About the Community
Overview
Sitting at 5,920 feet, Highlands Ranch is a large suburb 12 miles south of Denver. Highlands Ranch is home to nearly 100,000 residents, restaurants, a shopping mall, almost 70 miles of trails, and more than 8000 acres of conservation space known as the backcountry.
Things to Do Around Highlands Ranch
The Metro District preserves more than 2,650 acres of open space areas in the community and maintains more than 70 miles of trail. The trail system in Highlands Ranch features concrete, crusher fine (gravel) and single track trails for a variety of users.
Free copies of the Highlands Ranch Outdoors Map are available at the following locations:
- Metro District Office Building, 62 Plaza Dr.
- Parks, Recreation & Open Space Service Center, 3280 Redstone Park Circle
- Douglas County Libraries at Highlands Ranch
- HRCA Recreation Centers
A hidden gem in Highlands Ranch is the 8,200 acres of conservation space, known to residents as the Highland Ranch backcountry. While the trail system in the backcountry is reserved for Highlands Ranch residents only, views can be enjoyed along Griggs road and into Daniels Park.
Chatfield Reservoir and State Park
Denver Botanical Gardens South
Getting Around Highlands Ranch
Auto – C-470 runs east and west near the northern boundary of Highlands Ranch, with five full interchanges serving the community. C-470 connects with I-25 providing north and south access through Colorado’s Front Range business region, and with I-70, which runs east and west through the Rocky Mountains. U.S. 85, a north/south highway, generally borders the property on the west. E-470 permits travel around the east side of the Denver metro area providing easy access to Denver International Airport.
Bus – The Regional Transportation District (RTD) provides express bus service to downtown Denver and surrounding communities and offers two park-n-Ride facilities in Highlands Ranch with quick and easy access to light rail at Mineral and Santa Fe. With the passage of RTD’s FasTracks project, RTD will extend light rail to Lucent Blvd. in Highlands Ranch by 2016.
Air – Highlands Ranch is approximately 40 minutes from Denver International Airport and 20 minutes from Centennial Airport
Economy
More than 1,000 acres of land have been designated for corporate headquarters, office, industrial, commercial, and other business uses.
The business community is supported by the Chamber of Commerce of Highlands Ranch. Membership consists of more than 260 entities representing a wide spectrum of businesses. The Chamber has ongoing efforts for networking, economic and business development, and actively monitors pending state level business legislation.
Being an unincorporated part of the county, the area enjoys one of the lower tax rates in South Metropolitan Denver. Residents of Douglas County enjoy great open space and trails. Click here for an interactive map.
Arapahoe/Douglas Works collects data and compiles reports to help local business and industry better-understand the current environment. You can view these reports within their Workforce Trends, Economic Competitiveness, and Industry Intelligence pages.
Learn more about Douglas County Economic Development.
Education
Highlands Ranch is part of the highly acclaimed Douglas County School District. A strong emphasis on education is a time-honored tradition in Douglas County. The school district’s mission is to promote the acquisition of knowledge, development of skills for learning, the understanding of ideals and values, and the enhancement of individual potential. It prides itself on a well-researched and integrated curriculum, a rich array of extra-curricular offerings, strong community involvement, and a board of education with a vision of being among the top school districts in the nation.
The Highlands Ranch Christian School and Cherry Hills Community Church both offer private elementary schools and Valor Christian High School that serve the community. Highlands Ranch is just minutes away from a variety of higher and continuing education opportunities including Arapahoe Community College, the University of Denver, Metropolitan State College, and the University of Colorado-Denver campus.
