Our Timeline & Who We Are
Our History
Archway Communities’ history started long before the name ‘Archway’ was connected to the organization. In fact, it would take almost 40 years before the Archway name became associated with the work that was being done to expand affordable housing in Colorado and make stable homes more accessible to Coloradans.
In 1974, Mountain United Church Housing (MUCH) was established by an all-volunteer group associated with the Rocky Mountain Conference United Church of Christ (UCC). In the early days of MUCH, the organization purchased 16 buildings from the JeffCo School District and transformed them into housing known as the Arvada Cottages. Through time, this volunteer group found it harder and harder to navigate the difficult work of managing and developing affordable housing.Â
In 1995, two entrepreneurial Coloradans and UCC members, Robinson ‘Robb’ Lapp and David Nestor, decided to revitalize the work that MUCH had started. Longtime friends, Robb and David had been involved in causes related to social justice and they eventually set their sights on starting an affordable housing organization for families in the Denver Metro region. They were driven by a desire to impact their community and felt that affordable and quality housing should be a right, not a privilege. Through their vision they recruited Bill Eha and Tom Woodruff and officially changed MUCH to the Rocky Mountain Housing Development Corporation. Quickly, they opened their first community – Foothills Green in December of 1996. Eventually, the name was changed to Archway Housing and Services, Inc. in an effort to appeal to future residents.
From there, the organization continued its growth trajectory by adding more communities to its portfolio, eventually becoming Archway Communities. Please see the below timeline to learn more about Archway’s evolution over the past 50 years.Â
To learn more about Archway’s history, please check out the late Robb Lapp’s memoir, Listening for the Holy.Â
1974
October 16 – Mountain United Church Housing (MUCH) is established by an all-volunteer group associated with the Rocky Mountain Conference United Church of Christ. MUCH purchases 16 buildings from the JeffCo School District and transforms them into housing known as the Arvada Cottages.
1990s
Robinson “Robb” Lapp and David Nestor revitalize MUCH and bring on Bill Eha and Tom Woodruff.
1996
May 9 –Â Robb Lapp, David Nestor, Bill Eha, and Tom Woodruff officially change MUCH to Rocky Mountain HDC.
December 2 –Â Rocky Mountain HDC opens its first community: Foothills Green.
1998
Rocky Mountain HDC expands its scope of work to include supportive services.
2002
May 31 – Grand Opening of Arapahoe Green Townhomes
2003
April 30 – Grand Opening of Sheridan Ridge Townhomes
2005
December 15 – Grand Opening of Willow Green Townhomes
2009
November 15 – Grand Opening of Cornerstone Residences
Cornerstone Residences was developed for residents who were formerly experiencing homelessness. The grand opening launched Archway’s official partnership with the St. Francis Center, providing residents with on-site case management support.
2012
September 7 –Â Grand Opening of Greenleaf Apartments
December 16 –Â Rocky Mountain HDC becomes Archway Housing and Services, Inc. with an increased focus on providing residents with the supportive services they need to meet their goals.
2013
December 2 – Archway Housing and Services, Inc. adds a new organizational branch focused on increasing development: Archway Investments, Inc.
2017
October 4 –Â Grand Opening of 40 West Residences
November 16 –Â Grand Opening of Fountain Ridge Apartments
November 17 –Â Grand Opening of Villa Verde Apartments
2020
March –Â Sebastian Corradino joins Archway as the Chief Executive Officer.
May 1 –Â Grand Opening of Flats at Two Creeks
2021
September 17 –Â Archway Housing and Services, Inc. becomes Archway Communities.
December 28 –Â Archway Communities purchases a parcel of land in Pueblo, CO for an upcoming community.
2022
April 28 –Â Archway Communities purchases a second parcel of land in Pueblo, CO for an upcoming community.
May 6 –Â Robb Lapp:Â In Memoriam
December –Â Archway Communities acquires Montview Manor.
Cornerstone Residences institutes a full-time Critical Time Intervention Coordinator.
Archway Communities purchases four buildings on the Mosaic Community Campus.
2023
July 27 –Â Archway Communities purchases Jody Apartments.
October 5 –Â Grand Opening of Robinson Place
November 1 –Â Archway hosts its first annual housing policy roundtable.
2024
Archway Communities celebrates its 50th Anniversary.
April –Â Archway Communities becomes the third-party property manager for Highland West Community.
October 24 –Â Grand Opening of the Mosaic Community Campus
2025
January –Â Archway Communities acquires Downing Square Apartments.
Laura Brudzynski steps into the role of Archway’s Chief Executive Officer.
