17 Corn Mazes and Pumpkin Patches to Visit This Fall

It’s time to get out and breathe that crisp, fall air.

Harvest time at farms and plots across Colorado’s Front Range means pumpkins, gourds, hay, corn, and animals; many even incorporate carnival-like attractions. Find a corn maze, pumpkin patch, or fall festival nearby, or make a day trip to one!

Anderson Farms Fall Festival

September 22 through October 31. Daily, hours vary

Make a private campfire station (by reservation) your home base for snacking on s’mores and concessions, then venture out to conquer the 25-acre corn maze, pick up a squash or gourd, ride the pedal karts, and more. Terror in the Corn and Zombie Paintball Hunt are available after dark, if you dare. Find tickets online. $15 age 4 and up (Mon to Thu), $23 weekend; free ages 3 and under. Anderson Farms, Erie.

Bartels Pumpkin Patch and Corn Maze

Sept. 16 through Oct. 31. Daily, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Pick a pumpkin from the field, pet a farm animal, get the wiggles out on the playground, and enjoy a relaxing hayride at this patch. Free parking and entry, $1 to $5 produce and activities. The Bartels Farm, Fort Collins.

Colorado Pumpkin Patch

Sept. 17 through Oct. 31. Wed and Thu (Sept.), 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.; Fri to Sun (Sept.), 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mon and Tue (Oct.), 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.; Wed to Sun (Oct.), 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Visit this 41-acre farm just 25 minutes from Denver where you’ll find a pony rides, gourd launchers, tube swings, a hay maze, and more. Concessions (i.e. hot dogs, BBQ, fries and fried desserts) are available on the weekends. $12-$15. Colorado Pumpkin Patch, Monument.

Corn Maze at Chatfield Farms

Sept. 17 through Oct. 31. Fri to Sun, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Take on the big bee-themed maze at the Littleton location of Denver Botanic Gardens, or send a little one through the kiddie size maze. Try a barrel train ride, or a pirate ship escape room. Picnic tables are available on a first-come first-served basis; bring your own food or purchase from vendors onsite. The pumpkin patch is accessible during the Pumpkin Festival October 8, 9, and 10. Purchase tickets online. Halloween masks and costumes are not permitted. $13 adult member; $15 adult, $13 student, senior, military, child (ages 3 to 15), $10 child member; free age 2 and under. Additional fees for the escape room. Denver Botanic Gardens at Chatfield Farms, Littleton.

Cottonwood Farm Pumpkin Patch

Sept. 25 through Oct. 31. Daily, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

In need of a gourd time? Take the family to this farm offering wagon rides (October weekends), a corn and straw bale maze, farm animal visits, and family activities. Prepaid admissions strongly recommended, especially on weekends. $5, free age 5 and under. Cottonwood Farms, Lafayette.

Diana’s Pumpkin Patch Corn Maze

Sept. 18 through Oct. 17. Fri and Sat, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Sun, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; open by appointment during the week

This family-owned patch is celebrating 20 years serving the community through corn maze and pumpkin patch fun. This year’s maze is cut in the shape of the farm’s logo. The corn bin, hay slide, climbing rope, duck races, and one pumpkin are included with admission. Take home some decorative harvest items (for purchase) to remember your time by. $13, free age 5 and under; $33 season pass. Diana’s Pumpkin Patch & Corn Maze, Cañon City.

Fall Festival and Maze at Flat Acres Farm

Sept. 25 through Oct. 31. Thu to Sun, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.

Go beyond the hay bale and corn maze (also available here) and jump into bounce houses, giant Jenga games, petting zoos, and tractor tides. Many activities are geared for kids ages 10 and under. Older youth and adults might extend their stays for the Fright Acres or airsoft attractions (at an extra cost). $16, $5 age 65 and older, free age 2 and under. Flat Acres Farm, Parker.

Four Mile Historic Park Pumpkin Harvest Festival

Oct. 1 through 3. Oct. 1, 5 to 8 p.m.; Oct. 2, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Oct. 3, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The usual prairie fall-themed games, art depot, artisan demonstrations, live music, and marketplace are back at Four Mile’s festival. Build Your Own Scarecrow is back by popular demand; kids can stuff, dress, and decorate their own pal. Don’t miss out on new attractions including axe throwing, s’mores, and an Inventing Room where you can order hot cider with exploding whipped cream or pumpkin spice space foam treats. See online for tickets and details. $8 to $16 general admission, $35 to $50 VIP admission. Four Mile Historic Park, Denver.

