Douglas County

History & Basic Data:

Douglas County is part of the Denver–Aurora–Lakewood, Colorado, metropolitan statistical area. It is located midway between Colorado’s two largest cities, Denver and Colorado Springs, affording it tremendous logistical advantages over other business centers in the Rocky Mountain Region. Douglas county was created in 1861 and named after Stephen A. Douglas. Today, Douglas County is the center and a major economic engine of the Denver-Colorado Springs Front Range Metroplex. There are 5 incorporated municipalities that are located within the boundaries of Douglas County: Castle Pines, Castle Rock, Larkspur, Lone Tree and Parker. There are also several small towns such as Sedalia with its beautiful rolling ranches and Roxborough Park with its nationally recognized state park, famous red rock outcroppings and top ranked Arrowhead Golf course. 

Accolades:

Douglas County is consistently ranked among the best counties in the United States in multiple categories including being one of the most family-friendly communities in Colorado. For the fourth year in a row, it ranks in the top ten happiest Counties in the United States. It was also named by Niche Magazine-Website as the #1 county for families and to buy a home and the # 2 best to live in. Douglas County has consistently placed in the top 10 highest median income counties in the United States. In fact, the median household income is approximately $119000.00. Douglas County life expectancy of almost 84 is about 6 years higher than the national average of around 78 years. Much of that can be traced to the numerous outdoor and fitness activities in Douglas County and an obesity rate of around 19% which is about 14% less than the national average. The behavior of individuals towards one’s health has been ranked #1 for Douglas County by several sources for 8 years in a row. 

Economy:

Douglas County has one of the most diverse economies in the United States and is host to numerous high tech, financial services, fortune 500 and leading military industrial complex entities. Lockheed Martin Space-one of the world’s leading defense contractors is based in Roxborough Park and there are several other large hi-tech facilities they operate within the immediate area. Charles Schwab, Echo One, Health Star, Western Union and Centura Health are but a few of the major players in the area. Douglas County consistently has unemployment levels far lower than the national average. Additionally, Douglas County is next to the Denver Tech Center in Arapahoe County, which is one of the largest business-technical centers in the United States. Douglas County has also ranked as one of the most technically advanced counties in the United States. Douglas County schools are A rated according to multiple publications. Nearly two thirds of adults in Douglas County have a college and or advanced degree. The City of Parker was recently ranked as the #2 best suburbs in the United States by Money.

Nature:

Douglas County weather is phenomenal. Douglas County has more sunny days than all but a handful of areas in the lower 48. There are many days in the 60’s even in the winter. Summers are pleasant and the humidity makes outdoor activities pleasant. As a resident of Douglas County and former full time Florida resident, I have yet to have been bitten by any bugs. There are at least 63,037 acres of permanently protected land through the Douglas County Open Space Program. There are also more than 146000 acres of parkland within the Pike National Forest, Roxborough State Park, Castlewood Canyon State Park, and the Chatfield State Park areas. Douglas County is lightly wooded, mostly with ponderosa pine, with broken terrain characterized by mesas, foothills, and small streams. Cherry Creek and Plum Creek rise in Douglas County and flow north towards Denver and into the South Platte River. Douglas County has a stunning diversity of views encompassing lowlands plains, lakes, rivers, scrubland, red rock outcroppings, high desert, and lightly forested vegetation. The diversity creates the most dramatic of landscapes. Many areas of the county are sparsely populated and provide tremendous night time star gazing opportunities. Over half of the population of Douglas County live within half a mile of a park. Three state parks fall within Douglas County, Castlewood Canyon State Park, Chatfield State Park and Roxborough State Park. Parts of the county lies adjacent to the Pike National Forest. There are abundant Recreation trails that afford cycling and bicycling of every skill level and include:

• American Discovery Trail
• Colorado Trail
• Devils Head National Recreation Trail
• Highline Canal National Recreation Trail
• Platte River Greenway National Recreation Trail
• Ridgeline Open Space Trail
• Bluffs Regional Park Trail

Why We Call Douglas County & Roxborough Park Home:

As an Ohio native and 22-year full time resident of Florida, my wife Mel and I were ready for a major life change. We had previously owned a 2nd home in Grand County Colorado since mid 2005. I fell in love with Colorado over the many years and wonderful vacations spent here. However, we sought a more permanent location and one with a balance of live-work and easy access to a world renown metropolitan area. Being a career real estate professional with extensive travel and study in various real estate markets around the country; our needs and wants list was a tall order. During the summer of 2019 we spent a great trip with my father carefully touring the many wonderful communities that comprise the Greater Denver Metropolitan Area. We absolutely fell in love with the Littleton-Roxborough Park-Douglas County area. We were growing weary of the heat, traffic, bugs, tourist traps and lack of culture in Deep South Florida. While we still have a wonderful home and business there; we sought a simpler life surrounded by nature and spiritual enlightenment. I cannot begin to express the deep inner peace and tranquility that our move to Douglas County has afforded. Wandering Mule deer abound; Bighorn sheep and elk surround; never far from a hungry large putty kitty. The air is crisp, clean and dry. The vistas, views and stars continue to amaze me. I feel like a young child again…so eager to explore the vastness of it right outside our front door. We feel at peace. Our healthcare, access to modern shopping plazas, restaurants and well paved roads are within a momentary drive. Our neighbors and community members are long term residents and vested in our community. Education, critical free thinking and concern for the environment abound. Our community affords gargantuan long range views of the entire Denver Metro area. We live in a state park surrounded by a national forest and genuinely feel on top of the world.