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”
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“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”
“Hiring a service from a distance is extremely stressful. Just speaking with them on the”
“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.”
“Hiring a service from a distance is extremely stressful. Just speaking with them on the phone took away any scary thoughts I had. Professional, but what mattered most was their kindness and understanding ! thank you Nancy and Veronka !”
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.
HIGHLANDS RANCH, Colo. — The Douglas County School District on Monday released a list of Highlands Ranch elementary schools it is considering consolidating.Under the proposed plan, Saddle Ranch Elementary would consolidate into Eldorado Elementary, Heritage Elementary would consolidate into Summit View Elementary, and Acres Green Elementary would consolidate into Fox Creek Elementary.The Board of Education will vote on the recommendations at its April 22 meeting. If approved, the consolidation would begin with the 2026-27...
HIGHLANDS RANCH, Colo. — The Douglas County School District on Monday released a list of Highlands Ranch elementary schools it is considering consolidating.
Under the proposed plan, Saddle Ranch Elementary would consolidate into Eldorado Elementary, Heritage Elementary would consolidate into Summit View Elementary, and Acres Green Elementary would consolidate into Fox Creek Elementary.
The Board of Education will vote on the recommendations at its April 22 meeting. If approved, the consolidation would begin with the 2026-27 school year.
In its announcement Monday, DCSD said the recommendations come "after nearly two years of careful planning and evaluation" in order to address declining enrollment in Highlands Ranch. The schools were selected based on criteria outlined in this district policy.
In November 2024, Denver7 spoke to Brad Geiger, a member of the DCSD Board of Education, who cited unequal growth as the reason for change.
While communities like Sterling Ranch are booming, families with young children are no longer moving to areas like Highlands Ranch, according to Geiger. Data from DCSD shows 10,484 students were enrolled across Highlands Ranch's 18 elementary schools in 2014, but in 2028, that number is expected to plummet to 6,476 students across the schools.
"We have an odd situation where we’re building schools in one area and combining schools in another," Geiger told Denver7 at the time.
The school district is also looking to change the way it classifies Highlands Ranch sixth graders.
DCSD said it is recommending that sixth grade be moved to middle school beginning in the 2026-27 school year. This would only affect Highlands Ranch elementary schools that feed into Cresthill, Mountain Ridge and Ranch View middle schools. However, the school district said it is looking to create a timeline for moving sixth graders throughout the district to middle school.
It is also recommending some "minor elementary school boundary adjustments," which would be made ahead of the 2026-27 school year.
DCSD said these changes would "ensure that the newly consolidated schools remain efficient and sustainable for years to come."
"While change is never easy, DCSD’s priority remains the same: ensuring that every child has access to an exceptional education and a very bright future," the school district said.
On Tuesday, Denver7 brought parents' concerns to the superintendent. You can read more in this story.
Douglas County School District on Monday proposed closing three elementary schools beginning in the 2026-27 school year: Saddle Ranch Elementary School and Heritage Elementary School, both in Highlands Ranch, and Acres Green Elementary School in Lone Tree.The district, which has 61,851 students this year, has also identified three other schools to accept students attending the closing schools — Eldorado Elementary School, Summit View Elementary School and Fox Creek Elementary School.Eldorado Elementary will absorb student...
Douglas County School District on Monday proposed closing three elementary schools beginning in the 2026-27 school year: Saddle Ranch Elementary School and Heritage Elementary School, both in Highlands Ranch, and Acres Green Elementary School in Lone Tree.
The district, which has 61,851 students this year, has also identified three other schools to accept students attending the closing schools — Eldorado Elementary School, Summit View Elementary School and Fox Creek Elementary School.
Eldorado Elementary will absorb students from Saddle Ranch; Summit View Elementary will receive students from Heritage Elementary; and Fox Creek will enroll students from Acres Green Elementary.
“While change is never easy, DCSD’s priority remains the same: ensuring that every child has access to an exceptional education and a very bright future,” district spokesperson Paula Hans wrote in an emailed statement.
