At the Heartwood Ranch housing community in southern Colorado, being neighborly isn’t just nice—it’s expected. And minding one another’s business isn’t considered out of line; it’s actually part of the package.

No, Heartwood is not a subdivision in Mister Rogers’ neighborhood. It’s an especially fine example of “cohousing,” a movement aimed at satisfying some folks’ longing for connectivity in an increasingly impersonal world. The concept originated in 1970s Denmark, where like-minded individuals began coming together to plan their own communities, right down to limiting the number of units, handpicking their neighbors, organizing communal events, and setting ethical priorities.

With at least 162 cohousing communities in 33 states, the idea is taking hold in the United States. Potential residents, sociologists, and the just-plain-curious (please call first) can find this particular development tucked into a 250-acre meadow between Durango and Bayfield, Colorado, just off Highway 160. A winding road passes under the rough-hewn gateway of Heartwood Ranch, where a sign suggests that slower speeds are easier on the gravel surface. Farther on, another polite reminder both celebrates and cautions of the presence of the development’s 29 children.

 

 

 

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