Highlands Ranch Metro District
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Puzzled About How Highlands Ranch Operates?
Partner organizations provide a variety of services to residents
Is Highlands Ranch a city? No, Highlands Ranch, Colorado is an unincorporated community of more than 103,000 residents. Local municipal services are provided by several organizations in a collaborative cost-effective manner. This innovative approach to governance leverages resources, keeps operations efficient, taxes low and serves as a successful model for service delivery.
This model, since it is unique from a typical city or town government system, can be challenging to piece together and fully understand the roles of the organizations involved.
Like puzzle pieces linked together, municipal service providers are united by a common goal of serving the residents and improving their quality of life. Interlocking services and partnerships provide for a smooth operation in our community.
Highlands Ranch Metro District
Special district - the local government of Highlands Ranch
Seven-member elected board of directors
Primary funding source: Property taxes
303-791-0430
Services provided
- Installation and maintenance of landscaping and fences adjacent to major roads
- Construction and maintenance of parks and trails
- Youth and adult outdoor recreation
- Management and maintenance of extensive natural open space areas
- Construction of storm drainage facilities
- Water and wastewater services through a contract with Highlands Ranch Water
- Community events and volunteer opportunities
- Senior programs and services at the Highlands Ranch Senior Center
- Operation of the Highlands Ranch Mansion
Facility highlights
- 26 parks
- 70+ miles of trails
- 2,644 acres of open space
- Highlands Ranch Mansion
- Highlands Ranch Senior Center
- Metro District Parks, Recreation & Open Space Service Center
- Lebsack Tennis Center
- Southpark Pickleball Complex
- Batter Up Batting Cages at Redstone Park
Douglas County
Local government
Three-member elected board of county commissioners
Primary funding sources: Property taxes, sales taxes, federal and state program reimbursements
303-660-7400
Services provided
- Public safety
- Transportation maintenance and infrastructure
- Planning and zoning
- Parks
- Open space
- Rueter-Hess Reservoir recreation
- Public health
- Human services and mental health resources
- Elections
- Motor vehicle
Facility highlights
- Highland Heritage Regional Park
- Douglas County Parks & Trails Division Office
- Highlands Ranch Motor Vehicle (Wildcat Reserve Parkway)
- Human Services office at the Highlands Ranch Senior Center
Highlands Ranch Community Association
Homeowners' association
Five-member board of directors
Primary funding sources: Assessments and program fees
303-791-2500
Services provided
HRCA fosters a strong sense of community by offering lifestyle, recreational and cultural opportunities that enrich the quality of life in Highlands Ranch.
Facility highlights
- Four private recreation centers that are accessible to members: Northridge, Southridge, Eastridge and Westridge
- Back Country Wilderness Area, which encompasses 8,200 acres for outdoor recreation and 26 miles of passive walking and biking trails.
Additional community partners:
Douglas County Libraries - 303-791-7323
Public library district serving Douglas County
Governed by a board of trustees, who serve as volunteers and who are appointed by the Douglas County Commissioners. The board adopts and oversees budget, policies and planning, as well as the library director's hiring and evaluation.
Douglas County School District - 303-387-0100
Government entity (public education) school district serving Douglas County
Seven-member elected board
Douglas County Sheriff's Office - 303-660-7505
Law enforcement agency serving unincorporated communities in Douglas County.
Elected sheriff holds a four-year-term.
Highlands Ranch Water - 303-791-0430
A special district serving the communities of Highlands Ranch and Solstice.
Five-member elected board of directors
Mile High Flood District - 303-455-6277
Special district serving the seven-county Denver Metro area that exists to protect people, property, and the environment.
Board of directors is comprised of 22 elected officials in the Denver Metro area and two board-appointed professional engineers.
South Metro Fire Rescue - 720-989-2000
Special district dedicated to protecting and serving nearly 300 square miles across Arapahoe, Douglas and Jefferson counties
Seven-member elected board of directors
Partnership of Douglas County Governments
This nine-member organization exists to enhance and strengthen intergovernmental and regional relationships that result in cost savings to taxpayers and greater efficiency in local government. The partnership includes Castle Pines, Castle Rock, Highlands Ranch Metro District, Larkspur, Lone Tree, Parker, Douglas County Libraries, Douglas County School District and Douglas County. Elected officials and staff from local member organizations meet regularly to discuss common issues, and to seek opportunities for shared solutions. Learn more at douglascountypartnership.org.