Additionally, district leaders are suggesting board members adopt a series of boundary changes for individual Highlands Ranch neighborhoods. They are also proposing that Cresthill, Mountain Ridge and Ranch View middle schools — which all currently serve seventh and eighth graders — add sixth grade. The elementary schools that feed into those middle schools would relinquish sixth grade to the middle schools. Both changes would take effect for the 2026-27 school year.
District leaders notified staff in an email Monday afternoon about the schools they propose closing and the schools they want to inherit displaced students. They will present their proposal to the school board during its April 8 meeting before board members make their final decision April 22 about which schools to shutter.
District officials whittled down a list of 16 schools under consideration for closure, selecting three to shut down and three to take in students based on a set of criteria board members approved in February.
Douglas County School District is among the latest Colorado districts to announce the need to consolidate schools, in part due to declining enrollment. Student counts across the 16 schools under consideration have plunged to about 6,000 students this school year from about 10,500 students in 2012, according to figures previously provided by the district.
Districtwide, the student census has fallen by more than 5,400 students in the past five years, state data shows.
However, while Highlands Ranch schools have seen dips in student numbers — due to declining birth rates and an aging population of homeowners staying put in their homes — another part of the district is experiencing growth. New housing developments, Sterling Ranch and Solstice, about 10 miles from Highlands Ranch are fueling a pressing need for new schools.
Local voters approved a $490 million bond in November, which will go toward building two elementary schools, in Sterling Ranch and RidgeGate.
This story was updated Tuesday, March 25, 2025 at 1:32 p.m. to correct next steps in the district's plans to close schools. District officials will present their proposal for school consolidations to the school board during its April 8 meeting.
Based on facts, either observed and verified directly by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
Erica Breunlin is an education writer for The Colorado Sun, where she has reported since 2019. Much of her work has traced the wide-ranging impacts of the pandemic on student learning and highlighted teachers' struggles with overwhelming workloads... More by Erica Breunlin
You told us you wanted more sports access for children and adults countywide – while preserving open spaces. Today, the Board of Douglas County Commissioners and Sterling Ranch Development Company are announcing a partnership to do just that.Douglas County and Sterling Ranch Development Company will partner with public entities and private industry to build a mega sports complex, called Zebulon, (named after Western Explorer Zebulon Pike) that includes spaces for basketball, baseball/softball, volleyball, football, soccer and ho...
You told us you wanted more sports access for children and adults countywide – while preserving open spaces. Today, the Board of Douglas County Commissioners and Sterling Ranch Development Company are announcing a partnership to do just that.
Douglas County and Sterling Ranch Development Company will partner with public entities and private industry to build a mega sports complex, called Zebulon, (named after Western Explorer Zebulon Pike) that includes spaces for basketball, baseball/softball, volleyball, football, soccer and hockey, while preserving more than 400 acres of open space in the area. Commissioners voted unanimously Tuesday to enter the partnership.
“This is such an exciting time. We are in the golden era of Douglas County where we can start moving on what our citizens want – a best-in-class regional sports facility paired with ongoing efforts to preserve open space,” said Commissioner Abe Laydon.
You will be invited to a Live Town Hall in April, to learn more about this and other parks and open space projects taking shape.
“Our voters and taxpayers have been waiting for us to take action and invest this voter-approved funding,” said Commissioner Kevin Van Winkle. “It’s time we start putting meat on the bones and working with our partners to bring our community’s vision to life.”
“Zebulon will be the catalyst that transforms an area of our county that was primarily industrial – even home to a former dynamite factory – into a regional draw for families and businesses,” said Commissioner George Teal.
This first phase of Zebulon is set to include an indoor sports complex with three ice rinks and basketball courts, a soccer complex and a baseball complex. With the partnership formalized, design is now underway on the first phase. View a rendering of the complex here.
As part of the project, a more than 200-acre wildlife corridor adjacent to Sterling Ranch and Louviers will be preserved. Building Zebulon in Sterling Ranch will also preserve 200 acres in Highlands Ranch that was previously dedicated to the Board of County Commissioners by the developers of Highlands Ranch. Instead, that land will be used for the Highlands Ranch Community Association to preserve as open space.
