Boulder's Exclusive Private Clubs: Boulder Country Club & Highland City Club Guide
Boulder's private clubs represent more than amenities and exclusivity - they're where the city's most accomplished residents build lasting relationships, raise families within a values-aligned community, and find respite from the demands of successful careers. For over a century, Boulder Country Club and Highland City Club have anchored Boulder's social landscape, each offering something distinct to members who choose them.
Whether you're relocating to Boulder and wondering where meaningful community connections form, or you've lived here for years and are ready to join one of these institutions, this guide covers everything you need to know: membership costs and categories, amenities, the application process, and how to determine which club fits your lifestyle.
Why Boulder's Private Clubs Matter for Homeowners
Boulder attracts a particular type of resident: entrepreneurs who've built companies, executives in the city's thriving tech and biotech sectors, healthcare professionals, attorneys, and investors who chose this mountain town for its rare combination of intellectual culture and outdoor lifestyle. According to U.S. News & World Report, Boulder consistently ranks among America's best places to live, most educated cities, and healthiest communities.
For these accomplished residents, private club membership serves purposes that extend beyond amenities:
Authentic networking. Boulder's entrepreneurial ecosystem thrives on relationships, and some of the city's most significant business partnerships have formed over casual rounds of golf or during member dinners. When you're surrounded by fellow business owners, investors, and executives in a relaxed setting, conversations become more substantive and trusting.
Family legacy. Many club members are raising children who grow up knowing each other, attend the same schools, and often return to Boulder as adults. These multi-generational connections become part of your family's story in this community.
Values alignment. Boulder's clubs attract people who share an appreciation for excellence, sustainability, intellectual curiosity, and intentional living - the same values that drew them to Boulder itself.
The median home price in Boulder hovers around $850,000, but in neighborhoods near these clubs - Mapleton Hill, Table Mesa, Martin Acres, and North Boulder - homes regularly exceed $1.5 to $3 million. For comprehensive neighborhood insights, explore our Complete Guide to Living in Boulder.
Boulder Country Club: Boulder's Premier Private Golf & Country Club
Founded in 1915, Boulder Country Club has been central to the city's identity for over a century. As Boulder's original and premier golf club, it relocated to its current South Broadway location in the 1950s, settling into a sprawling property with unobstructed views of the Flatirons that remind members exactly why they chose this city.
Today, Boulder Country Club serves as a comprehensive family destination - a place where golf remains the organizing principle, but where tennis, swimming, fitness, dining, and social programming create a complete lifestyle offering for members and their families.
What Makes Boulder Country Club Unique
Boulder Country Club distinguishes itself through several characteristics:
Championship golf course consistently ranked among Colorado's finest private courses by the Colorado Golf Association
Family-focused environment with robust junior programs, pool facilities, and programming designed for all ages
Multi-generational membership where legacy families form the institutional memory while welcoming newcomers
Comprehensive facilities spanning golf, tennis, swimming, fitness, and multiple dining venues
Community integration with members living throughout Boulder's most desirable neighborhoods
Boulder Country Club Membership: Categories, Costs & Application Process
Boulder Country Club Membership Categories
Boulder Country Club offers several membership categories designed for different lifestyles and priorities:
Golf Membership: Full access to the championship course, practice facilities, and all club amenities. This is the flagship membership for those who want golf at the center of their club experience.
Social Membership: Access to dining, events, fitness, pool, and tennis - ideal for those who value the community and amenities without a golf focus.
Junior/Young Executive Membership: Reduced rates for younger members (typically under 40) to ease families into club life with a pathway to full membership.
Legacy Membership: Special provisions for children of existing members who want to continue their family's club tradition.
Non-Resident Membership: For those who split time between Boulder and other locations, offering access when in town without full local dues.
Boulder Country Club Membership Cost
Boulder Country Club Membership Pricing
Boulder Country Club maintains confidential pricing shared directly with prospective members rather than published publicly. This approach allows meaningful conversations about the complete value proposition rather than numbers without context.
General ranges for private golf clubs of this caliber in Colorado:
• Initiation fees: $25,000 - $75,000+ depending on membership category
• Monthly dues: $500 - $1,500+ depending on category and family size
• Additional fees: Cart fees, minimum food & beverage spending, locker rental
For accurate current pricing, contact Boulder Country Club directly at bouldercountryclub.com.