Fritzler Farm Park Fall Days

Sept. 19 through Oct. 31. Fri, 4 to 10 p.m.; Sat, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Sun, noon to 5 p.m.; Wed and Thu (Oct. 20 and 21), 6 to 9 p.m.

Ever played human foosball, got caught in a big spider web, shot a pumpkin from a cannon, or watched pigs race? You can do all of that and a dozen more fall fun activities at Fritzler Farm. Find tickets online. $22.95 entry includes most activities, free age 2 and under. Fritzler Farm Park, La Salle.

Happy Apple Farm

Aug. 29 through Oct. 31. Thu to Sun, 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Pick apples (light this year due to spring weather) and pumpkins at this orchard/patch combination experience. Peruse the little shop’s sweet treats; don’t miss the apple cider donuts! Pets welcome. Free admission. Happy Apple Farm, Penrose.

Lone Creek Farms Fall Festival

Sept. 24 through Oct. 31. Fri to Sun, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Hours of fun await with the numerous attractions dotting these festival grounds. Pan for gold in a creek after taking a hay wagon ride, find your way out of a large corn maze, race on pedal karts, and jump on a giant inflated pumpkin. Refresh your energy with lemonade, kettle corn, and apple cider donuts made on site. Find tickets online. $19.95, $16.95 seniors and military, free age 3 and under. Entry includes most activities. Lone Creek Farms, Franktown.

Mazzotti Farms Corn Maze and Pumpkin Patch

Oct. 2 through Oct. 31. Sat to Sun, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Try your hand at fashioning a scarecrow ($40, materials provided), wind through a corn maze, and visit with some animals on site. One pumpkin included per paid admission; fall decorating items including gourds, straw bales, and corn are available. $12, free age 2 and under. Mazzotti Farms, Hudson.

Miller Farms Fall Harvest Festival

Sept. 6 through Nov. 14. Daily, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Pick your own veggies, go through the corn maze, climb the dirt hill, and celebrate harvest season on an ample farm. Visit “Antique Alley,” dive into the “Croc-pit” (chopped-up Croc shoes), then enjoy a picnic lunch. Harvest ride: $25 ages 14 and up, $15 ages 4 to 14, free under age 4. Miller Farms, Platteville.

Miners’ Pumpkin Patch

Oct. 9 through 30. Sat, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Head to the Miners’ patch and enjoy pumpkin picking, hay rides, spooky stories, lawn games, and apple cider press concessions. $10 admission (online purchase), $12 admission (in person), includes all activities and a pumpkin. Western Museum of Mining & Industry, Colorado Springs.

Osborn Farm Pumpkin Patch

Sept. 25 through Oct. 31. Daily, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

This family-run farm offers heaps of pumpkins, gourds, corn, and straw bales, all available for picking and purchasing. Hay rides are offered on Saturdays and Sundays. Free parking and admission; dogs are allowed (on-leash). Free parking and admission; produce prices vary. Osborn Farm, Loveland.

Rocky Mountain Pumpkin Ranch Pumpkin Carnival

Oct. 1 through 31. Sat and Sun, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Come for the certified organic pumpkins and winter squash; stay for the hay maze, petting zoo, and carnival rides (geared toward young kids and adults who like to play). Snag a snack from food trucks and vendors selling funnel cakes, cotton candy, brats, and pretzels on weekends. Free parking and admission. $1 to $8 per activity. Rocky Mountain Pumpkin Ranch, Longmont.

Wishing Star Farm Pumpkin Patch

Sept. 17 through Oct. 31. Daily, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Spin in tire swings, race through a straw maze, climb a wall, jump on a giant pillow, and make a baby goat your pal. It’s all possible at this fall playground. After working up an appetite, settle in for a picnic of your own creation or sourced from concessions. No reservations required. $12 admission (includes activities), $5 per pumpkin and pony ride. Wishing Star Farm, ​Ellicott.

Find more kid-friendly fall activities on Colorado Parent!

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If there is a home that you would like more information about, if you are considering selling a property, or if you have questions about the housing market in your neighborhood, please reach out. We’re here to help.

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Mortgage demand from homebuyers jumps to highest level since April, after new listings rise all summer

Fall is usually the start of the slower season for the housing market, but nothing is usual in today’s pandemic-driven housing market. Potential homebuyers are seeing a slight rise in inventory and consequently rushing back into the fray.

Mortgage applications to purchase a home jumped 7% last week from the previous week, seasonally adjusted, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association. An additional adjustment was made to account for the Labor Day holiday. That is the highest level since April of this year. These applications were still 11% lower than the same week one year ago, but that was the smallest annual decline in 14 weeks.

