David and Sherry’s 4-bedroom, 4-bath custom home is making good progress. In today’s post, we’ll learn more about the couple’s local roots, talk to their project manager, and share photos from the jobsite.
For more background about the project, check out part 1, part 2, part 3 and part 4 of this blog series.

LOCAL ROOTS
We’re helping David and Sherry build their dream home near Red Feather Lakes – on land that holds a special place in their family’s history and hearts. But their local connection runs even deeper than the land they love.
David and Sherry grew up in Fort Collins and rural Timnath, respectively. They met as students at Fort Collins High School, back when it was in the original building, now University Center for the Arts.
“She was a farm girl, I was a poor city kid,” David says of their humble beginnings.
“We were high school sweethearts,” Sherry adds, noting they will celebrate their 30th wedding anniversary this year.
For their family’s full backstory, read part 1 in this series.
THIS IS IT!
When David saw a parcel of land for sale near Red Feather Lakes, he drove up to take a look, wondering if it was part of the old Maxwell Ranch that he knew from his youth.
As a kid, his parents had taken David and his brother hunting, fishing and camping in the Red Feather Lakes area near the ranch. In fact, David shot his first deer a mile from the ranch’s border on public lands. “I mean, I’ve known this property most of my life,” David says. “I’ve known about the Maxwell Ranch forever.”
David drove by the “for sale” sign, recognizing the familiar landscape. “I remember telling Sherry, ‘Oh, my gosh. This is it. This is IT!’” David says.
The couple made an offer – one of several from interested buyers. David, Sherry, their boys, and David’s parents, met the Maxwells during the process. As they walked and talked on the property, they all bonded over family values, their deep love of the land, and the importance of connecting children – all children, especially those with special needs – to the natural world. After everyone shed a few tears of mutual understanding, the Maxwells sold David and Sherry 800 acres of their beloved family homestead.
“When I took my dad back up there after we closed, he was mesmerized,” David recalls. “He said, ‘I still can’t believe this is yours.’”
Because the land holds special memories, and so much meaning for the family, David’s father asked to have his ashes scattered there one day. “I want to be where my grandsons are hunting and fishing,” he told his son and daughter-in-law.
PROJECT MANAGER Q&A

We sat down with project manager, Lance Magnuson, and asked about the construction phase of David and Sherry’s new custom home in the foothills. We combined Lance’s answers with progress photos from the jobsite.
As David and Sherry’s project manager, what are your favorite things about their custom home build?
“The intricacy of this house. The location is beautiful, yet challenging. But I love a good challenge – it’s a puzzle to solve. Figuring out the logistics for this complex custom home build has been rewarding.”
“David and Sherry have been amazing clients,” Lance adds. “They are easy to talk to, very responsive, and great to work with.”
What were some of the production challenges you had to overcome?
“As we mentioned in an earlier post, the property had no water, septic, electric or vehicle access. We had to first cut in a dirt road, and then use dynamite to blast through rock before we could dig the foundation.”
“There was a massive amount of steel that went into this house so it could withstand the wind load up here. It required a lot of crane work to install the steel framing.”
“But our team got it done without a hitch. The subcontractors have all been great. The framers were a real godsend on this project.”
What’s it like to manage a custom home jobsite in the foothills?
“There’s no cell service up here, so no data, no internet. You have to plan thoroughly and communicate effectively – give the schedule a lot of forethought – before you drive to the jobsite each day.”
“There will always be weather challenges when you build in the mountains, resulting in icy roads, slick mud, even lightning,” Lance adds. “But it’s nothing we can’t handle. We’re committed to keeping our team safe, and finishing this house by the guaranteed completion date for our clients.”
What can we expect to see happening on the jobsite in January?
“Live-edge siding, milled from rough sawn pine, has been installed on the exterior.”
“As well as tongue-and-groove knotty alder for all fascia and soffits.”
“Next, we’ll install corrugated steel for the ground-level siding.”
(Left) 3-D rendering of the front entry, (right) progress on the timbered front entry structure.
“The front entry to the home is really taking shape.”
(Left) 3-D rendering of the basement bunkroom, (right) framing progress in the bunkroom.
“We’re close to finishing the interior framing,” Lance adds. “We’ll be insulating and starting the drywall phase next. Then getting ready for cabinets and interior trim.”
Anything else you want to add?
“Instead of installing an overhead power line, which is standard, David and Sherry chose to bury their new electrical service line to preserve the unobstructed view from their prow windows – a really smart call.”
Stay tuned to this blog series as we follow the home’s transformation, and hear from the project’s interior designer.
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Whether you build a new custom home or remodel what you have, HighCraft’s experienced design-build team can navigate every detail of the planning and construction process so you don’t have to. Contact HighCraft with questions or to schedule a free consultation.