“Sterling Ranch Development Company is thankful to the Board to yet again be a regional partner to Douglas County. This project will attract new shopping, dining, recreation, and community gathering spaces that Sterling Ranch would not be able to support on its own at this time,” said Brock Smethills, President of Sterling Ranch Development Company.
Using voter-approved sales tax for Parks, Douglas County will partner with the Sterling Ranch Community Authority Board, Sterling Ranch Development Company, and KT development to deliver this project to Douglas County taxpayers in the most cost-efficient way possible. KT Development has 30 years of sports facility experience and most recently build the Sport Stable in Superior, Colorado and several other projects.
Additional funding will come for futures phases from Tax Increment Financing, a development tool that leverages an increase in the property tax revenue resulting from the new development.
For the Parks, Trails, Open Space and Historic Resources funding, the Board has also prioritized:
High Note Regional Park is a partnership project with the City of Lone Tree and South Suburban Parks and Recreation is an 80-acre park being developed along Happy Canyon Creek near I-25 and RidgeGate Parkway.
Wildcat Regional Park, which will preserve open space and critical wildlife corridors for the community in Highlands Ranch on 202 acres.
Additional funding is allocated to local municipalities for their priority projects including Burns Park.
About the Parks, Trails, Open Space and Historic Resources Fund
As required by state law, this fund accounts for revenues derived from the 0.17% sales and use tax initially approved by voters in November 1994 and most recently extended by voters in November 2022. Monies are designated for the acquisition, administration, planning, development and construction, operations, and maintenance of parks, trails, historic resources, and open space.
Consistent with the ballot measure, the Parks, Trails, Historic Resources & Open Space Fund must:
Learn more on our Parks, Trail, Historic Resources and Open Space Fund webpage.
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March 17 Update: Due to dangerously high winds, the new intersection will be now fully implemented during overnight operations on the night of Wednesday, March 19, to open Thursday, March 20. The CFI at Town Center Drive is expected to open next week, Wednesday, March 26, pending good weather. If you drive on US 85, you will soon notice major changes at Highlands Ranch Parkway, Town Center Drive and C-470 in Douglas County as part of the US 85 Widening Project in Highlands Ranch.Pending good w...
March 17 Update: Due to dangerously high winds, the new intersection will be now fully implemented during overnight operations on the night of Wednesday, March 19, to open Thursday, March 20. The CFI at Town Center Drive is expected to open next week, Wednesday, March 26, pending good weather.
If you drive on US 85, you will soon notice major changes at Highlands Ranch Parkway, Town Center Drive and C-470 in Douglas County as part of the US 85 Widening Project in Highlands Ranch.
Pending good weather, the first two new, innovative Continuous Flow Intersections (CFI) at Highlands Ranch Parkway and Town Center Drive are expected to open in phases the mornings of March 19 and March 26. The CFI at C-470 will open in April.
Once the new configuration is fully implemented, left-turning traffic at these intersections will be displaced to the outside edges of the road, allowing through traffic to move through the middle of an intersection simultaneously.
CFIs will be implemented during overnight operations requiring lane closures. Drivers can expect the new permanent left-turn alignments to be fully operational:
Click the links to add these dates to your calendar!
The CFI at C-470, moving northbound US 85 to westbound C-470 traffic, will be opened in early/mid-April. The scheduled opening will be announced later after final signal testing is completed.
The Douglas County segment of US 85, just south of Colorado State Highway 470 (C-470), currently carries approximately 45,000 vehicles daily. As the County continues to grow, this number is anticipated to nearly double by 2040 with an estimated increase to more than 80,000 vehicles.
How to navigate a Continuous Flow Intersection
US 85 drivers turning left at the new CFI intersections will cross through traffic using a new signal prior to the intersection signal and proceed to the far-left side of the road, then make a left turn at the main intersection while through traffic proceeds as it would in a typical intersection. Right-turning traffic will use new dedicated right-turn bypass lanes that allow right turns on red while the displaced left-turn movement proceeds.