Buyers have been hamstrung by the meager supply of homes for sale, but that supply has been rising lately, albeit slowly. The number of new listings rose for nine straight weeks during the summer, but finally fell again last week, according to a Realtor.com report.

“Even with the recent new listings slip, the gap with pre-COVID levels has shrunk significantly as more new sellers have entered the market so far in 2021 than last year,” according to the report.

Home prices continue to gain at a record pace, and that was also reflected in the purchase mortgage applications.

“Both conventional and government purchase applications increased, and the average loan size for a purchase application rose to $396,800. The very competitive purchase market continues to put upward pressure on sales prices,” said Joel Kan, an MBA economist.

Applications to refinance a home loan fell 3% for the week and were also 3% lower than the same week one year ago. Borrowers have not had a lot of incentive to refinance, as mortgage rates have barely budged in the last month, and rates are now higher than they were at the start of the year.

The average contract interest rate for 30-year fixed-rate mortgages with conforming loan balances ($548,250 or less) remained unchanged at 3.03%, with points decreasing to 0.32 from 0.33 (including the origination fee) for loans with a 20% down payment.

The refinance share of mortgage activity decreased to 64.9% of total applications from 66.8% the previous week.

Keep reading on CNBC.

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If there is a home that you would like more information about, if you are considering selling a property, or if you have questions about the housing market in your neighborhood, please reach out. We’re here to help.

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What Is the Average Price Per Square Foot for a Home—and Why Does It Matter?

If you’re hoping to buy a house, the very first dollar figure you’ll want to know is the home’s price, of course. But a close second is its cost for each square foot—and the average cost for each square foot for a home in that neighborhood (or the median cost for a square foot of home space, which is actually a better representative of the middle ground of the market than the average). Here’s what you should know about these numbers, and how to use them to your advantage as you shop for a home.

How to calculate the square foot costs for a home

Typically, a home’s cost for a square foot is prominently featured on the listing—both online as well as in those property information sheets you get at an open house. But a home’s price by the square foot doesn’t tell you much on its own. This number is best understood in comparison with similar homes in the surrounding market.

So your next step should be to type in the city, neighborhood, or ZIP code of interest into a site like realtor.com/local. This will give you the median cost a square foot for homes in that area of your city (as well as median asking price, closing price, and number of homes for sale in the local market—all useful info during a house hunt).

What’s the median or average price for each square foot in a home?

It’s important to know the difference between the median price and the average, or mean, price. The average price is simply the arithmetic mean, calculated as the total of all home sales, divided by the number of sales. An average sales price can be skewed by a few higher or lower home values.

The median, however, is the value separating the higher half of a data sample from the lower half. If all of the real estate property  prices were lined up by value, the home sale in the middle would represent the median home value.

According to the latest estimates, the median price for each square foot for a home in the United States is $123. But that can vary widely based on where you live and other factors.

For instance, on the low end, you’ll pay $24 a square foot in Detroit. On the expensive end, in San Francisco, $810. So why such a wide range?

Well, it’s no secret that certain neighborhoods are considered more desirable than others, and fetch a better price as a result.

“The hotter the neighborhood, the higher the price per square foot,” says Anthony Stellini, a Realtor® with RSR, a division of the real estate firm Nourmand & Associates. But odds are you knew that already. What you may not know is how this info can help you get a better deal on a house. More on that next!

How cost per square foot can help you negotiate

When you run your comparison of a home’s cost per square foot with the neighborhood median, you can use that information to help you determine whether a place is a bargain or overpriced.

Let’s say you see a home you love priced at $150 per square foot, but then you find that the median price for a square foot for the neighborhood is $135. This suggests the cost of the home you’re looking at could be too expensive—which spells an opportunity for you to negotiate for a lower purchase price. Just point out to the sellers that homes of similar size in the area cost far less. Or, conversely, if the median price a square foot is $135 but this home is only $120, you may have a bargain in your crosshairs that you should snap right up!

Of course, as a buyer you know there’s more to consider than the cost for each square foot of housing.

A single-family home on 5 acres of real estate will generally be worth more than one with the same square footage, but on a small-size lot. A new home generally costs more. And a large house may cost more overall because of higher labor costs and total construction costs, but the market will only pay so much. A house may actually sell for less than you might expect, based on its size, if it is overbuilt for the area.

Why price per square foot standards vary by area

Because there are no official laws governing the process of measuring and calculating residential square footage, there are often wide discrepancies when it comes to the final figure.

