Douglas County Day – Metro Denver Site Selection Conference On October 8, 2025, Douglas County took center stage at the Metro Denver Site Selection Conference with a day full of strategic engagement, industry-connecting and site-selection promotion. From a high-profile luncheon to a behind-the-scenes tour of aerospace giant, Lockheed Martin. The day underscored the county’s commitment to attracting business growth, strengthening its aerospace ecosystem and showcasing its unique value proposition. Douglas County Day at Liberty Media The day began at the Liberty Campus in Centennial where the Douglas County - Economic Development Corporation hosted an exclusive luncheon for site selectors and business leaders. The Liberty Campus served as the perfect venue to highlight Douglas County’s readiness for high-tech and innovation tenants. The luncheon created a collaborative atmosphere, allowing for networking and conversation among industry, government, and community leaders. Following lunch, a moderated panel featured executives from prominent companies discussing the drivers of site-location decisions and the role of regional ecosystems. Key takeaways from the panel included the importance of workforce strategy, collaboration between companies, and quality of life factors in site selection decisions. Panelists highlighted that Douglas County’s strength lies in its ecosystem — a community of interconnected companies, infrastructure, and workforce. A big thank you to our expert panelists for their invaluable insights: • Romy Ricafort, Vice President, Sales Engineering, Comcast • Brent Swift, Vice President, Advanced Capabilities, Northrop Grumman • Nicholas Garvin, CEO, Mobile TV Group • Michael Wilson, Executive Vice President of Operations & CFO, Astro Digital • Stacey DeFore, Principal, Stakeholder Engagement & Government Relations, Lockheed Martin Special thanks to our Douglas County Commissioners Abe Laydon, George Teal and Kevin Van Winkle for attending along with Sheriff Darren Weekly. We concluded the afternoon with an exclusive, eye-opening tour of the Lockheed Martin Ignite Lab! It was a powerful demonstration of how public-private partnerships translate into real-world innovation and success. We're proud to be a hub for such collaborative excellence Why Douglas County Is Playing to Win Douglas County’s strategic advantages include its strong aerospace base, top-ranked schools, high quality of life, and proactive approach to economic development. The county’s central message during Site Selection Week was clear: Douglas County is more than just a location — it’s a destination for innovation, collaboration, and growth.
This October, Douglas County took center stage during the Metro Denver Site Selection Week — hosting targeted industry conversations, an invite-only Douglas County Day, an exclusive luncheon at Liberty Campus, a Lockheed Martin facility tour, and participating in the Site Selector Feedback Dinner where national site selection consultants and corporate advisors shared candid insights about Denver’s competitiveness. The week reinforced Douglas County’s strengths in aerospace, talent, quality of life and public safety — and gave local leaders direct access to the people who influence corporate location decisions. What Leaders Said Ellie Reynolds, President & CEO of the Douglas County EDC, highlighted Douglas County’s appeal for aerospace employers and workforce: “Colorado and Douglas County are a destination for the aerospace workforce. We know that companies choose to locate and expand in places where their employees choose to live,” she told The Denver Gazette, noting local strengths like top schools, parks/open space and public safety. The Douglas County Board of Commissioners publicly thanked the EDC for its role in planning and executing Douglas County’s participation in Site Selection Week — signaling county leadership’s support for the region’s business attraction efforts. Meanwhile, national site selectors and industry advisors at the feedback dinner delivered a mix of praise and constructive critique — affirming Denver’s attractiveness while flagging issues that matter to corporate decision-makers (infrastructure readiness, workforce match, site availability and permitting predictability). Those takeaways were elevated in post-event reporting and the feedback dinner conversation. Douglas County Day: events & takeaway moments Douglas County Day was built around relationship-building and high-touch, local storytelling: Invite-only luncheon at Liberty Campus (Centennial): an opportunity to showcase county assets directly to site selectors. The EDC’s curation let attendees hear from local economic development leadership and key employers. Industry panel & Lockheed Martin tour: Douglas County-led panels emphasized collaboration across aerospace companies and workforce retention strategies; Lockheed representatives noted their focus on employment retention in the region — a theme that underlined local commitment to keeping and growing aerospace jobs. These touchpoints — an intimate luncheon plus a facility tour — provided exactly the kind of hands-on experience site selectors value when vetting metro areas for future projects. Site Selector Feedback Dinner: candid input for action The Site Selector Feedback Dinner remains one of the most valuable events during Site Selection Week because it creates a confidential space for national consultants to speak plainly about decision criteria. Attendees at the Denver dinner heard: Affirmations that counties like Douglas County rank highly for lifestyle, talent and industry clustering. Power and utility readiness, site and land availability, and streamlining permitting and incentive conversations are the practical, early-stage requirements to be considered. Douglas County leaders — from the EDC to county commissioners and private sector partners — left with prioritized feedback they can turn into near-term action items. Why this matters for Douglas County Site Selection Week isn’t just a conference — it’s a marketing and intelligence operation. By hosting Douglas County Day, convening panels, facilitating site tours and engaging at the Feedback Dinner, Douglas County: Put local assets directly in front of the people who advise corporations on where to invest. Reinforced the county’s aerospace narrative with on-the-ground examples (employers, workforce and quality-of-life factors). Collected unvarnished input from site selectors that will help sharpen the county’s pitch, address chokepoints (infrastructure, site readiness), and better align incentives and timelines to what consultants want to see.
Last week, Douglas County EDC had the honor of joining more than 130 Colorado business and civic leaders in Dublin, Ireland, as part of the 2025 Denver Leadership Exchange (LEX). This high-level delegation, organized annually by the Denver Metro Chamber Leadership Foundation, brings together leaders from across the state to learn, collaborate, and bring back global best practices to our communities. Our time in Dublin was both inspiring and energizing. We were welcomed by Senator Mark Daly, toured Ireland’s Parliament, and met with leaders at the National College of Ireland and Dublin Town Hall. From sessions on innovation and finance to conversations about the future of work and learning, the agenda was packed with insights directly relevant to the opportunities we’re working on back home in Douglas County. One of the highlights of the trip was hosting the official Community Dinner on behalf of Douglas County. This gathering gave us the chance to showcase our community to state leadership while deepening connections with global partners. The conversations reinforced that Douglas County’s strengths — from aerospace to advanced industries to a culture of collaboration — resonate far beyond Colorado. What stood out most is that the challenges and opportunities we face in Douglas County — workforce, infrastructure, innovation, and sustainability — are shared globally. Seeing how Dublin has addressed these issues gave us new ideas and fresh energy to continue building a stronger, more resilient local economy. We’re proud to have represented Douglas County on this international stage and look forward to bringing these insights home to benefit our community.
Celebrating a Milestone: U.S. 85 Widening Ribbon‑Cutting in Douglas County Douglas County proudly celebrated the ribbon‑cutting for the newly widened U.S. 85 corridor, officially marking the successful completion of a major infrastructure improvement—several months ahead of schedule. The widened corridor, stretching from Highlands Ranch Parkway to just north of C‑470 (Dad Clark Gulch), now boasts extra lanes, upgraded intersections, safer crossings, trail underpasses, updated bus stops, and modernized traffic signals. Partners at the Ceremony The event brought together key stakeholders across public and private sectors: • Kraemer North America was represented by Mike McNish, highlighting their role in the project’s construction. • Ellie Reynolds, President and CEO of the Douglas County Economic Development Corporation (EDC), stood front and center, reinforcing the EDC’s commitment to fostering economic growth in Douglas County. • The Douglas County Board of Commissioners— including Kevin Van Winkle, and Abe Laydon offered remarks and praises for the project. • Sterling Ranch Development Company - Brock Smethills They have a strong legacy of infrastructure collaboration with Douglas County Commissioner Abe Laydon celebrated the project’s alignment with public input: "The US 85 widening project is a true milestone and example of Douglas County listening to citizens and putting plans in place to improve a major transportation corridor for thousands of our residents, which will also serve to ignite economic development along this important corridor." Commissioner Kevin Van Winkle praised both leadership and community collaboration: "This investment means our residents can travel through the county much more quickly and efficiently. Thank you to everyone who was mindful of detours and closures during high‑impact work so our crews could work efficiently and safely."
