40th Anniversary

Highlands Ranch . . . a unique community to be sure

A planned community located on the former plains of what was once rural Douglas County has transformed, over the last 40 years, into a thriving community of nearly 100,000 people.

In the span of those 40 years, the evolution of our community has been studied by suburban planners and modeled by others. The community’s infrastructure and development were funded by system development fees, which are fees paid by developers to the Metro District. These fees supported the development of roads, traffic signals, parks, trails and other community amenities. The benefit of this process is that development paid its own way as Highlands Ranch developed, rather than loading the debt of development on the taxpayers who moved to the community.

The result is that today our community is a highly desirable suburb home to 26 parks, more than 70 miles of trails and 2,650 acres of open space. These amenities contribute to the high quality of life and the active lifestyles in Highlands Ranch.

Our community’s local governments and homeowners association provide services that contribute to the excellent quality of life associated with Highlands Ranch. The vision of Highlands Ranch first seen in 1979 by Mission Viejo Company, the original developer, to Shea Homes, the community’s current developer, has remained that of a community multiple generations would call home. The fact that the community’s developer has remained involved in, and supportive of the community is rare, and Highlands Ranch residents benefit from that vision and involvement over four decades.

Learn more and view photos that show our community’s 40-year transformation by visiting www.highlandsranch.org/40thanniversary.

Years ago, when Highlands Ranch was being built, construction was everywhere. Civic Green Park, seen here in development in 2005, is popular for its concerts, events, fountains, playgrounds and beautiful gardens.