Metzler Ranch

People who move to Metzler Ranch are looking for a particular way of life. “People looking to live here want the suburban and outdoor lifestyle,” explains broker Elizabeth Walters, founder of Walters & Co. “It’s a very suburban feel with lots of great views.” The Metzler Ranch property, founded in 1899 by the Metzler family, was initially used for ranching and dairy operations. Fast-forward to the present, the area is a thriving community located 28 miles south of Denver. Metzler Ranch is part of the Castle Rock suburb and offers stunning vistas stretching from Pikes Peak to Mount Evans. Easy access to I-25 makes the commute to Denver, 50 minutes, or Denver International Airport, 40 miles, a breeze. “Metzler Ranch is dead center between Denver and Colorado Springs,” Walters, who has been selling homes in the Denver region for 15 years, says.

Most of the homes in Metzler Ranch were built in 2003 and the median asking price for ranch-style dwellings is $640,000. Housing in this community ranges from $389,000 to $1.1 million. There are several town houses in the area, averaging $470,000. According to Walters, the town houses do not have yards and sell to those looking to downsize. She adds that lot sizes for the homes are relatively small — less than a quarter acre. “All new builds in Colorado don’t have giant lots,” she says. Additionally, 71% of residents own their home. Metzler Ranch houses sell after 43 days on the market. Annual precipitation in the region is 17 inches. Expect 77 inches of snow in the winter and for the year, temperatures hover between 18 and 86 degrees.

Parents in Metzler Ranch send their children to schools in the Douglas County School District No. RE-1, which is rated an A-minus by Niche. With nearly 400 students, Renaissance Expedition Learn Outward Bound School, the neighborhood’s elementary school, has a student-to-teacher ratio of 18-to-1. Niche rates the school a B-plus. Mesa Middle School has an 80% after-school participation rate and is a B-plus-rated school by Niche. Douglas County High School, a B-rated school by Niche, has a unique life coping skills camp called Camp DC.

People living in Colorado have a love affair with the outdoors and Metzler Ranch does not disappoint. “There’s lots of open space to go hiking,” Walters says. Hikers have a multitude of options that challenge on any level. Metzler Ranch Trail, a nearly 2-mile hike, elevates 130 feet and takes roughly 35 minutes to complete. Bikers, runners and nature enthusiasts also take advantage of this trail and leashed dogs are welcome. Rock Park Loop Trail is a 1.4-mile loop trail centered around Castle Rock, the bluff for which the suburb is named after. The trail elevates nearly 350 feet and takes about 45 minutes to complete. Metzler Ranch Community Park, a 33-acre open space, offers activities for all ages. Inline skaters play pickup roller hockey at the two rinks. Baseball and softball enthusiasts can master hitting the curveball at the batting cage or playing toss on one of four synthetic turf fields with lights. Skateboarders can practice all their moves at the skate park, which also has lights.

Founders Parkway is the Metzler Ranch shopping and restaurant hub. Whether it is Southern comfort food at Dickey’s Barbecue Pit or veggie samosas at Zaika Indian Cuisine, there are plenty of options, including sweet treats at Crumbl Cookies. With Target, Natural Grocers, Walmart and Kohl’s all located off Founders Parkway, residents don’t have to stray too far to find daily needs, clothing and groceries. At the nearby Outlets at Castle Rock, Colorado’s largest open-air shopping center, shoppers find over 100 shops and eateries like Coach, Adidas and the Gap.

Written By

Robb Crocker

Photography Contributed By

Karl Brewick

Video By

Lucas Dyke