Response From Douglas County

A resident asked me the following questions. Please read below each for Douglas County's response.

1) How come Shea homes is deeding all of this land to the association, and not the metro disctricts that manages all of the other parks and trails throughout Highlands Ranch?

The deeding of land to an HOA or Metro District is a very common practice. In the case of Highlands Ranch there was land that was dedicated to both during the development process.

2) How can the county not know that the intention of the Highlands Ranch Association was to make this trail private, when they were planning out this trail and approving it?

First the County does not approve the development of trails that are constructed on private land. When we were informed that the trails were to be private we did express our concerns.

3) What is this 25 year old agreement between Highlands Ranch and the county? I would like more details of this agreement, and what exactly 'preferred' use of the land means.

[UPDATE] Douglas County Attorney are researching the meaning "Preferred".