Highlands Ranch was named one of the nation’s best communities for public school excellence, home affordability, growth and prosperity by Nerdwallet and Businessweek, and was ranked by Forbes as one of the top places to move in the nation.
Highlands Ranch is a 22,000-acre master-planned community 12 miles south of Denver. Located on the eastern bank of Chatfield Reservoir and near the Rocky Mountain foothills, Highlands Ranch offers over 2,000 acres of open space, 61% of which is devoted to non-urban uses, including public parks along the South Platte River with over 60 miles of paved and natural trails for walking, running, and biking. The scene mountain backdrop is perfect for touring the Denver Botanic Gardens Chatfield Farms, the second location for Denver’s renowned Botanic Gardens. The original cattle ranch property was owned by Lawrence Phipps Jr., one of the original owners of the Denver Broncos.
The Highlands Ranch Town Center is an urban, pedestrian-friendly community area full of restaurants, shops, a library, and municipal offices which is extremely popular on the weekends. Old Blinking Light, one of the highest rated restaurants in Highlands Ranch Town Center, is well-known for southwestern food and cocktails.
Highlands Ranch overall has 19 elementary schools, four middle schools, five high schools, and numerous daycare facilities. Four full-scale, state-of-the-art recreation centers offer a climbing wall, a channel pool, a batting cage, and backcountry outdoor activities in the summer.
