It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.
Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Highlands Ranch, CO is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
“Our thanks to ABC for the wonderful nursing care and general management and coordination”
“Amazing customer service and follow up regarding services for my mother-in-law”
“I'm sending this thank u to thank you, not only for being the best company”
“Thank you to all the caregivers who took care of our mom. We are forever”
“I am deeply grateful for the love and support you have shown me during this”
“Thank you for the wonderful care you have provided, specifically Simone, for my mom the”
“Thank you so much for the coordination of our parents care. Your loveliness and dedication”
“I didn't think they could do better than I could on my own. They found”
“I have referred my families to Always Best Care and they have been very happy”
“I had a wonderful experience working with the company. Very helpful and dedicated to providing”
“Thank you so much for coming by to visit our community with the Always Best”
“I had a wonderful experience working with the company. Very helpful and dedicated to providing”
“To Always Best Care Giver Cynthia C. H., “Thank you for taking the time to”
“I can't find Sarah S, Alyssa, Paula, and the rest of the teams direct emails”
“Our care giver Evelyn L. was wonderful, and such a great help to our family.”
“I recommend the services of Always Best Care. The several months I have employed Always”
“HIGHLY RECOMMEND!! If you or anyone in your family is looking for quality, sincere care”
“To ABC Care Giver Autumn W., we adore you and your caring heart is noticed”
“My husband had a bad fall that resulted in two pelvic fractures and a fractured”
“ABC was so responsive and made it very easy to set up care. They worked”
“The response time and options for the care of my 101 year old father have”
“It was great working with Nancy, she went the extra mile helping us find the”
“Always Best Care helped our family find just the right place for my mother-in-law. Nancy”
“Thank you very much for your kind words and thank you so much to you”
“I have had the pleasure of working with the team at Always Best Care/Denver West”
“Our thanks to ABC for the wonderful nursing care and general management and coordination”
“Amazing customer service and follow up regarding services for my mother-in-law”
“I'm sending this thank u to thank you, not only for being the best company I hold dear but being so individually beautiful!!! You're always the best care!!!!!”
“Thank you to all the caregivers who took care of our mom. We are forever grateful for your kindness towards our mom when we couldn't be there because of covid”
“I am deeply grateful for the love and support you have shown me during this difficult time, especially by sending me beautiful flowers. Thank you so much for your love and sympathy”
“Thank you for the wonderful care you have provided, specifically Simone, for my mom the last 4 years. We couldn't have done this without Simone's assistance. She is truly an angel!!”
“Thank you so much for the coordination of our parents care. Your loveliness and dedication made our parents lives so much better. We are very happy that ABC did every thing possible to let their home run smoothly. We appreciate all the efforts and especially your positive spirit”
“I didn't think they could do better than I could on my own. They found a much better, more beautiful place at a much better price for my mom. HUGE THANKS TO NANCY FOR HER HELP !!!!”
“I have referred my families to Always Best Care and they have been very happy with the service and the care staff that come into their homes. I was recently talking to a nurse who owns a Home Health company and asked her who she liked to use for home care. She said Always Best Care in Lakewood never lets me down. They always show up and give good care! There are so many home care companies out there it can be overwhelming. If you are trying to chose which home care company to go with, I highly recommend Always Best Care in Lakewood.”
“I had a wonderful experience working with the company. Very helpful and dedicated to providing caring services to their clients.”
“Thank you so much for coming by to visit our community with the Always Best Care fun wheel! I can tell you it really was a nice morale boost for our associates! Nancy, everyone on our team who worked with you and Always Best Care for our Memory Care resident who needed overnight care was so complimentary of how kind and helpful you were in coordinating care for her. Thank you for all your help.”
“I had a wonderful experience working with the company. Very helpful and dedicated to providing caring services to their clients.”
“To Always Best Care Giver Cynthia C. H., “Thank you for taking the time to celebrate Carolyn’s Birthday, and making her feel so important and loved. Hats off to you.”
