Highlands Ranch Community BackCountry

Getting Started in the Spring with Gardening

by admin | May 1st, 2012

Gardening is a rewarding hobby, and getting started in the spring requires a little planning for the best success. Deciding on the area and the variety of plants is one of the first considerations. There are plenty of vegetables, herbs and flowers that will thrive in any area and require little care to perform their best. Colorado weather is great for gardening so regardless of the size of your yard or which way the house is facing there is a flower or plant that is perfect for you.

What type of garden do you want to plant?

A certain amount of planning is needed for even the smallest of gardens. Consider the space you have, the amount of sunlight is in that area, how much time you have to maintain your garden and what types of plants you want to grow. Flowers take the least amount of space, herbs and other edible plants take up a little more and fruits and vegetables take up the most. No matter what type of gardening you want to do a small amount of planning will ensure success.

Organic Gardening Techniques
This style of growing plants relies on the use of natural fertilizers. Gardeners do not use any chemicals on their plants, and this provides produce that is incredibly tasty and good for you. There is an easy way to grow organic vegetables and flowers at home. Raised beds are simple to build and can be filled with a quality organic soil or compost. They should be installed in sunny areas so that the plants get as much direct light as possible. Light is essential for plant growth, and most flowers and vegetables will grow faster when they are in full sun for the better part of the day.

Growing Flowers
Adding some color to the landscape is one benefit that flowers offer. The styles are variable, and using several different varieties in a window box is one idea. These boxes are ideal because they attach directly to the window. They can be filled with a quality potting soil. Petunias, geraniums, marigolds and impatiens are a few flowers that thrive in a container and are perfect for windows. Growing flowers from bulbs is another way to add color and fragrance to the landscape. Several varieties are grown this way, and they come back each spring. Hyacinths, crocuses, daffodils and hyacinths are a few of the more popular flowers that grow from bulbs.

Herbs For The Kitchen And Yard
Fresh herbs are easy to grow and are a great choice for a chef. Oregano, basil, thyme and rosemary are a few of the common kitchen herbs that will thrive in the garden. Herbs are generally more flavorful when they are flowering, and this makes it best to grow them at home. Most herbs can easily be dried for storage and will provide plenty of seasoning for the meals. Herbs can be grown outdoor or in containers and will thrive in both settings. Some herbs, like rosemary, should be brought inside during the winter, but they will continue to grow for several years.

Enjoying the great outdoors and having a beautiful landscape are two of the benefits that gardeners get from their hobby. Getting started in the spring requires a little planning for success. Consulting the local extension agent, www.ext.colostate.edu, is one way for gardeners to find out the plants the plants that thrive in their particular micro-climate. Flowers, vegetables and herbs are easy to grow at home and provide flavor to the kitchen, color to the yard and tasty produce to eat. Organic gardening is more popular than ever and relies on natural methods and no pesticides. This method of growing is easy to do with raised beds. It is the perfect way to grow vegetables or flowers.

Fire Safety Tips for the Home

by admin | April 20th, 2012

Every year around spring we move our clocks forward one hour. We are also reminded every year to change out the battery in our smoke detector. Fire safety is one of those things many people postpone because they have other things to worry about. Although it is not the most glamorous topic, fire safety saves lives, and it requires very simple preparation to ensure any family is protected. Thus, this is a good time to make sure that you have the appropriate fire safety procedures and prevention in place.

As part of your family fire safety strategy, your family should have a fire escape plan, and make sure everyone knows the fire escape plan. Therefore, create a fire safety plan by looking at all the rooms in the home, especially the bedrooms and family rooms. Assess what would be the best escape route especially if a fire occurred while sleeping. After selecting the proper escape route, make sure the route is clear of clutter. Demonstrate and practice the best way to get out of the house so everyone becomes familiar with the process. Some homes may require an escape ladder – these are inexpensive and easy to use. Set a predetermined meeting place outside the home for everyone to meet such as a neighbor’s home. This way you or fire personnel can locate everyone quickly.
Apart from smoking, candles have become one of the largest causes of residential fires. Candles look beautiful in a home and provide visual appeal to any room. Unfortunately, annually many homes have caught fire due to negligence. Thus, if you are going to use candles in the home, never leave the lighted candle unattended, and keep the lit candles away from children as well as pets. Trim the candle wicks before you use them to approximately 1/4 inch. Look at the area around the candle; are there any decorations or other items that may be a fire hazard if to close to the candle? Keep your candles 18 inches from any flammable decorations or even the wall. Often time we don’t look above the candle and yet that is where most of the heat goes. When you a room for an extended period of time blow out the candle. A little prevention goes a long way.The most important item for fire safety in your home is a fire extinguisher. A fire extinguisher allows you to extinguish small fires quickly and is definitely a necessity. Keep in mind though if you cannot extinguish the fire in the few seconds call the fire department immediately and evacuate your home. Here are some simple tips to remember:

