Skip to Content

colorado

Dine With Ghosts At Briarhurst Manor


If you were freaked out by the October 28th episode of "Ghost Hunters" we have some good news for you. You can experience the chills live and eat dinner in the Briarhurst Manor, the Manitou, Colorado home featured in the show. Briarhurst Manor, which was built by Dr. William Bell and family back in 1874, is also a full service restaurant. The first home burned down in 1886. Dr. Bell had the second home built out of stone in 1888. The ghostly visitations reported on the property include visitations, shadows, sounds, and objects moving across the room. Sometimes ghostly children are heard playing.

Those who wish to add a bit of the spooky for their nuptials can also rent the home out for weddings. The menus includes domestic and game meats, seafood, pastas and specialty salads. Entrees start at $13.

If you'd like to make a more permanent commitment Briarhurst Manor is also for sale. It appears to have been listed for sale at $7 million last year but is now listed at $3.9 million. Even ghosts can't catch a break in this tough real estate market.

World's Largest Rebate? Save $42,000 on Tesla Roadster in Colorado

Filed under: Wheels, Green

We didn't believe it until we verified it with our own eyes – and amazingly it's true: Colorado is offering a $42,083 rebate on the 2009 Tesla Roadster until December 31st. Carry the one, move the decimal point... yep, that's a 38-percent discount on what must be the most desirable electric car currently for sale in the United States.

So, exactly how did this come about? Is the thin air up there distorting people's better judgment? Not exactly. The incentive actually applies to a slew of qualifying hybrid and electric vehicles and will be paid in the form of an income tax credit that's calculated by determining the difference in price of the alt-fuel car or truck as compared to a competitive gas-powered model. In the case of the Tesla Roadster, Colorado figures the EV costs a whopping $50K more than its competitive set... which we imagine might be the Lotus Elise.

Want to take advantage of the rebate but not interested in a fully-electric sportscar? Buyers can also get a $20K rebate on the 2009 Lexus LS 600h L or about three grand on either the new Honda Insight or Toyota Prius. See the complete list in PDF form here.



[Source: Green Car Reports]

Cherry Hills Park Drive, Estate of the Day

Filed under: Estates, Sports


Today's house is a lavish spreadin the Cherry Hills Village area near Denver, Colorado. The home was owned by ex-Denver Broncos head coach Mike Shanahan. Shanahan, who was the coach of the football team for 14 seasons, sold the house in January 2007 for $16 million but reportedly lived there until late last year. The home was built for him in 2000. He may be on his way to Washington D.C. to coach for the Redskins but is said to be building an even larger home in Cherry Hills Village.

The six-bedroom home is on nearly 2.5 acres of land. The home has just about every amenity in over 20,000 square feet of space. There is a large indoor Jacuzzi, a steam room, gym, wine cellar, sunroom, indoor golf area and a gourmet kitchen with a big 'S' over the range. This home is listed at $17 million.

[Thanks, Anthony]

Golfer Greg Norman Puts His Ranch Up For Sale For $55 Million

Filed under: Estates, Celebrity Shopping


Golfer Greg Norman hasn't sold off the real estate from his last marriage (his Tranquility estate is still for sale for $60 million) but he seems to already be facing divorce and some more real estate transitions. Norman and tennis champion Chris Evert were married less than two years ago but now they have split up. Both Norman and Evert left long term marriages in order to be together.

According to People.com the pair never created a home together and kept their own residences. Still some real estate transition seems to be in order for Norman. His Seven Lakes Ranch in Colorado is up for sale for a cool $55 million. Norman assembled the ranch from a variety of properties and it now extends over 11,600 acres in Meeker, Colorado. Norman picked up the Seven Lakes Lodge and an adjacent 3,000-acre ranch from Wall Street financier Henry Kravis in 2004. The 8-bedroom lodge on 300 acres, was listed, along with the neighboring Pollard Ranch for $18.5 million but Norman paid around $16 million. The Pollard Ranch is adjacent to the 8,200-acre ranch that Norman had already owned for seven years. Norman was particularly fond of the outdoor opportunities on his ranch. On the Shark website he said that he enjoyed fishing, hunting, riding, mountain bike riding and more on the property. The property includes the nearly 14,000 square foot lodge, staff quarters, staff and guest cabins, a fitness center, equestrian facilities and a clays course. It is being sold furnished.