Boulder Country Club Application Process
The Boulder Country Club membership application follows a thoughtful process designed to ensure new members enhance the existing community:
Member referral: Current members must sponsor your application, attesting to your character and fit with club culture. If you don't know a current member, the club can sometimes facilitate introductions.
Formal application: Submit application materials including background information, references, and your reasons for seeking membership.
Interview: Meet with membership committee representatives who assess compatibility and answer your questions about club life.
Prospective member events: Attend club events to experience the atmosphere and meet current members before committing.
Committee review: The membership committee reviews applications and makes admission decisions.
Membership offer: Accepted applicants receive formal membership offers with financial terms and start dates.
The process typically takes 2-4 months depending on membership category availability and committee meeting schedules.
Boulder Country Club Amenities & Facilities
Championship Golf Course
The 18-hole championship course at Boulder Country Club offers a challenging layout that rewards strategic play, with elevation changes and mature trees creating visual beauty and golf complexity. The course maintains excellent conditioning year-round, weather permitting, with views of the Flatirons providing a distinctly Boulder backdrop.
Practice facilities include:
Full-length driving range with Flatirons views
Short game practice area for chipping and pitching
Practice putting green matching course conditions
Practice bunkers for sand play development
The golf program features PGA professionals on staff offering individual lessons, group clinics, and junior instruction. The USGA handicap system supports competitive play through active men's and women's golf associations.
Tennis & Racquet Sports
Multiple well-maintained tennis courts support both recreational and competitive play. USPTA-certified professionals offer private lessons, group clinics, and junior development programs. Regular round-robins and leagues provide competitive opportunities for players at all levels.
Swimming & Aquatics
The pool complex serves as the summer hub for family activity. Lap lanes accommodate serious swimmers, while shallow areas and dedicated children's sections make this a safe environment for families. Poolside dining and service mean families can spend entire days without leaving the club.
Fitness Center
Recently updated fitness facilities feature modern cardiovascular and strength equipment. The space is designed for both serious training and general fitness maintenance, with personal training available for members seeking structured programs.
Dining & Social Spaces
Multiple dining venues accommodate different occasions:
Main dining room: Elegant setting for special occasions and refined dinners
Grill room: Casual post-round meals and family dining
Bar and lounge: Informal gathering space for members
Private event spaces: Available for member celebrations and business entertaining
Menus emphasize seasonal ingredients and Colorado-sourced products where available, reflecting Boulder's food culture.
Who Joins Boulder Country Club
Walk into Boulder Country Club on any given day and you'll find a cross-section of Boulder's accomplished professional class: entrepreneurs who've built and sold companies, executives from tech and biotech, healthcare professionals, attorneys, and successful investors. Many members live in neighborhoods within a few miles of the club - Martin Acres, Table Mesa, and South Boulder - though membership extends throughout the city.
Multi-generational families where membership has passed from grandparents to parents to adult children form the club's institutional memory. These legacy members help maintain culture and traditions while welcoming new members who share similar values.
Highland City Club: Boulder's Premier Social & Cultural Club
Highland City Club occupies a unique position in Boulder's private club landscape as the city's premier non-golf social club. Where Boulder Country Club centers around golf and family athletics, Highland City Club has evolved into something distinctively Boulder - a gathering place for people who value refined dining, cultural programming, and intellectual engagement.
The club's more intimate setting focuses every element on member interaction, exceptional culinary experiences, and curated events that attract Boulder's most culturally engaged residents.
What Makes Highland City Club Unique
Culinary excellence with chef-driven menus, an exceptional wine program, and regular special dining events
Cultural programming featuring lectures, art exhibitions, wine education, and special interest groups
Intimate atmosphere that fosters deeper relationships among a smaller, highly engaged membership
Intellectual community attracting academics, artists, entrepreneurs, and professionals who value ideas and culture
Downtown location providing easy access for professional and social occasions
Highland City Club Membership: Categories & Application
Highland City Club Membership Categories
Highland City Club structures membership around social engagement rather than athletic activity:
Full Membership: Complete access to all club facilities, dining, and programming
Social Membership: Access tailored for specific usage patterns and life stages
Corporate Membership: Options for businesses seeking entertaining venues and client hospitality
Young Professional Membership: Reduced rates for members under a specified age threshold
Highland City Club Membership Costs
Highland City Club Membership Pricing
Like Boulder Country Club, Highland City Club maintains pricing confidentiality for direct conversations with prospective members. The club intentionally limits membership to preserve its intimate character.