Standards for measuring and calculating residential square footage are set by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). But bear in mind compliance with ANSI guidelines is completely voluntary. So, while one seller might include an unfinished basement or a garage in the home’s overall square footage — both no-nos by ANSI standards — another might not, leaving you comparing apples to oranges anyway. Others may include vast amount of unusable but open space created by vaulted ceilings, meaning a home with less square footage may actually provide you with more walking around room. Walking through the home is the best way to get a feel for how much living space you can really enjoy.

If you’re looking at a home that doesn’t have its square footage listed, contact the county tax assessors’ office to find out how you can access the property’s tax records, which are public documents that will specify the square footage of the home’s living space. In many counties, this information is available online, making it quick and easy to find your answer.

The bottom line is, while price per square foot provides a point of comparison, unless homes are completely uniform, it’s unwise to allow it to be your lone deciding factor.

Get more info like this on Realtor.com

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If there is a home that you would like more information about, if you are considering selling a property, or if you have questions about the housing market in your neighborhood, please reach out. We’re here to help.

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5 Home Staging Secrets That Actually Translate into Stylish, Real-Life Decorating Ideas, According to an Expert

House hunting is a truly wild ordeal. Let’s start at the top: You’re (in many cases) talking about spending your life savings on a piece of property, so there’s just no way it’s not going to be stressful. You’re invasively walking through people’s homes, rifling through their things, and judging their various choices.

Add in a global pandemic, where you basically have to act like a shark at feeding time if you even want a chance at scoring a property, and that’s the situation my husband and I found ourselves in less than a year ago.

Having spent ten years in New York City, nearly every home was four times larger than anything we were used to, so we were immediately wooed by the square footage. That’s where the fantasy stopped though; so many of the places we toured needed serious help aesthetically. While it’s true that you’re buying someone’s shell of a home and not their decor style, it’s so easy for the two to impact one another. One home we walked into was so filled to the brim with cat collectibles that we could barely move, and another had a carpet and wall of built-ins so destroyed by the residing pups that you couldn’t walk into the space. Needless to say, both of those homes did not make the cut.

After a series of unfortunate first impressions, we walked into an immaculately styled home where every detail was thoughtfully considered. The furniture was proportional to the space; the coffee bar was stocked; there were fresh flowers on the table — it felt lived-in but in a way that made you want to picture your life there. While we didn’t end up making an offer on that house, the impact of the staging made a lasting impression on me. Not only does staging make a huge difference when looking to sell your home, but with its practice also comes with sneaky takeaway tips to utilize when decorating — though, make no mistake about, they’re definitely not the same thing.

“The number one difference between design and staging is the intention,” says Leia Ward, founder of luxury staging design firm LTW Design. “Design is intended to reflect the style of the homeowner and is completely subjective. On the other hand, staging is objective and intended to highlight architectural focal points of the home (among other selling points) and create a lifestyle experience in order for buyers to emotionally attach and make an offer. The priorities are very different.”

That being said, many of Ward’s best staging tips also make pretty good decorating ideas. I went through the main rooms in a hypothetical home with her, getting her strategies along with the underlying takeaway decor principle behind them, which can help you make the most of any space you come to call “home sweet home.”

The Kitchen

Kitchens are the heart of the home and often can be a huge deciding factor for prospective buyers. While the finishes (see also: appliances, countertops, and layout) are paramount, Ward emphasizes the importance of adding life to the space, turning to large displays of greenery (often tall branches with leaves) to add freshness without taking away from the necessary features house hunters are truly there to see. 

When it comes to decorating your own kitchen, Ward suggests treating the countertops just like you would any other surface in your home. “Even if it’s not functional, decorating the kitchen is important, and we like to style surfaces there just as we would a coffee or console table,” she says. “Create a little vignette by adding a framed piece of art against the backsplash with two coffee table books and a vase.” Don’t forget fresh flowers or greenery either; a little bit of life can warm up an otherwise sterile looking kitchen, whether you’re looking to sell or in your forever home. You don’t have to go over-the-top here, but if you do have high ceilings, for example, why not choose a few dramatic, tall branches?

The Living Room

Perhaps the biggest difference between staging for buying and decorating for living can be seen in the living room layout, according to Ward. “In real life, it’s functional to have the sofa facing the TV, so if you’re designing for yourself, make the most of the space for day-to-day livability,” she says. “However, when staging, the layout must allow for an unobstructed flow, which usually means the sofa is perpendicular to the fireplace or TV so buyers don’t have to walk around it to see the focal point. We want to use less furniture to create negative spaces, which make rooms feel bigger and show off more square footage.” 

