“If you build it, they will come.” — Field of Dreams
The incredible, thriving community at Sterling Ranch is more than twenty years in the making. Founders Harold and Diane Smethills, along with their sons, knew from the start there was something special about the land they acquired at the base of the Rocky Mountain foothills just 15 miles southwest of downtown Denver, Colorado.
“When we first set foot on this land we felt a deep connection to something greater than ourselves….we felt a sense of gratitude for this land, and rather than seeing what we could take from it, we took a moment…to see what the land would give to us…to see how we could live in harmony with the nature that surrounds us here. We chose to carefully integrate homes, lifestyle, walking, safety, sustainability and forward-thinking technology within our treasured natural surroundings for a complete experience of our beautiful state of Colorado.”
And so began their vision to create a community like no other, one steeped in values and focused on creating a legacy for today’s families and future generations alike.

Partnerships for success
The Smethills knew theirs was an ambitious yet worthy and attainable vision, and they relied on crucial relationships to ensure their success. Sterling Ranch needed a strong foundation on which to grow, and the founders started assembling their team:
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- World-class home builders who believed in their vision and could help bring it to fruition
- Technology companies to design and install an intricate tech infrastructure to support the community at every level, from smart homes to state-of-the-art facilities
- On-site businesses such as UCHealth, Atlas Coffee, and Grist Brewing to provide urban-living conveniences
- Sustainability partnerships with Denver Botanic Gardens, Bird Conservancy of the Rockies and Lamb Spring Archeological Preserve to ensure the community’s resources are preserved and wildlife are protected

Accolades and positive momentum
The Smethills have humbly accepted recognition over the years for their visionary leadership and impressive achievements in real estate. Homebuyers have taken notice of the thriving community the family has envisioned and created at Sterling Ranch. The community was:
- Ranked by Zonda (formerly Metrostudy) as the top-selling master-planned community in the Denver-Metro area in 2020 and 2021
- Named among the top 50 fastest-growing master-planned communities in the nation by John Burns Real Estate Consulting
- Awarded the American Cultural Resource Association’s prestigious National Industry Award for our farsighted planning and protocols
- Recognized as an innovator in preservation, sustainability and technology by CenturyLink, for being Colorado’s first one-gig+ fiber Internet community

Progress to date
Since the first home closed in 2017, we’ve come a long way! In five years we’ve:
- Successfully opened three (of nine planned) unique villages, with 1,200 homes and 3,000+ residents (at this writing)
- Partnered with key businesses to offer residents on-site everyday conveniences and necessities
- Atlas Coffee
- ENT Credit Union
- Visionaire Eye Consultants
- Lake Family Dental
- UCHealth
- Grist Brewing Company
- Rotating daily food trucks
- Empowered hundreds of residents to work and learn from home with our lightning-fast fiber internet
- Opened the inviting, bustling Overlook Clubhouse, complete with an outdoor pool and state-of-the-art fitness center
- Provided a Colorado State Parks Pass to every household, enabling residents to explore nearby parks Chatfield, Roxborough and beyond
- Coordinated hundreds of engaging resident events to keep neighbors connected

Plans for a thriving future
At Sterling Ranch, we’re proud of the thriving community we’ve built and we’re excited for the bright future ahead of us. As we continue to empower residents to enjoy healthy, happy lifestyles in this walkable, sustainable and technology-driven community, we charge ahead toward reaching our vision:
- Opening six new, distinctive villages, each with their own unique flair and walkable town centers, parks and amenities
- Meeting our goal to achieve 100% renewable electricity by 2030 and become carbon neutral by 2040 via our progressive Energy Action Plan
- Implementing tech upgrades
- Welcoming Primrose School (opening soon!), an asset for families in the community
- Providing fresh, unique Colorado-inspired home designs in every village
- Continuing our commitment to bringing joy and opportunities for wellness and connection to residents through our robust community events calendar
- Becoming home to 30,000+ more satisfied residents
A vision to build a legacy for future generations
Since 2017, Sterling Ranch has welcomed new families to help grow the community and cultivate a culture of connection. “We wanted to capture the essence of neighborhood — where you know your neighbors, care about your neighbors, care for your neighbors — and as we see this community develop, we believe we’ve captured that spirit,” says Harold. “Sterling Ranch gets better every day because people come and they enjoy living here.”
Sterling Ranch is a truly unique community, one rooted in values and with a tight hold on its vision to create a legacy for future generations. Won’t you join us? Visit us today to experience for yourself what makes this community special. Our Info Center is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.