We are very pleased with the response to Solterra since we introduced the community last year,” said Tom Morton, senior vice president, Carma Developers, which is developing the master-planned community. Solterra is located just east of the C-470 and Alameda interchange that was opened at this time last year.

A total of 68 homes have been sold in the community. The first residents moved into Solterra during December of 2008. The highest home sales price in the community to date is more than $2.8 million.

Our homebuyers enjoy the quick access to Belmar and Colorado Mills, as well as being close to the new St. Anthony Medical Campus, downtown Denver, the foothills and mountain attractions,” said Kristin Peterson, marketing manager and community concierge, Carma Developers.

Carma Developers has invested more than $100 million in the development of Solterra and in infrastructure, road, park, trail and wildlife corridor improvements to the Rooney Valley since it purchased and began to develop the property,” explained Mike Partheymuller, vice president, Carma Developers.

Recently, Morton of Carma Developers — who is in charge of U.S. operations for the 51-year-old company that has its U.S. headquarters in Englewood, CO — helped co-found the Rooney Valley Colorado Association along with John Bandimere, Jr., president, Bandimere Speedway. The association is managed by the West Chamber Serving Jefferson County.

“Rooney Valley possesses some of the finest natural attractions in metro Denver,” said Morton. “Red Rocks Park, the Historic Town of Morrison, vast open space and now improved access make this a truly unique place to live, work and spend your leisure time.”

Red Rocks offers a variety of recreation options from guided tours, hiking, biking, shopping, dining and a summer concert series. Whatever your pleasure, enjoy discovering Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre!

Stats & Info
Date Opened: June 15, 1941
Amphitheatre Seating Capacity: 9,450
Elevation: 6,450 ft
Red Rocks Mountain Park size: 640 acres

Red Rocks is a geologically formed, open-air Amphitheatre that is not duplicated anywhere in the world. With Mother Nature as the architect, the design of the Amphitheatre consists of two, three hundred-foot monoliths (Ship Rock and Creation Rock) that provide acoustic perfection for any performance. The dramatic sandstone monoliths serve as a history book of animal and plant life in the area for the past 250 million years. As spectators gaze at the towering red sandstone rocks, they view the ancient tales of prehistoric times.

The area of Red Rocks, originally known as the Garden of Angels, has attracted the attention of musical performers since before the turn of the century. The majestic setting of the Amphitheatre, along with the panoramic view of Denver, makes for a breathtaking scene.

In the early 1900′s, John Brisben Walker had a vision of artists performing on a stage nestled into the perfectly acoustic surroundings of Red Rocks. Walker produced a number of concerts between 1906 and 1910 on a temporary platform; and from his dream, the history of Red Rocks as an entertainment venue began.

In 1927, George Cranmer, Manager of Denver Parks, convinced the City of Denver to purchase the area of Red Rocks from Walker for the price of $54,133. Cranmer convinced the Mayor of Denver, Ben Stapleton, to build on the foundation laid by Walker. By enlisting the help of the federally sponsored Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), and the Work Projects Administration (WPA), labor and materials were provided for the venture.

Denver architect Burnham Hoyt designed the Amphitheatre with an emphasis on preserving the natural beauty of the area. The plans were completed in 1936, and the Amphitheatre was dedicated on June 15, 1941, though the actual construction spanned over 12 years. In 1947, the first annual Easter Sunrise Service took place. Since then, Red Rocks Amphitheatre has attracted the best performers to its stage.
Geology

Gradual earth movement slowly raised the great sandstone ledges from the prehistoric ocean floor, to form the “walls” of the Amphitheatre. Within these walls is contained a record book of the ages as nearby dinosaur tracks tell of the Jurassic period of 160 million years ago. Fossil fragments of the giant 40-foot sea serpent, Plesiosaur, the marine reptile Mosasaurus, and flying reptiles captivate students and geologists alike.

Some of the rock formations in Red Rocks slope as much as 90 degrees, while others tilt backwards. The southern monolith, that bears resemblance to a ship, is named “Ship Rock.” On the opposite side of the Amphitheatre stands “Creation Rock.” Both of the monoliths are taller than Niagara Falls, and the Red Rocks Amphitheatre was once listed as among the Seven Wonders of the World.