Introduction At the heart of northwest Douglas County, a major leap in infrastructure has just begun: the groundbreaking of the Chatfield Basin Water Reclamation Facility. Spearheaded by Dominion Water & Sanitation District in partnership with Douglas County, PCL Construction, Stantec, and funded significantly by ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act) dollars, this multi-million-dollar project aims to modernize wastewater treatment, improve water quality, and support long-term community growth. Why This Facility Matters Addressing Infrastructure Gaps & Health Risks Many communities along the Highway 85 corridor—including Sterling Ranch, Louviers, and Roxborough—have long relied on outdated septic systems and aging lagoons. These systems are now proving insufficient to meet growing demands and often risk contamination of local waterways like Plum Creek and Chatfield Reservoir. Clearing the Path to Cleaner Water The new reclamation facility isn’t just about treating wastewater—it’s about reclaiming it. The state-of-the-art plant will: · Safely treat sewage—removing solids, aerating, leveraging micro-bioreactors, then chlorinating and reducing contaminants · Convey clean water for safe discharge, potentially improving conditions in the South Platte River and Chatfield Reservoir. Funding the Future The project is largely funded by local and federal dollars: · Douglas County is investing $20,482,400 from ARPA funds · Dominion Water & Sanitation District is contributing approximately $15 million, including ongoing operations and upkeep. Collaboration & Community Impact Partners at the Helm The project is backed by a coalition of trusted organizations: · PCL Construction ensures high-quality, safe construction practices · Stantec brings design and environmental expertise · Dominion Water leads the efforts in expanding the regional water and wastewater framework. Voices of Support · "This wastewater treatment facility will improve the lives of residents and provide opportunities for future collaboration on environmental projects, trail systems, and more," said Commissioner Kevin Van Winkle. · Commissioner George Teal emphasized adapting to regional growth: “As Douglas County thrives and grows, we know maintaining a healthy water supply is a primary concern…”. · At the ceremony, Congresswoman Lauren Boebert stated: "Our top three issues in Colorado are always water, water, water. Looking Forward: A Vision for 2028 and Beyond Details · Facility projected to be operational by late 2027 or early 2028 · Will serve Sterling Ranch, Louviers, Roxborough, Titan Industrial Park, and emerging areas. · Upgraded public health, environmental resilience, economic development, enhanced recreation (via trail systems) · Promote water reuse, shift toward renewable water sources, support regional growth sustainably According to official planning documents, Dominion's broader strategy includes connecting Louviers via lift station and force main, decommissioning outdated lagoon systems, building master-metered potable lines, and expanding capacity for future development—all backed by continued ARPA funding and private investment. Serving Our Community, Protecting Our Waters This milestone isn’t just about pipes and pumps—it’s about climate resilience, health equity, and smart investment. As our suburbs evolve, ensuring clean water access and wastewater treatment becomes essential to sustaining quality of life, economic vitality, and environmental stewardship. Dominion Water & Sanitation District and its partners are setting the stage for a thriving, sustainable future—one that embraces growth without sacrificing resource integrity.
On Saturday, July 26, 2025, Sterling Ranch celebrated a significant milestone with the official ribbon cutting of Prospect Park—the community’s first fully inclusive playground and amenity space. The event kicked off an afternoon of live music, free ice cream, and fun activities for families, with added features such as a sensory-friendly tent and kids’ zone. A Park Designed for All Located on eight acres, Prospect Park features an inclusive playground, picnic areas, a multi-use turf field, and basketball courts. The playground’s design is tailored to welcome children and adults of all abilities, with ramps, varied swings, zip-lines, and accessible surfacing—a testament to Sterling Ranch’s commitment to inclusive recreation. Community Collaboration in Action “We are thrilled to be part of such a wonderful community in Sterling Ranch,” said Jeanette Reynolds, Administrative Coordinator at Sterling Ranch CAB and co-founder of Miles 4 Madison. “What a great day for a groundbreaking! Miles 4 Madison is proud of the work we have done to help build an all-inclusive park in Sterling Ranch! This park will be a welcoming space for all!” Brock Smethills, President of Sterling Ranch Development Company, also expressed heartfelt support: “When a community comes together around someone who has experienced loss, you can take a tragic event and make it something that is hopeful.” Douglas County’s Generous Contribution Douglas County stepped forward with a $2.5 million contribution from its Parks, Trails, and Open Space fund to help make Prospect Park part of the region’s public amenities. This financial support played a pivotal role in launching the park as a community resource. Sterling Ranch’s Community Authority Board also invested millions of dollars of its own budget into amenities, underscoring a strong partnership between local government and residents.
