Community Information & Resources

Community Information & Resources

REVISED ARCHITECTURAL GUIDELINES FOR OWNER REVIEW:  Please find proposed revisions of the Architectural Design Guidelines that members of the GWE Architectural Integrity Committee (AIC) and the GWE Owners Association Board of Directors (Board) have been laboring on over the last 6 months.  See: Revised Architectural Guidelines for Owner Review

For comparison purposes please find the original 1991 version via this link - https://gweoa.org/media/gw_docs/GWEOA_ArchGuidelines.pdf.   

The primary drivers of the Guidelines language revisions are the following:

1. Conformance with new State laws.  Pete has done some heavy lifting (once again) in gaining an understanding of new and modified laws concerning items like renewable energy sources (solar panels, etc.), and fire resistive construction requirements adopted recently by Lake County for our GWE’s wildfire risk rating.  AIC member and attorney, Kent Fischman, ran it by some of his partners at Davis Graham Stubbs, and confirmed that these proposed revisions were in general conformance with those recent changes to Colorado law.
2. Relaxation of the requirement of use of natural materials to also include “faux” natural materials (synthetic materials that mimic natural materials) that have some advantages in fire resistance, maintenance durability, or cost.
3. Incorporation of clarifications to design requirements that have arisen over the last 35 years.  For example, we have somewhat broadened the definition of “earth colors” to include soft grays and charcoals as indeed those colors exist in the natural environment and are increasing in popularity with our homeowners.  Likewise, we felt it appropriate to clarify that “modern” design that incorporates natural materials (or faux equivalents) is acceptable in GWE.

We believe that we have preserved the original intent of the Architectural Design Guidelines, namely, “...to encourage the construction and remodeling of structures that blend into the natural environment.” 

In accordance with our Declaration of Covenants, we are providing you the opportunity to review the revised document and to provide suggestions or  feedback on any concerns you might have.  This comment period will be open until August 7, 2026. This will allow time for any comments to be reviewed by the AIC and the Board before we present a final version to you for a vote at our next annual meeting in October. Please forward those comments/concerns to David Erb, Chair AIC (via [email protected] ), and to the Board (via [email protected] ).  

WILDFIRE RESILIENCY: Lake County has adopted the 2025 Colorado Wildfire Resiliency Code and it became effective on July 1, 2026. As Grand West Estates will be located in a zone classified as Moderate Fire Intensity, new construction will have to use "Fire-Resistence-Rated" construction methods and materials as well as radial landscaping designs to mitigate fire spreads. See link in right panel.

(beta testing) OWNER-RECOMMENDED SERVICE PROVIDERS: Need something installed or repaired? View or contribute to a list of service providers and help you and your neighbors. GWEOA does not render an opinion on the listing. Link to:  https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1SiZNDrUuEUcM4bBDkcp4Soa6Gkea_UAU?usp=sharing

OWNER EDUCATION: The HOA is required to offer education about HOAs to its members. This year our focus is to provide information about what an HOA cannot require. See link in right panel.