Buying Vacant Land in Boulder County: 4 Lots Listed by The Bernardi Group
Four Lots, Four Different Starting Points
Buying land in Boulder County isn't one decision. It's a stack of them: where the water comes from, where the wastewater goes, how you get in during winter, and what you're allowed to build.
Two parcels with similar acreage can be years apart in readiness. One has utilities at the lot line and a paved street. Another needs a septic design, a well, and a plan for a private road.
The Bernardi Group has four vacant land listings in Boulder County right now: a one-acre lot in Boulder's Benchmark subdivision, 30.72 acres in the Gold Hill area above Boulder, 33.68 acres in Falls Pointe near Nederland, and a set-up mountain property in Jamestown. Below, we answer the questions buyers ask most about vacant land, then show how each lot measures up.
What to Check Before Buying Vacant Land in Boulder County
These six questions decide what a lot can become. Ask them about any parcel before you write an offer.
Where does the water come from?
In the mountains, water usually comes from a well. Closer to town, it may come from a water district or a town tap. Ask whether there's a well permit or deeded well, whether a tap is already installed, and whether cisterns are part of the setup.
How is wastewater handled?
Most rural Boulder County lots rely on a septic system. Find out whether a system already exists, is permitted, or still needs to be designed and approved. A permitted system can save you a step.
What's the road access?
A county-maintained road and a private road are very different to live on. Ask who plows in winter and whether a private road meets county standards, since that can affect building.
What does zoning allow?
Zoning sets how many homes you can build and what else the land can be used for. In unincorporated Boulder County, expect county review before you get building permits.
Is there an HOA or covenants?
Some land sits inside a subdivision with an HOA, design rules, and dues. Others have none. Read the covenants early so you know what your future home can look like.
Which utilities are already there?
Electric, gas, and internet at the lot line save time and money compared with extending service. Ask what's on site today, not just what's nearby.
Four Vacant Land Listings in Boulder County
11 Benchmark Dr, Boulder 80303: The Benchmark
One acre at the top of Boulder's Benchmark subdivision, one of twelve lots in the Benchmark HOA. The Flatirons and snow-capped peaks sit to the west, and Davison Mesa open space and eastern sunrises sit behind, with no homes in either sightline.
The previous home was lost in the Marshall Fire. What's left is a cleared site with infrastructure most ground-up builds start without, including a heated driveway that still works.
- 1 acre (43,623 sq ft), level lot on a cul-de-sac that abuts public open space
- East Boulder Water District, plus a shared HOA-owned irrigation well
- Natural gas and electric; septic
- Paved street with a blacktop road at the property line
- Zoned ER, one living unit allowed, Benchmark HOA with covenants
300 Shining Star Trl, Boulder 80302: Gold Hill Area
30.72 acres in the Gold Hill area with 360-degree views from snow-capped peaks to the city lights of Boulder below. The setting is very private, much of the groundwork is done, and plans are in place for a 2,138-square-foot residence.
- Sloping mountain lot with back range, foothills, plains, and city views
- Well and septic, with electricity at the property
- Private dirt road, not up to county standards
- Horses allowed, boundaries marked
- Zoned F, one living unit allowed, no HOA
5260 Ridge Rd, Nederland 80466: Falls Pointe
33.68 acres inside the gated Falls Pointe enclave, a six-lot subdivision near Nederland. The parcel abuts national forest, and views run from the snowcapped Continental Divide to the lights of Boulder and the plains.
- Wooded with evergreen and deciduous trees, rock outcroppings, and a sloping lot
- Deeded well; septic needed; electric
- Private dirt and gravel road, not up to county standards
- Zoning appropriate for 4+ horses, with access to riding trails
- Falls Pointe HOA covers snow removal and management, with hiking and biking trails
- Zoned F, one living unit allowed
3819 & 3803 James Canyon Dr, Jamestown 80455: Basecamp Jamestown
Two parcels of mountain land that are already up and running. Electric and internet are on site, and the pad is ready for an RV or tiny home with electricity, septic, internet, and water connections.
- 3.68 acres across two parcels with foothills views
- Town of Jamestown water with the tap and meter installed, plus two 1,500-gallon cisterns
- Septic permitted for three bedrooms
- Metal building for winter RV storage, wood fencing
- County-maintained dirt road
- Zoning appropriate for 3 horses, with access to riding trails
- Zoned F, one living unit allowed, no HOA
How the Four Lots Compare
The biggest differences are water, wastewater, and road access, which shape how quickly each lot is ready to build or use.
Lot | Acres | Water | Wastewater | Road | HOA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
11 Benchmark Dr, Boulder | 1 | East Boulder Water District + shared irrigation well | Septic | Paved, blacktop | Benchmark HOA |
300 Shining Star Trl, Boulder | 30.72 | Well | Septic | Private dirt road | None |
5260 Ridge Rd, Nederland | 33.68 | Deeded well | Septic needed | Private dirt/gravel road | Falls Pointe HOA |
3819 & 3803 James Canyon Dr, Jamestown | 3.68 | Town of Jamestown tap + cisterns | Septic permitted for 3 bedrooms | County-maintained dirt road | None |
Frequently Asked Questions About Buying Vacant Land
Can you get a loan to buy vacant land?
Yes, though land loans often work differently than home mortgages, sometimes with a larger down payment or shorter term. All four of our Boulder County lots list cash and conventional as accepted terms. Talk with your lender early about how they treat land.
Do you need a well permit to build on land in Colorado?
In Colorado, wells are permitted through the state's Division of Water Resources. Before you buy, ask whether the lot has an existing well permit or deeded well, or whether you'll need to apply.
Can you put an RV or tiny home on land in Boulder County?
Rules vary by location and zoning, so confirm with the county or town before you plan around it. In Jamestown, the James Canyon Dr property already has a pad set up for an RV or tiny home, with power, septic, internet, and water connections.
How do you know where the property lines are?
Ask for a survey or confirm whether boundaries are marked. Boundaries are marked at the Benchmark, Shining Star, and James Canyon lots.
What makes one land listing more build-ready than another?
Infrastructure already in place. A cleared site with utilities, an installed water tap, a permitted septic system, or plans already drawn can remove months of unknowns from a ground-up build.
Walk the Land With Us
The best way to judge a lot is to stand on it. The Bernardi Group at Coldwell Banker Realty in Boulder can walk you through water, access, and build-readiness on each of these four Boulder County properties.
DM us for a private showing, or visit us at thebernardigroup.com.
Be Bold. Be Confident. Be Bernardi. Be Home.
