dwellmilehigh, Author at DwellMileHigh - Jennifer Dentry

For homeowners, equity is like an extra bank account. Every dollar you put toward your property gives you a bigger stake in your home, as well as more money to pull from should you need it down the line.

Equity gives you additional funds to tap via a cash-out refinance, home equity loan or home equity line of credit. These essentially turn your equity into cash — money you can use for home improvements, college tuition or even a family vacation.

But how do you get more equity? Here are some things you can do:

Make a bigger down payment. If you haven’t bought a home yet, the easiest way to get more equity is to put more money down. And depending on the type of mortgage loan you choose, this could also lower your monthly payment or eliminate the need for private mortgage insurance, making your home more affordable.
Upgrade or renovate your home. Anything that increases the value of your home also increases your equity — and the amount you stand to gain when you sell. Just be sure to choose your renovations carefully, as some offer higher returns than others.
Pay down your mortgage. The lower your mortgage balance, the more equity you have, so work on paying that loan off sooner rather than later. Try making an additional payment every quarter or dedicating your tax returns and holiday bonuses to the account. It’ll make a significant difference in the long run.

ARVADA
The city’s Independence Day fireworks display returns to Stenger Sports Complex (entry at West 58th Avenue and Oak Street) starting at 9 p.m. on July 4

AURORA
The Aurora Municipal Center’s Great Lawn will host the city’s “Fourth of July Spectacular,” a 6-10 p.m. event on July 4 featuring music, food, adult beverages and a fireworks display at 15151 E. Alameda Parkway.BOULDER
Ralphie’s Independence Day Blast, a Boulder tradition since 1941, features 8:30 p.m. entertainment followed by fireworks at about 9:40 p.m. All events on July 4 are at the University of Colorado’s Folsom Field, 2400 Colorado Ave. Free shuttles run from downtown and the Twenty Ninth Street mall beginning at 7:30 p.m. bouldercoloradousa.com

BRIGHTON
A concert and fireworks display will take over Carmichael Park, located just behind Brighton City Hall at 500 S. 4th Ave., with entertainment from DJ Tidalwave starting at 5 p.m., and headliner Soul School at 7 p.m. Offerings — including kid’s activities and food — run 4-10 p.m. July 4, with fireworks around 9:45 p.m. brightonco.gov/817/4th-of-july

BROOMFIELD
Broomfield’s Great American Picnic kicks off at 5:30 p.m. July 4 in Broomfield County Commons Park, 280 Spader Way, and includes a children’s carnival ($3-$8 for pony rides and “inflatables”) and the 11th annual all-ages bike parade (note: kids are required to wear a helmet, so be sure to bring one if you’re riding). Live music starting at 6 p.m. will lead into 9:30 fireworks. Limited parking on-site and additional parking available at Legacy High School, with shuttles available from 5 to 11 p.m. broomfield.org/611/great-american-picnic

CASTLE ROCK
While there won’t be any festivals, car shows or food trucks supporting Castle Rock’s 9:30 p.m. fireworks show on July 4 — situated on the top of Santa Fe Quarry butte above Red Hawk Golf Course — the elevation of the display makes for great viewing nearly anywhere in town.

COMMERCE CITY
You don’t need to buy a ticket to the Colorado Rapids game July 4 to get a view of the 9:30 p.m. fireworks display at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park (which follows the game against the Seattle Sounders). It’s billed as the state’s largest and come as part of Commerce City’s 23rd annual 4th Fest, a free, family-friendly event (outside of Burgundy Boulevard) with karaoke, trampolines, disc golf, human hamster balls, live music, food and drink and other diversions. Game and main events at 6000 Victory Way. 5-9 p.m. coloradorapids.com

DENVER
The annual Independence Eve celebration at Civic Center offers first-come, first-served lawn seating for its free concert (i.e. blankets and chairs) with live music from Chris Daniels and the Kings and the 101st Army Band of the Colorado National Guard, a City and County Building light show and the 8 p.m. fireworks display on Tuesday, July 3. Get there early when grounds open at 4 p.m. for food trucks, wine and beer (civiccenterconservancy.org). On the other side of downtown, The Colorado Rockies will finish their July 3 home game with fireworks at Coors Field. A day later, Elitch Gardens will offer a dusk fireworks display on July 4 visible from the surrounding areas, while the Denver Outlaws game at Mile High Stadium (against the Boston Cannons) on July 4 will also be followed by fireworks. denver.org

ENGLEWOOD
The city’s family-friendly July 4 event, starting at 3 p.m., spans Belleview and Cornerstone parks in conjunction with the cities of Littleton and Sheridan. It will feature kid’s activities, food trucks, live music from Dragondeer (7 p.m.) and fireworks at 9:30 p.m. englewoodgov.org

ERIE
For those looking to get more than one fireworks display in the bag a day early, the Erie-Vista Extravaganza also takes place July 3 at Colorado National Golf Club, 2700 Vista Parkway on the north side of Highway 7. Grounds open at 5 p.m. with food vendors, a beer tent, activities for kids and music; fireworks begin between 9:30 and 10 p.m. erieco.gov

