Tall Tales Ranch to build a ordable housing in Lone Tree

BY MCKENNA HARFORD MHARFORD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

A Douglas County nonpro t is planning a multifamily housing project in Lone Tree catered to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Tall Tales Ranch is in the early stages of building 28 income-restricted apartments in the Ridgegate area to serve people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, as well as others.

e project is expected to cost around $20 million.

e rst phase of construction will include 14 units and is expected to start in summer 2024.

Laura McKenna, executive director of Tall Tales Ranch, said the project aims to help relieve some of the high demand for housing in Douglas County and create an inclusive community.

McKenna said the housing will prioritize people with intellectual or developmental disabilities, but will also accept neurotypical residents, and is aiming to serve people making between 30-60% of the area media income.

“To be able to a ord a typical rent in Lone Tree is really impossible for (people on social security) so our goal is to make it a ordable for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to stay there,” she said.

On top of the housing units, which will be a mix of one and two bedrooms, the Tall Tales Ranch project will include a community space with amenities for residents, as well as an event barn and co ee shop, where Tall Tales Ranch will have its o ces located.

“Our residents, or even people who don’t live there, will be able to work in the co ee shop because employment is just as di cult (to nd) as housing for people with intellectual or developmental disabilities,” McKenna said.

Earlier this month, Douglas County’s commissioners discussed providing $2 million to help fund the project, which would come from monies distributed to the county by the American Rescue Plan Act. e commissioners also challenged Tall Tales Ranch to raise matching donations to their contribution.

Tall Tales Ranch partnered with Schweiger Ranch to lease four acres, while Shea Homes is donating land development services and PCL Construction is donating their services for the commercial elements of the project.

McKenna said the support from the county and Lone Tree has been crucial to Tall Tales Ranch’s ability to grow and invest in housing.

“We have had phenomenal support from the people in Lone Tree, they’ve been really warm,” she said.