General ranges for private social clubs of this caliber:
• Initiation fees: $5,000 - $25,000+ depending on category
• Monthly dues: $300 - $800+ depending on membership type
• Additional: Minimum food & beverage requirements are common
Contact Highland City Club at highlandcityclub.com for current membership availability and pricing.
Highland City Club Application Process
Highland City Club's application process emphasizes cultural fit and active participation:
Member introduction: A current member sponsors your candidacy. If you don't know existing members, the club can arrange introductions through prospective member events.
Application submission: Formal application with background, references, and statement of interest in club programming.
Club visit: Experience the club through a prospective member dinner or event to assess mutual fit.
Membership interview: Conversation with membership staff or committee about your interests and how you'd participate in club life.
Admission decision: Committee review and membership offer for accepted applicants.
Highland City Club looks for members who will actively engage with programming - attend events, participate in special interest groups, and contribute to the intellectual and cultural life of the community.
Highland City Club Amenities & Programming
Culinary Program
Food sits at the center of Highland City Club's identity. The culinary program is chef-driven, evolving with seasons and ingredient availability, executed at a level that satisfies Boulder's restaurant-savvy community.
This means menus built around Colorado ingredients where possible, wine pairings that demonstrate thought and expertise, and staff who remember your preferences while guiding you toward new discoveries when you're open to exploration.
Wine Program
In a city renowned for discerning palates, Highland City Club has curated a wine collection and programming that attracts serious enthusiasts. The sommelier team holds certifications from the Court of Master Sommeliers, and the cellar houses bottles you won't find elsewhere in Boulder.
Regular programming includes:
Winemaker dinners with visiting producers
WSET education seminars
Regional wine tastings and vertical explorations
Member wine club with curated selections
Cultural Programming
Where Boulder Country Club's calendar centers partly around golf tournaments and family pool days, Highland City Club's programming emphasizes intellectual and cultural experiences:
Speaker series: Lectures from thought leaders, authors, and experts across fields
Art exhibitions: Rotating shows featuring regional and national artists
Special interest groups: Member-organized gatherings around shared passions
Collaboration events: Partnership dinners with visiting chefs and cultural institutions
Private Event Spaces
Multiple spaces accommodate occasions from intimate business dinners to larger celebrations. For members who entertain professionally, having access to these venues with the club's service standards provides invaluable convenience.
Fitness & Wellness
Fitness facilities reflect Highland City Club's focus on holistic wellbeing - not massive gym spaces, but thoughtfully equipped areas supporting members who prioritize staying fit as part of a broader lifestyle approach.
Who Joins Highland City Club
Highland City Club attracts a membership defined by intellectual curiosity and cultural engagement. You'll find academics and researchers from CU Boulder, authors and artists who chose Boulder for its creative community, medical professionals and attorneys, and entrepreneurs who value ideas as much as execution.
Many members are avid travelers who bring cosmopolitan sensibility to their Boulder lives. What unites the membership is appreciation for substance over flash - these are people who read long-form articles, seek documentaries, and consider a perfectly prepared meal and excellent wine legitimate sources of pleasure.
Boulder Country Club vs Highland City Club: Which Fits Your Lifestyle?
The question isn't which club is "better" - both excel at what they do. The question is which aligns with how you want to spend time and what you value in community
| Factor | Boulder Country Club | Highland City Club |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Focus | Golf, family athletics, outdoor recreation | Dining, wine, cultural programming |
| Atmosphere | Expansive grounds, active, family-oriented | Intimate, refined, intellectually engaged |
| Membership Size | Larger - more diverse encounters | Smaller - deeper relationships |
| Family Focus | Extensive - junior programs, pool, family events | Adult-oriented - families welcome but less programming |
| Networking Style | Activity-based, casual, golf-centered | Conversation-driven, interest-based |
| Typical Member | Golf enthusiasts, young families, active professionals | Cultural enthusiasts, academics, seasoned professionals |
| Initiation Cost | Higher ($25K-$75K+ range) | Lower ($5K-$25K+ range) |
Choose Boulder Country Club If:
Golf is important to you or you want to develop your game
You have young children who'll benefit from junior programs and pool
You prefer active, athletic club environments
You value larger membership with more diverse encounters
Family-focused programming is a priority
Choose Highland City Club If:
You're drawn to culinary experiences and wine culture
Intellectual and cultural programming appeals more than athletics
You prefer an intimate setting with deeper member relationships
Golf isn't your thing but you still want community benefits
You value substance and ideas in your social interactions
Consider Both Clubs If:
Many Boulder residents who can justify it financially hold memberships at both clubs. They serve different purposes and moods - golf and family brunch at Boulder Country Club on Saturday, wine dinner and speaker event at Highland City Club on Tuesday. The experiences complement rather than compete.
