I am posting this specifically to the Localism.com sight under the area of Highlands Ranch, Wildcat Ridge.  I feel that it is a bit confusing to list Wildcat Ridge under Highlands Ranch, as it is not a part of Highlands Ranch. If you were just to look at a map, it may appear to be - but that is not the case.  Wildcat Ridge is in fact not a part of Highlands Ranch and is instead considered Littleton, CO as far as a mailing address goes.  On this same site, Localism.com - you will find Wildcat Ridge also listed in its proper home of Littleton, CO for mailing addresses purposes.  Some use the Lone Tree name as well - but it seems most go with Littleton.  I have even posted about this before - Wildcat Ridge - Setting the Record Straight For Home Buyers I know, its tricky. Over the years I h... 08/04/2008

Looking for 2010 Info?? - 2010 Colorado Scottish Festival & Rocky Mountain Highland Games   Colorado Scottish Festival in Highlands Ranch This Weekend A much anticipated annual event by my own daughter - the annual Colorado Scottish Festival and Rocky Mountain Highlands Games will take place in Highlands Ranch, CO next weekend.  On August 9th and 10th, Heritage Park will become a Scottish lover's delight as some of the best area Scottish and Irish dancer descend on Highlands Ranch along with the Highlands Games, music, ancestary tracing, food, vendors & much more.  The festival is open both days from 9:00 am to 4:30 pm.  A schedule of all of the events can be found here and a list of  all the types of things you will see is found here.  We have been attending the Scottish Festival for ... 08/04/2008

Free concerts, doggie events, free movies, senior luncheons, art festivals, wine tastings and amateur nights, do any of these interest you?  If they do, I hope you live in Highlands Ranch, Colorado because all of these are taking place in the next month in Highlands Ranch and Lone Tree.   One of the events will be taking place in Lone Tree, the neighbor to the east of Highlands Ranch.  On August 16 the Lone Tree Recreation Center, 10249 Ridgegate Circle is sponsoring "Open Mic Night" for all of you wan-a-be performers.  Music, skits, juggling and more are allowed and prizes will be awarded.  The event is FREE, but performers must register.  Call 303-708-3513 for registration or information.  The event will take place from 7 to 10 pm on August 16th.   "Film in The Park" is back in Highla... 07/31/2008

Highlands Ranch Real Estate - Weatherstone Neighborhood Update Weatherstone remains to be a neighborhood that I always receive inquiries about when folks are considering Highlands Ranch in their Denver relocation.   It is very easy to understand the interest and desire in Weatherstone homes.  Weatherstone has a great location, many of the yards in Weatherstone are larger than other Highlands Ranch neighborhoods, it has its own pool, a neighborhood park, a new elementary school -Stone Mountain Elementary and the homes in Weatherstone are absolutely gorgeous.  It is not unusual to find a Weatherstone home for sale with great views to boot.   As of today July 31st, there are currently 11 resale properties available in Weatherstone (listed in the MLS) ranging from $475,000 to $1,500,000.  I... 07/31/2008

Dog Parks in Highlands Ranch, CO - Spotlight on HOUND HILL DOG PARK When driving around Highlands Ranch, a common site is to see pets, and more pets. Residents in Highlands Ranch love pets. So, Metro District Parks and Open Space offers Highlands Ranch Pets four dog parks - OFF LEASH (Yeah...) The first one featured is the HOUND HILL Dog Park Hound Hill is located just south of Quebec/University/Lincoln intersection. The dog park is situated on a gently sloping terrain,  South of the Post Office and next to soccer fields, baseball field and a playground - the complex is called Highland Heritage Regional Park. The dog park is often busy with pets and their owner, the dogs are happily skipping and running around, and you can hear many happy barks all around the park. Water is made availab... 07/25/2008

Every few months in Douglas County CO the Household Chemical Round-Up takes place, giving residents an opportunity to properly and safely dispose of hazardous waste. The next Round-Up will take place this Saturday, July 26th form 9:00 am - 3:00 pm in Highlands Ranch, CO at Shea Stadium and is open to all Douglas County residents.  Make sure you remember to bring a valid drivers license or utility bill to show your residency. The Highlands Ranch Metro Districts web site displays a few list of all of the items that can be disposed of at the Round-Up.  A full list of the event sponsors is also available there as well.  It is also noteworthy that they are asking folks to consider a optional $20 donation to help off-set the cost of proper, safe disposal. Now I have seen this line at times an... 07/23/2008

