Sterling Ranch is committed to creating the first truly regional conservation-minded development that has made water and energy conservation, open space and wildlife preservation, priorities from the beginning. By implementing innovative water conservation methods, Sterling Ranch will use only one-third of the water of a typical development in Douglas County. With the land as our guiding principle for development, we will preserve 37% of the property for open space, parks and wildlife corridors. By planting community and home gardens, our residents will be able to put fresh vegetables and fruits on their tables all summer. Sterling Ranch will optimize energy use by committing to green building and limiting auto dependence.
- Water Conservation
- Open Space, Parks
- Wildlife Preservation
- Agriculture, Agriburbia
- Energy Conservation
Water Conservation
Innovative Conservation Methods
Sterling Ranch is using the latest technology to come up with a unique, water-smart development, while allowing beautiful landscaping, natural wildlife habitat and native plant species. Our community will provide an exemplary approach to water conservation and demand management standards for future developments throughout the state. Fundamental, proven water conservation principles have been integrated into the plan for everything from yard size and plant selection, to the size and creation of neighborhood parks and community recreational spaces, to traffic planning and placement of green spaces. Water conservation is much simpler to implement and more achievable when it is part of the initial design of a new community. Sterling Ranch will demonstrate how reliable, long-term water savings are achieved through smart design.
Supply vs. Demand
Historically in designing planned communities in Colorado, developers have first focused on water supply and then designed systems to meet traditional demand. In our water-wise planning at Sterling Ranch, we have done just the opposite. Like developers in other modern-day Western states, we first focused on minimizing water demand by designing our project around water conservation. As a result, Sterling Ranch dramatically decreased the water supply needed to serve our future residents and at the same time will share water with our neighbors on declining wells.
New Standard for Water Savings
Sterling Ranch will set a new standard for water savings in Colorado by using one-third the water of a typical development in Douglas County. Years of water use and conservation research have provided planners with an accurate estimate of projected water use. Douglas County traditionally has required .75 acre feet of water per home. At Sterling Ranch, we are committed to using .22 acre feet per residence. The .28 acre feet per home we have requested from Douglas County includes a “buffer” of .06.
Sustainable System
We are firm believers that new development must be planned to meet human needs while protecting natural resources, so that these needs can be met into the future. Sterling Ranch has created a sustainable system by integrating water conservation and demand management with a dependable renewable water and groundwater plan that will help prolong the life of groundwater resources.
Rainwater Harvesting
Sterling Ranch was a strong supporter of the rainwater harvesting bill that was approved by the Colorado state legislature in 2009 as a water conservation method. Rainwater harvest is a natural opportunity to help fulfill our plans for a development focused on a sustainability community. Other Western states have proven that rainwater captured from roofs and other surfaces and used for outdoor irrigation can significantly reduce home water usage. As a new development in a water-challenged area with a wide range of geography and development types, Sterling Ranch is an excellent candidate for piloting precipitation harvesting. The development offers the opportunity to monitor rainwater harvesting from natural conditions to implementation. Sterling Ranch’s water plan, which will move water conservation dramatically forward, does not rely on rainwater harvesting but is designed to allow our community to be a test site for this age-old water conservation method pioneered in Colorado’s homestead days.
Dominion Water & Sanitation District
Dominion, the water provider for Sterling Ranch, has been working independently and with Douglas County on water conservation for many years. Both groups demonstrated leadership in this area as documented in the study entitled, “Holistic Approach to Sustainable Water Management in Northwest Douglas County” (2007). The study challenged all of Colorado to progress its attitude toward water conservation and sustainable water management. Sterling Ranch has advanced the outdoor water conservation concepts from that study in developing a water conservation ethic for the community.
Chatfield Basin Conservation Network Stakeholder Groups*
Arapahoe County
Arapahoe County, Open Space Program
Ark Ecological Services
Audubon Colorado
Audubon Society of Greater Denver
Black Creek Hydrology
Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway Co.
Butterfly Pavilion
Capitol Representatives
Cattleman’s Agricultural Land Trust
Centennial Water & Sanitation District
Chatfield Watershed Authority
Cherokee Ranch and Castle Foundation
* CBCN Stakeholder Groups are organizations that have expressed an interested in the CBCN’s mission of “Conserving Connections for Nature and People.” The CBCN does not represent or speak on behalf of these organizations.