On Monday, June 23, 2025, Douglas County took center stage in America’s aerospace and defense landscape with the grand opening of Northrop Grumman’s state-of-the-art Highfield Integration Facility. This landmark event was more than a ribbon cutting—it was a bold statement about the county’s strategic position in national security, advanced manufacturing, and economic development. With key voices from the Department of Defense, state and local government, and Douglas County’s own business leadership, the event celebrated a facility poised to deliver mission-critical technology to the front lines—while creating high-quality jobs and long-term regional growth. Ellie Reynolds, President and CEO of the Douglas County Economic Development Corporation, emphasized how the facility aligns with the EDC’s larger economic objectives: “It’s about propelling Douglas County to become the preferred site selection location for industries such as aerospace…” Her leadership helped position the EDC as a driving force in orchestrating strategic site preparations and public–private partnerships that attract world-class aerospace investments. Douglas County Commissioner Abe Laydon, Vice Chair of the County Board, hailed the event as a watershed moment. “At the county level, we work every day to build a business environment where innovation can thrive… that means smart infrastructure, responsive government and a culture that says ‘yes’ to projects that bring lasting value to our residents.” Chair George Teal added his support, reinforcing the county’s commitment to fostering a vibrant, business-friendly atmosphere. Northrop Grumman Aerospace expansion strengthens Douglas County’s vibrant aerospace industry - Douglas County Northrop Grumman Leadership on Mission-Critical Capabilities Murali Krishnan, Northrop Grumman’s Vice President for Payload and Ground Systems, spoke about the strategic importance of the facility: “Northrop Grumman’s Highfield Integration Facility… enables our production of innovative ground systems that provide the Department of Defense and intelligence communities with any data, at any place, at any time, for any mission.” Looking Ahead With the Highfield Integration Facility now operational, Northrop Grumman continues expanding its presence in Colorado, adding to more than one million square feet of infrastructure in the region. This addition enhances both local economic vitality and national defense capacity...Right Here In Douglas County.
The Zebulon Project: A Game-Changer for Sterling Ranch and Douglas County Nestled in the heart of Sterling Ranch, Colorado, the Zebulon Regional Sports Complex is poised to transform the landscape of Douglas County. This ambitious project, named after the famed Western explorer Zebulon Pike, represents a significant investment in community infrastructure, economic development, and recreational opportunities for residents across the region. The Zebulon complex is envisioned as a 500-acre multi-use facility located near the intersection of Moore Road and Waterton Road, approximately four miles south of C-470 . The first phase, estimated at $70 million, will encompass: · A 239,000-square-foot indoor sports complex featuring three ice rinks and basketball courts · Baseball and soccer complexes designed to meet CHSAA and NFHS standards · Preservation of over 400 acres of open space, including a 104-acre wildlife corridor adjacent to Sterling Ranch and Louviers. Future phases aim to expand the facility to include additional sports venues and community amenities, fostering a vibrant hub for recreation and social engagement. Economic Impact on Douglas County The Zebulon project is set to be a catalyst for economic growth in Douglas County. By attracting regional and national sports events, the complex is expected to generate substantial revenue through tourism, hospitality, and local business patronage. The development will also create numerous job opportunities, both during construction and in ongoing operations. Furthermore, the project aligns with the county's strategic goals to enhance quality of life and preserve open spaces, as outlined in the Parks, Trails, Open Space, and Historic Resources Fund. The Board of Douglas County Commissioners has expressed strong support for the Zebulon project. Commissioner Abe Laydon emphasized the project's alignment with community desires. “This is such an exciting time. We are in the golden era of Douglas County where we can start moving on what our citizens want – a best-in-class regional sports facility paired with ongoing efforts to preserve open space.” Commissioner Kevin Van