Belmar’s dining options include 14 restaurants running the gamut from an English pub to Western buffalo. Entertainment options are plentiful as well, including a hip bowling alley and a 16-screen movie theatre. More than 60 stores and services offer the latest fashions, furniture and fun, everything from sporting goods to European imports. In Lakewood, Bear Creek Lake Park offers an abundance of recreational opportunities and environmental educational programming for all ages. The park is also home to an array of wildlife — snakes, birds, coyotes, prairie dogs, birds of prey, and deer. Lakewood’s Heritage Center showcases the history of Lakewood and the many changes, inventions and lifestyles of the 20th Century. Located in Belmar Park, the museum has over 10 historic structures, 30,000 artifacts, a festival area and an outdoor amphitheater.

LAKEWOOD – The National Civic League selected Lakewood as one of its 10 annual All-America City Awards, citing three major projects that required significant cooperation and collaboration between City Hall, community organizations and citizens.

The group also gave Lakewood its first Diversity Award for what a City Hall spokeswoman called “extraordinary and innovative success in advancing diversity and inclusiveness in the community.”

The All-America City Award is given 10 communities each year and is based on establishing to meet the challenges in their communities. The announcement of the 10 cities came late last week in Kansas City, Mo.

“This is a meaningful award for the City of Lakewood and all its partners in the community,” said Mayor Bob Murphy. “This award reflects the culture of Lakewood, which is that our residents, our businesses and our nonprofit organizations work together to find better ways to serve those who live and work in the city. That culture remains unchanged from the time when the city’s incorporation was founded on our eclectic neighborhoods coming together to create Lakewood.”

Twenty-three cities from densely populated cities such as Buffalo, N.Y. and Fort Worth, Texas to Taylor Landing, Texas, with a population of 228, sought the award. Each submitted a written application, then gave a presentation to an 11-member panel. To see Lakewood ’s presentation, visit: http://lakewoodco.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?publish_id=398 on the City’s website.

Lakewood’s presentation focused on the West Colfax urban renewal project and the associated light rail project, the Greening Lakewood Business Partnership and the newly opened Boys and Girls Club at O’Connell Middle School.

The West Colfax project included nearly 1,000 residents, the city spokeswoman said, and involved a “multi-year and multi-pronged planning effort to renew West Colfax Avenue by providing new zoning that expands land-use opportunities” and planning for the coming West Corridor light-rail line and rail stations.

The Greening Lakewood Business Partnership is intended to prompt energy-efficient modifications to more than 1,500 older, existing office and commercial buildings in Lakewood.

The opening of the Jefferson County branch of the Boys and Girls Club at O’Connell resulted from a community effort to save the school, which was on a school district closure list

“I couldn’t be prouder of our community,” said City Manager Kathy Hodgson . “All of these projects are examples of the residents, businesses and nonprofits taking action and the City providing the help and support it could to accomplish what the community wanted.”

Aurora and Colorado Springs are the only other Colorado cities that have made the All-America City list. For more information on the award visit:www.AllAmericaCityAward.com.

City leaders are to receive congratulations from Gov, John Hickenlooper​ in his office Wednesday morning, the city said in a media release this afternoon.

The award recognizes Lakewood’s “collaboration with a wide range of community organizations and residents,” according to a media release from the city.

“This is a meaningful award for the city of Lakewood and all its partners in the community,” Mayor Bob Murphy stated in the release.

“This award reflects the culture of Lakewood, which is that our residents, our businesses and our nonprofit organizations work together to find better ways to serve those who live and work in the city.”

The National Civic League also awarded Lakewood its inaugural Diversity Award for “extraordinary and innovative success in advancing diversity and inclusiveness in the community.”

Lakewood was one of 26 cities from across the country to be named a finalist, and the only one in Colorado to make the cut this year.

Each city applied in writing and made a presentation to an 11-member jury of experts in civic engagement and collaboration between government and nonprofit or charitable organizations, according to the Lakewood media release.

Aurora won the award in 2008 and was a finalist in 1988, and Longmont was a winner in 2006, and Fountain was a winner in 2002. Hillside won in 1997, as did Greeley in 1989, and Colorado Springs in 1981.

Other winners this year were Kenai, Alaska; Dublin, Calif.; Belleville, Ill.; South Bend, Ind.; Scott City, Kan.; Tupelo, Miss.; Fayetteville, N.C.; Eden, N.C.; and Fort Worth, Texas.

The sponsors of this year’s award include the Gay & Lesbian Fund For Colorado and Southwest Airlines.