[Thanks, Kevin]

Rent Out The Curtis Hotel For New Year's Eve

Filed under: Journeys, Events


It's not even Halloween yet but one hotel is hoping that you are already casting your eye toward New Year's Eve. The Curtis Hotel in Denver, Colorado has set up a special website, Won Night Only, to tempt bidders to take part in an eBay auction for take over the 330-room hotel for New Year's Eve 2010. The winning bidder gets food and drinks for everyone (up to 600 guests) including a cocktail reception, dinner, open bar, a late night munchie bar and a champagne brunch. A photographer will be available to document the event and the evening will include live music and a DJ. The hotel's design team will decorate the hotel for the event. Bidding on eBay is over $50,000 so far and the auction ends on Sunday.

[via The Globe and Mail]

Hotel Jerome Facing Foreclosure Auction

Filed under: Journeys

I'm sorry to hear this news, the Wall Street Journal is reporting that another grand resort has hit hard times. Aspen's historic Hotel Jerome, has been scheduled for an auction. The hotel, which opened way back in 1889, was purchased in 2007 by a pair of investors, Elysian Worldwide LLC and Lodging Capital Partners LLC. The deal was financed with a $48 million mortgage provided by Morgan Stanley Mortgage Capital Inc. Now an entity identified as Jerome Property LLC has said that the owners failed to pay the mortgage's $36.3 million balance. The foreclosure filing was recorded on September 24 and the foreclosure auction will be held in January unless something changes.

Meanwhile, the hotel, which is managed by Rock Resorts, remains open and is preparing for the busy ski season with a bunch of special offers and packages. The hotel is one of Aspen's most beloved landmarks and the J-Bar is a popular destination famous for the Aspen Crud, a milkshake and bourbon concoction that is a bit like a Mudslide that punches you in the gut.

North Star Ranch, Estate of the Day

Filed under: Estates


Backed by mountains and sprawling over approximately 265 acres near La Veta, Colorado, the North Star Ranch is the ideal property for the horse lover. It includes a 10-stall horse barn, indoor riding arena, caretaker home and guest cabin. The property is on around 1.5 miles of the Cuchara River meandering through the picturesque property. The 4,000 square-foot Mediterranean style home has high-beamed ceilings, large windows, small cozy fireplaces and beautiful inlaid wood details. This home is listed at $6.25 million.

The Compound On The Ridge, Estate of the Day

Filed under: Estates


Today's home is an incredible new luxury compound is Aspen, Colorado that includes two large residences on two contiguous lots located on over two acres on the Ridge of Red Mountain. The compound offers direct views of Aspen Mountain, Independence Pass, and the entire valley. The main home is a contemporary estate that is 11,300 square feet with five bedrooms, a gourmet kitchen, theater, wine room, gym huge recreation room and resistance pool. The home is rendered in stone and dark wood with curved roofs and glass windows facing the mountains. The second home is a 4,178 square foot guest home with five bedrooms and a two car garage. This estate is listed at $35 million which makes it one of the more expensive listings in the area but still millions below some of the properties in the area.

Experience more lush living in luxury homes and mansions or see the stars living large with celebrity homes galleries at AOL Real Estate.

Live a Luxurious Ranch Lifestyle at Maytag Mountain Ranch in Colorado

Filed under: Journeys, Green, Real Estate Developments

photo of maytag ranch, colorado

You can always buy a ranch fill your closet with Western togs, but if the Old West has always captured your imagination, you can take it one step further and buy a homestead at Maytag Mountain Ranch in Hillside, Colorado.

This working cattle ranch, a project of slow food advocate Russ Maytag, is set on 3,000 acres at the foot of Colorado's Sangre de Cristo Mountains, and 100 acre homesteads are for sale. Purchase one of the 14 lots still available -- priced from $879,000 to $1.5 million -- and you also get a 1/27th ownership share of the still-operating cattle ranch, which raises certified organic produce and livestock. The income from the ranch provides income for the housing association, plus, your kitchen will be stocked with your very own dairy, grass-fed beef and produce, and if you want, you can even participate in the ranching. (And if you don't, you can leave it to the ranch staff.) Owners get one month's use of the association's two guest cabins, as well as access to a "Cookhouse", or a clubhouse, which is available for hanging out and parties.

And what would a homestead be without a horse? If you don't have your own, the Ranch Association owns six, and there's room to board your own steeds on site.


Aspen Home Sells For $43 Million, Sets 2009 Record

Filed under: Estates

aspenWe keep hearing about how bad the real estate market is and chronicling the many price drops but recently a home sold for $43 million and it wasn't even on the market. The ten-bedroom mansion in Aspen, Colorado is on 4.5 acres at the base of Red Mountain and sold through Joshua &Co. The 21,400-square-foot home has become what brokers say is the most expensive home that has sold in the U.S. so far this year.

