Development | Zebulon - Douglas County

2022

Voter Support: In 2022, voters overwhelmingly extended a sales tax measure for the Parks, Trails, Historic Resources and Open Space Fund (PTHROS), expected to generate over $330 million over 15 years.

2024

Community Survey: To further understand the community’s priorities for the PTHROS fund, the County engaged citizens with a survey in 2024. Survey methodology was designed to ensure the best means for reaching a statistically accurate and representative sample of opinion from Douglas County residents, aged 18 and older.
Public Input: During a Live Town Hall in May 2024 about the Fairgrounds Master Plan, the Board of County Commissioners heard from a large group of parents and youth about the need for more youth sports facilities.
Community Engagement: The Board hosted a Live Town Hall on June 27, 2024, to further explore the community’s priorities for the PTHROS Fund, hearing again about the need for youth sports facilities.

2025

Visioning: In early 2025, Sterling Ranch approached Douglas County with the idea for the Zebulon Regional Sports Complex.
Stakeholder Engagement: The Board of County Commissioners met with more than 10 key stakeholders on Feb. 24, 2025, including municipalities, HOAs, sports organizations and developers. During this meeting, they discussed location, land use, funding and potential partnership opportunities to meet the needs of the community and surrounding regions. Meetings like this one are open to the public and notified weekly via the the Board’s weekly schedule.
Community Engagement: The Board hosted a Live Town Hall on April 14, 2025, to debut the initial vision for Zebulon. It was one of the county’s most-attended Live Town Hall events, reaching more than 10,000 people online and via phone. More than 200 people attended in person
Engineering:
- On May 27, 2025, the Board approved a contract for $325,000 with Felsburg, Holt & Ullevig (FHU) to investigate long-term and short-term roadway infrastructure needed to support the Zebulon Sports Complex.
- On July 22, 2025, the Board approved a contract for $410,000 with engineering firm Kimley-Horn to design the land development infrastructure for the proposed site, including grading, roads and utilities (sanitary/sewer, water, electric, gas and fiber). The consultant was also tasked with estimating the costs to build the site’s land development infrastructure. 50% of the design and initial estimates for the land development and roadway infrastructure were due in late September/early October 2025.
- The County also retained Wember as an owner’s representative for a total of $71,690.
Call for Private Partners: On Aug. 15, Douglas County started a competitive process to partner with private companies to design, build, finance, operate, program and maintain the various elements of Zebulon, such as an ice complex, baseball fields and an indoor sports complex. Interested organizations were invited to submit a response to the Request for Expression of Interest (RFEI) to partner on aspects of the project and/or the Request for Qualifications/Proposal (RFQP) to be the developer or general contractor.
Municipal Support: During an event on Oct. 2, 2025 at Highland Heritage Park, mayors from Castle Rock, Lone Tree and Parker signed a joint resolution with the Board of County Commissioners supporting Zebulon. View the resolution. (Note: the poster signed at the event is available at the Philip S. Miller Building.)
Land Transfer: On Oct. 14, 2025, Douglas County and Sterling Ranch agreed to a land transfer during a public business meeting. Douglas County received 46.5 acres of land to develop Zebulon Regional Sports Complex, and Sterling Ranch received 23.8 acres of land owned by the County. Sterling Ranch will continue its commitment outlined in a 2023 agreement to preserve 185 acres of open space for elk migration in the area.

2026

Partner Negotiations: After reviewing the responses to the RFQP during several posted executive sessions, the Board of County Commissioners unanimously approved a motion on Jan. 6, 2026, directing staff to begin formal negotiations with KT Development to establish a comprehensive agreement for the design, construction and long-term operation of the Zebulon Regional Sports Complex. In March 2026, the County formally accepted letters of interest from Slammers Baseball and Colorado Aquatics Institute LLC/Highlands Ranch Aquatics Club Inc to begin negotiations on partnerships that include investments from both organizations. Negotiations are ongoing. Any and all contracts will be considered at future Business Meetings.
Planning Commission Review:
- On Monday, Feb. 2, the Douglas County Planning Commission voted to approve a Location & Extent request for site-wide grading and essential infrastructure that will support future development of both Zebulon and the Emergency Vehicle Operations Center (EVOC) in northwest Douglas County. This request approved site-wide grading and essential infrastructure, including drainage, water and sewer lines, utilities, and roadway improvements near Moore and Waterton Roads, where construction for both facilities is planned.
- As planning continues, additional Location and Extent applications will be submitted for future EVOC facilities, Zebulon facilities and site improvements as the design team and partners refine uses and site development. Future phases of the sports complex will go through the same review process. Learn more about the Location & Extent process.
Private Partners and Funding: The Board hosted a Special Business Meeting on Tuesday, March 31, 2026, where they approved four items:
- A contract with KT Development to program, design, build, operate and maintain Zebulon Regional Sports Complex
- An agreement so infrastructure installation and site grading can begin
- A contract with financial consultant Stifel
- A resolution declaring the County’s intent to finance Zebulon with Certificates of Participation

Next Steps

Community Engagement: When more is known about potential partners and the cost of the infrastructure, Douglas County will host additional public meetings. Sign up for updates.
Construction Documents: Engineering firms Kimley-Horn and FHU are designing the basic infrastructure like roads, grading and utilities.
Contracts & Public Meetings: Contracts for construction will go before the Board of County Commissions during regularly scheduled public Business Meetings.
Building Design: KT is leading a design process that includes a program phase, schematic design and full design.
Funding: To fund the entire project – including utilities, earthwork and other infrastructure – the County plans to finance up to $100 million via Certificates of Participation. COPs do not raise taxes and are a common way for governments to finance capital projects. Many local governments in the county and throughout the state have recently used COPs to fund capital projects. The County expects revenue generated from the facility to pay for ongoing operating costs and to repay the County’s initial investment in construction.
Construction: Grading on the site is underway. Construction on sports facilities is expected to begin in 2027.

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Zebulon Regional Sports Complex

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Zebulon Regional Sports Complex

A Public Development Process

2022

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