Celebrate the official kick-off to the holiday season at Sterling Ranch tonight with a tree-lighting celebration at the Sterling Center from 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm. Join us for a festive evening of live music, hot chocolate, wagon rides, holiday lights, and more!

Your Sterling Ranch Resident Services Team, with the help of the Brightview Landscaping crew, recently spent a morning assembling, branch fluffing, and decorating the 20-foot holiday tree that now adorns the Great Hall at the Sterling Center. Come see the tree all lit up and beautifully decorated throughout the holiday season.

'Tis the season to see dazzling holiday lights and decorations. Get in the spirit of the season and visit these amazing light and festive displays. Don't forget to take a ride around Sterling Ranch to see our residents glittering holiday lights! 

Denver’s Parade of Lights

Tomorrow, December 2, beginning at 6:00 pm

Arrive early so you can claim your spot to watch downtown Denver's Christmas extravaganza. The 9News Parade of Lights is a beloved family event that features over 40 illuminated floats, giant helium-filled character balloons, marching bands, equestrian units, cultural displays, and special guest appearances by Santa and Major Waddles the Penguin. If you’re not up for the cold or the crowds, the parade is broadcast live on 9News.

Trail of Lights at Chatfield Farms

November 24, 2023 – January 1, 2024 (closed December 25), 5:00 pm to 8:30 pm

Features paths of glistening lights that celebrate Colorado's countryside. Christmas lights adorn many of the historic buildings at the site, including the old schoolhouse, ranch house, and barn. Special features include synchronized music and light displays in the children's play area, along with singing holiday trees, two light tunnels, and illuminated antique tractors.

Electric Safari at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo in Colorado Springs

December 1 – 3, 8 – 23, 25 – January 1 (closed on December 24), 5:00 pm to 7:30 pm

Voted third-best in the nation in 2020 and 2021 by USA Today's 10 Best Readers' Choice Awards for Zoo Lights. Known to locals as CMZoo, Cheyenne Mountain is the highest-elevation zoo in the United States, and its holiday light display soars too. Electric Safari features more than 50 acres of twinkling light displays, some of which are synchronized to festive music. CMZoo also features unique artisan-made light sculptures like a giant upside-down sloth hanging from a tree.

Denver’s Mile High Tree, November 17 – December 31, 5:00 pm to 10:00 pm

Christkindlmarket, November 17 - December 23, hours vary

Experience two of Denver's most popular holiday attractions in downtown Denver's Civic Center Park: America’s tallest digital tree and the Denver Christkindlmarket. America’s tallest digital tree is a seven-story tall, 39-foot conical structure that features light shows choreographed to multi-cultural holiday music. It is 10 feet higher than the highest Christmas tree in Rockefeller Center history and is decked out with 60,000 LED lights. Take a stroll through Denver's Christkindlmarket as you shop for finely crafted artisan gifts and sample delicious German fare all in this charming German Village.

Zoo Lights at the Denver Zoo

December 2 – January 7, 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm

Make magic and memories at Zoo Lights. For over 30 years, the Denver Zoo has transformed into Colorado's wildest winter wonderland. Don't miss the more than a million sparkling lights on over 60 acres, animated animal sculptures, Santa and Mrs. Claus visits, animal encounters, exciting entertainment, and treats for kids of all ages. A low-sensory night is also available.

“An Extravaganza of Lights” at Hudson Gardens

Holiday Lights: November 24 – December 31, 5:00 pm to 8:45 pm

Light Up the New Year: January 2 – 28, 5:00 pm to 8:45 pm

Visit Hudson Gardens new light shows. Holiday Lights features a cathedral of thousands of LED lights a grove of dancing Christmas trees, a multi-colored forest inhabited by giant snowmen, a holiday light tunnel, and glowing reindeer that all light up Hudson Gardens into an extravaganza of holiday cheer. Ring in the new year as the exhibit transforms into the Light Up the New Year show that includes vibrant displays, a laser garden, and upbeat music.

Camp Christmas at the Stanley Marketplace 

November 16 – December 24, hours vary

Make merry and immerse yourself in a 15,000-square-foot, 360-degree kaleidoscope of yuletide cheer. It's fun, it's quirky, it's fleeting and it's everything you love about the holidays wrapped into one sparkling holiday extravaganza. Leave your worries behind, discover your holiday superpower, visit Santa, and sample craft cocktails from Base Camp and Fairy Bars. Wonder through a surreal mashup of nostalgic scenes, scratch your head at playful pun trees, and, most importantly, reconnect with the joy of the holiday season.

Concerns are mounting among veterinarians nationwide, particularly in Oregon and Colorado, as an increasing number of dogs exhibit coughing symptoms, causing anxiety among pet owners and experts. Symptoms include coughing, sneezing, eye or nose discharge, and lethargy.

Veterinary experts, including Amanda Cavanagh from Colorado State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital, affirmed that this mysterious illness is highly contagious and potentially fatal. Symptoms mimic those of kennel cough. Cavanagh noted that a transition from a dry to a wet cough indicates a more serious condition, possibly pneumonia.

The Department of Agriculture in Oregon has officially documented 200 cases of this concerning canine disease. According to veterinarians in the state, the illness acts swiftly, with some affected dogs experiencing pneumonia-related fatalities in less than a week.

Dr. Nicole Irance, DVM, from the Colorado Equine and Small Animal Clinic, said that cases are up, especially in young dogs. She recommends that dog owners seek veterinary care with dogs with persistent coughing.

