Eventually, I am interested in obtaining my RE license in CO.I became involved in real estate through the purchase of the condo, which I completed a full renovation on before moving to Denver to complete school.

This link has good info. http://www.anthonyforest.com/assets/pdf/sfpa-heade... your link actually helped, thank u. i was not more detailed in my OP because i really do not know what information is needed to make that decision, sorry about that.its a 1 story brick home, the wall runs down the middle of the house. the wall is about 20' long and i assume the studs are 16" on center. i want an opening of around 8ft or so.based on what chad posted, i am going with the roof ridge beams as the closest match. i am a mechanical engineer, but have never done these calculations in school, so it's a little difficult to admit i need another engineer's help. :)

Comparing notes with folks that went to other schools confirms this for me whenever it comes up. 

Basic me is this :) I been doing carpentry since high school back in 1999.

Maize - best school system ; largest number of nearby restaurants/shopping of the 3 areas you mentioned.

In addition paid off $12k in school loans.

She is an agent and I am in real estate school currently.

I've seen several listings where properties were incorrectly listed in the wrong school district (worse than the one they were actually in so I'm sure it was unintentional). 

I have also been a high school band director for the past 12 years.

The type of area (A,B,C,D), is there a school in close by Etc.