To answer a couple questions, and I really appreciate all the responses, we recently moved to Denver from Santa Cruz. The ASA school is Victoria Sailing School. The community program we're looking at is Community Sailing of Colorado. If anyone is familiar with either place and more importantly the instructors I'd really appreciate any feedback you have.
As to the other frequent question of her personality and being compatible with learning alongside adults. She's always been precocious for her age, skipped 5th grade, just finished her freshman year of high school. She's never gotten along great with people her own age, and in large crowds at parties and whatnot tends to socialize with adults and kids older than herself. She's a fairly serious bookish kid. She can easily spend a full day engrossed in a specific subject. That's part of the reason she was less interested in the day camps at community sailing. They're structured with games and stuff to break up the day, where my daughter if she's interested in something would rather just focus on that one thing and learn it in depth. She's not 8. She doesn't need break times, recess, fun little games, etc, etc.
Somebody else asked if anyone in the family sails, and the answer is no. I grew up on the lake, but only in powerboats. The kids have been in swim lessons, on swim teams, or in junior lifeguards since they were in diapers. My wife grew up at the beach and on swim teams through high school, so we're all pretty comfortable around and in the water, just have to figure out that whole wind driven power deal.
I really appreciate all the boat suggestions and have been looking them up as they're mentioned. The local supply is a bit limited being in a landlocked state far from a coastline, but we're not in a hurry to find the perfect family boat either. We might start with a cheap dinghy though to play around in this summer while we learn. There's a Snark Sea Skimmer, fully rigged, for sale locally for $200. Both sails and hull look pretty weathered, but it's a complete boat, and it's super cheap. We could car top it. It says it'll hold two but the weight limit is 310 pounds. I'm about 190, and I'd guess my daughter is around 120. Not sure how well that would work. Although we could take turns solo sailing. The other decent looking option is a really well maintained Flying Junior. Fully rigged, includes trailer, recently painted, most of the sails are newer, it includes spare sails. No spinnaker or poles, although those are options that can be used on the boat. $900. Seller says there's a local FJ fleet and organized races, although I have no idea on the accuracy of that, which would add potentially another dimension to enjoy next summer once we have some sailing experience. The FJ should hold two adult size folks from the specs I found online, although I can't find a specific weight limit. There are also a couple different Sunfish locally in the sub $1,000 price range. One is $500, includes trailer, but needs a sail. The other is complete at $700 and has a trailer, but the trailer isn't included in the sale price. Any thoughts on those options for a learn to sail boat? I'm leaning towards the FJ, although I have to admit that's based entirely on her looks. With the brand new paint she's a pretty little boat, and all the rigging looks cleaner, newer, or better maintained than the other boats.
Edited to Add - There's also a pretty beat up 16' Hobie Cat with trailer for $500. Seller says it sails right now and the tramp works but it needs some TLC to get it into shape. It's stored outside exposed to the weather so the tramp and rigging is probably pretty beat up. Just to throw a multihull option in there.