Winkle highlighted the importance of fulfilling voter expectations saying “Our voters and taxpayers have been waiting for us to take action and invest this voter-approved funding. It’s time we start putting meat on the bones and working with our partners to bring our community’s vision to life.” Commissioner George Teal noted the transformative potential of the project saying “Zebulon will be the catalyst that transforms an area of our county that was primarily industrial – even home to a former dynamite factory – into a regional draw for families and businesses.” Collaboration with Sterling Ranch and KT Development Sterling Ranch Development Company is playing a pivotal role in the project's realization. President Brock Smethills expressed gratitude for the partnership, emphasizing the regional benefits saying, “This project will attract new shopping, dining, recreation, and community gathering spaces that Sterling Ranch would not be able to support on its own at this time.” KT Development, known for their work on the Sport Stable in Superior, Colorado, is also involved, bringing expertise in developing sports and recreational facilities. Preserving Open Space A cornerstone of the Zebulon project is its commitment to environmental stewardship. The development will preserve over 400 acres of open space, including a 104-acre wildlife corridor, ensuring that the natural beauty and ecological health of the area are maintained for future generations. Community Engagement Douglas County is dedicated to transparency and community involvement throughout the project's development. Public meetings and town halls have been held to gather input and keep residents informed. The county encourages ongoing dialogue to ensure that the Zebulon complex meets the needs and expectations of the community. Looking Ahead The Zebulon Regional Sports Complex stands as a testament to Douglas County's commitment to enhancing the quality of life for its residents. By providing state-of-the-art facilities, preserving natural spaces, and fostering economic growth, the project is set to become a cornerstone of the community for years to come.
Introduction The 40th Space Symposium, held from April 7–10, 2025, at The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs, marked a significant milestone in the global space community. This premier event brought together over 11,000 professionals from more than 60 countries to discuss advancements in space policy, technology, and collaboration. The symposium featured a diverse array of participants, including government officials, industry leaders, military personnel, and emerging startups, all converging to shape the future of space exploration and commercial endeavors. DCEDC's Involvement with Canopy Aerospace, Castle Rock EDC & Impact Commercial Real Estate The Douglas County Economic Development Corporation (DCEDC) played a pivotal role in supporting Canopy Aerospace, a Colorado-based startup specializing in innovative aerospace solutions. Through strategic initiatives and partnerships, DCEDC facilitated Canopy Aerospace's participation in the Space Symposium, providing the company with a platform to showcase its cutting-edge technologies and connect with potential investors and collaborators. This involvement underscores DCEDC's commitment to fostering innovation and growth within Colorado's aerospace sector. Growth and Vision Colorado's aerospace industry has experienced remarkable growth, solidifying the state's position as the second-largest aerospace economy in the United States. With over 350 aerospace and defense companies employing approximately 37,000 individuals, the sector has seen a 32.5% increase in workforce from 2017 to 2022. The industry's economic output reached $12.7 billion in 2022, highlighting its significant contribution to the state's economy. Looking ahead, Colorado aims to continue its trajectory of innovation and leadership in the aerospace domain. The state's strategic initiatives focus on enhancing collaboration between government agencies, private enterprises, and educational institutions to drive advancements in space technology and exploration. By fostering a conducive environment for research and development, Colorado is poised to remain at the forefront of the global space industry. Conclusion The 40th Space Symposium served as a testament to Colorado's integral role in the evolving landscape of space exploration. Through initiatives like DCEDC's support of Canopy Aerospace, the state continues to nurture innovation and collaboration, ensuring a vibrant and dynamic future for its aerospace sector.
