JEFFERSON COUNTY — Raccoon Creek Golf Course and Restaurant in the Columbine area of Jefferson County will get busier next summer as the facility is renovating a barn to transform it into a wedding venue that can accommodate approximately 200 guests.
Construction on began in early September and the plan is to have the venue open by May 2015 and host weddings through October. Sales director Abby Nurre said she hopes the barn can be finished by Mother’s Day for a brunch, but she’s not booking any weddings before the last weekend in June. The construction and all the upgrades are projected to cost $4 million.
“We’re crossing our fingers that everything goes well,” Nurre said, who added that, last year, Raccoon Creek hosted approximately 20 weddings and hopes to increase that to 75 within five years.
As its formal name suggests, Raccoon Creek, at 7301 W. Bowles Ave., also boasts an 18-hole golf course and a restaurant.
The plan is to renovate the barn and build a bridal cottage that takes the place of an old white house on the property that served as a workers’ residence when the land was an active ranch.
The barn originally was used to house milk cows, but most recently has housed golf carts.
Nurre said she had received several requests to use the barn as a reception site, but it was never usable.
In addition to the bridal cottage, a parking lot outside the barn will be transformed into an area for a cocktail hour after wedding ceremonies.
“We are excited to honor the history of the Raccoon Creek property through the renovation of the barn and look forward to making this a premier Denver destination for weddings and special events featuring the historical element and mountain charm Colorado is known for,” said Newell Grant, a member of the Grant family that owns the business.
The golf course and restaurant were established on the historic Grant Ranch, originally acquired by James Benton Grant in 1878. Grant served as the state of Colorado’s third governor from 1883 to 1885.
An official groundbreaking will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday at Raccoon Creek.
“Many people utilize golf courses for their wedding, and with the proposed barn renovation at Raccoon Creek, it will provide another venue choice for residents of Jefferson County and the entire region,” Jefferson County Commissioner Don Rosier said.
