Leadership Outlook

Leadership Outlook . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Local Government Update . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Good News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Highlands Ranch Outdoors . . . . . . . . . 6-7 Recreation Guide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-9

Tennis Center & Park Services . . . . . . . . . . .10

Water Resources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11

Meet Your Local Government

The Highlands Ranch Metro District is responsible for: • Water and sanitation services through an agreement with Centennial Water and

Sanitation District • Recreation programs and services • Developing and caring for parks, trails and natural open space areas • Building community infrastructure, including major roads, traffic signals, and storm drainage and stormwater management • Managing and maintaining landscaping, fence and community entries along major roads • Street lighting through Xcel Energy • Community events and volunteer activities • Managing the Highlands Ranch Mansion

Metro District Board of Directors

Mark Dickerson, Chair Andy Jones, Vice Chair David Simonson, Treasurer Renee Anderson, Director Eric T. Rysner, Director Carolyn Schierholz, Director Nancy Smith, Director

FRONT COVER: The West Fork Disc Golf Course, located at 9095 S. Broadway, is a popular destination throughout the year for disc golf players. Since opening in July 2020, more than 64,000 rounds have been played at the course.

Wildfire mitigation & emergency preparedness

Wildfire mitigation and emergency preparedness is front of mind for many residents. According to Mike Morgan, director of the Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control, the average number of wildfires over the past 10 years was 5,507 per year, but last year alone, 6,709 fires were reported. Most of those were small, and were extinguished before they even had a name. While many smaller fires burn across the state each year, many that break out require more than one agency’s response. With more than 4,700 homes in Highlands Ranch backing to open space, the need to be aware and take steps to prevent wildfires is critical. There are many actions homeowners can implement to protect their homes, and critical steps we as a community can take to minimize risk. Top priorities for defensible space near your home: • Mow grass and weeds to a height of four inches or less. • Rake and remove all pine needles and other flammable debris from a five-foot radius around the foundation of your home and deck. • Treat or mow shrubs that resprout aggressively (such as Gambel oak) every three to five years or more, depending on growth rates. • Remove branches that hang over the roof and chimney of your home. • Keep firewood stacked uphill from (or at the same elevation as) any structures, and keep the woodpile at least 30 feet away from the home. The Metro District partners with South Metro Fire Rescue to educate the community on wildfire mitigation and emergency preparedness. Highlands Ranch residents, can email ReducingRisk@ southmetro.org to schedule time for a free, 30-minute home assessment. Additional resources and documentation can be found on our website at highlandsranch.org/OSIC.

Mark Dickerson Chair, Highlands Ranch Metro District Board of Directors

Collaborating with Douglas County on community infrastructure

During the past 40 years, the Metro District and Douglas County have engaged in a very successful partnership to construct and maintain the necessary infrastructure to serve a rapidly growing community that now totals more than 100,000. From the earliest master planning stages to the operations and maintenance of our roads and traffic signals, storm drain and flood control systems, both organizations have shared responsibilities to ensure that Highlands Ranch citizens receive a high standard of municipal services at a low cost. With the major components of infrastructure completed for this planned community, this relationship has continued by evaluating infrastructure maintenance needs and implementing projects for pavement management, transportation improvements, storm drain replacement and channel stabilization. This collaborative model for local governance of one of the largest unincorporated communities in the nation reflects the Metro District’s mission statement of being “Committed to providing innovative and quality municipal services while managing resources wisely for the community of Highlands Ranch.” Our partner, Douglas County, has demonstrated their support for this model with open communication between staff and sharing resources. This joint effort provides the local connection in order to identify areas of need and consider how best to prioritize renovation projects as well as infrastructure improvements. If you have questions on public works or infrastructure projects, please contact me at 720-2404930 or jcase@highlandsranch.org.