A small modern cabin on a stone patio with a mountain range beyond

The Dream

A simpler way of life

As they say in cohousing, ‘not every home needs a lawnmower’ — or a blender, or even a car.

The vision

Turning dreams into reality takes grit, planning, and daily action.

Turning dreams into reality takes grit, planning, and daily action.

Turning dreams into reality takes grit, planning, and daily action.

The dream is simple — private homes, shared spaces, and a village of women who show up for each other.

The plan

What we’re building

Private homes

Up to 15 accessible homes, 400–800 sq ft, each with room to garden.

Lighter on the earth

Sustainable building and shared resources, so we live comfortably while treading gently on the land.

Shared outdoor spaces

A garden, fire pit, pavilion, walking and nature paths, laundry, and a dog park.

Room to dream big

A heated pool, an outdoor yoga platform, and an outdoor movie screen.

A common house

A place to gather for weekly meals and events, plus guest houses.

Cars on the edge

Vehicles and carports kept to the perimeter, so the village stays calm and safe.

In harmony

Rooted in connection — to each other, and to the land

Our vision is rooted in connection — to one another, and to the natural world that sustains us. Here, peace and serenity grow where people and nature live in harmony.

Peaceful communities are built on respect, empathy, dignity, and dialogue — where we value each other’s differences and work toward shared well-being.

  • Women hiking a hillside trail among golden autumn trees
  • Women sharing a meal at a long table under a garden pergola
  • Three women serving fresh salads at a garden table
  • Three women talking around a fire pit at dusk
A small modern home with a sloped roof, lit from within at dusk

The layout

Homes around a courtyard

The final design depends on the land we find — but the basic concept is a courtyard: homes gathered around a shared green space at the center.

It’s a plan that promotes engagement, safety, and natural beauty while preserving each person’s privacy — with cars and carports on the perimeter, keeping the heart of the village calm.

The name

Raven’s Nest Commons

Raven’s Nest Commons

Raven’s Nest Commons

A New Way to Come Home

Small cabins arranged around a shared central firepit in a clearing

Raven

Wisdom, resilience, and adaptability. Ravens are intelligent and curious — they form lasting bonds, cooperate, and communicate with one another.

Nest

A nest is carefully built: a place of safety and belonging, but never of stagnation. It is where strength is gathered and new journeys begin.

Commons

Something shared and cared for together — community, stewardship, and equality, without diminishing anyone’s individuality.

A wise community, carefully built, where women come together to begin a new chapter of life.

A wise community, carefully built, where women come together to begin a new chapter of life.

A wise community, carefully built, where women come together to begin a new chapter of life.

A name rooted in the landscape and spirit of Southwest Colorado — somewhere you can imagine coming home to.

From dream to reality

This is the dream. Here’s what it takes to make it real.

This is the dream. Here’s what it takes to make it real.

This is the dream. Here’s what it takes to make it real.

The Grateful We’re Not Dead Project

Raven’s Nest Commons · A cohousing community for women 50+ · Durango, Colorado

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