Highlands Ranch, Colorado

A Brief History of Highlands Ranch

Highlands Ranch grew from working ranchland into a planned Douglas County community founded in 1981. Its historic mansion recalls earlier owners and agricultural enterprises: Frank Kistler purchased the property in 1926 and developed the Diamond K Ranch, raising cattle and other livestock. After Lawrence Phipps Jr.’s death in 1976, the ranch changed hands, and Mission Viejo Company acquired it in 1978 for residential development. Shea Homes purchased Mission Viejo in 1997. In 2010, Shea transferred the mansion and renovation funding to the Highlands Ranch Metro District; the restored building opened to the public in June 2012.