Ward also removes any extra clutter and personal photos, encouraging clients to think of it like turning your home into a 5-star hotel. “Nobody wants to go into a hotel room and see a personal item left from the previous guest, right?” she says. “Same concept! Buyers want to walk through your home and envision it as theirs.”

The upshot here? Choose a layout that works for the way you regularly interact in your space, and don’t worry if your coffee table has remotes, coasters, and magazines on it. Just maybe add a tray or basket to corral said items, so they look a little bit more organized and in their proper places. Could you benefit from losing a chair or an extra side table though, putting to use Ward’s staging prerogative on flow? Negative space is never a bad thing, even in a lived-in home.

Powder Room

The powder room or half-bath is one of the few places where Ward’s design and staging ethos meet. “My biggest suggestion for your powder room is actually the same whether you’re staging it for sale or trying to warm it up for yourself: Add live greenery!” she says. “It’s the nicest surprise and is so refreshing when you see live flowers or tall branches with leaves in a bathroom.”

Primary Bedroom

The bedroom is another personal space buyers are going to want to “see” themselves in, so Ward cautions against a palette that is too bright or attention-grabbing when staging your home for sale. “For staging, it’s all about creating a sanctuary for potential buyers — especially in a primary bedroom,” she explains. “Soft neutrals and layered textures (think: cashmere throws, bouclé pillows, linen sheets) will do the job.”

When it comes to decorating a bedroom for yourself though, Ward encourages all the cozies mentioned above but with a personality-packed twist unique to your style and a playful outlook on color, pattern, and texture. “When decorating your primary bedroom, go bold and use wallpaper — we especially love a solid textured wallpaper,” she says.

Office

If there’s one thing most homeowners have on their wishlist when house hunting these days, it’s a home office. In fact, the folks behind Rocket Homes reported almost a 17 percent increase in listings mentioning a home office between March and July of 2020, and that trend is only set to explode with the increase in telecommuting. The solution? A design that melds functionality and decor into one serene space — plus, an added dose of organization if you’re actually living there. 

“When staging an office, it’s all about showing the buyer how they want to live — a neat, clean office without desk drawers or clutter tells buyers, ‘If you buy this house, you’ll live like this,’” says Ward, who shares that she stages offices with small-scale dining tables instead of true desks to cut down on visual clutter, which is a great tip if you like a more streamlined look yourself and can invest in other methods of storage. In fact, for a functional office space you can actually live and work in, Ward absolutely emphasizes the need for appealing organizational solutions. “Style the office with bold accessories that are functional for organization,” she suggests. “Don’t just buy any old pencil cup holder or paper tray. Use that item to make a statement, whether it’s with a concrete, marble, or leather texture.”

Read more on Apartment Therapy.

Related Links

• How Much Does It Cost To Build a House—and Is It Cheaper To Buy or Build?

• Should I rent or buy a home right now? Well, that depends on where you want to live.

• The Easy Curb Appeal Project with a Huge Return on Investment

If there is a home that you would like more information about, if you are considering selling a property, or if you have questions about the housing market in your neighborhood, please reach out. We’re here to help.

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Find a Dog a Home: Meet Max

Ruff, ruff! Ahem, I mean HELLO to you, potential adopter who may not speak “dog”.

No big deal if you don’t of course, all that really matters is you love dogs, which means ME! Some kind hikers found me wandering alone in the Rocky Mountains, and as you Colorado people know, it’s not a great idea to be alone in the mountains without even a water bottle! Though uncertain at the time, these people convinced me to follow them down the mountain and, long story short, took me to Ho-Bo Care. Overall, I’m a really fun guy, but I have been known to get excited and jump up to say hello when I meet new people. Trust me, if you walked a mountain-mile in my paws, you’d be excited to meet others, too!

Recently, I spent an afternoon with a pup specialist who wanted to learn all about me. She observed me meeting strangers as well as unfamiliar dogs. I really love people, but other dogs can make me nervous. Mind you, I’m not rude to these dogs, I’m just hoping to be the pride and joy of my forever-family rather than make new furry friends. By the way, did you know it’s the start of football season? Did you also know that I looooove football, especially the Broncos? I’d love to hang out by your feet while the game is going, and would eagerly chase a ball any other time of day. Of course, if you want to go to a game one day, I’ll patiently wait for you until you get home -- just leave the game on for me. I’m crate trained, and quickly settle down for a nap so PLEASE GIVE ME A CHANCE. I’m a great dog and would love to be part of your family.

For more information, visit Ho-Bo Care or contact W+M Agent Leslie Gentile.