Living Near Boulder's Private Clubs
Where you live in Boulder affects your relationship with these clubs, though neither location is more than 20 minutes from anywhere in the city.
Near Boulder Country Club (South Broadway):
Martin Acres: Mid-century homes, excellent value, strong community
Table Mesa: Family-friendly with trail access, $1M-$2.5M+ range
South Boulder: Diverse housing stock from condos to estates
Near Highland City Club (Downtown/Central):
Mapleton Hill: Historic Victorians, $1.5M-$5M+, walkable to Pearl Street
Downtown: Condos and townhomes for urban convenience
Whittier: Charming older homes near downtown
For comprehensive neighborhood guidance, see our Boulder's Best Neighborhoods guide.
Living the Boulder Club Lifestyle
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Frequently Asked Questions About Boulder's Private Clubs
How much does Boulder Country Club membership cost?
Boulder Country Club membership costs vary by category and are shared directly with prospective members rather than published publicly. For private golf clubs of this caliber in Colorado, initiation fees typically range from $25,000 to $75,000+, with monthly dues varying by category. Contact the club at bouldercountryclub.com for current Boulder Country Club membership pricing.
How do I join Boulder Country Club?
Boulder Country Club membership requires sponsorship from a current member, formal application, and interview with the membership committee. The process typically takes 2-4 months. If you don't know current members, contact the club to learn about prospective member events where introductions can be facilitated.
How much does Highland City Club membership cost?
Highland City Club maintains confidential pricing for direct conversations with prospects. Private social clubs of this caliber typically have initiation fees from $5,000 to $25,000+ with monthly dues of $300 to $800+. Contact highlandcityclub.com for current Highland City Club membership availability and costs.
How do I join Highland City Club?
Highland City Club membership begins with a member introduction or attending a prospective member event. The application process includes a club visit, interview, and committee review. The club emphasizes finding members who will actively participate in programming rather than hold passive memberships.
What's the difference between Boulder Country Club and Highland City Club?
Boulder Country Club centers around golf and family athletics with expansive grounds, a championship course, pool, and tennis facilities. Highland City Club is a non-golf social club focused on culinary experiences, wine programming, and cultural events in a more intimate setting. Many Boulder residents hold memberships at both private clubs.
Is there a waitlist for Boulder's private clubs?
Waitlist status varies by membership category and changes over time at both clubs. Some categories may have immediate availability while others require waiting. Contact each club directly for current status on the specific membership type that interests you.
Are Boulder Country Club and Highland City Club family-friendly?
Boulder Country Club is explicitly family-friendly with extensive children's programming including junior golf, swimming, tennis, and family events. Highland City Club maintains a more adult-oriented atmosphere focused on dining and culture - families are welcome members but children's programming is limited.
Can you join both Boulder Country Club and Highland City Club?
Yes, many Boulder residents hold dual memberships. The clubs serve different purposes - Boulder Country Club for golf and family activities, Highland City Club for dining and cultural programming - so the experiences complement each other.
What neighborhoods are closest to Boulder Country Club?
Boulder Country Club on South Broadway is most accessible from Martin Acres, Table Mesa, and South Boulder neighborhoods. However, members live throughout the city - nowhere in Boulder is more than 20 minutes from the club.
Do Boulder's private clubs offer business networking opportunities?
Both clubs provide organic networking among accomplished professionals, though the style differs. Boulder Country Club networking tends to be activity-based and casual, often forming around golf. Highland City Club networking is more conversation-driven, emerging from shared intellectual and cultural interests. Neither club positions itself primarily as a networking venue, but meaningful business relationships naturally develop among members.
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