Always place it where it is easily accessible and always in a location that is the same. Mounting a fire extinguisher on a wall prevents it from being moved. When you need it you really need it now.
Pick an extinguisher that is rated for A, B, and C fires this will cover most if not all common fires in a home.
When deciding on a size a 1A 10BC extinguisher is adequate for most homes but a larger 2A10BC will put out more fire. The price range is very reasonable at $25-$50, depending on if you want a onetime use or refillable extinguisher.
You should check your fire extinguisher once per year and this is very easy to do. Look at the gauge to make sure the pressure reading is in the green. Turn over the extinguisher and pat the bottom to shake loose the powder inside. As the extinguisher sits the powder gets packed down, turn the extinguisher back over. Repeat this 1 to 3 times until you feel the powder moving freely in the fire extinguisher.
Make sure the nozzle is clear, and if you ever use your extinguisher even for a short burst it will either need to be disposed of or refilled and recharged by a professional.

You can always contact your local fire department and receive a full safety guide on how to prevent fires in your home. Fire prevention is everyone’s’ responsibility in the family. A little prevention will go a long way.

True Colorado Wildlife Right Outside Your New BackCountry Back Door!

by admin | April 9th, 2012

For most of us Coloradoans, the idea of wildlife consists of our backyard pets, a pair of rambunctious squirrels, a smattering of robins and wrens and what we see on Friday nights at the local pub. If we’re lucky, we might spot an occasional coyote, pronghorn or falcon, but sightings are rare and usually distant. But those of us who are wild at heart crave something more from our Colorado living experience. Indeed, what we really want is to live as more of a participant in nature rather than just an observer of it. So then, where ought we to live? How about BackCountry in Highlands Ranch, Colorado’s 2011 Community of the Year, where true Colorado wildlife can be found every day, right outside your back door?

Perfectly situated at the gateway to 8,200 acres of Highlands Ranch’s exclusive Backcountry Wilderness Area—467 breathtaking acres of which are set aside for the private use of community residents–the BackCountry luxury home community is a nature-lover’s dream.

Residents of BackCountry take easy advantage of an extensive network of trails, parks, waterways and 240 acres of in-community open space to take in a wide variety of wildlife, including small mammals like White-tailed Jackrabbits, squirrels and chipmunks, water fowl and other indigenous birdlife such as Peregrine Falcons, American Kestrels, Western Bluebirds, Mountain Chickadees, and Colorado’s state bird, the Lark Bunting.

For the more adventurous nature seeker, the 467-acre private South Rim open space and the Backcountry Wilderness area beyond—accessible to BackCountry community residents via an extensive 7-mile trail system–offer a bounty of the wildlife any true Colorado resident would hope to enjoy. Although it’s not unusual to see them wandering or grazing within the community itself, the South Rim and Backcountry Wilderness Area are home to all the species mentioned earlier, as well as plentiful elk, deer, antelope, Red Fox, badgers, porcupines, wild turkeys and the captivating songbird known as the Western Meadowlark. To top it all off, there is nothing quite like watching a pair of majestic Bald Eagles soaring overhead on a balmy Saturday afternoon.

Set against the stunning backdrop that is the Rocky Mountain Front Range–where America the Beautiful’s phrase, “Purple Mountain Majesty” was first coined–BackCountry’s setting, amenities and nature-complimenting design makes living there a delight, especially for those who want to experience all that Colorado nature has to offer without having to drive away from the city to get it.

About BackCountry in Highlands Ranch – Colorado’s Community of the Year: With such stunning surroundings, BackCountry was planned to let the natural world influence the design of the homes and the community. From the community’s use of water management, preservation of open space and wildlife habitats, to the trail connections throughout, people who move to BackCountry move here to see nature, so that is exactly what the community provides. Although over 300 families call BackCountry home, when complete, approximately 1,250 will fill the community, as will 16 miles of trails and six parks. Currently eight distinct collections of homes are available including Richmond American’s from the $300s; Shea Homes from the mid $400s-$700s; Toll Brothers from the upper $500s; Paragon Homes’ semi-custom Sanctuary Collection from the $1 millions, and; the Custom Collection beginning from $1.2 million. BackCountry? Naturally!