GOLDEN
Lions Park Ballfields play host to this city’s 9:30 p.m. fireworks display July 4, which is more vulnerable to wind-related cancellation based on Golden’s proximity to open spaces. (Don’t worry: If it’s canceled it will be rescheduled.) A noon-11 p.m. festival leads up to the display with rides, face painting, live music and food/drinks. 1300 10th St. visitgolden.com/4th-of-july

GLENDALE
Four Mile Historic Park makes for a cozy — and early — Independence Day celebration on Monday, July 2, with old-time games and historic demonstrations as well as “the new-found joys of food trucks, a beer garden and a viewing of the Glendale fireworks show after dark,” according to the city’s website. Admission is free, with donations suggested. 5-10 p.m. at 715 S. Forest St. fourmilepark.org/events

GREEN VALLEY RANCH
If you’re anywhere near this northeast Denver suburb on July 4, Green Valley Ranch will host a 6-10 p.m. event with live music, adult beverages and food, a free kid’s zone and shuttle service to Green Valley Ranch Golf Club (where parking will not be allowed). Fireworks at 9:35 p.m. See gvrcoconcerts.com/july-4-event for a map of shuttle pick-up and drop-off locations.

HIGHLANDS RANCH
The celebration at Highland Heritage Park begins at 4 p.m. on July 4, including kid’s attractions such as balloon twisters, face painters, games and inflatables, plus live music, food trucks and fireworks at 9:30 p.m. Biker Jim’s is also sponsoring a hot dog-eating contest at 5:30 for adventurous (foolhardy?) frank-lovers. 9651 S. Quebec St. hrcaonline.org

LAFAYETTE
Chris Daniels & the Kings will return to open this 4-10 p.m. July 4 event at Waneka Lake Park, 1600 Caria Drive in Lafayette. The music, face painting and 9:30 p.m. fireworks are free, but fees apply for food, beer and kid-friendly inflatables and pony rides. No shuttle service. lafayettecolorado.com

LAKEWOOD
Big Boom Bash takes over Jeffco Stadium at 5:30 p.m. on July 4, rain or shine, with fireworks at about 9:15 p.m. Attractions include kids’ activities, community art, vendor booths, local food trucks, a beer garden and more, highlighted by a 20-minute fireworks display choreographed to music provided by MIX 100, according to the city’s website. 500 Kipling St. Check out a map of the grounds and the full schedule at lakewood.org/bigboombash.

LITTLETON
The city’s Red, White & You celebration returns from 5 to 10 p.m. on July 3 at Clement Park (7306 W. Bowles Ave.), rain or shine, with food, adult beverages, exhibitor booths, the Nacho Men and a 9:30 p.m. fireworks show (ifoothills.org/events). Also in Jefferson County: Bandimere Speedway’s Jet Car Nationals & Family Festival on July 4, which costs $18-$30 (children 5 and under are free) with $15 parking, but which will be easy to view from almost anywhere in Morrison or along C-470 (bandimere.com). Finally, The Hudson Gardens & Event Center will present a performance from Colorado’s Firefall with fireworks following the concert. 7:30 p.m. July 4 at 6115 S. Santa Fe Drive; $10-$22 for tickets. hudsongardens.org

LOVELAND
This city’s free, 12-hour fun-fest begins at 10 a.m. on July 4 with a flag-raising ceremony, followed by assorted vendor booths and a performance by the Loveland Concert Band — all before the fireworks begin at 9:17 p.m. over Lake Loveland. (Hey, that’s the time they gave us). 2626 N. Taft Ave. visitlovelandco.org

NORTHGLENN
Wake up early for Northglenn’s 4th of July Family Festival, which begins at 7 a.m. with a pancake breakfast followed by a 4-mile run, the Pedals and Paws Parade, kids fun area, car show, live music and bake sale. Food and community booths open at noon, while fireworks start at 9:30 p.m. at Webster Lake in E.B. Rains Jr. Memorial Park across from City Hall, 11801 Community Center Dr. northglenn.org/july4th

PARKER
Parker’s Stars and Stripes Celebration event takes place 6-10 p.m. July 4, offering free bounce houses and inflatable activities, a variety of food trucks, live music from 6 to 9:15 p.m. and, of course, fireworks around 9:30 p.m. at Salisbury Park, 11920 Motsenbocker Road. Parking is $10, and this year they’ve got room for 10,000 so bringing a little extra cash for it might be wise. parkeronline.org

THORNTON
Family activities begin at 4 p.m. at Carpenter Park (11000 Colorado Blvd.) with food and drinks, live music, a presentation of colors and more. Paved and unpaved parking is available in the lots south of the Carpenter Park Fields and west of 108th Avenue. And don’t miss the annual tradition of the nighttime parachutists, who will herald the fireworks. cityofthornton.net

WESTMINSTER
The usual lineup of kids’ activities and food vendors will lead up to the 9:15 p.m. fireworks show on July 4 at City Park, 10455 Sheridan Blvd. Parking is limited, and organizers recommend using a free shuttle from various locations in Westminster and Hyland Hills. cityofwestminster.us

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