“I can't find Sarah S, Alyssa, Paula, and the rest of the teams direct emails so please pass on my appreciation and gratitude for them too! Thank you so much for the shout out!! I love reading the newsletter and had no idea I was going to be in it so it was a wonderful surprise! I love this job and I hope I can help out more in the near future instead of just every weekend. Thank you again and I love being part of the Always Best team :) Thank you!”
“Our care giver Evelyn L. was wonderful, and such a great help to our family.”
“I recommend the services of Always Best Care. The several months I have employed Always Best Care have been very satisfying. The services they have provided for an elderly Alzheimer’s patient has been exceptional. One of the most satisfying aspects of their service is their reliability. They show up, on time , with enthusiasm, and know the patient before entering the home. Also, the scheduling and support staff is accommodating, helpful, and friendly. Anyone that needs help with an elderly Alzheimer’s patient should consider employing Always Best Care. Sincerely, Michael Iverson”
“HIGHLY RECOMMEND!! If you or anyone in your family is looking for quality, sincere care for yourself or a loved one look no further. Always best care has the sweetest caregivers who go through an intense training course so they know for sure how well they do in certain environments. Erin the owner is the sweetest darn person who has a heart of gold who treats her employees very good so they can focus on doing their job right and enjoy doing it. I have been around the caregiving industry since 2013 and this is by far the best company I have yet seen. Trust me they won’t let you down!!!!!!!”
“To ABC Care Giver Autumn W., we adore you and your caring heart is noticed by our family. We all thank you.”
“My husband had a bad fall that resulted in two pelvic fractures and a fractured rib. Fortunately, there was no need for surgery but unfortunately, he was going to be immobile and in a great deal of pain. He was very nervous about my ability to be able to handle him so he requested that we look into very short-term ( one week) home health care when first coming home. Not knowing when he would be released from the hospital I was in my own panic about setting up the care so quickly. With he help of Nancy -a key administrator, I was able to get set up immediately even when I was unsure of exactly when to start. I was guided through the process. When I had to delay one day-no problem. The care giver who was sent to us, Evelyn was terrific-personable and willing to help in anyway requested. I highly recommend Always Best Care.”
“ABC was so responsive and made it very easy to set up care. They worked closely with our Hospice team as well if we needed them to. They were respectful and kind to our Mom. Only thing I would change is having them be able to administer meds. Definitely recommend them though!”
“The response time and options for the care of my 101 year old father have been exceptional. I would recommend Always Best Care to anyone who needs assistance and/or guidance in the care of their elderly loved ones. Dan Anderson”
“It was great working with Nancy, she went the extra mile helping us find the right place for our Mom.”
“Always Best Care helped our family find just the right place for my mother-in-law. Nancy Hemming knows exactly what questions to ask in order to assess each situation and she does so with professionalism, kindness and compassion. Nancy was our shepherd through the overwhelming landscape of assisted living placement and insurance. We highly recommend Always Best Care. You will find their service to be of the highest quality!”
“Thank you very much for your kind words and thank you so much to you and your staff for taking such good care of my mother. It was a big comfort to me to know she was in capable and caring hands.”
“I have had the pleasure of working with the team at Always Best Care/Denver West since August of 2014. I have found them to be very helpful, supportive and knowledgeable in all that they do. From the caregivers to the office staff, they are always willing and able to help in any situation that may arise with their clients and team members. I would recommend this team above all others! Carole S.”
Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
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While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in Highlands Ranch, CO, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.
Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.
Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.
For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.
More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.
In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.
With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.
In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.
Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.
At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.
In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:
When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.
Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.
At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Highlands Ranch, CO understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.
Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.
Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.
While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.
Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.
At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.
Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:
At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.
Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.
For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Highlands Ranch, CO 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.
When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.
Key Colorado high school boys basketball games, computer rankings, stat leaders, schedules & scores - live & final. The Colorado high school boys basketball season continues this week. Here's what you need to know heading into and during the latest prep hoops slate in The Centennial State.Who does your team play? Where? When? Are they winning?Boys Basketball Games & Scores (Live & Final)MaxPreps CHSAA...
