contests, trick-or-treating, and festive activities. This event is perfect for family fun and getting into the Halloween spirit!
Havana Street Global Night Market • October 26 • Leezakaya – Parking Lot
Missed it in September? Here’s another chance! The Havana Street Global Night Market returns for another round of global cuisine and cultural experiences.
Mark your calendars and don’t miss out on the fun throughout Colorado this September and October! Whether you love food and culture or just want to enjoy a beautiful fall day, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
Special thanks to Visit Aurora, GoBreck.com, and On Havana Street for assistance.
Summer is almost over and soon it will be time to head back to school. Whether you’re seeking public, private, elementary, secondary, or even continuing ed learning environments, there are plenty of educational options to choose from around Painted Prairie.
Painted Prairie is located in the Aurora Public Schools (APS) boundaries. Our neighborhood is also close to the Denver Public Schools (DPS) boundaries, where some students choose to enroll outside our assigned district. Any family may choose to open enroll their student into a different APS or DPS school for any reason.
Aurora Public School students come from more than 130 countries and speak over 160 different languages. There are 58 schools in the Aurora Public Schools system: 4 child development centers, 20 elementary schools, 9 P-8 / K-8 schools, 5 middle schools, 1 academy with grades 6-12, 5 high schools, 4 magnet schools, 1 vocational/technical college, and 9 charter schools. The district also offers 4 programs: 1 online program, 2 magnet high school programs, and 1 home school support program.
The primary education feeder school for Painted Prairie is Aurora Highlands P-8. The school opened in 2023 and will eventually serve 1,000 preschool through eighth-grade students residing within the communities along the E-470 corridor. In partnership with the community, the school fosters brave spaces for students to take risks while providing empowering experiences in and outside the classroom to ensure that students are academically and socially prepared to be curious learners in a culturally diverse, ever-changing world. Map the drive from Painted Prairie here.
Vista Peak Preparatory offers exceptional preparation for future academic pursuits. The school is known for its pathways in STEM, business, arts, and mechanics with a focused curriculum earning college credit and skills for the workforce. Vista Peak offers opportunities for paid internships and places students directly into employment after graduation. Students also enjoy a wide variety of sports programs, arts and theater, clubs, and activities. Map the drive from Painted Prairie here.
Harmony Ridge P-8 focuses on STEM, engineering, and design process thinking with problem-based learning for the real world. The school’s philosophy is that students can create a pathway in life with learning and get where they want with the right tools. Students set quarterly goals and focus on social and emotional learning skills. Map the drive from Painted Prairie here.
High Point Academy offers students a comprehensive curriculum grounded in individual student achievement. The school’s mission is to provide a strong foundation of academic excellence in partnership with family and community in which each individual is challenged to achieve his/her highest potential academically, socially, and personally. High Point Academy is an independent charter school not affiliated with a local school district. Map the drive from Painted Prairie here.
In addition to public and private primary and secondary education options, there are 17 universities and two-year technical schools near Painted Prairie. These schools include the Community College of Aurora, Pickens Tech, and CSU Global. With our proximity to I-70 and I-25, many post-grad and pre-med students are only a short drive away from MSU Denver, CU Denver, and CU Anschutz. Whether you’re a preschooler or looking to complete your master’s degree, there are plenty of educational options to choose from when you live at Painted Prairie.
Painted Prairie’s award-winning event series is back, and to celebrate our fifth year of hosting unforgettable events, we’re taking it up a notch. Mark your calendars and get ready to shop, watch movies, and dance to local favorites. There’s something for everyone.
Start your day at Painted Prairie and support your neighbors and community. Join us for locally sourced produce, hand-crafted goods, food trucks, and a bounce house for the kids to burn off that early morning energy.
Get ready to party as we celebrate the start of summer with Soul School and its unique brand of Motown, oldies, and funk at High Prairie Park. Local food trucks will be open and ready at 6pm to serve up tasty treats, so come hungry and ready to have fun!
We’re rocking the park with Colorado’s one-and-only Hazel Miller & The Collective when they bring their eclectic mix of jazz, R&B, Blues, and original music. Food trucks start serving at 6pm!
The Painted Prairie Movie in the Park series is back and better than ever. Grab your lawn chairs, enjoy a delicious meal from our local food trucks (start at 6pm!), and watch classic, all-time favorite movies while taking in the views of the Front Range.
Catch all the action when Black Panther hits the outdoor screen at High Prairie Park! Popcorn, candy, and sweet treats await for early moviegoers.
Encanto and The Barbie Movie
Bring a sleeping bag for the kids and let them “camp out” while watching and singing along to Encanto. Stay for the double feature at 8:45 pm. — The Barbie Movie.
Make it a party and come dressed to impress in your best Barbie Ken costume for our second feature. Popcorn and candy concessions are available for purchase at the park while supplies last.
The Northeast Aurora’s most popular event is back for the fifth year in a row! We’re ready to once again celebrate all things fall at Prairie Harvest Fest.
Costume contest, local food trucks, live DJ, local food trucks, local artisan booths, carriage rides, and more! You don’t want to miss this year’s event.
To learn more about our 2024 Events Calendar and to RSVP, visit our events page for details.
*Weather permitting; vendors subject to change; concessions while supplies last.
A huge thank you to all the residents and friends who joined us to celebrate all things spring at the Painted Prairie Spring Fling. Over 250 kids and adults spent the perfectly, sunny afternoon hunting eggs, munching on tasty spring cookies, and meeting up with the Easter Bunny for pictures. Another big “Thank You” to Boy Scout Troop 630 for volunteering to help us create a successful event for all! We can’t wait to see everyone again next year!
Ever wonder what it would be like to actually talk to a live person who knows the ins and outs of a new community before you visit or even right after you visit? Well, Painted Prairie has the solution. Our Community Ambassador, Michelle is here to help answer your questions about this award-winning community to help you find the right spot to set down new roots.
Here’s how it works:
That’s it! Michelle will call you at the designated day and time. Bring your list of questions to ask about Painted Prairie, the surrounding area, our amazing parks, or our builders. Want to set up a time to speak to our builders? Michelle can help you schedule a meeting with our builder sales counselors to help you find the perfect home. It’s like having your very own personal shopper to help you every step of the way.
We’re looking forward to talking to you, and see you soon!
There’s something unique about the people who make up the community at Painted Prairie. Whether it’s delivering food to the city’s refugee population, raising money for Children’s Hospital, or inviting neighbors over for book club and a BBQ—the residents here are always working toward extending kindness throughout the community.
Over the past few months, the Painted Prairie Owners Association’s (PPOA) Social Committee has worked to provide structure to the community’s new Culture of Kindness program. We’re proud to say that in honor of Random Acts of Kindness Day on February 17, we’re kicking off our monthly Painted Prairie Kindness Challenge. Every month, residents will be reminded to do something nice for their neighbors and community.
Here’s a sneak peek into what’s in store:
February: Spread the Love – Similar to a Boo at Halloween, that’s been a staple of some neighborhoods for years, neighbors drop off anonymous treats with a special sign and instructions to spread the love to two other neighbors. The goal is to see how far the love spreads throughout the community.
March: The Painted Prairie Wave – We encourage everyone to wave to their neighbors or passersby. Who doesn’t love a quick hello from a friend or stranger to brighten your day?
Residents watch the Painted Prairie app, your email inbox, and the PPOA Facebook page for each month’s challenge. We can’t wait to see how far we can spread kindness at Painted Prairie and the rest of the community.
