Open house! April 29 via zoom & may 4 in person!
Gratitude Village
Embrace connection, diversity and sustainability in Colorado's newest Cohousing community.
Rooted in Gratitude
Growing in Community
Leading in Sustainability
Thriving in Affordability
Welcome to Gratitude Village Colorado
Our Values & Intent:
1. Community & Connection - Being part of a community is healthier for us – mentally, physically, emotionally and economically and is why we have selected the cohousing model for our development. This model can also be better for the planet through smaller footprint homes, expansive green spaces and climate-friendly practices.
2. Sustainability – The goal is for our homes to be Passive House certified and for the community buildings (and ultimately the community) to be LEED certified. Plus we’ll have water-friendly, organic permaculture-influenced gardens, xeriscaped green spaces designed for Colorado living and the community will be Net Zero - meaning we will produce all of our energy needs onsite.
3. Affordability - At least one third to one half of the homes in the community will be affordable - subsidized so seniors, first-time home buyers, families with young children and adults with disabilities can afford to own a home. We envision three tiers of housing:
Tier 1 - Smaller apartment homes (600-800 sq ft) connected to the common house. These are ideal for first time home buyers, senior living, single person and small households or anyone wanting to be at the heart of the community
Tier 2 - Attached single family homes (w/ 2 -4 bedrooms, 900-1100 sq ft). Likely configured as quads or fiveplexes on smaller lots.
Tier 3 - Market rate detached single family homes (1300-1500 sq ft, 2-4 bedrooms with average sized lots).
This mix gives the community mobility within itself. Someone can start with an apartment and then buy up when their resources allow, or someone might start with a larger home and then downsize to an apartment in the future.
4. Diversity – Our community embraces a wide range of incomes, ages, abilities, race & ethnic backgrounds, family structures and belief systems and as such will build following universal design principles and is seeking funding to subsidize a portion of the homes to support four specific groups: seniors, persons with disabilities, families with young children and first-time home buyers.
5. Nature – Our goal is to maximize the amount of green space in the community including a community commons, kids playground, garden & greenhouse spaces, playing fields, and a 2-7 acre dog park depending on the final acreage of land we purchase.
Our Vision
Join Our Community Today
We invite you to explore our vision through images and descriptions, and look forward to sharing videos and documentation as our community grows and flourishes.
Gratitude Village Inc (dba Gratitude Village Colorado) is a non-profit corporation and has applied for 501(c)3 status with the IRS.
Send us an email if you'd like to be on our email list for updates or even better, join us for an in person or virtual gathering!
Where Community Thrives in Affordable, Net Zero Living
Our Mission
To create a more connected, sustainable, equitable and healthy world through affordable, energy-efficient homes in a cohousing community.
Develop a flagship, affordable, Net Zero, cohousing community of 24-56 accessible home units in the Denver area to serve as an alternative to the traditional suburban subdivision or apartment complex and bridge the gap between rental units and for sale market rate homes.
Sustainable Community Living
Join us in creating a multi-generational, intentional community that values relationship, green-living, diversity, and affordability.
Nature Appreciation
Celebrate nature with like-minded individuals in our vibrant, net zero community focused on sustainability and green-living.
Connections Space
Engage with individuals from various backgrounds creating a rich community life & enjoy incredible shared facilities including an amazing Common House, gardens, greenhouse, maker space & more!
Establish new friends in a community that encourages diversity and is being built to be affordable to a wide array of abilities and income levels.
Affordability & Diversity
Community
What Is The Plan?
We are developing a cohousing community of 24-56 home units on the western side of Denver, Colorado (we are currently looking at land in Jefferson County between Golden and Boulder).
We plan to create amazing shared areas starting with an incredible manor-house-style common house with a great kitchen and both indoor and outdoor dining areas where meals and other activities are shared several times a week. Other shared facilities will depend on the founding members' final vision and our budget but may include a laundry room, gym/yoga studio, theater, teen lounge/game room, library, craft room, shared workspace, guest rooms, swimming pool, hot tub, parking garages supporting the community solar array gardens, greenhouse, playgrounds, dog park & dog wash, coffee bar, wine cellar, maker space, EV charging stations, sacred space, bee hives, wellness center, preschool, elder living, animal husbandry, limited commercial space and more! The only limits are our budget and our imaginations!
What Do We Need?
Explorers - Folks who are interested in learning more and being involved in the early stages of development. Cost to be an Explorer is $150/family
Founders - A founders group who want to co-create this vision together. Become an Explorer first, then as the project moves forward $5,000 initial investment. Deposit is applied to your home purchase.
Donors - Anyone who wants to see this model of community happen and are willing to make a tax deductible donation to the organization.
Investors - People or organizations who want to make a return on their investment but don’t necessarily want to necessarily live in the community.
Partners - Businesses and organizations such as contractors, solar companies, NGO's, etc. who want to participate in making this vision come true!
What Is The Cost to Get Involved?
Explorer Level: $150/family
Founder Level: $5000*/family
Donor Level: Any amount
Investor Level: Contact us
Partner Level: Contact us
*Initial investment - will be applied towards the final cost of your home and earns you a $2500 incentive discount off the final cost of your home!
Our community appreciates & respects nature, embraces connection, is focused on sustainability, supports each other and values diversity including individuals of all ages, professions, family structures, and ethnic, cultural, and spiritual backgrounds.
Estimated Timeline
This is our ideal timeline. It is not guaranteed as many circumstances can occur that could delay any phase, but this is what we are aiming for!
2025 - Incorporate & apply for 501c3 status. Continue forming the founders group and grow the community. Find partner organizations. Start design process as a group and host/attend a cohousing design workshop series.
2026 - Buy land. Continue design process. Finalize permits, surveys and preconstruction work.
2027 - Finalize design. Break ground and start construction.
2028 - Move in!
Estimated Home and Project Costs:
Home Costs: Based on our current pro forma home costs are estimated as follows:
Apartments: $250-$550K
Attached and Detached Single Family Homes: $350K-$1.1M
All prices include not only your personal living space with private kitchen and baths but also a prorated share of the community spaces and land. Lower prices are subsidized rates for qualifying families or individuals. Higher prices are market rate.
Total Project Cost: $48-55M depending on the final cost of the land, the number of homes and other factors including shared facilities. Depending on the land we purchase (and our families' timeline) the community may be built in two phases of 14-24 homes.
Our Location
Gratitude Village is nestled along the Front Range of Colorado, near Denver, offering a serene environment for connection and sustainability while still having reasonable access to Denver International Airport and the amenities of a big city.
Location
123 Nature Lane, Colorado
PO Box 150104 Lakewood, CO 80215
Read our articles and more on our substack: Notes From the Common House
