Highlands Ranch

Overview

Highlands Ranch is a small suburb of Denver, Colorado. The quaint town has an abundance of parks and natural spaces for active adults seeking outdoor recreation. In addition, its proximity to the arts and culture of Denver makes it a popular destination for retirees.

Climate & Geography

Located in Colorado's Front Range, Highlands Ranch is part of the Denver metropolitan area. The terrain is made up of gently rolling hills. 

Residents of Highlands Ranch experience warm summers and cold, dry winters. Because of Colorado’s higher altitudes, there is less water vapor in the air, resulting in drier, thinner air.

Recreation, Culture, & Entertainment 

Highlands Ranch offers activities for those interested in nature, art history, or fitness. Every week, Highlands Ranch Mansion offers free evenings for guided historic tours. The nearby Denver Art Museum showcases various exhibits and events such as The Light Show and Treasures of British Art. The Colorado Ballet, also in nearby Denver, hosts performances throughout the year like The Nutcracker and Peter Pan.

There are also plenty of opportunities to get outdoors. In Highlands Park, there are 26 parks, 70 miles of nature trails, and 2,050 acres of natural, open land. The city also has outdoor pickleball courts, tennis courts, and community gardens. Nearby Chatfield State Park offers hiking, boating, camping, fishing, and picnicking. 

Cost of Living & Taxes

The cost of living in Highlands Ranch is higher than the state and national averages. High housing costs are the main factor in the cost of living difference. 

Though Social Security benefits are taxable in Colorado, the state offers significant deductions. For retirees between 55 and 64, the deduction is $20,000, and for retirees 65 and older, it is $24,000. The same deductions apply to all other forms of retirement income. Property taxes are low, and there is a 5 percent sales tax in Highlands Ranch.

Health Care

The Denver metro area scores very well on Gallup's Well-Being Index, ranking in the top 15 communities across the country. According to the same survey, Colorado ranks in the top six states.

Littleton Adventist Hospital is within five miles of Highlands Ranch and rated high performing by U.S. News. Sky Ridge Medical Center, located in nearby Lone Tree, is nationally ranked and the No. 3 hospital in Denver. UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital, located 30 minutes away in Aurora, is also nationally ranked and the No. 1 hospital in the state.