SOUTHWEST DENVER · GARFIELD LAKE
Mar Lee
Post-war ranches and split-levels between Mississippi and Jewell, with a lake park and an outdoor pool on the north end. The typical home is worth about $421K.
Location: Southwest Denver, from Federal Boulevard to Sheridan Boulevard, between Mississippi and Jewell avenues | Vibe: Quiet family blocks | Known for: Garfield Lake Park, Sanderson Gulch Trail, Federal Boulevard
Mar Lee is the southwest Denver neighborhood between Mississippi and Jewell avenues, running from Federal Boulevard west to Sheridan. Like Westwood to the north, most of it was built quickly during and after World War II. It still reads that way: long blocks of small brick houses, big trees and a lake park at the north end.
What the housing looks like
Expect 1940s and 50s brick ranches, some under 1,000 square feet, plus 1960s split-levels with more room. Yards are a decent size, and detached garages are common. Original kitchens and baths are common too, and so are basement bedrooms that may not have a legal egress window, which matters for appraisal and resale.
Garfield Lake Park, at 3600 W. Mississippi Ave., is the neighborhood’s anchor: a fishing lake with a paved loop, an outdoor pool, futsal and basketball courts, a ball field and a beginner bike skills course. Sanderson Gulch Trail runs through the neighborhood and connects east to the South Platte.
Federal Boulevard on the east edge has the grocery stores and a long run of family-run restaurants.
Mar Lee highlights
Garfield Lake Park
A fishing lake, paved loop, courts, ball field and bike skills course.
Outdoor pool
A summer pool right in Garfield Lake Park.
Sanderson Gulch Trail
A creek trail that links to the South Platte River Trail.
Schenck Community School
A DPS elementary at 1300 S. Lowell Blvd.
More space for the price
Slightly bigger houses than Westwood for about $60K more.
“Mar Lee is what I show buyers who want a real yard and a park at the end of the street, and care more about space than about being near a restaurant row.”
Southwest Denver
Discover Mar Lee
Local spots worth knowing
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Garfield Lake Park
The lake has fishing access and a paved loop under mature trees, plus picnic areas and outdoor fitness equipment. It’s the neighborhood’s front yard.
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Garfield Lake pool
An outdoor summer pool inside the park, a short walk or bike ride from most of the north half of Mar Lee.
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Courts and bike course
Futsal and basketball courts, a ball field and a beginner bike skills course. Neighborhood kids helped shape the design when the park was updated.
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Schenck Community School
Charles M. Schenck Community School is the DPS elementary at 1300 S. Lowell Blvd. DPS assigns schools by address, so I check the boundary for any specific house.
Mar Lee real estate
Values are down slightly from a year ago, a smaller drop than in Westwood or Barnum. That typical value blends houses and a small number of townhomes and condos, so for a specific house I pull sales that match its size, age and block.
Source: Zillow Home Value Index for Mar Lee, Denver, as of August 31, 2026. All home types, including condos and townhomes.
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Who buys in Mar Lee
Most Mar Lee buyers want a house with a yard and a garage in Denver city limits, and they’re happy to trade nightlife for space.
First-time buyers who want space
People who want a real yard and a garage rather than a townhome, at a price that still works.
Families near the park
Buyers who want the lake, pool and courts at Garfield Lake Park within walking distance.
Buyers moving up from Westwood
People who want a little more house than Westwood offers without leaving southwest Denver.
Mar Lee questions I get asked
Why are Mar Lee prices higher than Westwood’s?
Slightly bigger houses, more 1960s split-levels and Garfield Lake Park. The typical Mar Lee home is worth about $60K more than the typical Westwood home.
What should I check on a post-war Mar Lee ranch?
A sewer scope, since clay sewer lines and tree roots are common. Also the electrical panel, whether any basement bedroom has a legal egress window, and whether additions were permitted.
Is Sanderson Gulch a flood concern?
For some homes near the gulch, it can be. A house in a mapped floodplain can require flood insurance if you have a mortgage. I pull the city floodplain map and get an insurance quote before you make an offer.
Nearby neighborhoods
Westwood is just north across Mississippi, with Morrison Road and slightly lower prices. Harvey Park is just south across Jewell.
Thinking about Mar Lee?
Let’s talk about which blocks are close to the park and which back up to Federal, what a post-war ranch here is likely to need, and what homes like it have actually sold for.
Or call or text 720.454.5432