Colorado New Home Seekers Should Look for Amenities to Die For!

by admin | March 15th, 2012

When hunting for a new home in Colorado, it’s just as important to consider the setting of your new home as it is the home itself. Unfortunately, in their haste to find that perfect bedroom and bath fit, too many home seekers fail to put enough emphasis on a home’s surrounding amenities. Then, after they settle in, and the novelty of their new dwelling wears off, they find themselves suppressing a nagging buyer’s remorse that their new Colorado home doesn’t really fit their lifestyle very well.

The best way to keep this from happening is to find a home that accommodates as much of your outside-the-home life’s demands as it does your inside-the-home needs. Finding the right balance between the two can be a challenge, but if you truly want to live the life of your dreams and be the envy of your social circle, find a community that offers a magnificent selection of luxury homes surrounded by a bounty of amenities to die for!

The best place to look? BackCountry in Highlands Ranch, Colorado’s 2012 Community of the Year—a breathtaking master-planned community with an abundance of jaw-dropping homes and amenities.

Setting – Start with the exclusive gated, private entry every dream life deserves and wend your way through the neighborhood on its private and scenic roadways . Amid quintessential Colorado topography, babbling waterways, ponds, parks and overlooks, you might notice that every home has been designed to take full advantage of the majestic surroundings, with most home sites having immediate adjacency to the 240 acres of open space that defines the entire character of the community. Here, each season brings a change in the light, a change in the scenery, and most importantly, a change in what you can do anytime you wish!

The Sundial House – This award-winning luxurious retreat serves as a private lodge for BackCountry community residents and their guests. As a BackCountry resident, you’ll come here to relax, use the resort-style outdoor pool or hot springs, enjoy “spirits” at the Pike’s Pub, savor the delightful scents coming from the demonstration kitchen or just enjoy the spectacular scenery while lounging on one of the grand terraces or outdoor patios. Fitness minded residents also love the exclusive fitness and movement studios as well as the serenity of the spa treatment rooms.

The Great Colorado Outdoors – From the South Rim of the BackCountry community, residents drink in the Colorado good life by taking excursions into the awe-inspiring, 467-acre wilderness area. This exclusive and private playground offers seven scenic miles of trails for biking, jogging and wildlife enthusiasts alike. Take your amenity adventure a little further and enter the vast 8,200-acre Backcountry Wilderness Area. There your Colorado adventure expands with over 23 miles of extraordinary trail experience. The Backcountry Wilderness area forms the southern border of the Highlands Ranch master-planned community and is exclusive to Highlands Ranch residents.

Culture – Just because you love things a little wild, doesn’t mean your Colorado dream life has to lack culture. A short distance from the Sundial House sits BackCountry’s outdoor amphitheater, a private performance setting made entirely of natural materials. Along with stunning Colorado views and starry night skies, residents delight to a regular serving of concerts, shows and other lifestyle and family events!

Parks and Gathering Places – If all the open space and wildlife areas weren’t enough, BackCountry boasts six community parks and a variety of community gathering places, each of which has been designed with its own distinct features and to offer great views of the community and the city beyond.

Fine Touches – When it comes to amenities, it’s clear BackCountry paid attention to the details. Consider custom-designed ornamental iron entry gates, an exceptional collection of neighborhood monumentation and community lighting features, the finely appointed BackCountry Discovery Center…”where the adventure begins,” and even the most discerning and demanding amenity seeker’s cup will runneth over.

Winter Gardening Tips from BackCountry in Highlands Ranch

by admin | February 22nd, 2012

There are many people who get the blues during the coldest months of winter. Fortunately, gardeners know that winter is just spring planning for their gardens. They are the ones who eagerly sweep the snow off the top of the mailbox each day, rejoicing with every new seed catalog containing their dream plants. With the right preparations during late fall and winter, it is relatively easy to have things ready for a beautiful spring garden.

Now is the perfect time to make sure that flower beds are cleared of dead stalks or vines that are left from autumn’s last growth. Some perennial growth can be left to self-seed and to add interest to the snowy landscape. Cuttings from your flower bed or landscape that are pest and disease-free can go into a compost bin. Perennial bulbs that are not hardy will need to be dug up and stored in a cool place such as a basement or garage. The perennial beds need a protective layer of mulch from four to six inches. With the flowerbeds and lawn cleared for the winter, it is much easier to make any desired modifications for planting in the spring.

