Sleeping Indian/Cottonwood at West Woods Golf Club

West Woods Golf Club sits in Arvada, a northwestern suburb of Denver, where the high plains begin their rise toward the Front Range. The facility offers two eighteen-hole courses designed by Dick Phelps, a Colorado-based architect whose work appears primarily in the Rocky Mountain region. Phelps routed both the Sleeping Indian and Cottonwood courses across rolling terrain characteristic of the area, where elevation changes and natural drainage corridors shape the playing corridors.

The courses occupy land that transitions between suburban development and open space, typical of Colorado's Front Range communities. At roughly 5,400 feet above sea level, the thin air affects ball flight noticeably, and players adjust club selection accordingly. Native grasses, scrub oak, and cottonwood trees—the latter lending its name to one of the nines—frame many holes, while views extend west toward the foothills and mountain backdrop that defines the Denver metro area.

West Woods operates as a public facility, serving both local residents and visitors seeking accessible golf in the Arvada area. The dual-course layout provides variety and accommodates different skill levels, with multiple tee options on each course. The property reflects the straightforward, playable design philosophy common in municipal and daily-fee courses built to serve a broad golfing population rather than tournament competition. Conditions and maintenance follow the standards typical of high-traffic public courses in Colorado's semi-arid climate, where water management and seasonal weather patterns influence turf quality throughout the year.