# 20

2023 rank: 17

Modest home prices, safe streets, and an easy commute to downtown via the highway or light rail makes this sprawling neighborhood near DIA an appealing home base for many Denverites—46,499 to be exact. Families, in particular, are attracted to Gateway/Green Valley Ranch’s suburbia-lite vibes and the 20—count ’em—schools within its boundaries.

Homes are primarily new(ish) builds from the early 2000s, and they remain among the most affordable in the city—certainly, on this list of 25—averaging less than $518,000. Another perk to living here: easy access to plenty of open space, including a public golf course, skate park, and, nearby, Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge.

Population 46,499
2023 Average Sale Price $517,492

Neighborhood Rankings

Real Estate Rank 28
Schools Score 3.2
Safety Rank 11
X Factor Score 7

How we got these numbers: We utilized the city’s official list of 78 neighborhoods (only 73 had enough data to be included), and ranked them using four variables: home prices, crime data, school rankings, and an X factor score that accounts for things like access to open space, proximity to public transportation, and restaurant and shopping options. For more on our methodology, return to the main page.

Your Itinerary

Eat and Drink

You’re most likely to come upon a chain eatery when you’re on the hunt for food, but GVR is starting to come into its own with restaurants like Pupusas Paradise, a laid-back Salvadoran joint; Coriander, an Indian eatery; Pho Kitchen 88, which serves Vietnamese fare; and Pan Gu Asian Bistro, a sushi spot.

Pining for a pint? Kick back with a drink at GVR Beer Garden, which also serves brats, pretzels, and salads. Or, head north on Tower Road to Danico Brewing Company for a pickle-flavored pilsner. While you’re up there, swing by Moonlight Diner and slip into a vintage vinyl booth for a stack of pancakes served with a side of nostalgia.

Get Outside

East typically isn’t the direction you head when you want to enjoy Colorado’s vast outdoor expanses. But GVR has a lot that draws nature lovers, including a number of parks, tennis courts, ballfields, and even a disc golf course. Green Valley Ranch Golf Club is widely considered one of the city’s top public courses and also hosts the annual Colorado Open tournament.

The northern edge of the neighborhood borders the Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge, a 15,000 acre sanctuary for bison, deer, prairie dogs, coyotes, and more. It sports 20 miles of leisurely hiking paths, an archery range, two fishing lakes, and an 11-mile driving tour—folks can easily lose a day exploring the place.

Closer to home, the Town Center Park hosts free concerts and movie nights during the summer as well as a weekly farmers’ market on Wednesdays from June through August.

For those simply looking to stay active, there are two recreation centers: Green Valley Ranch and Montbello, both of which have pools.

About This Neighborhood