Here is the full scoop on Copper Ridge Apartments for those who are considering moving in. I've included the good, the bad and the ugly to help you make a more objective decision:

The good: Apartments usually show very well, with beautiful landscaping, large storage closets and porches, built-in tv stand, electric fireplace, high-flow toilets and generously sized bathtub (the biggest in any apartment complex I've ever lived in), newer carpets and/or hardwood floors. Water pressure is excellent, and apartments have their own hot water tank. Have not had any problems with bugs except when we have left the sliding glass door to the porch open (despite leaving the screen door closed) over the summer. Current man in charge of maintenance is wonderful, highly savvy, intelligent and friendly. Whatever he makes is too little. Management is usually proactive for those having noise issues with neighbors. Two-story townhome-style units have a little more privacy/fewer noise issues. Louisville is beautiful and has strict noise violation requirements, which are duly enforced by the police department. Apartments are centrally located - on busline and can walk to shopping and restaurants.

The bad: Little to no communication from office staff (unless it is time to renew your lease). Must contact maintenance directly if you want anything done, and the current maintenance manager is so overworked that the steps to upper floor units are disintegrating dangerously. High turnover rate for residents and employees - we are on our 6th manager in 2 years. Since the buildings are located on a sinkhole, some apartments are sinking (especially in building 256) and may flood. Units are around 25 years old, and some appliances are old and not working well - may have difficulty getting replaced. Our garbage disposal and dishwasher are the worst we've ever had, and problems with the heater arise every winter. There was no hot tub or computer for two years in the clubhouse although the office staff will tell you it is supposed to be fixed by next week; I believe the computer is still MIA. Pool is a wading pool only. Hard to find parking spaces near most apartment buildings, difficult to give directions - especially where to park - to visitors. Bathrooms for one bedroom apts on first floor have little cabinet space, bathrooms on second floor of one bedroom apts are located in bedroom, so visitors must traipse into your bedroom to use it. With very thin walls and floors/ceilings, don't expect to be able to play your stereo very loudly, or avoid hearing your neighbors'. Louisville has strict noise violation requirements, which are duly enforced by the police department. Must give 60 days notice of intent to move.

The ugly: We've lived in over 20 different apartments over the years (over 10 in Boulder County), and this apartment complex is tied with Meadow Creek in Boulder as the noisiest and most poorly constructed property, and one of the most poorly managed (we recommend staying away from Omni as well). Lease actually has a clause that says you cannot say anything negative about the property or management company - don't know how enforcible it is, but I think it says something about Greystar and their management style that they have it there in the first place. There is very little privacy - even if you live in an upstairs apartment, you will know your downstairs neighbor's bathroom and other habits. Toilet-flushing and cabinet shutting is exceptionally loud (at least we didn't have that at Meadow Creek). We have quiet neighbors downstairs (hallelujah!) at the moment but still wake up when they wake up, despite running a loud fan to cover up the noise; and vice versa, they wake up whenever we do even when we make an extra effort to be quiet. If you live in a downstairs apartment, even tiny people sound like elephants above you. Furthermore, our neighbors' cigarette smoke and strong cooking smells (fish, onions, garlic, curry, etc.) are not obstructed by the air ducts, and they smell as strongly as if they are actually smoking or cooking in our apartment.

Zero to little snow removal. Expect rent increases from at least $125 to $300/month whenever you go to renew your lease. Management will not work with you, no matter how great a tenant or how elderly you are; in fact, they seem to charge elderly tenants who are on a fixed income the most. Neighborhood has gone drastically downhill with Greystar as owners. Despite the noise and poor construction of the units, we used to enjoy living here because of great neighbors and an accountable, friendly, helpful office manager; now nearly everyone we loved has moved out due to rent increases/lack of accountability from office staff. Unfortunately, I don't think they are pre-screening people to live here at all, and the police make weekly visits for drug busts, DUI related arrests, and/or noise complaints. If you have children, do not have leave them unaccompanied around the grounds or the parking lots - many people currently living here drive too fast around the too small parking lots with many blind corners, and we have had many near misses.

User Responses
From: Anonymous	Date: 06/04/2008
Excellent review - very accurate, detailed and fair I think. I've lived here since 2004, and it has indeed gone seriously downhill with the new management, along with very sizable rent increases. It was so sad when the original manager, Christina, was let go. I posted an earlier review back in 2006 which had bad things to say about the maintenance guy at the time, but we've had two changes of maintenance staff since then. The new guy, Darrian, is very nice, highly skilled, and the best asset the place has in terms of employees. Your statement, "If you live in a downstairs apartment, even tiny people sound like elephants above you" is spot on. Some previous neighbors above me had a very small, cute little terrier that liked to run back and forth across the floor. When she did, it sounded as if heavy furniture was being rolled back and forth across the floor above - a total nightmare. All in all, I agree wholeheartedly with your review.
From: Anonymous	Date: 10/19/2008
I don't think this review was about Copper Ridge. These apartments do not have built in tv stands, or electric fireplaces or hardwood floors. There is however completely new interior. They were recently renovated. The maintenence staff has been through a big turned over but that has been taken care of and there is now an incredible staff. The one bedroom I have seen had a bathroom in the hallway, not through the bedroom. Only requires a 20 day notice to vacate. It is owned by Holland NOT Greystar whoever that is. The rent is only increased by $30 at the most at time of renewal which, by the way, depends on the economy. Apartments do NOT have the authority to only charge certain people more than others. That is a VERY strict policy that is obided by. It's called FAIR HOUSING. There are various things wrong with this report. I honestly think it is the wrong property being analyzed.

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