Natural open space areas in Highlands Ranch are comprised of a short grass prairie environment. The Metro District strives to manage these areas as a healthy native habitat with little human impact.

This means native plants like wildflowers, cottonwood trees and prairie grasses should flourish while invasive weed communities like Russian-olives and Purple Loosestrife are controlled with removal, mowing or spraying. Staff will not mow the entirety of the open space, but does complete routine trail and fence line mows several times each year.

• Know Your Property Line
• Trail & Fence Line Mows
• Invasive Weeds

Land Use Rules

1. Motorized vehicles are not permitted in open space.  Private property may not be accessed through Metro District open space.
2. Dumping and littering of any kind is prohibited.  This includes grass clippings, sod, soil, trash, debris, landscape materials, and dog waste.
3. Recreation amenities such as playgrounds, tetherball, volleyball courts, ball fields, trampolines, horseshoe pits, tree houses, rope swings and archery ranges not constructed by the Metro District are prohibited.  Personal items shall not be affixed to structures, signs, and posts without being permitted in writing by the Metro District.  Attaching personal items to trees is prohibited.
4. Extended landscaping:  Mowing and weed whipping is permitted between the residential fence line and the outer edge of the Metro District’s mow line.  Improvements including: irrigation, landscape materials, shrub and tree planting, gardening, structure of any kind or retaining walls are prohibited on Metro District owned or managed properties. Tree and shrub growth extending onto Metro District owned or managed property that interferes with Metro District maintenance practices is prohibited.
5. Storage or staging of any type of equipment or materials is prohibited.
6. Dog Off-Leash Areas (DOLA’s) hours are from 7 a.m. until sunset year-round.
7. Damage or misuse of Metro District property is prohibited. This includes, but is not limited to applying herbicide, digging and erosion caused by drainage from adjacent property.

View full Rules & Regulations