Academy Boulder Communities sits at 970 Aurora Ave in Boulder, right by University Hill, and has served retirees for over 30 years, with three locations: Academy University Hill, Academy Bella Vista, and Academy Mapleton Hill, each with its own style and focus, and while the buildings themselves are part of a campus with roots going back to the old Mount St. Gertrude Catholic boarding school, what people usually notice first are the views, the patios, and the light that comes in through the big windows and French doors. The community offers apartments, townhomes, detached bungalows, and luxury apartments, with unit options like studios, one or two-bedroom layouts, and plans that sometimes have dens or more than one bath, and the rooms often feature high ceilings, sunlit interiors, private baths, and ample closet space, sometimes with private or shared patios or decks.
Residents can pick independent living, assisted living, or memory care, depending on which location or care level fits best, and many amenities are available for everyone, like a lap pool, fitness center with wellness programs, spa and personal training, hot tubs, outdoor barbecue areas, a clubhouse, and scenic outdoor spaces. Each building tries for good design and some historical touches, and you'll find attention to detail in things like the kitchens with updated appliances, open living areas, and integration with the Boulder landscape. The staff aims to support every part of a person's life, not just physical needs but also social, intellectual, and emotional wellbeing, with services like three meals a day, medication help, transportation to appointments, housekeeping every day, laundry service every other week, escorting residents to meals or activities, and nursing or personal care as needed for those in assisted living suites, especially at Academy University Hill, which currently has seven assisted living units along with the independent apartments.
The community welcomes a diverse group of residents and follows legal protections for orientation, gender identity, and all sources of income. Pets and utilities haven't been detailed in public information, so there may be limitations there, but you'll find a focus on personal choice, with support for individual routines, private care, and tailored services, and most apartments have either covered or garage parking. Membership fees depend on things like the size and finish of the home, the views, and which part of the campus it is on, and while the common areas are shared, there's a clear effort to make everyone feel included, whether they're in independent or assisted living, and activities range from art classes to discussion groups, music performances, nature walks, social gatherings, outings, and wellness programs.
Dining takes place in curated spaces, sometimes changing menus, and the food focuses on quality and flexibility. The owners have been part of the local area for a long time, and the community's aim is to let residents keep their independence as much as possible, with a feeling of hospitality and a place where people can thrive as they get older, all in settings that look toward the mountains and draw from Boulder's history and landscape.