Winter is the time to have larger trees topped and pruned by a professional. This will make a difference in light distribution for the garden and lawn. Trees and shrubs need a warm layer of mulch around their base for added root protection during the cold. This is especially true for roses and other woody shrubs. Evergreens can also benefit from a mulch ring or a burlap wrap around their base.

Since gardening tools will have to be stored for the season, most gardeners take this opportunity to properly clean, oil, and sharpen them. Some may even need to be replaced. Watering hoses should be completely drained, coiled, and put in a dry place with the rest of the tools.

The wonderful part of winter gardening is that gardeners do not have to wait for spring to do all of their planting. Some seeds, such as many varieties of poppies, may be sown right on top of the snow and will be blooming by mid-spring and early summer. There are a lot of flowers, vegetables, and herbs that can be started indoors about six weeks before the last frost. They can be grown in individual peat pots and put in a sunny window sill or under a plant light. When the danger of frost is past, these plants can be transplanted into the garden. Many of these also can be started in containers in the home and will make attractive arrangements outside.

As with anything, proper planning insures best results for next year’s garden. It is not necessary to have millions of dollars or acres of land to be able to create an attractive garden. It only takes some winter planning and a little research in what plants are most suitable for the individual’s space. With that and a little help from Mother Nature, spring will be a welcomed arrival, especially if you live in BackCountry!

New model homes grand opening Water Dance Collection by Shea Homes at BackCountry

by admin | February 16th, 2012

Highlands Ranch – Opening today are two new, highly anticipated model homes in the exceptional Water Dance Collection by Shea Homes at BackCountry. The Water Dance Collection of homes truly inspires great living. Complementing the collection’s beauty is the creative, even artistic, design that gives you exactly what you want in a home. Base priced from the mid $500s, and ranging in size from 3,439 – 3,908 square feet, each of the collection’s stylish designs offer desired living spaces, gourmet kitchens, room for three cars, full basements with numerous finish options, and spectacular outdoor spaces, including covered porches, for entertaining or enjoying the incredible surroundings.

Impressive new designs

Available now are two new designs that offer the same creativity and flexibility that this collection embodies. Walk into the refreshingly versatile 3,439-square-foot Northern Sky plan and find all the living spaces necessary to put down roots and stay awhile. This well-designed residence has four bedrooms, three bathrooms, and a loft, amazing great room with fireplace, formal dining room, butler’s pantry, and gourmet kitchen with spacious morning room. From the morning room step out and enjoy all four of Colorado’s seasons on the covered outdoor dining terrace. Wonderful conveniences in this home include a mud room with coat closet off the garage and a laundry room on the second level. For a slight variation, design options offer a den, study, and fifth bedroom with full bath. Finally, the Northern Sky has a 2-car garage as well as a 1-car side-load garage. Base pricing on this home starts at $547,500*.

Now the collection’s largest home, the 3,908-square-foot Solstice plan incorporates ingenious design with impeccable architectural styling. The base price on this home starts at $587,500.* Within these walls are five bedrooms, 4-1/2 bathrooms, an office, formal dining room, butler’s pantry with walk-in closet, and large great room with abundant windows and access to the covered outdoor dining terrace. The gourmet kitchen is adjoined to the spacious hearth room with fireplace to create a wonderful and cozy dining area as well as an area that lends itself well to entertaining. Wonderful conveniences in this home include a mud room with coat closet off the 2-car garage and a laundry room and walk-in linen closet on the second level. Additional storage is available in the 1-car side-load garage.

Impressive half-acre homesites

Shea Homes recently released for sale some of the Water Dance Collection’s best homesites to date. “We’re excited to offer these impressive homesites, some near and at 1/2-acre in size,” said Shea’s Sales Manager, Adana Leonard. “Other features of these exquisite homesites include some cul-de-sac and walkout lots, many with incredible westerly orientations taking advantage of the mountain vistas,” Leonard added. Premiums on these sites start at $25,000 with significant incentives available if you act quickly; please ask a sales representative for details.

Once you’ve selected one of the available lots, you can take advantage of the opportunity to build any one of the collection’s five innovative plans on that site. In addition to selecting the lot and plan you desire most, you will also be able to make interior design choices that reflect your personal taste and style. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to get everything you want in a new home from the inside out.

