Highlands Ranch Metro District Storm Damage

On June 22, 2023, a destructive storm and tornado hit Highlands Ranch. Through our strong relationships with community partners, including Douglas County and the Highlands Ranch Community Association, we worked to provide resources and information to homeowners.

The phased clean-up effort by staff and our contractors to repair damage throughout the community remains ongoing.

With the help of staff, contractors, community partners and volunteers in 2023, we:

• Removed downed trees, extensive debris, root balls and damaged branches throughout our community. In Metro District parks and parkways, a significant number of trees were lost with many more sustaining damage.
• Replaced sports field fences that were knocked down, and regraded infields that had washed away. 
• Through Xcel Energy, replaced nearly 100 damaged streetlights.
• Repaired the historic wall and iron fence surrounding the Highlands Ranch Mansion.
• Fixed irrigation lines in our parks and parkways that were affected by uprooted trees.
• Replaced damaged and knocked down parkway fences that affected nearly 350 adjacent Highlands Ranch homes.

During February 2024, a soft surface trail project was completed. More than 1.4 miles of Wildcat Trail and portions of connecting trails on the east side of Highlands Ranch were repaired.

Metro District staff have also developed a seven-year phased tree replacement plan that will improve the long-term health of the tree canopy. This plan was presented to the Metro District Board of Directors during a study session on March 20.

“While much of the landscape looks barren where there were once many trees, I look forward to seeing new plantings over the next few years and watching the community continue to flourish,” said General Manager Stephanie Stanley.