Trying to choose between Old Town and Wild Plum in Columbine Valley? You are not alone. Both enclaves offer luxury homes, beautiful lots, and access to a treasured private club, yet they live very differently. In this guide, you will see how each area handles governance, approvals, taxes, lot character, and everyday lifestyle so you can decide with confidence. Let’s dive in.

Old Town at a glance

Old Town is the historic heart of Columbine Valley built around Columbine Country Club. It is governed by the private Columbine Valley HOA and an Architectural Control Committee (ACC) that oversees exterior changes and new builds under recorded use and building restrictions that date to 1955 and were later amended. You can review the HOA’s published restrictions and ACC process in the association’s recorded document set on the HOA site. The covenants and ACC requirement shape the classic, country‑club feel of the neighborhood.

Many Old Town lots back to golf fairways or sit within a short golf‑cart ride to the clubhouse. The setting is mature and park‑like, with a notable tree canopy. Homes include original mid‑century ranches, extensive remodels, and custom rebuilds on generous lots.

For HOA information and documents, the Town maintains a list that identifies “Columbine Valley (Old Town)” as an association. You can confirm how the ACC process works by reviewing the HOA’s recorded restrictions and the ACC guidelines.

• HOA list: Town of Columbine Valley HOA directory
• Covenants and ACC rules: Columbine Valley HOA Use & Building Restrictions

Wild Plum at a glance

Wild Plum is a newer luxury enclave organized under the Wild Plum Metropolitan District, a public special district that manages covenant enforcement, design review, and certain community services. Instead of a traditional private HOA, the district handles the design process through a Design Review Committee (DRC) with published submittal steps and timelines. You can find the district’s governing documents, maps, and financial reports on its website.

Homes in Wild Plum are almost all recent construction with high‑end finishes. Lots commonly range from about 0.3 to 0.6 acres and many orient to curated open space, parks, or Cooley Lake per the district map. The look is cohesive and modern by design.

• District site: Wild Plum Metropolitan District
• Design rules and submittals: Wild Plum MD Design Guidelines
• Community map: Wild Plum MD District Map

Governance and rules

This is the most important difference between the two areas. Old Town runs under a private HOA with long‑standing covenants and an ACC that must approve exterior changes, additions, and new construction. The recorded restrictions include setbacks, height language, and procedures that shape rebuilds and remodels.

Wild Plum operates through a metropolitan district that performs many HOA‑like functions as a public entity. The district’s Design Guidelines outline a formal DRC process, meeting frequency, and approval timelines. The document also explains that Wild Plum is exempt from the Colorado Common Interest Ownership Act due to the lack of a mandatory private HOA. If you plan exterior changes, you should expect a clear, written review path in both areas, but with different governing bodies.

• Old Town covenants: CVHOA Use & Building Restrictions
• Wild Plum design review: Wild Plum MD Design Guidelines

Lot sizes and setting

Both enclaves typically offer generous lots in the 0.3 to 0.6 acre range. In Old Town, the feel is classic country‑club with mature trees and many fairway‑front homes. You also see a mix of original ranches and large custom estates built on original lots.

Wild Plum lots are newer and often feature uniform grading and landscaping coordinated by the district’s plans. Many homes benefit from open‑space and water adjacency near Cooley Lake per the district map, with a consistent design language across the streetscape.

Club access and lifestyle

Columbine Country Club is a key part of daily life for many residents. Old Town often offers the most immediate proximity, with golf‑cart access from many properties and direct fairway views. Amenities at the private club include golf, pool, tennis, and a wellness center.

Wild Plum sits close to the club as well, though most homes do not back directly to the fairways. Many owners still enjoy short golf‑cart rides depending on lot placement. Membership is not automatic in either neighborhood and is controlled by the club, so always confirm details with the club directly.

• Club site and amenities: Columbine Country Club

Prices and recent examples

You can find luxury options in both neighborhoods, but the price mix differs by product type and setting.

• Wild Plum homes commonly close in the roughly 1.7 million to 3.0 million range on lots around 0.3 to 0.6 acres, with larger premium builds listing higher. A representative example is 32 Latigo Place, a ranch‑style home on a lot around 0.34 acres that closed in June 2025 based on public listing records.
• Old Town sales range widely, from updated original homes around 1.0 million and up to 4.0 million and beyond for premium golf‑front rebuilds. Representative examples include 6 Driver Lane, a high‑end custom rebuild reported around 4.1 million, and 18 Club Lane, with a reported sale near 3.125 million in public records. Lot sales, like a 0.53 acre parcel on Driver Lane in 2023, also illustrate the strong value of land for custom builds.