Living in Denver’s Suburbs - Highlands Ranch Colorado Sunset Last night as I was heading out the door from my home in Highlands Ranch for a walk, it looked like it was going to be an amazing sunset.  I was right. I am lucky as I have a very nice mountain view from my home and am fortunate to see amazing sunsets on a fairly regular basis. Living so close to the foothills, I often have the storms roll in quickly but seems like they are generally over pretty fast as well.  Last night was one of those - the clouds rolled in around 5:30 but by 7:30 they were on their way out - leaving an amazing sunset behind. Sometimes I have Denver real estate clients that are very specific and know that they want to be able to view sunsets like this on a regular basis.  To have a mountain view property wi... 07/20/2008

I have written about Redstone Park in Highlands Ranch before, I am a little partial because it is in my own neighborhood.  But the fact of the matter is Redstone Park has many great offerings for its residents and visitors.   Whenever I head to Redstone Park we have a great time.  Whether its just a stroll with the kids or the dog, a quick loop or tow or three around the park on my bike - or a longer outing to the fishing pond or playground - it is so nice to have such a great spot so close by. Redstone Park is located on the west side of Highlands Ranch, often referred to as Westridge.  It is one of the larger parks in Highlands Ranch and its offerings and activities are almost endless.  It is located at the intersections of Town Center Drive and Foothills Canyon Blvd, just east of San... 07/20/2008

I recently had a couple that was relocating to the Denver area and they were looking to buy a home in Highlands Ranch.  They mentioned that they didn't see the need in Colorado to have a pool in their backyard (good thing, as there aren't that many that do) but they did decide that they wanted to be in a neighborhood that had its own smaller community pool. Now Highlands Ranch does have 4 Recreation Centers within the Highlands Ranch Community Association - but these folks wanted the smaller community pool as well - and still be in Highlands Ranch. A few days later I had another couple thinking of moving to Highlands Ranch with a similar request. I had previously wrote a post about what neighborhoods have pools in Highlands Ranch - but since its summer, its hot and it was a hot & recent... 07/19/2008

Highlands Ranch high rank on Best Small Cities to live in! Money Magazine has just ranked Highlands Ranch, CO as #12 on their annual "Top 100 Best Small Cities to Live" list. Currently Highlands Ranch has approximately 102,600 residents. Even if we are not officially a city, rather unincorporated Douglas County, the ranking speaks volumes. So what makes Highlands Ranch so special? The strong sense of community, even in a "town" that's hard to locate on a map, gives Highlands Ranch an unbeatable welcoming feel. Frequently nationally recognized great schools, well kept and covenant controlled neighborhoods, parks, miles and miles of trails, and state of the art recreation centers - those don't hurt either. Highlands Ranch has come a long way since it first began developing 27 years ago. T... 07/16/2008

CNN Money Magazine Has come out with their annual list of Best Places to Live 2008 and Colorado is sprinkled all over - but my own Highlands Ranch, CO is #12.  In the naiton.  Very Nice.   Read the over-view here.    Its not a big surprise to me that Highlands Ranch continues to regularly rank in lists like this. Here are some of the reason I love living Highlands Ranch & some of the reason my clients tell met they chose relocate to Highlands Ranch or continue to live here: Great activities through the Highlands Ranch Community Association.  We recently had Rodeo in the Ranch, the Summer Concert Series is still is full swing, Winter Cultural series is always chock full of great performances and every Sunday you can pop over to Town Center for the Farmers Market May - October. Douglas C... 07/16/2008

And residents of Highlands Ranch, CO love them even more, it seems.  What kind of sports are there that are starting in the next month in which you can participate in Highlands Ranch?   Horseback riding is available for all ages from 5 years at Stockton Plum Creek Stables.  Classes are offered for kids ages 5-14 years.  Visit www.stocktonsplumcreek.com for more information. Basketball classes and camps are starting now for ages 3-14. Coed Youth Dodge Ball Tournament is July 21st. Flag Football class is available for ages 6-8 starting August 2nd. Hockey League play starts July 26th. Indoor Lacrosse Clinic for ages 6-14 will run July 22 through July 29. Children from the age of 4 to 17 can take Tennis lessons starting on August 4th. Tennis camps for youth 7-13 years start today and again ... 07/14/2008

  Highlands Ranch Living - The Concert Series At Highland Heritage Park To me it still fees like early summer - it is just zooming by.  This week is already mid-July, how did that happen? So, yes its going fast, faster than I would like and something to great to do if you live in Highlands Ranch is to check out a concert at the Highlands Ranch Concert Series.  The HRCA organizes such great events for Highlands Ranch residents!  There are still 4 dates left to go in the series (3 original dates & 1 reschedule from rain) and they are all great.  All of the concerts begin at 6:30pm in Highland Heritage Park - that's the park behind the Highlands Ranch Post Office at University/Lincoln & Quebec. July 17 - Michael Friedman Jazz QuintetJuly 24th - Chris Daniels &The KingsJuly 31st - The ever... 07/12/2008