The Colorado high school boys basketball season continues this week. Here's what you need to know heading into and during the latest prep hoops slate in The Centennial State.
Who does your team play? Where? When? Are they winning?
Boys Basketball Games & Scores (Live & Final)
MaxPreps CHSAA State Rankings: Overall
This week's Colorado MaxPreps computer rankings regardless of division. All teams ranked.
State Stat Leaders
Here's a look at this season's current boys basketball statewide leaders in points, assists, rebounds, steals, blocks, free throws and 3-pointers. Statistics are submitted to MaxPreps by coaches, athletic directors or program personnel. Coaches, ADs and staff who do not have current access may request their free account here.
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| Leaderboard - Player Assists Per Game |
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| Leaderboard - Player Steals Per Game |
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| Leaderboard - Player Blocks Per Game |
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Posted and last updated Colorado’s weather whiplash will bring potential blizzard conditions to the plains, heavy snow in the mountains, Palmer Divide with wet, slushy snow in the Denver metro area over the next 24 hours.DENVER – Colorado’s weather whiplash will bring potential blizzard conditions to the eastern plains, the Palmer Divide with heavy snow in the mountains as wet, slushy snow is expected in the Denver metro area over the next 24 hours.It’ll be ...
Posted
and last updated
Colorado’s weather whiplash will bring potential blizzard conditions to the plains, heavy snow in the mountains, Palmer Divide with wet, slushy snow in the Denver metro area over the next 24 hours.
DENVER – Colorado’s weather whiplash will bring potential blizzard conditions to the eastern plains, the Palmer Divide with heavy snow in the mountains as wet, slushy snow is expected in the Denver metro area over the next 24 hours.
It’ll be quite the change Tuesday from the last few days of above average temps and sunny skies.After Monday’s high temp warms into the 60s in Denver, conditions will start to change later in the day.
“We're expecting snow in through the Northern Front Range mountains by this afternoon, a few showers – even a few thunderstorms are possible across the eastern plains this afternoon – so we may see some wet roads for the evening commute, especially north near Longmont, Fort Collins and Greeley,” said Denver7 chief meteorologist Lisa Hidalgo.
“Here in town a little closer to Denver, we'll see some of that rain start to fill in late afternoon, early evening, that is going to then switch over to all snow overnight tonight.”
A slew of winter weather alerts are in place for the state, including a blizzard warning for portions of Elbert, Lincoln and Washington Counties starting at 11 p.m. Monday through at least 5 p.m. Tuesday, according to the National Weather Service (NWS) in Boulder.
“Blizzard conditions are expected. Total snow accumulations between 2 and 8 inches. Winds gusting as high as 65 mph,” wrote NWS forecasters.
Matheson, Akron, Limon, Agate, Huge, Last Chance and Otis are included in the blizzard warning. The NWS added there is uncertainty on the storm track and locations of potential heavy bands of snow in the area.
Closer to the Denver metro, a blizzard warning will go into from midnight tonight through 2 p.m. Tuesday for portions of Elbert and Douglas Counties, including Castle Rock, where between 4 and 10 inches of snow or more is possible with wind gusts up to 60 mph, wrote the NWS.
This alert was upgraded from a previous winter storm warning.
“In spots, we're expecting some heavy snow, potentially a few bands of snow, that would leave us with snowfall rates of upwards of around one to two inches per hour,” added Hidalgo. “Heaviest snow is likely going to be southwest and east of Denver and across the far eastern plains. The winds will kick up, and we're also expecting some blizzard-like conditions.”
Colorado’s Front Range Mountains will also go under a winter storm warning Monday afternoon for heavy snow and accumulations up to 14 inches.
The storm system will quickly clear out. After Tuesday’s blast of winter, Denver’s high temp on Wednesday warms into the 50s with mostly sunny skies. The warming trend continues through Thursday before another quick blast of snow is possible Friday morning.