Because Columbine Valley has very few transactions at any one time, portal medians can swing a lot. For a purchase or sale, you should rely on fresh, address‑level comparables inside the same micro‑pocket and timeframe.

Taxes, fees, and assessments

Here is where Wild Plum and Old Town diverge most in cost structure.

• Old Town: You will typically see private HOA dues that vary by property and services. These dues are separate from your standard property taxes. Always confirm the exact HOA, fee amount, and inclusions for the parcel you are considering.
• Wild Plum: The metropolitan district can levy property taxes to fund both operations and debt service. The district’s audited 2023 financial statements show multi‑million‑dollar long‑term liabilities and separate operating and debt‑service mills. Budget materials for the current cycle also list estimated mill levies for general operations and debt service, which translate directly into your annual property tax bill. Some listings also show an annual assessment line for landscape or amenity costs administered by the district or its manager.

Before you write an offer in Wild Plum, review the most recent financials, debt schedules, and budget so you understand the total effective mill levy and how it will impact your annual taxes.

• Audited financials: Wild Plum MD 2023 Financial Statements
• Current budget packet: Wild Plum MD 2025 Budget Packet

Schools and address check

Most Columbine Valley addresses on the Arapahoe County side are served by Littleton Public Schools. Listings commonly reference Wilder Elementary, Goddard Middle, and Heritage High. School boundaries can be complex and may differ by parcel, so verify the assignment for your exact address using district tools and official documents.

• Planning reference: Town planning appendix including Wild Plum Farm

Which is right for you?

Use these quick profiles to focus your search.

• Choose Old Town if you want immediate country‑club proximity, mature trees, and the option to remodel or build a custom estate on a larger lot. You value an established neighborhood and are comfortable working with an HOA ACC for exterior approvals.
• Choose Wild Plum if you prefer newer construction, cohesive streetscapes, and open‑space or lake adjacency. You are comfortable with a metropolitan district structure, including district property taxes for operations and debt service, and a defined DRC process for changes.

Buyer checklist

Before you tour or write an offer, gather these items so you can compare apples to apples.

• Governance and rules
  • Old Town: Get the CVHOA Use & Building Restrictions and confirm the ACC submittal, fees, and any recent variances.
  • Wild Plum: Read the Wild Plum MD Design Guidelines and note DRC timelines, material rules, and landscaping standards.
• Taxes and assessments
  • Wild Plum only: Review the 2023 audited financials and the current budget packet. Confirm total mills for operations and debt service and how they affect your annual property tax.
  • For both areas: Clarify any annual assessments shown on the listing and whether they are HOA dues, district assessments, or both.
• Club membership
  • Confirm membership availability, categories, and costs directly with Columbine Country Club. Membership is not automatically conveyed by a home purchase.
• Market value
  • Pull fresh, address‑level comparables in the same micro‑neighborhood within the past 6 to 12 months. In small markets like Columbine Valley, one or two sales can move the median.
• Schools
  • Verify school assignments for the specific parcel using official district tools and planning documents.

How we can help

Choosing between Old Town and Wild Plum often comes down to governance, taxes, and lifestyle tradeoffs. We help you weigh the numbers and the day‑to‑day experience so your choice fits both your budget and how you want to live. From reading district financials to mapping golf‑cart routes, we simplify the process and negotiate with clarity.

If you are comparing homes in Columbine Valley, let’s talk through your goals and shortlist. For a personalized strategy and on‑the‑ground insight, connect with Ben Rule. We will guide you from first tour to closing with the boutique attention and market intelligence you expect.

FAQs

What is the main difference between Old Town and Wild Plum governance?

• Old Town uses a private HOA with recorded covenants and an ACC, while Wild Plum is managed by a metropolitan district that handles design review and enforces rules as a public entity.

How do Wild Plum district taxes affect my payment?

• The district levies mills for operations and debt service, which are added to your annual property tax; review the audited financials and current budget to understand the total mill levy.

Do either Old Town or Wild Plum include Columbine Country Club membership?

• No; membership is separate and controlled by the club, so confirm availability, categories, and pricing directly with Columbine Country Club.

Are lot sizes similar in Old Town and Wild Plum?

• Yes; both often feature lots around 0.3 to 0.6 acres, but Old Town tends to have mature tree canopy and golf‑front settings, while Wild Plum emphasizes open space and lake adjacency.

What should I review before remodeling or building?

• In Old Town, study the HOA covenants and ACC process; in Wild Plum, read the Design Guidelines and DRC timelines so you know what materials, structures, and landscaping are allowed.