Sterling Ranch, located near Littleton, about 20 miles southwest of Denver, gives homebuyers a change of pace from the hustle and bustle of city living.
This family-owned master-planned community offers new homes in a beautiful valley setting at the base of the foothills.
“The density is tight in the neighborhoods with small space, but there’s tons of active open space,” says Shawn Li with 8z real estate. “It feels like a rural living experience even though you live in a dense housing community.”
Residents have plenty of opportunities to enjoy the great outdoors with two state parks, three regional parks, and a national forest nearby. And the community’s convenient location makes it easy to get around – you can hop on C-470 and get to the Denver Tech Center in about 20 minutes or downtown Denver in about 30 minutes. It’s also about 5 minutes from Highlands Ranch.
“This is the perfect community for anyone who’s looking for the true Colorado experience,” says Bianca Gettis with West+Main.
What’s available?
Sterling Ranch is a new community with most homes constructed in the past five years. Homebuyers can find paired homes, townhomes, and one- and two-story single-family homes.
“There’s a great mix,” Gettis says. “There are several options that offer low maintenance living without a lot of landscaping.”
Prices range from the low-$500s to $1.5 million. With seven builders, potential buyers have multiple options for a new home.
With new construction, Li says most buyers should expect to wait up to six months for a home.
Single-family homes for resale range from $625,000 to $1 million, Gettis says. “To get into the community at that price point ($625,000) is a steal.”
Although the home prices are more affordable, buyers need to be prepared to spend more on water service.
“People can be shocked by the higher water bills,” Li says. “It’s very pricey compared to Denver. Your first water bill will be $150 to $200 rather than the $30 to $50 you’d expect in Denver.”
Dominion Water Sanitation District provides water service to Sterling Ranch and manages Colorado’s first community rainwater harvesting pilot site project. Dominion also is a member of the WISE Partnership, a regional water supply project that brings mostly renewable water to residents.
Sterling Ranch’s long-standing partnership with the Denver Botanic Gardens allows the community to use its research to create landscape plans that prioritize drought-resistant plants and grasses. Sterling Ranch also is the state’s first community to use dual-water meter systems that track indoor and outdoor water use separately to encourage conservation.
Li says the water bill expense is typically offset by homes built using energy-efficient building materials and providing solar panels and energy-efficient appliances. Residents also enjoy fast internet speeds courtesy of the community’s one-gig+ fiber internet.
Who’s moving in?
Sterling Ranch appeals to everyone from younger families looking for their first home to empty nesters planning to downsize.
“It’s a unique community that brings in people from every walk of life,” Gettis says.
The neighborhood’s location near Roxborough State Park and Chatfield State Park and Reservoir also draw outdoor enthusiasts. When buyers purchase a new home, they get a state park pass with access to 42 parks.
“It’s a chance to live with the mountains at your fingertips,” Gettis says.
Creates a small-town atmosphere
“Although you’re minutes from Denver, it feels like a small town,” Li says. “You’ll see your neighbors at the grocery store. You won’t be anonymous living here.”
Li, who lives in Sterling Ranch, says it’s the kind of community where neighbors will stop by to borrow supplies.
“I had a neighbor stop by and ask for Tylenol to give to their kid because they didn’t want to drive to the store. I didn’t experience that when I lived in Cap Hill in Denver.”
The news and editorial staffs of The Denver Post had no role in this post’s preparation.