As for Tuesday’s winter storm, the main areas of concern look to be conditions on the plains, the high country and Palmer Divide.
“In the metro area tomorrow – likely south of Denver and closer to Highlands Ranch, through Castle Pines, Castle Rock, Larkspur and south of there – is where we’re going to see upwards of 5 to 10 inches of snow and really gusty winds. So blizzard-like conditions are expected.
You can check potential low-end and high-end totals from the NWS by clicking this link.
Denver7 is tracking how this snow season compares to previous years. Check Colorado snow statistics in the graphic below or in fullscreen mode by clicking this link.
DENVER WEATHER LINKS: Hourly forecast | Radars | Traffic | Weather Page | 24/7 Weather Stream
Click here to watch the Denver7 live weather stream.
Copyright 2025 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
As Douglas County School District leaders and board members weigh closing three schools in Highlands Ranch, they’ll prioritize keeping together groups of students and staff from individual schools, ensuring student safety in traffic zones and analyzing current and future enrollment projections.Those are among the parameters the board approved Tuesday to guide them in determining which schools to close beginning in the 2026-27 school year from a list of 16 schools.The seven-member board will also consider how walkable scho...
As Douglas County School District leaders and board members weigh closing three schools in Highlands Ranch, they’ll prioritize keeping together groups of students and staff from individual schools, ensuring student safety in traffic zones and analyzing current and future enrollment projections.
Those are among the parameters the board approved Tuesday to guide them in determining which schools to close beginning in the 2026-27 school year from a list of 16 schools.
The seven-member board will also consider how walkable schools are for students; the availability of programming such as art, science, technology, engineering and mathematics; building capacity and limitations; and school finances and long-term sustainability. They will also try to maintain feeder patterns to middle and high schools.
Additionally, the school board must also select three schools with room for students whose classrooms have closed.
During a board meeting Tuesday evening, Superintendent Erin Kane denied rumors the district has already narrowed down schools it will consolidate.
Instead, Kane said school officials will consider the factors laid out by the board and then “dig even deeper into each scenario to make sure we have transportation, boundaries, special education, gifted and talented, multilanguage-learner supports for students — make sure we have all of those things ironed out before we put out a recommendation.”
The district will announce its recommendations in March. The board will vote on those recommendations during its April 8 meeting before deciding April 22 which schools to close.
Similar to some of its peer districts, including Denver Public Schools and Jeffco Public Schools, Douglas County School District has watched its student count fall in parts of the community, particularly in Highlands Ranch, where birth rates have plummeted and an aging population of residents have stayed in their homes long past their children graduating from high school.
It’s a dramatically different trend from what’s happening about 10 miles away, where new housing developments, Sterling Ranch and Solstice, are creating an urgent need for construction of new schools.
After local voters approved a $490 million bond in November, the district is building two elementary schools, in Sterling Ranch and RidgeGate, communities that Kane describes as “school deserts,” meaning “they don’t have access to a local neighborhood school within reasonable proximity.”
Meanwhile, enrollment across the 16 Highlands Ranch elementary schools up for possible closure has dropped from serving about 10,500 students in 2012 to about 6,000 this school year, according to figures provided by the district.
“You can see that that’s not sustainable,” Kane said. “And the ones who are missing out are our kids. All of our kids, no matter what neighborhood they live in, they deserve a great neighborhood school that has lots of programming opportunities.”
The enrollment dips across those schools factor into a broader, albeit slight, enrollment drop in the district as a whole. State data shows Douglas County School District tallied 61,851 students in preschool through high school this year, losing more than 5,400 students over the past five years.
Part of the district’s enrollment downturn has been buffered by the county’s new housing developments, Kane noted.
During Tuesday’s board meeting, district leaders highlighted the steep financial costs of operating smaller schools, which typically serve between 250 and 350 kids. Close to 3,200 students currently attend small schools in Highlands Ranch, which adds up to $8 million for the district. According to district projections, by 2028 4,640 kids will attend small schools — a $17 million expense for the district, factoring in inflation, if enrollment remains steady.
