Highlands Ranch was not permanently settled until 1859 .

Over the next twenty-five years, the population of Highlands Ranch grew exponentially.

As these developments appeared, they often carried their own names, creating a series of segmented neighborhoods throughout Highlands Ranch.

Highlands Ranch celebrated its tenth anniversary in 1991 with a population of 17,000 residents.

Over the next ten years, Highlands Ranch continued to develop on a massive scale.

Highlands Ranch celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2006, reporting a population of 86,000 residents.

Developers have engaged in battles for water rights throughout Highlands Ranch.

Highlands Ranch now contains four recreation centers and six high schools, and continues to grow.

These commissioners are elected from three geographic districts in Highlands Ranch.

Highland is often confused with the suburb of Highlands Ranch, located approximately 20 miles to the south.