Dory Lakes Glow Up 2025
The 2025 Dory Lakes Glow Up contest started out slow. The Board thought nobody was participating and decided to postpone the event until 2026. However, just before the Annual Meeting, three people entered the contest. One of the Gilpin County Commissioners, Sandy Hollingsworth, was asked to visit the three houses and judge them for the contest. At the Annual Meeting, three winners were announced. Each of these properties received signs to give them bragging rights this year. Two also received $100 gift cards to Home Depot (the third house is a board member’s house, so he excluded himself from the prize money).
In the Do-It-Yourself category, this property did extensive and detailed rock work to create a hand-laid stone patio, pathways, swales, and an uphill walking area. The stones and slate were of varied sizes and laid flat to walk over including the use of specially picked beautiful moss rocks and boulders in the borders. There are several standing stone laths for interest and walkway lights subtly installed in the rocks. A water chain guides water to the pathway swales for a water features. It surely took a very long time to create the plan and then do the stonework making it a usable outdoor space.
Congratulations to 300 Lodge Pole Dr. for “rocking” the DIY award!
If color and whimsy inspire you, this property uses both, with multicolor painted fence slats holding brightly colored hanging planters. The lavender gnome territory door at the drive welcomes friends and invites one to walk the pathway by several creative outbuildings. One has skis on the side, another a cute stairway decorated with mandalas and license plates. The path wanders by a gnome on a ladder to his round purple home, the red chicken coop with humorous Chicken Coop Rules posted, then by the goat home making it a safe and delightful animal haven. On another fence and near the drive are more planters, gnomes, and repurposed antiques. One can't help but smile and chuckle.
Congratulations to 527 Dory Way for the Creative Award!
This property is nestled in an aspen grove and it took a while to notice a pine tree as they have done meticulous 30 foot zone fire mitigation around the home. They used low maintenance fire resistant fabricated decking and artificial turf for outdoor living space. One aspen has a colorful two story birdhouse and native plants are being encouraged in the cleared areas and grove around the home. Meadow rue, sticky geranium, raspberries, yarrow, and porter, white and yellow asters were all spotted along other native flowering plants. Owners created a cozy firewise property.
Congratulations to 1136 Highpoint Circle for the Mitigation Award!
Check out the winning properties for inspiration for next year’s Glow Up event which we anticipate will start around June.
300 Lodge Pole Dr. - winner of the best DIY makeover award in 2025.
