Sterling Ranch is deeding approximately 46.5 acres of land to Douglas County for the development of the Zebulon Regional Sports Complex. This significant public-private partnership will bring needed youth sports facilities, family recreation opportunities, and new retail development to northwestern Douglas County.
The project is intended to include the construction of a multi-phase, county-owned sports complex featuring:
– Baseball and outdoor fields
– Three NHL-size ice hockey rinks
– Indoor courts for basketball, volleyball, and pickleball
– A 160,000 sq. ft. indoor turf dome
– Fitness classrooms and golf simulator rooms
– More than 700 parking spaces
Surrounding the complex, privately funded retail development by Sterling Ranch partners will include:
– Residential Housing
– Restaurants and retail shops
– Hotels and family entertainment venues
The sports complex site includes land currently owned by Sterling Ranch and Douglas County. All land being deeded to the County has been fully remediated and has been cleared for unrestricted use by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE). In response to community concerns, Sterling Ranch and Douglas County worked closely to ensure that land with environmental restrictions is not included in the project. Adjacent land projected for future phases of the project is being remediated and will be cleared by CDPHE for all expected project uses.
“This is what responsible development looks like – community-driven, environmentally sound, and forward-thinking,” said Brock Smethills, President at Sterling Ranch Development Company. “We’re not just building new facilities, we’re building trust and creating a legacy of recreation, open space, and opportunity for generations to come.”
The first phase of the Zebulon Sports Complex is expected to cost $65–85 million, with infrastructure supported through county and private investments. The surrounding retail and hospitality developments, which are entirely privately financed, are projected to significantly
exceed the public investment, creating a net economic gain for the region.
The complex is anticipated to attract over 1.5 million annual visitors, reinforcing Douglas County’s reputation as a premier destination for youth sports and family-friendly tourism. The development also preserves more than 400 acres of open space compared to prior development proposals and aligns with voter-approved Parks, Trails, and Open Space priorities.
About Sterling Ranch
Sterling Ranch is Douglas County’s premier new home community located at the base of the breathtaking Rocky Mountain Foothills near Highlands Ranch and Littleton. Colorado-inspired homes in an awe-inspiring Colorado location. Sterling Ranch has been ranked the #1 best-selling master-planned community in the Denver Metro area for five consecutive years, the top-selling community in Colorado for the past two years, and among the Top 50 best-selling master-planned communities in the nation for the fifth year in a row.
