Meet Your Neighbors!
We make it easy to connect with neighbors and nurture friendships.
One of the best things about being part of a great new community—is getting to know the amazing individuals and families who share it with you. We recently talked with a few of folks from different neighborhoods throughout Copperleaf to learn a little about their families, their interests and what they like most about living here. Just click on the following links to read their unique stories—and discover why Copperleaf is such an inviting, diverse and exceptional place to call home.
Meetthe Black Family |
Meetthe Lastar Family |
Meetthe Orlowski Family |
MEET THE BLACK FAMILY
Darrin, Carrie and their two boys, Devin and Brayden, recently moved to Colorado from Arizona. Impressed with the schools, the natural surroundings and the friendly community, Carrie and Darrin knew right away that Copperleaf was the ideal place to call home. Here’s a little more about who they are and why they love living here.
What brought you to Copperleaf?
We were moving to Colorado from Arizona this past summer, so we wanted to find a community that had a lot to offer—great schools, nearby conveniences and lots of things for the boys to enjoy, like the Arboretum pool. We also loved the layout of our home in the Cottonwood neighborhood, and it was already built and ready for us to move into, which was just what we needed.
What do your children like most about living here?
Devin is 10, so he really enjoyed swimming at the pool this past summer. Coming from Arizona (and Florida before that), a pool in the summer is a must. This fall, he also started school at Aspen Crossing, and he absolutely loves it. Brayden is just 18 months, but he really enjoyed the Splash Garden at the Arboretum this summer, too. And both boys are really looking forward to snow this year!
As parents, what do you like most about Copperleaf?
In addition to the great schools, Copperleaf offers a lot of conveniences that help out. The nearby shopping at Southlands as well as the easy commute for Darrin to get to work (at DIA). That means we’re spending less time on the road and more time together as a family.
Have you met many neighbors so far?
Yes! In fact, I’d say we know more people here already than we did in either Arizona or Florida. I think since Copperleaf is such a new community, people are just more interested in meeting each other and getting to know their neighbors than in older neighborhoods. So we felt really welcome and at home right away.
What kind of activities do you enjoy?
As a stay-at-home mom, I love being able to meet and connect up with other moms who live here. I walk every morning with a group I call my “neighbor girls.” We usually do about a three-mile loop along our neighborhood trails. Darrin and I also love to head out on the trails with the boys and Ginger, our Yorky. Plus, we’re all looking forward to enjoying our first Colorado winter together!
Would you recommend Copperleaf to friends and family?
Oh definitely—I’m already trying to get a friend of mine from Florida to move here.
MEET THE LASTAR FAMILY
Rick and Cindy moved to Copperleaf in November 2007 and enjoy living in the Cherry neighborhood. Rick has a successful home business and Cindy is a letter carrier, and they can often be seen walking with their dog, Snoopy, along neighborhood trails—or enjoying the parks and pool with their two grandkids. Here are just some of the reasons they think Copperleaf is a great place to put down roots.
What brought you to Copperleaf?
We were living in another community near Denver when we stopped by to tour the model homes here at Copperleaf. We fell in love with the spacious floor plan, large kitchen and great features of the ranch homes in the Cherry neighborhood. We also loved all the natural features of the community.
Do you enjoy spending time outdoors?
Definitely. You can usually find Cindy and I walking Snoopy (nope, he’s not a beagle) along different trails and paths near our home. And this past summer, we spent a lot of time at the Arboretum pool with our two grandkids, who are five and two. It’s so close and convenient; we were there at least two or three times a week.
Do you like your neighborhood?
We love it. The Cherry neighborhood is in a great location with lots of wonderful families who have made us feel right at home. We also live on a greenbelt, so we have a bike path right behind our house—and that’s something both Cindy and I really enjoy.
Have you met many neighbors so far?
Yes! We’re always introducing ourselves to new folks as we walk along different trails and paths. Plus, we got a chance to meet a lot of new faces at the different community events this past year, like the July 4th Celebration at the Arboretum and the Arbor Day event. We love the fact that we live in such a friendly place—there’s a real sense of community here.
What other things do you enjoy about living here?
We appreciate having so many nearby conveniences. Since I run a business out of my home, I need to have close access to various resources, and our location along E-470 gives us that.
Would you recommend Copperleaf to friends and family?
We do every chance we get!
MEET THE ORLOWSKI FAMILY
Dieter and Gabriele Orlowski and their three children—Hendrik, Saskia and Soeren--moved to the U.S. from Germany in December 2006. Viewing Colorado as an ideal, centrally located state from which to expand their new U.S.-based IT business subsidiary, the family quickly determined that Copperleaf offered everything they were looking for in a new home—and more! Read on to learn more about this unique family and their exciting journey to Copperleaf.
First, what brought you to the U.S.?
Dieter works for an IT company that is establishing a U.S.-based subsidiary. While the company will be based in New Jersey, the employees are able to work from home-based businesses across the U.S. We chose Colorado because it’s centrally located, making it easy to reach just about every part of the country.
Why did you choose to live in Copperleaf?
When we first arrived in Colorado in December 2006, we rented a house and thought we might end up near the Boulder area because we had visited there when we’d vacationed in Colorado several years ago. When we met with our realtor, however, we went through a series of questions and realized that schools were the most important priority for us in choosing a community. After searching several communities, we found Copperleaf—and we knew that it was the right home for us. We moved into a great home in the Hawthorne neighborhood in January 2007; we love it because it’s spacious and has plenty of large bedrooms—it fits our family perfectly.
What made Copperleaf the clear choice?
First of all, the Cherry Creek Schools—they offer the quality of education the kids will need, whether they choose to stay in the U.S. or one day return to Germany to attend University. Hendrik and Saskia both attend high school, and Soeren is in middle school. The access to E-470 also makes it easy for Dieter to get to DIA, which is important because he has to travel so much for the business. Also, I really appreciate all the nearby shopping and other conveniences.
Was language a concern for the kids?
Both Hendrik and Saskia spoke very good English before we moved, and Hendrik has quickly followed. Cherry Creek Schools has an excellent ESL (English as a Second Language) program. Most of their friends are surprised to learn they’re from Germany, since they sound so American now.
How are your kids adapting to life here?
They love it! Over the summer, all the kids were at the Arboretum pool just about every day. While no one in our family skis, we’re enjoying other new sports; the kids are in a Saturday bowling league and Dieter and Hendrik are enjoying golfing.
How does Copperleaf compare to your home in Germany?
We used to live in a very small town, called Villmar, which was not too far from Frankfurt. Copperleaf has that same small town feel—it’s very friendly and very easy to meet people.
Have you met many neighbors so far?
Oh yes! Over the past two years, the Hawthorn neighborhood has held a Labor Day celebration, and it’s a wonderful opportunity to meet new people and just have fun. But we meet people and neighbors all the time, even when we’re just out walking. Our neighbors have also been a wonderful resource for us when we have questions about different things, like how to find a good doctor. I just knock on a neighbor’s door and they are always so friendly and happy to help.