Sterling Ranch fuses suburban living with city convenience
In 2016, builders transformed 3,500 acres of farmland 20 miles south of Denver into the modern master-planned community of Sterling Ranch. “The suburbs keep getting farther out of Denver, but Sterling Ranch is close enough that you still feel a mix of city, suburban and mountain living,” says Realtor Chris Grund with Coldwell Banker, who has lived in the neighborhood since 2018. “It’s kind of a small Highlands Ranch, and it’s an active, outgoing community as a whole.” Sterling Ranch comprises nine villages with 21st-century amenities in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains.
Sterling Ranch is nestled amongst the foothills of the rocky Mountains.
The Overlook Clubhouse is a Sterling Ranch community hub with a fitness center and pool open to residents and their guests.
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Modern homes with smart utility monitoring
Freshly paved sidewalks line almost every residential street in Sterling Ranch, and cars park off the road in private driveways or garages. Single-family prices range from $500,000 to $1.4 million, while townhouses sell for $455,000 to $675,000. “A lot of people who don’t want to fix up an older house in Highlands Ranch come here to get a better value for a newer property,” Grund says. Homes blend New Traditional and contemporary architecture with the rustic elements of a prototypical Colorado cabin. Each unit is a Smart Home with modern technology, including a touchpad that monitors utility use. The community prioritized sustainability, so many properties have solar panels and dual water meters that help track indoor and outdoor water consumption. HOA costs are incorporated into taxes, so residents don’t pay any separate fees.
Single-family modern traditional homes in Sterling Ranch range in price from $500,000 to $1.4 million.
Sterling Ranch has a handful of townhomes on offer too.
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The Rocky Mountains and neighborhood parks provide outdoor activities
Sterling Ranch borders two state parks and the Pike-San Isabel National Forest. Residents get an annual pass to boat and camp at Chatfield State Park and hike the trails overlooking the red rocks at Roxborough State Park. The neighborhood also features 30 miles of paved running and biking pathways that connect to larger trail systems. A smattering of parks across all nine villages provides recreation space within walking distance of every home. Horseshoe Bend Park has bocce courts and community grills, and Providence Park hosts outdoor concerts and fitness classes. Prospect Park, set to finish construction in the summer of 2025, will include a turf field, inclusive, accessible play structures and a pool. Sterling Ranch is partnering with the county to build the Zebulon Regional Sports Complex, a 400-acre space adjacent to the neighborhood with ice rinks, soccer and baseball fields, and basketball courts.
Chatfield State Park in Littleton is a popular spot for fishing in the summer.
Roxborough State Park in Littleton is a popular area for hiking and biking.
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Douglas County School District ranks No. 3 in the Denver area
Childcare is available for infants as young as six weeks old at Primrose School at Sterling Ranch. Parents can choose any school within the Douglas County School District. Parts of the neighborhood are zoned for Roxborough Elementary for prekindergarten through second grade and Roxborough Intermediate School for third through sixth grades. The schools score B and B-plus ratings on Niche, respectively. Other areas are zoned for Coyote Creek Elementary, which earns an A-minus. Students then transition to Ranch View Middle and Thunderridge High, which both have A-minus scores. According to Niche, Thunderridge High ranks among the state's top 10 high schools for athletics and among the top 5% in the country. A new public elementary school will open in 2027, and John Adams Academy, a charter school covering kindergarten through 12th grade, will begin enrolling students in 2026.
Ranch View Middle School in Highlands Ranch is a top school with an A minus on Niche.
Thunderridge High School maintains an A minus score from Niche.
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Gathering spaces foster a close community
With multiple social centers and a full-time lifestyle director, residents can enjoy a different activity every day of the week. Educational seminars and neighborhood events take place in the Sterling Center, a mixed-use space with doctors’ offices, restaurants, childcare and more. Activities cater to a variety of interests for all ages. Those seeking to stay active may join the tai chi or hiking clubs, while other groups meet to play cards or discuss novels. The Overlook Clubhouse is another community hub with a fitness center and pool open to residents and their guests.
The Sterling Center in Sterling Ranch is home to a coffee shop, brewery, and an urgent care facility.
A UCHealth Urgent Care is conveniently located at the Sterling Center in Sterling Ranch.
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State routes and light rail lead to Denver
Colorado State Highway 121 flows 10 miles north to Colorado State Highway 470, a major loop in the region. The CanAm Highway, or U.S. Route 85, heads toward downtown Denver, 20 miles away. Commuters hop on the Regional Transportation District light rail at Littleton/Mineral Station, under 10 miles away. Light rail rides into Denver Union Station take around 45 minutes.
Hop on the RTD light rail at Littleton/Mineral Station, under 10 miles from Sterling Ranch, to get around town.