That’s the same amount of money the district stands to lose under Gov. Jared Polis’ latest budget proposal.
If enrollment continues to fall, that will increase costs for the district to maintain programming even more, according to Steve Colella, chief of staff for Douglas County School District.
District leaders reiterated Tuesday night that they are planning ahead for school closures before the district’s financial outlook becomes dire.
“The Board of Education is being so proactive to make sure that we’re addressing things before we fall off a fiscal cliff,” Kane said while presenting to the board. “And so that’s something I really appreciate about you all is having us start really going through this process before it becomes a six-alarm fire.”
District officials also say they are committed to maintaining buildings that no longer operate as traditional schools with plans for students and staff to continue using those buildings for various programs.
And they are reassuring staff members from the 16 schools under consideration for consolidation that they will still have a job with the district, even if their school closes. Because the district is so large, natural attrition will open up enough job openings for all affected staff, Kane said.
The district plans to appoint new principals for schools that absorb students from closing schools by June. During the 2025-26 school year, each of those principals will hold conversations with staff members from both the school that is closing and the school receiving an influx of students to understand how each staff member wants to move forward in their career.
Any school employee who decides they do not want to work at a newly consolidated school will be able to take an early look at district job postings beginning next February and contact the leaders overseeing those positions before the jobs are publicly posted, according to Colella.
Board members have fanned out across the community this year to meet with parents and staff and listen to their fears about the fate of their schools.
Saddle Ranch Elementary School parents who belong to the school’s School Accountability Committee met with board members Brad Geiger and Susan Meek last week to ask them questions about the school closure process ahead.
Parents spoke about how much Saddle Ranch Elementary School has brought children and families together and shared concerns about uprooting their kids, particularly after a tumultuous few years during the pandemic.
The elementary school has become the axis of the neighborhood, where families gather for movie nights and kickball tournaments as well as come together for holidays, including an Easter egg hunt and a Thanksgiving morning celebration.
“It will be a super hard transition for everybody (if the school closes), but I do know that our kids are super resilient and I know that this community is strong and we’ll all take it on together, but that’s not what we want to do,” said Jordan Hayes, a parent of two kids who attend the school. “It’s going to be rough.”
Katie Facchinello, a parent of two students at the school, faulted a lack of community planning, suggesting county commissioners did not fully analyze how local schools would be impacted by new housing or knew school closures would be a possible outcome.
“In general, I’m just disappointed at the lack of vision that appears to be missing for many, many years on the part of community planners, and I don’t necessarily hold our school board wholly responsible for that,” Facchinello said. “It’s hard to understand how we got to this place and how it couldn’t have been avoided.”
Facchinello said she worries about losing the regular interactions with other families while walking to and from school that have become a staple in her day. Her relationships with other parents from the school have made her a better parent, she said, and driving her kids to another school would limit how much she sees and talks to other families. That would detract from the strong sense of community built around the school, she said.
“I know how critical neighborhood schools are for a community to thrive,” Facchinello said. “It’s a connection point. It’s a way to build our resilience as families. Folks here have a tendency to pull into their garages. We have busy lives, and it’s hard to make a connection. And school brings it out of us.”
Kane said district officials will release information on school closures as soon as they can as families, racked by anxiety, brace for the potential closure of their school. The district will devote much of the 2025-26 school year supporting families and staff through the consolidation of schools, she noted.
“Ideally when two communities come together, you get the best of both communities,” Kane said. “We are going to be there to support everyone through the process.”
STEM School Highlands Ranch SpartansVarsity Boys Basketball Highlands Ranch, CO46Followers24-25Overall13-10League7-3 (4th)CO Rank2422024-25 V. BasketballSTEM School Highlands Ranch Basketball...
STEM School Highlands Ranch SpartansVarsity Boys Basketball Highlands Ranch, CO46Followers
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