Courtesy of Mark Samuelson, The Denver Post

Two years ago, builder David Sinkey of Boulder Creek Builders was on the phone to the big Denver developers, trying to convince them to work some of his low-maintenance patio ranch designs into their large master-plans. Now a half dozen of those developers are talking with him, wanting to rub some of the same magic into their own communities that just since November has attracted 18 sales in the $400s and $500s.

You can see those sharp, traditionally styled patio models (from the low $4s) today at Steel Ranch in Louisville (they were packed with visitors when I toured Wednesday). And you can tour some Boulder Creek townhomes near the Longmont Diagonal Highway that offer the same low maintenance and high energy efficiency, at half the price.

Kingsbridge Townhomes, off Airport Road in Longmont, is a little hard to find and gets a fraction of the traffic that Steel Ranch does – but has such a high conversion rate that Boulder Creek has already gone through well over half of the 109 townhome sites it took over there from a California builder in 2010.

“We don’t restrict any of our communities to 55-and-older,” said Sinkey — one of four principals in a company that dates from one his father launched in Boulder in 1976. We left headquarters in Louisville’s scenic downtown, surrounded by shops and dining that helped earn Louisville the number-1 national ranking in Money Magazine’s annual ‘Best Places to Live’…and headed for Steel Ranch, a mile north.

Nevertheless, Boulder Creek’s buyers seem to ‘self-restrict’ into that older, downsizing demographic. Along with a few single females, empty-nest buyers dominate sales at Steel Ranch (and are catching the attention of those large developers, anxious to tap into that market).

Those downsizers are also a factor at Longmont’s Kingsbridge (it has four 2-story townhome plans, including one that could go main-floor master)…however, buyers there also find three schools within walking distance including Longmont’s Silver Creek High, rated 9-for-10 stars at GreatSchools.net. The schools and the prices (from the very low $200s for 2- and 3-bedrooms that are nine miles from Boulder, four miles from IBM) also lure single moms and dads, and another demographic you don’t hear much about: ‘never-nesters’ – ones who have rented for years and years, and now have plenty of cash to make a purchase.

What Boulder Creek DOESN’T see at Kingsbridge are first-time buyers; and that, says Sinkey, doesn’t make any sense. After all, these large plans have attached 2-car garages, roomy storage spaces, extra-outdoor private storage for bikes; and optimal energy features (blown-Fiberglas insulation that earn HERS scores under 60, so low they were featured by Channel 9 News). The smallest, a 2-bedroom ‘Florence,’ delivers 1,490 square feet for $205,000 – with a bright-and-light interior that comes standard with wood kitchen floors, nicer birch cabinets in a choice of colors, and ceramic tile bath surrounds.

They also show something all Boulder Creek’s buyers, young and old, agree on: Despite the low-maintenance, they want manageable HOA fees. “Our people say, ‘Give us walking-biking trails; but not a pool, that means higher dues,’” Sinkey added. Boulder Creek keeps track of its buyers’ preferences through a ‘Founders Group’ that reviews new models. When the group was asked what they’d be willing to pay for the new Steel Ranch patio plans, their estimates were so high, Sinkey says, that company planners knew they had a winner on their hands.

You can see Steel Ranch off 95th Street in Louisville; from the Turnpike take Northwest Parkway north, jogging onto 96th, and continue north 5 miles, just past Baseline. Kingsbridge in Longmont is off Airport Road between Diagonal and Nelson Road; from Boulder take the Diagonal north 6 miles to Airport, then left a mile to Venice Lane.

If you go…

WHERE: Kingsbridge Townhomes in west Longmont by Boulder Creek Builders, low-maintenance 2-&-3 bedroom townhomes near trails, 4 miles to IBM. 1656 Venice Lane, Longmont; take I-25 north to Exit 240, Colo. 119; west 7.6 mi., continue west on Nelson Rd. 1.9 mi to Airport Rd.; left 1 mi. to Venice Lane.  Or from Boulder’s Foothills Pkwy take Diagonal north 6.6 mi. to Airport Rd, left 1 mi. to Venice

PRICE: From $205s; Steel Ranch from the low $400s

WHEN: Today & Saturday 10 a.m. until 5 p.m.; Sunday 11-5

PHONE: 303-772-3063 Steel Ranch, 303-745-1091 WEB: LiveBoulderCreek.com

“If a company can hone systems that work today, it will enjoy strong profits in the future.  Going to survival mode will prevent a company from making key changes that would help it succeed in the long run.”

- David Sinkey, Principal, Boulder Creek Life and Home

Read the entire article from the Denver Business Journal’s Real Estate Quarterly here.

Boulder, Colo. (January 25, 2010) — Boulder Creek Life and Home, an award winning, Boulder-based homebuilder is proud to  announce that its principal and director of marketing, sales and land procurement, David Sinkey was named to Boulder County Business Report’s 40 Under 40 list of top business professionals. This honor is given to 40 of the top business people in the Boulder Valley that are under the age of 40, yet have achieved great success over the course of their career. Winners have exhibited excellence in both business and community efforts and are likely to be leaders in the community for years to come.

David Sinkey manages the marketing, sales and land acquisition activities of Boulder Creek Builders. Joining Boulder Creek Builders predecessor, Cessna Associates, in 2000, Sinkey has developed and implemented a suite of marketing and sales tools. Sinkey recently shifted focus to research and identification of potential new development sites for the Boulder Creek residential concept. Sinkey is a Boulder native and started in this business as a teen.

“I am thrilled to be included with such an extraordinary group of individuals in the Boulder Valley,” said Sinkey. “I feel fortunate that I am able to fulfill my passion of developing eco-friendly homes that offer more than just bricks and mortar, but also an active Colorado lifestyle.”

Members of the Forty Under 40 group will be recognized during a networking event from 5:30 to 8:00 p.m., Tuesday, February 16, 2009 at the Boulder Theater, 2032 14th St. in Boulder. Honorees also will be profiled in a special section published in the Boulder County Business Report’s February 19th issue. The group was selected by members of the Business Report’s staff from a field of 77 nominees.

“We were very impressed by the quality of the nominations and the caliber of the individuals nominated,” said Christopher Wood, Business Report publisher. “The Boulder Valley is very fortunate to have these dynamic young professionals poised to assume leadership roles – and many who have already done so.”

Boulder Creek Life and Home:

Boulder Creek Life & Home www.livebouldercreek.com is an award winning, Boulder-based homebuilder, that creates innovative communities across the Front Range of Colorado that embrace green building practices, energy efficiency and a true sense of place. The company’s mission is to build homes that are more than just bricks and mortar, but are actually modeled to provide a unique living experience designed around how people aspire to live, thus appealing to the active lifestyle. Each of Boulder Creek’s five current communities Calmante, Heritage at Vista Ridge, Erie Village, Blue Vista and Shadow Grass Park, vary in size, price and concept, but have one common thread: they embrace quality craftsmanship, green building practices and provide an unmatched lifestyle. For more information visit www.livebouldercreek.com or call (303) 242-3199.