by Lorraine Masonheimer

Esperanza, a peninsula of 58 homes nestled in a valley between WinterBerry and Tapadero, is a gated community developed by Richmond Homes. The signature gates recently received medallions with a cursive “E” at Esperanza’s entrance located at Monarch Boulevard and Esperanza Drive.

Mike Dunker has served as president of the Homeowners Association (HOA) for nearly three years. “I volunteered because of the issues facing our community surrounding the transfer of responsibility of our infrastructure from Richmond to the residents,” said Dunker. “We are a private gated community, and therefore we have responsibility to maintain our own streets, curbs and gutters, fixtures and more. We needed to be sure that the infrastructure was in acceptable condition at the time of transfer.”

Earlier this year, the community received approval and a $1,000 contribution from the Metro District to make landscape improvements outside the front entrance. The project was completed in late spring.

Currently, the Esperanza community is negotiating with the Metro District to plant trees, shrubs and native grasses on land owned by the district inside the gates. “The subject has been on the agenda the last several months and no commitment has been made,” said Dunker. “We feel the homeowners that reside at Esperanza should not pick up the expense of improving District land. The WinterBerry and Whisper Canyon trails feed into our neighborhood and enhancing landscape materials will benefit all of the Castle Pines North community.”

As a smaller neighborhood, the HOA has an active social committee and many residents participate. The HOA sponsored a summer kick-off party complete with a jumping castle for the children and food and drink for the homeowners. In July, residents enjoyed a deck crawl—a progressive dinner party where each home has a different theme.

Every year, the HOA sponsors a July 4 parade and pancake breakfast, an end-of-summer ice cream social, and a children’s holiday party at the Daniel’s Gate clubhouse. Every other month, a ladies night-out is held at local restaurants. The social committee is currently planning a children’s Halloween party this fall. “We are lucky we have homeowners who volunteer in our community,” said Kristi Marocchi, Social Committee spokesperson.

Esperanza has three board members and two committees—architectural and design review and social. In November, the HOA will look for interested residents in the Esperanza community to fill one director position for a two-year term.

To read news and minutes for Esperanza HOA, visit
www.cpnhoa.org/neighborhood hoas/esperanza.