The Wall Street Journal shows the home which was designed by Charles Cunniffe Architects. There are a host of pictures of the home on the Cunniffe website (the kitchen is particularly worthy of note). The wood, glass and stone home on 4.5 acres was built in 2006. It has an outdoor pool, guest house and a four-car garage. Inside the home, windows frame mountain views from the living areas and private spaces. It has an elevator, wine cellar, home theater and 10 bedrooms.

Newton Bartley, a real estate agent with Joshua & Co. referred to the sale as a "straight, cash deal." The Aspen Times says that the buyer, who has not been named, became interested in the home at the end of the last ski season. Several Aspen homes on the market are priced higher than this one including Elk Song Ranch which is listed at $58 million and is shown below.

Meanwhile Ranch, Estate of the Day


An article on the Ski Channel recently pointed out that Neverland Ranch wasn't the only ranch in Michael Jackson's life. He also once vacationed at this home in Snowmass, Colorado with his children. Meanwhile Ranch is a 12,000 square foot luxury log estate. The ranch is on 56 acres which also includes an older four-bedroom guest house, caretaker apartments, an 1866 settler's cabin, barn, and a 1,500-square-foot workshop–auto showroom.


Jackson caused a stir when he showed up in Old Snowmass in 2004. He walked into the local Wal-Mart in his ski mask and employees, who did not recognize him, were afraid they were being robbed. An article from the time reports that the home was on the market for $16.5 million. It is now listed for $27.5 million.

[Thanks, Brandon]


Spruce Mountain, Estate of the Day

Filed under: Estates


Today's estate in Larkspur, Colorado offers something most estates don't, your own private 5000-foot runway and a heated aircraft hanger. This home is on 196 acres and includes both a main house and a carriage house. The main home is approximately 10,000 square feet with five bedrooms. The two-story entrance features stacked stone columns and the home has its own elevator and an indoor lap pool. This home is listed at $15 million (plane not included).

Experience more lush living in luxury homes and mansions or see the stars living large with celebrity homes galleries at AOL Real Estate.

Modern Art in Aspen, Estate of the Day

Filed under: Estates


Today's home is a recently built modern home in Aspen, Colorado. It was designed by Studio B Architects and their website says that the home was designed for an art collector looking for a home for his collection. The silvery exterior is made of zinc panels, concrete and glass. There are five bedrooms total in an open floor plan that allows for room for monumental works of art. The home also includes a 2600 bottle glass wine room, exercise room, office, and a partially heated rear patio. A rooftop deck offers views of Aspen Mountain. The home won the 2008 American Institute of Architects Honor Award for Residential Design and the Merit Award for Built Architecture. It is listed at $7.5 million.

More Cigars for Troops ... Do Your Part!

Filed under: Cigars

You know I have a soft spot for this issue ... I will do everything I can to put cigars between the fingers of soldiers who want them. So, when I saw this latest announcement, I was hooked.

"Cigars to the Troops" is hosting its First Annual Poker Run and Fundraiser. On Saturday, May 23, 2009, participants will stop at various locations in the Denver, Colorado area that celebrate those who have served: Fort Logan, American Legion, VFW and Armed Forces Tribute Garden (among others). The event will also include raffles, a sidewalk barbequeue and other entertainment ... including the Palma Posse Cigar Girls.

And, as you may have guessed, there will be some poker played. The best and worst hands will score a stay in Vail.

If you enter solo, the cost is $25, with couples paying $35. In addition to participating and eating, you'll get a t-shirt, cigar and raffle ticket. It's a small price to pay to have a bit of fun and support Cigars to the Troops.

Any soldier knows the importance of the small comforts that make a difficult situation easier. If you haven't served, just trust me on this one. Every cigar that winds up in the hand of a soldier who wants one will definitely appreciate it.

Pioneer Springs Ranch, Estate of the Day

Filed under: Estates



Today's estate is located in the Snowmass Village area of scenic and still pricey Aspen, Colorado. The home was built in 2004 by the current owner and is being sold for the first time. The property is on over 40 acres and the grounds offer outdoor entertaining areas with a hot tub, pizza oven and water features. The living space is over 13,000 square feet with seven bedrooms including a master suite with an attached exercise room, walk-in closet, and steam shower in the master bath. There are two media/family rooms, a game room, a private office with a deck and a bar and four-sided fireplace in the living room. This home is listed at $25 million.

Experience more lush living in luxury homes and mansions or see the stars living large with celebrity homes galleries at AOL Real Estate.



Join Luxist on Facebook!

Featured Galleries

Langham Yangtze Shanghai
Robb Report Limited Edition Series
Felix Rey
Celebrity Pilots
Penthouse West
Barry Sternlicht in Greenwich
Stella McCartney for GAP Kids
Catherine Malandrino for Cointreau
Georgica Manor