Highlands Ranch Living - Fence Replacement Project is Underway! While you have been driving around Highlands Ranch this spring or summer, you probably have seen the beginnings of a huge project, particularly if you have traveled Venneford Ranch Road west of University Blvd.  The Highlands Ranch Metro District has started the Fence Replacement Project which will span into the years to come but frankly it is going to be well worth it.  The fences in some of the areas were really needed repair and I have to say that I think what they have chosen looks great.  The document that they have on-line at the Highlands Ranch Metro Districts web site has detailed information about what was chosen and the schedule of what will be done when.  Just go to their site at www.highlandsranch.org and on th... 07/12/2008

Highlands Ranch Living - It’s Rodeo Time! A Highlands Ranch Tradition...     The Rodeo in the Ranch is one of the reason I love living in Highlands Ranch. I loved the signs that were up this year, spread out spreading the message....Don't forget You Live on a Ranch...and such. The rodeo this year is north of Highlands Ranch Golf Club - at Lucent and Plaza Drive.  The first show is tomorrow, Saturday 7/12 and will wrap up Sunday 7/13. Saturday's performance is at 9:00 am but the gates open at 11am. On Sunday the gates will open at 2pm for a 4:00 show time.    The gates open early for everyone to enjoy the atmosphere and participate in Mutton Bustin' and other activities.  In case you don't know Mutton Busitn' is just about the funniest thing you will ever see as small children attempt to... 07/11/2008

Culture on the Green, an annual series is in full swing.  Held every summer, these FREE fun family events are held at once a month at the Civic Green Park on Ridgeline next to the library.The next performance will be July 18, 6:30 - 8 pm. and will feature The Mile Hi Banjo Society.  Bring your blanket and a picnic dinner if you like, but no dogs allowed.  Another popular annual summer series is the Summer Concert Series held at Highland Heritage Park beside the Post Office at University and Quebec.  The next three concerts will feature:The Nacho Men on July 10th, Michael Friedman Jazz Quintet, Jul 17th,Chris Daniels and the Kings, July 24th.Bring our blanket.  Admission is FREE and no dogs allowed.Farmers Market continues every Sunday thru October from 10-2 pm at Town Center, 9288 Dorch... 07/06/2008

Yesterday I did head over to Highlands Ranch Town Center with my family for a while for the Highlands Ranch Independence Day Celebration.  We went over in the afternoon, walked around a bit, the kids visited several booths and games.  Their favorite was the magician, which was a kid that was fabulous.  He couldn't have been more than 16 or 17.    We then walked over to Civic Green Park and splashed in the fountains for a while to cool off - good thing they were on, it was hot out - it must have been at least 95.      After that we walked back to the main festivities at Town Center and stopped to see all of the animals that were visiting the event with hopes to be adopted.  I think there were several different organizations there that work with shelters and there were some kittens in a m... 07/05/2008

June is almost over and 4th of July is this week!  I can't believe it actually, the summer is flying by.  Last year for the 4th, we were actually not in town at all, but rather on vacation.  So I am pretty glad to stay-put this year and be home for the celebrations.  The kids are too.  I think our plans will be to hang out at home during the day and then head over to the celebration in Highlands Ranch at Town Center in the evening.  There is a ton to do there, and the kids love to just run around and see their friends as these types of events.  Laura is thinking that on the 3rd we may head to downtown Denver and try to get a seat on an outdoor patio or maybe even a rooftop one near Coors Field to see the fireworks there as well after the game.   So those are our temporary plans.  If you... 06/30/2008

I had the opportunity to participate in a heartwarming event in April of this year.  April 26th of this year was Rebuilding Together Day across the nation.  The Rebuilding Together organization organized and sponsored these rebuilding projects in many cities.  In the Denver area alone there were over 30 projects completed simultaneously on that day.  I was able to volunteer for a project to do some much needed repairs, painting, building and carpet cleaning in the home of a young lady who had cerebral palsy.  Our volunteer team painted 2 rooms, her play room and her bedroom.  We shampooed carpets and ripped up a badly worn kitchen and dining room floor and laid some new bamboo flooring in it's place.  Some of the team repaired the deck while others repaired the wheel chair ramp.  Some o... 06/25/2008

The Douglas County Libraries, of which the Highlands Ranch Library is one, are ranked in the top ten American libraries.  Over 675,000 items are available for check out.  In 2007, over 6.4 million items were checked out and there were over 1.7 million visits to the libraries.  Our libraries in Douglas County have a combined total of 92 employees who have a Master's Degree in Library Science.  We do, indeed, have a really great library system and our Highlands Ranch library shines as one of the best in the system.  What goes on at the library in Highlands Ranch?  There are Art Exhibits and used book sales, which I particularly like.  You can join a book club, chess club, genealogical society, photography club or writers group.  Always popular are the many childrens' programs and activiti... 06/24/2008