Dr. Irance also recommends that dog owners should help keep their pets healthy by making sure they’re up-to-date on all vaccines, such as those for canine influenza, Bordetella, and parainfluenza. Other recommendations include:

• Reducing contact with large numbers of unknown dogs. Just like with other respiratory pathogens, the more contacts your dog has, the greater the risk of encountering a dog that’s infectious.
• Reducing contact with sick dogs. This can be hard to determine, but if a dog looks sick (coughing, runny nose, runny eyes), keep your dog away from it.
• Keeping sick dogs at home and seeking veterinary care.
• Avoiding communal water bowls shared by multiple dogs.

Sterling Ranch is a dog-friendly community, and we want both humans and their dogs to enjoy the outdoor amenities at Sterling Ranch. Many residents continue to share their ongoing concerns about pet waste not being properly removed and disposed of. We share these concerns and thank you for your feedback. All violations must be reported directly to Douglas County's Animal Services or call at 303.660.7529. The CAB cannot enforce these violations.

Please be respectful to your neighbors by keeping Sterling Ranch’s common area and grounds free of animal waste. Cleaning up after your dog is not only the right thing to do but it helps prevent parasites and disease. FYI: America’s 83 million dogs produce 10.6 million tons of poop every year!

Sterling Ranch follows the Douglas County Rules and Regulations listed below:

• Dogs must be on a leash when off the owner’s property except when walking in a designated off-leash area.
• Dog owners must pick up and properly dispose of their dog’s defecation both on and off the owner’s property.
• A dog owner must ensure their dog does not bite, injure, chase, threaten, bark, howl at or disturb anyone.
• Cats should be kept inside or, at a minimum, should be confined to their owners’ property.

Pet Waste Stations

To keep our community clean, the CAB has placed pet stations along the trails and sidewalks throughout Sterling Ranch. Please be a good neighbor and pick up after your pets and offer a neighbor a dog waste bag if they are without one!

Congratulations to the Douglas County Sheriff's Department (DCSD) as the recipient of their prestigious fourth Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA) Accreditation Award. The accredited status is granted for four years, during which time the agency must submit annual reports attesting to the continued compliance standards.

DCSD also received an impressive Triple Crown Status. The Triple Crown Status means that DCSD has achieved simultaneous accreditations from CALEA, the American Correctional Association (ACA), and the National Commission on Correctional Health Care (NCCHC). This latest award maintains DCSD's Triple Crown Accreditation Status and is one of only a handful of sheriff's agencies that have achieved this status. This accreditation is so rare that fewer than 100 sheriff's offices have qualified, and only 71 agencies hold this status. For more details, visit their website.

• Colorado Gives Day is this Tuesday, December 5. It's a day to celebrate and support non-profit agencies making good things happen throughout Colorado. Click on the link for more information.
• November is Diabetes Awareness Month: Learn about prevention, exercise, and nutrition from a UCHealth dietician. 
• Plans move ahead to increase teacher pay: Earlier this month, voters approved a $66-million mill levy override to give raises to Douglas County School District teachers and staff. Starting salaries will be just over $50,000, and school security will improve. Learn more about how the funds will be spent here. 
• David Ray retires from the school district: Fellow Douglas County School District board members and others in the community reflect on David Ray’s time with the school district as he was a prominent figure in the development of the district. Learn more here. 
• In case you missed it: At the annual State of the County luncheon, Commissioner Abe Laydon announced he will step down as chair of the board. Commissioner George Teal is set to take over leadership in the year ahead. Click here to learn more.

Colorado Community Media

• Northwest Douglas County Chamber and Economic Development Corporation (NWDCO): Sterling Ranch is a proud member of NWDCO. We partner with the Chamber to connect us with local businesses, provide us with advocacy support, and keep us at the forefront of business development. Check out the Chamber's website and event calendar.

IMPORTANT UPDATES: DECEMBER 3 - 9, 2023

Restrictions are necessary to complete drainage installation and paving at Blakeland Drive and US 85 access. Access for through traffic along US 85 will be maintained.

Major impacts:

• No northbound US 85 access to/from Blakeland Drive on the west side of US 85 from tonight, December 1, at 7:00 pm until Sunday, December 3, at 5:00 am, and again on Monday, December 4, from 7:00 am to 7:00 pm.

Daily impacts:

• Single lane closures on northbound and southbound US 85 and on the C-470 ramps at US 85 beginning Monday, December 4, through Saturday, December 9, from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm daily throughout the corridor.

Avoid road closure frustrations and plan your drive in advance by signing up for US 85 construction alerts using this link.

Meeting dates, times, and locations are subject to change. For the most up-to-date information on meetings, see the Community Calendar.

• Community Standards Committee, Tuesday, December 5, 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm, Overlook Clubhouse
• Metropolitan Districts Nos. 1, 4-7, Wednesday, December 6, 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm, Overlook Clubhouse
• CAB Board of Directors, Wednesday, December 6, 1:00 pm, Overlook Clubhouse
• Resident Advisory Committee, Wednesday, December 6, 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm, Overlook Clubhouse
• Design Review Committee, Thursday, December 7, 9:00 am - 11:00 am, Overlook Clubhouse
• Metropolitan District No. 3, Thursday, December 7, 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm, Overlook Clubhouse
• Design Advisory Committee, Tuesday, December 12, 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm, Resident Resource Center
• Metropolitan Districts Nos. 1, 4 - 7 Annual Meeting, Tuesday, December 12, 5:30 pm - 8:00 pm, Overlook Clubhouse
• Construction Committee, Wednesday, December 13, 10:00 am - 12:00 pm, Remote
• Finance Committee, Thursday, December 14, 10:00 am - 12:00 pm, Remote
• Design Advisory Committee, Tuesday, December 26, 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm, Overlook Clubhouse
• Metropolitan District No. 2, Wednesday, December 27, 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm, Overlook Clubhouse

Check out this week's activities and events in our Ranch Life e-newsletter.