As Highlands Ranch Water celebrates its 45th anniversary, this fourth article in our series highlights a key milestone in our history: the operation of our first groundwater treatment plant in 1994.

From the earliest days of Highlands Ranch, water planning was approached with a long-term vision. The original 1980 development plan anticipated a community of more than 100,000 residents across 21,000 acres, supported by homes, schools, and businesses. Delivering reliable water service to a growing population required careful coordination, strong infrastructure, and a commitment to sustainability.

Groundwater was part of that plan from the beginning. As development began, a small number of wells supplemented surface water supplies. In 1994, Highlands Ranch Water reached an important milestone with the operation of its first groundwater treatment plant marking a significant step in strengthening system reliability.

Even as additional wells were added over time, Highlands Ranch Water’s approach remained intentional. Groundwater, sourced from the Denver Basin aquifers, is a nonrenewable resource. Rather than relying on it as a primary supply, Highlands Ranch Water has consistently used it as a strategic reserve, helping meet demand during drought or when surface water supplies are limited.

This conjunctive use approach, combining surface water from the South Platte River with groundwater, has been central to Highlands Ranch Water’s success. Over time, the system has maintained a careful balance, using surface water as the primary source while preserving groundwater for times of need.

As the community grew from just over 10,000 residents in 1990 to tens of thousands more in the years that followed, this strategy ensured both reliability and resilience.

Today, that same philosophy continues to guide operations. The milestone reached in 1994 reflects more than infrastructure, it represents a commitment to thoughtful planning and responsible resource management that has supported Highlands Ranch for 45 years and counting.