![](https://www.distinctivedenver.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Highlands_Ranch.jpg)
Boundaries are Santa Fe Drive to Quebec/I-25 on the East and West, County Line Road on the North and to below Lincoln Avenue on the south (which at this point runs east and west).
This planned community started in 1981 and is approximately 13 miles south of Denver on 1-25. Now home to over 100,000 people, Highlands Ranch offers many options for housing including single family homes, condominiums, townhomes, apartments and retirement dwellings.
The first settlers built their lives in this area more than 100 years ago. Originally farmland and cattle ranches the area includes the historic Highlands Ranch Mansion (17,000 sq. ft) built by John Springer in 1891. After a series of owners, Lawrence Phipps, Jr. came to ownership and in 1978 sold this unique peice of Colorado history to the Mission Viejo Company, which had a vision of a master planned community that would become Highlands Ranch. In 1997, Mission Viejo Company was purchased by Shea Homes, who is the current owner of the spectacular ranch and mansion that now functions as a community event center and venue for special events.
The community of Highlands Ranch is now home to 22 parks, 4 off leash dog areas, 70 miles of hiking and biking trails and 2,000 acres of open space. Also in the area are great community pools, two skate parks, an outdoor inline hockey rink, tennis courts and ball fields, three community gardens and recreation centers plus restaurants, retail and entertainment.