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Before Colette Herwitt was helping buyers find their dream homes here in Boulder, she was riding an elephant named Gilda under the bright lights of the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus.
Yes, really.
As a child growing up in Chicago, Colette adored the circus. The feathers. The sparkle. The suspense just before the show began. She still remembers that magical moment before the lights came up, when the ringmaster would boom, “Ladies and gentlemen, children of all ages,” and the crowd of children would sit wide-eyed in wonder.
That sense of wonder stayed with her.
So when an audition came to Chicago, she did something that would become a theme throughout her life: she went for it. “Why not?” she asked herself. Colette was chosen, and for two years, she lived on the circus train, performed as a showgirl, and rode elephants in front of cheering crowds across the country.
“My first day was terrifying,” she admits.
But she stayed with it. She worked with talented trainers, bonded with the same elephant, Gilda, for two years, and loved it. “It was wonderful,” she smiles. The performers lived in tiny roomettes on the train and traveled all over the nation.
What was her favorite thing? “I met so many talented people,” she smiles. Little did she know that it was preparing her for a career where she would help people from all walks of life.
Long before Boulder became home, Colette had already lived a richly creative life. She studied ballet from the age of 4 and danced in New York with Dance Theatre of Harlem during the company’s early years. She also studied dance in West Africa for a year. Though she hasn’t danced professionally in decades, the arts have never left her. She has stayed deeply involved in Boulder’s creative community and currently serves on the board of The Catamounts, a local theater company.
Then, in 1992, life shifted in a different direction.
At the time, Colette was living in the New York City area with her two young children. Both were in private school, and she reached a practical crossroads. As she puts it, “It’s either going to be elementary school or college. You can’t have both.”
Meanwhile, her sister, who had been living in California, was ready for a change after dealing with earthquakes and mudslides. The family began looking for a place that offered beauty and a better quality of life.
They found it in Colorado.
After cresting the hill and seeing Boulder Valley, Colette knew. That was it.
“I love working with first-time homebuyers. I love the aspect of real estate.” social
In 1993, she got her real estate license. She had always liked real estate. Back in Englewood, New Jersey, she and her best friend had spent weekends going to open houses “just for fun.” She had always loved homes, and growing up in Chicago gave her an early appreciation for architecture..
Once in Boulder, she took a real estate class at the University of Colorado and applied for a front desk job at a real estate company. The owner looked at her and said, “Well, you have a real estate license, don’t you? Why don’t you give it a shot?”
She did. And 34 years later, she’s still going strong, especially with her love for people.
“What energizes me?” she says. “I love working with first-time homebuyers. I love the social aspect of real estate.”
She lights up talking about the moment buyers walk into a home and know it’s “the one.” She can see it on their faces. She can feel it. Even better are the calls that come years later from past clients telling her how much they still love their home.
Nothing pleases her more.
She also treasures relationships. Some clients have long since crossed over into friendship. They vacation together. They have dinner together. At a certain point, Colette tells them they are no longer clients. They are simply friends.
That says a lot about how she does business.
She caters to her clients, answering her phone when they call. She values conversation. She misses the days when people rode around in the car together looking at homes and got to know each other. Many of her clients are referrals, and that is no accident.
Her advice to newer agents is simple: be patient.
“People appreciate that,” she says. “People are purchasing a home, which is one of the most important things in their lives. I take the time to understand them and figure out what they’re looking for.”
Her career has not been without challenges. When she first moved to Boulder more than three decades ago, it was not a diverse town. For many years, she was one of the only African American REALTORS® in the area. That reality shaped her experience, but it never dimmed her presence. If anything, it underscored what has always made Colette memorable: she was never meant to blend in.
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Today, she continues to give back through the Boulder Chamber of Commerce and the Equity Amplification Program, helping create greater opportunity for people of color in the Boulder business community. She also supports arts education through her work with The Catamounts, which offers free acting programs for children and partners with the local school district.
When she is not working, Colette enjoys social dancing, thrifting, collecting vintage treasures, and spending time with her children and grandchildren. Her daughter lives in Denver with two children, and her son lives in Brooklyn with his son. She also adores Lily, her 13-year-old rescue dog, a Tibetan Spaniel-Chihuahua mix with soft red fur who is doggone adorable.
At 73, Colette is still full of spark. Still curious. Still social. Still moving.
A fellow dancer recently encouraged her to take ballet class again. Maybe she will.
After all, Colette has never been one to sit on the sidelines. From the circus train to the closing table, she has built a wonderful life and touched countless others.
And that may be exactly what makes her unforgettable.
COLETTE HERWITT
Broker Associate
coletteherwitt@gmail.com
