HEARTWOOD COHOUSING
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​
​About Cohousing

Cohousing began in Denmark in the 1970's. The intent was to create the kind neighborhoods with a strong sense of community that were once common. In the 1980’s cohousing was introduced to the United States.  There are now hundreds of cohousing communities in the U.S.

Cohousing neighborhoods are designed to foster community and cooperation while preserving privacy and independence.  As cohousing residents, we all share a desire and intention to live in close connection with our neighbors.  We planned, designed, and now manage our own community.  We each own a private home on a private lot. We also share a great many amenities including common house, greenhouse, community garden, workshop, yurt, hen house, tractor, tennis and pickleball court, and 350 acres of open space.​
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Kids grow up connected to Nature: the land, critters of all sorts, and plenty of free, unstructured outdoor play time.
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"Circling up" for a Friday night potluck on the common house terrace. Breaking bread together is one of the keys to building strong neighborhood connections.
Somewhat ironically, cohousing attracts more introverts than extroverts. Perhaps that's because cohousing provides the opportunity for deeper relationships right out the door of your quiet, private home – no need to engage in a lot of small talk at social events with people you don't know.

​There's an abundance of good information available explaining cohousing and sharing stories from cohousing communities. We've compiled some of our favorite resources here on this page. They give insight into life in cohousing, address some of the commonly held concerns about cohousing, and talk about how cohousing fits in with society at large.

These excerpts from Cohousing-L, the cohousing email discussion group, were written by people living in cohousing.​​​
  • Why Would Anyone Join a Cohousing Group?
  • ​Cohousing Concerns

Videos
  • Cohousing: The Best of Both Worlds (27 minutes)
    PBS affiliate KVIE explores the concept of cohousing through first-hand observation and interviews.
​What is Cohousing? (2 minutes)
​Community at Jamaica Plain Cohousing (3 minutes)
​PBS NewsHour: Cohousing Communities Help Prevent Social Isolation (9 minutes)
​TEDxABQ
​Dr. Erica Elliot
​Cohousing: Community at it's Best  (10 minutes)
​Cohousing Families: Raising Children in Community (13 minutes)
​TEDxCherryCreekWomen
​Trish Becker-Hafnor
Cohousing: The Future of Community and Human Connection​ (15 minutes)

​Websites and Articles
  • What is Cohousing?​
    From the website of the Cohousing Association of the US, the national nonprofit supporting cohousing communities.​​
  • There’s Community and Consensus. But It’s No Commune.​​
    New York Times article - Jan 20, 2018
  • Coming of Age in Cohousing​
    Curbed article - Feb 13, 2019
    Includes interview with Helen Thomson, who grew up at Heartwood.​​
  • Cohousing: The Power of Community​
    Tech-Enhanced Life article by Charles  Durrett, the father of cohousing in America - Aug 10, 2016​​
  • In Cohousing Communities, UU Seniors are Finding New Ways to ‘Age in Place’​​
    Unitarian Universalists article - ​Jan 27, 2020
  • Cohousing: Sharing the Future​
    Positive.News article - Oct 23, 2019​​
  • Starter Guide to Intentional Communities
    Overview guide of intentional communities by the Foundation for Intentional Community - 2021
    Cohousing is one type of intentional community.
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Heartwood loves to party. Here are a bunch of scary hooligans at one of our Halloween parties.
Get in touch
  • Home
  • ABOUT US
    • About Heartwood >
      • Our Story
      • Culture of Consensus
      • Newsletters
      • Heartwood in the News
      • Meet our Members
      • Our Land & Shared Amenities
      • Our Homes
      • How Heartwood Works
      • Demographics
    • About Phase 2 >
      • Phase 2 Homebuyer Commitment
      • Phase 2 FAQ
      • Vital Info for P2 Homebuyers
    • About Cohousing
    • About Southwest Colorado
    • Photo & Video Gallery >
      • People
      • Places
      • Activities
      • Yesteryear
      • Videos
    • FAQ
  • GETTING INVOLVED
    • Path to Membership
    • 4th Friday Happy Hour
    • Plan a Visit
  • What's Available
    • FOR RENT >
      • #14 - Rent
  • DOCUMENTS
    • Agreements
    • Guidelines
    • Resources
    • Decision Log
    • For New Members