Just outside your door

BackCountry was “years in the planning, and centuries in the execution.” Once you see just how different this neighborhood is from any other, you’ll most likely agree.

Corridors of open space draw nature into the neighborhood so that you and your family can step outside to relax, clamber across a waterway, or explore rustic trails. Follow one of the many winding trails that will lead out past the Sundial House – private lodge and pool, past the neighborhood’s edge, and you will enter the astonishing South Rim where a private enclave of 467 wild acres is set aside for you to enjoy as a BackCountry resident. Here, the traffic, the meetings, and the endless buzz of the modern world are forgotten as you marvel at how quiet and naturally beautiful life can be. Follow the trails even farther, and you’ll soon arrive at the awe-inspiring Backcountry Wilderness Area** where adventure and discovery await.

Explore the Water Dance Collection for the first time, or visit again to view these extraordinary model homes and homesites. BackCountry is located at Broadway and Wildcat Reserve Parkway in Highlands Ranch. For additional information call 720-344-2900, or visit www.SheaHomes.com/BC5010.

*Prices, specifications, and availability are subject to change without notice. Prices listed are base prices only and do not include lot premiums, interior design features and floor plan options. **Early Signing Bonus available for dirt starts on lots now available. Bonus does not apply to available inventory homes. Ask a Sales Representative for complete details. * **Approximately 8,200 acres in the southern part of Highlands Ranch have been designated as Backcountry Wilderness Area (Open Space Conservation Area). This area is dedicated to the preservation of open space, wildlife habitat enhancement, outdoor recreation, and other permitted uses. Of that, 467 acres have been set aside for exclusive, private use for BackCountry residents.

Traditions Make Your New BackCountry House Feel Like Home

by admin | February 13th, 2012

“A family in harmony will prosper in everything.” – Chinese Proverb

Traditions: those little customs passed down from generation to generation that help form your family by creating a sense of unity, kindness and closeness. They create memories that fill your life with harmony, love, and happiness. A perfect time to remember old traditions or implement new ones would be when you move into a new home, especially one set with the majestic Colorado Front Range as its backdrop.

But what do you do if your family doesn’t have many traditions? You create them of course! Somebody has to create all these little customs, so why not let it be you?

Your family’s traditions do not have be extravagant, intense, or require a lot of planning. They can be as simple as reading to your child every night in the same comfy chair, having a movie and pizza night once a week, or discussing things about your day around the dinner table. Traditions are the glue that keeps a family together. We all have very busy lifestyles, and adding a small tradition here or there can make all the difference to your family.

A few examples to get you started:

1. A yearly time capsule in a jar. Just drop random things in it all year long: movie ticket stubs, a “lucky rock” from a hike in the Backcountry Wilderness Area, a stamp from a Christmas card you received, a circus sucker holder thing that looks way cooler than it works, a popsicle stick with a joke on it, a note left in a lunchbox, invitations throughout the year, and of course, a family photo in the front of the jar so you can enjoy seeing it on the bookshelf.

2. New job commemoration. When someone in your family gets a new job, a promotion or a raise, create a tradition that they take you out for dinner. It doesn’t have to be fancy or expensive–burgers or pizza will do just fine.

3. Saturday mornings in bed. Choose a morning on the weekend to spend in bed with your family. We’re not talking about spending hours laying around, but 15 to 30 minutes is a nice length of time. Try having coffee, tea, or milk with a couple of cookies. Relaxing and taking a few minutes to connect with your family can be a great way to start a weekend and a new and simple tradition.

4. Potluck. This is a great way for extended family members, friends and neighbors to showcase their cooking ability. Consider themes. Make one night Mexican, and the next time Chinese, followed by Italian. Theme nights can introduce you to a whole new world of cooking. Have everyone bring print-outs of their recipe so others can take it home with them.

5. Family Olympics. When the weather is nice, spend the day at the park or the clubhouse. Decide on sporting events for all ages. Think beanbag toss, horseshoes, relay races, volleyball, and synchronized swimming. Create teams or compete individually and have fun prizes for everyone who participated.

6. Kick off summer with a BBQ. Thinking ahead, this is a great way to welcome the beautiful summer weather and BBQ season and to get to know your neighbors. Set up outside on the grass or on the deck, and have everything from fresh fruit and vegetables, water, hamburgers, hot dogs, salads, and deserts. Have some games ready for kids like water balloon tosses, shoe scramble, and potato sack races.