Watch this video to see how CFIs work.
Project Overview
In addition to reconstructing three intersections, the project has widened US 85 from four to six lanes and replaced and widened the bridge that carries US 85 over C-470. Multimodal improvements include bus stop enhancements, a new shared-use path for bicyclists and pedestrians on the east side of US 85, a below-grade crossing for the C-470 Trail at US 85, a below-grade crossing for the High Line Canal Trail at US 85, and a new pedestrian link from the Wolhurst Senior Community to the C-470 Trail.
The new trail and underpasses are expected to open in April 2025 (pending good weather) Work will continue through the summer of 2025 while crews complete the top layer of asphalt pavement and other punch-list items.
The newly widened roadway and reconstructed interchanges will alleviate traffic and create safer travel as part of the US 85 Widening Project and corridor improvements being made from Highlands Ranch Parkway to north of C-470 by Douglas County.
Get Updates on the US 85 widening project
Stay updated by signing up for emails – select “US 85 Construction.”
For more information about the upcoming work and to stay updated on construction impacts, please visit our website, douglas.co.us/us-85-construction.
Other Roadwork
Interested in knowing what’s happening on roads throughout Douglas County? Sign up for Douglas County’s Cone Zone email notifications. For statewide road conditions, visit cotrip.org.
There are times that all of us could use a ride – home from the auto repair shop to a doctor’s appointment, to your high school summer job, to shopping centers or home from a happy hour. That’s why, in Douglas County, we are using microtransit to provide a new, free transportation option.At their regular Business Meeting on March 25, the Board of Douglas County Commissioners unanimously approved a $2,901,410 contract with Via Transportation Inc. (Via) to provide microtransit within Highlands Ranch. This service was m...
There are times that all of us could use a ride – home from the auto repair shop to a doctor’s appointment, to your high school summer job, to shopping centers or home from a happy hour. That’s why, in Douglas County, we are using microtransit to provide a new, free transportation option.
At their regular Business Meeting on March 25, the Board of Douglas County Commissioners unanimously approved a $2,901,410 contract with Via Transportation Inc. (Via) to provide microtransit within Highlands Ranch. This service was modeled after the Link on Demand program in Lone Tree and will serve anyone in Highlands Ranch needing a ride.
“As Commissioners, it’s our honor to serve our community and find new solutions that make our residents’ lives easier,” said Commissioner Kevin Van Winkle. “I know our Highlands Ranch community will be truly blessed by this new program.”
“As part of our Older Adult Initiative, we heard loud and clear that older adults need help getting to and from doctors’ appointments, the grocery store and entertainment,” said Commissioner George Teal. “We are excited to launch this program to help meet their needs.”
“Link on Demand in Lone Tree has been a successful model,” said Commissioner Abe Laydon. “We’re thankful for that example and look forward to this launch in Highlands Ranch and, eventually, countywide.”
When the program launches in late spring 2025, riders will be able to book an on-demand ride using a mobile app or by phone. It’s a flexible way to get around Highlands Ranch, connecting you to shopping centers, businesses, schools, parks, medical centers, and RTD hubs.
The proposed hours of operation would be:
Details on how to utilize this service will be available closer to the launch. Stay up to date on all transit plans by signing up for our News and Events email list.
About Via Founded in 2012, Via pioneered the TransitTech category by using new technologies to develop public mobility systems — optimizing networks of buses, shuttles, wheelchair accessible vehicles, school buses, autonomous vehicles, and electric vehicles around the globe. Building the world’s most efficient, equitable, and sustainable transportation network for all riders — including those with limited mobility, those without smartphones, and unbanked populations — Via works with its partners to lower the costs of public transit while providing transportation options that rival the convenience of a personal car while reducing the environmental impact. At the intersection of transportation and technology, Via is a visionary market leader that combines software innovation with sophisticated service design and operational expertise to fundamentally improve the way the world moves, providing technology in 700 communities and more than 35 countries and counting.
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