The Littleton/Mineral light rail trains near Sterling Ranch can take you to Denver Union Station in around 45 minutes.
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Neighborhood restaurants and shopping in Highlands Ranch
In addition to medical care and remote workspaces, the Sterling Center has a few dining options. Atlas Coffee turns into Salta Winebar at night, and Living The Dream Taproom has various beers and ciders on tap. A rotation of food trucks parks outside the center every day. Locals often head to the shopping center off Rampart Range Road. The plaza has a Safeway, restaurants like JP’s Asian Bistro, and a public library. The nearest Target and King Soopers are 8 miles away in Highlands Ranch, also home to the general care and children’s hospitals.
Try one of the specialty coffees on offer at Atlas Coffee in Sterling Ranch.
Pick up groceries from Safeway located at Roxborough Marketplace in Sterling Ranch.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
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Parks in this Area
Horseshoe Bend Park
Swan River/Zipline Park
Transit
Airport
Denver International
60 min drive
Sterling Ranch Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Sterling Ranch, Highlands Ranch sell after 80 days on the market compared to the national average of 49 days. The median sale price for homes in Sterling Ranch, Highlands Ranch over the last 12 months is $677,297, down 3% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Discover this beautiful home located in the award-winning community of Sterling Ranch - positioned on one of the largest premium corner lots in the Element Collection, and backing to green space! The main floor showcases a light, bright expansive kitchen with a spacious eat-in island, white cabinetry, stainless steel appliances, quartz countertops, gas stove, and generous corner pantry. The grand
Welcome to your dream home in the prestigious Sterling Ranch community—where modern design meets everyday comfort. From the moment you arrive, you’ll be drawn in by the inviting covered front porch and eye-catching curb appeal. Step inside to find soaring ceilings and a stunning two-story great room flooded with natural light—an ideal setting for relaxing or entertaining.The chef’s kitchen is a
Welcome to 9055 Swan River Street—a beautifully maintained and thoughtfully upgraded home nestled in the sought-after Sterling Ranch community! This stunning property backs to a serene open space and wildlife corridor, offering both privacy and picturesque mountain views. Step outside to enjoy miles of nearby walking and biking trails, with parks and play areas just around the corner.Inside, the
This beautifully maintained new construction home has an abundance of natural light. Its functional two-story floor plan features spacious living room, 9' ceilings on main and upper level, large upper level laundry room, and walk-in closets in both secondary bedrooms. Stunning kitchen with 42" gray cabinets, quartz countertops, tile backsplash, and stainless Whirlpool appliances with gas range.
A rare Parkwood Homes delight...four bedrooms on one level plus a 5th bed/family room walking out to a large rooftop patio (The Star Deck)! This traditional center hall home features two formal front rooms off the entry, leading to an open living area with a large island kitchen and eat-in dining plus a fireplace. You'll recognize the luxury brand appliances (Jenn-Air, Sub-Zero, Monogram) in the
Welcome to the ideal Sterling Ranch home-where elegant design meets modern functionality, just steps from picturesque parks and scenic trails. This spacious and thoughtfully designed home is perfect for multi-generational living, complete with 5 bedrooms plus an additional non-conforming bedroom and 5 bathrooms. The upper-level primary suite features a luxurious 5-piece bath, a walk-in closet
A LIFE OF SEAMLESS TRANSITION - LITTLETON APARTMENTS NEAR CHATFIELD RESERVOIR AND ROXBOROUGH STATE PARK. Welcome to an apartment home with uninterrupted views and endless moments of quiet escape. From the impressive height of a mountain vista to the gently rolling plains and winding trails across miles of open space. From the hectic pace of a day at the office to a luxuriously plush
Stunning 4-Bedroom Home for Lease in Sterling Ranch. This beautifully upgraded 4-bedroom, 4-bath home on a premium corner lot. Enter through a covered front porch into a bright, open-concept main level with engineered hardwood floors and oversized sliding glass doors that open to a private patio and low-maintenance yard. The chef’s kitchen features slab granite countertops, Bosch stainless
Available 7/26. Welcome to this stunning, south-facing end unit townhome, built in 2020, nestled in the picturesque community of Sterling Ranch.Step inside to discover a beautifully lit main floor boasting high ceilings and an open floor plan that seamlessly integrates a spacious living room with a high-end kitchen. The main floor also features a convenient half bath and provides direct
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
The Alan Smith Team,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
4,578
Median Age
40
Population under 18
25.8%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
14.7%
On par with the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$162,907
Significantly above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$179,437
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
99.2%
College Graduates
67.2%
Significantly above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
27.5%
Above the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
77.3%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
17''
Average Winter Low Temperature
18°F
Average Summer High Temperature
86°F
Annual Snowfall
38''
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
16/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
0/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
