Denver Colorado Pool Communities and Pool Homes

We often get requests from relocating buyers, generally coming from much warmer climates, who think they want or need a private pool on their property. While these may be common and expected amenities in many warmer climates, Denver's cold and sometimes-snowy winters make private back yard pools impractical for most homeowners. Unless they are heated year round, they need to be drained and covered during the winter months, and their circulation pumps purged, so that freezing water and ice from snowfalls cannot cause serious damage. Many Denver metro areas are also prone to what is known as "expansive soils" conditions, which means that concrete pools would be subject to extensive natural ground movements that could also cause serious damage to their rigid structures and plumbing. For these reasons, private back yard pools are very rare, and when they are present, they can be a liability, and not an asset, for home resale purposes. For homeowners who are adamant about having a pool, we suggest that they look for properties with larger lots, and plan on adding a pool later, once they better understand the issues and costs of pool ownership in this area.

Homeowner Association Pools

In many newer communities, and most condo and town home communities, the homeowner associations will often maintain a seasonal outdoor community pool for their members. Because they are outdoors and seasonal, they offer limited wintertime access.

Some larger homeowner associations, typically only in major master planned communities, like Highlands Ranch, may offer their members more extensive recreational facilities, including indoor pools. Access to the pools and other recreational activities in these facilities is generally included in the homeowner association dues, and classes and group sports activities are generally also offered at a nominal additional charge.

Public Pools and Recreation Centers

Most cities and counties in the Denver metro area also have indoor and/or outdoor pools, ice rinks, and other recreational opportunities in public recreation centers. Access to the facilities of the public recreation centers may be free, or at a nominal seasonal or per use charge. Again, classes and team sports and activities may involve a nominal additional charge.

Private Health Clubs and Pools

There are many private health clubs in the metro area that also offer indoor pools, generally dedicated lap pools, for their members. There are also a number of private, for-profit indoor pool facilities that offer per-day access fees, and also offer swimming classes and other activities for a fee.

Additional Information

Please contact us if you have any questions about pools or other recreational opportunities in the Denver metro area. Also check out our Community Information pages, where you will find links to many city and county web sites, and where their public recreational facilities will be listed and described. There are also links to some of the major private sports and recreation facilities in the Denver metro area.