Highlands Ranch – When Jim Toepfer and his partners set their sights on Highlands Ranch a quarter-century ago, they envisioned a good place to raise a family.
In fact, Toepfer chose to raise his own family here, and he still lives in a former model home.
Toepfer came to Douglas County from Mission Viejo Co.’s headquarters in California to oversee a monumental job – turn a 22,000-acre ranch into a community of 87,000 people today.
He felt immediately at home, so he never left.
“It’s been great,” Toepfer said of the booming community’s development.
Highlands Ranch, which celebrates the 25th anniversary of the first new residents this week, endured criticism from environmentalists over its sprawling development.
Longtime locals to this former ranching region hated to see new homes spilling across the countryside.
“We never said we were going to build Utopia,” Toepfer said Friday. “We said we were going to build a nice community.”
Toepfer most recently saw his five grandchildren excel at the community’s ThunderRidge High. He beamed with pride as he recounted their accomplishments.
The community continues to mature, as well. Local leaders say it will incorporate in less than a decade.
On the Fourth of July, Toepfer will be one of four grand marshals in the Highlands Ranch anniversary parade, joined by Jerry Poston, the original land planner; Terry Nolan, the general manager of the Highlands Ranch governing boards; and Gary Debus, manager of the Highlands Ranch Community Association.
The community association started before the first home was sold, Debus said. The organization’s job: Make sure the planned community is a good place to live, work, play – and shop.
When Debus arrived 15 years ago, Highlands Ranch had no grocery store and only two small restaurants. Today it has seven supermarkets, from Albertsons to Whole Foods, and dozens of dining spots.
“I think we built a community bigger, faster and better than it’s ever been done before,” he said.
The association provides for recreation programs, events such as concerts and fairs, volunteer opportunities and more open space than Chatfield or Cherry Creek state parks.
On Friday at lunchtime, Toepfer walked through the park that bears his name and reminisced with his longtime friend and neighbor Gary Dani, who bought the second home in Highlands Ranch in 1981.
Dani said the community is much more than the 31,000 homes it boosts today, or the myriad stores and parks.
“It’s the people,” Dani said, recalling the early years when it was sacrilege for a resident to miss a fundraiser or a fireworks display, or shirk volunteering to string holiday lights. “People wanted to create a good place to raise their families.”
Dani’s daughter, Jenny, was the first child born in the community, 25 years ago.
“Hey, there’s Jim’s tombstone,” Dani shouted, with a howling laugh, as he pointed to the flat stone marker that announced James G. Toepfer Park.
Beneath the large letters, the inscription began: “Dedicated to our most enthusiastic community champions.”
Staff writer Joey Bunch can be reached at 303-820-1174 or jbunch@denverpost.com.
Highlands Ranch anniversary events
Tuesday
9 to 11 a.m. – Parade on Barons Boulevard, near the Shea Homes building, south to Highlands Ranch Parkway, then east to Broadway and south onto Burgundy Street to Green Ash Street. At Ridgeline Boulevard, the route turns right and then left onto Blake Street, returning to the Shea Homes parking lot.
10 a.m. to 9 p.m. – Free events at the Town Center, including rides, concessions, entertainers, vendors, a caricature artist, face painters, a bubble tower, a mini train and a petting zoo. Parking will be available at the Town Center.
3 to 5 p.m. – A pet and bike parade for kids. Registration is from 1:30 to 2:45 p.m.
5:30 to 9 p.m. – The Highlands Ranch Community Association Independence Day Sunset 10K will start at Highlands Ranch Town Center, featuring a family 1-mile fun walk and 10K run at Town Center.
9:15 p.m. – Fireworks will be launched over Highlands Ranch Parkway near Ridgeline Boulevard.
Friday through July 11
The 25th Anniversary Carnival will be held at Grace Boulevard and Fairview Parkway. Advance tickets are $10 and are available by calling 303-791-2500. Passes sold at the gate will be $15. Parking will be at Cherry Hills Community Church. Hours are 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 1 to 10 p.m. July 9, 10 and 11.