You cannot put a price on creating a feeling of unity, warmth and closeness with your family. There are no rules and there is no “right” way to do this. So be inventive, get inspired, make it happen and enjoy your new traditions and your new home in BackCountry!

About BackCountry: Although over 300 families call BackCountry home, when complete, approximately 1,250 will fill the community, as will 16 miles of trails and six parks. Currently five distinct collections of homes are available including Richmond American’s from the $300s; Shea Homes from the mid $400s-$700s; Toll Brothers from the upper $500s; Paragon Homes’ semi-custom Sanctuary Collection from the $1 millions, and; the Custom Collection beginning from $1.2 million. Don’t you dare miss it!

Community of the Year, BackCountry, May Just be Highlands Ranch Colorado’s Community of the Decade!

by admin | January 23rd, 2012

Colorado would certainly be listed among the top places in the world for awe-inspiring attractions. Well, it’s time to add another: BackCountry, this year’s new home Community of the Year as awarded by the Metro Denver Home Builders Association. Set in an ideal location and quintessential Colorado surroundings, BackCountry–one of the most highly recognized and awarded master planned communities in Colorado–is clearly a “don’t miss” new home opportunity for south metro Denver home shoppers.

The Community of the Year award only affirms what savvy families have known ever since the introduction of BackCountry just a few years ago; that the community is an amenity-rich south metro Denver area gem. A private, luxury gated community nestled away on some of the last available land in Douglas County’s community of Highlands Ranch, BackCountry features an outstanding location set against a picturesque and rugged backdrop–the 8,200-acre Backcountry Wilderness Area with over 700 acres of interior open space. The 700 acres comprises the 467-acre South Rim open space and 240 acres around the homes. Add to that its unique selection of Colorado-style new home architecture; miles of private hiking, biking and nature observation trails; abundant parks and open space; breathtaking panoramic Platte River Valley and Front Range views and you have the perfect mix for a true Colorado living experience.

If those weren’t enough, consider that BackCountry residents get to enjoy the jaw-dropping architectural masterpiece known as The BackCountry Sundial House and all the amenities offered there. A luxurious private retreat, The Sundial House is the central gathering spot for a variety of life-enhancing activities, events and mixers. BackCountry’s Sundial House–as highly awarded as the community in which it lives–features grand terraces, spacious outdoor patios, Pike’s Pub, a handsome demonstration kitchen, fitness and movement studios, luxurious spa treatment rooms and more. Near the Sundial House is BackCountry’s resort-style outdoor pool and outdoor amphitheater, where community concerts and family friendly activities abound.

Just outside the private gated community, residents are able to take advantage of even more Highlands Ranch area benefits, including superb schools, convenient shopping and recreation centers. Easy access to C-470 puts residents minutes away from Highlands Ranch business parks, as well as Inverness, the Denver Tech Center, and other metro-Denver business hubs. With a full spectrum of shopping, dining and entertainment choices, BackCountry is located close to the best that Highlands Ranch has to offer and provides easy access to a fistful of Colorado’s world renowned ski resorts.

Although over 300 families are already blessed to call BackCountry home, when complete, approximately 1,250 homes will occupy BackCountry as will 16 miles of trails and six parks. Currently five distinct collections of homes are available including Richmond American’s from the $300s; Shea Homes from the mid $400s-$700s; Toll Brothers from the upper $500s; Paragon Homes’ semi-custom Sanctuary Collection from the $1 millions, and; the Custom Collection beginning from $1.2 million. Don’t you dare miss it!

BackCountry Beauty

by admin | November 12th, 2010

In 1988, a visionary partnership led to the eventual creation of what is known today as BackCountry, Colorado’s premier gated community.

Over 20 years ago, the developer of BackCountry agreed with Douglas County, the Highlands Ranch Community Association and Sand Creek Cattle Company to preserve approximately 8,200 acres in the southern part of Highlands Ranch and protect it for future generations, “for the purpose of…administering these lands for use in perpetuity for open space, recreation purposes, public facilities and wildlife habitat enhancement.” Today, the 8,200-acre preserve created in 1988 is known as the Backcountry Wilderness Area (Open Space Conservation Area). Bordering the Wilderness Area to the north is BackCountry, Colorado’s premier gated community. Featuring a variety of homes, styles and price ranges, BackCountry offers homes from the $450’s to custom homes from $1.3 million. In 2008, BackCountry was the number one selling luxury home community in the Denver metro area with 62 home sales over $500,000 and 10 home sales of over $1,000,000.

BackCountry - Wild at Heart