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Highlands-Ranch
Eden Index
Climate
8.9
•
Recreation
5.1
•
Community
6.1
•
Safeguard
6.8/10
Highlands Ranch, Colorado is a bustling suburban community located south of Denver. The climate is characterized by warm summers and cold winters with occasional snowfall. Hydrologically, the area is served by the South Platte River and its tributaries, providing water for the community's residential and commercial needs. Outdoor recreation opportunities abound in Highlands Ranch, with over 2,500 acres of open space, parks, and trails. Hiking, biking, and horseback riding are popular activities in the summer, while winter sports enthusiasts can enjoy skiing and snowboarding in nearby mountain resorts. Additionally, residents can enjoy fishing and boating at nearby Chatfield Reservoir. Overall, Highlands Ranch offers a fantastic blend of natural beauty and modern amenities.
What is the Eden Index?
The Snoflo Eden Index serves as a comprehensive rating system for regions, evaluating their desirability through a holistic assessment of climate health, outdoor recreation opportunities, and natural disaster risk, acknowledging the profound impact of these factors on livability and well-being.
Climate Health Indicator (CHI): 8.9
Highlands-Ranch receives approximately
445mm of rain per year,
with humidity levels near 56%
and air temperatures averaging around
10°C.
Highlands-Ranch has a plant hardyness factor of
5, meaning
plants and agriculture in this region thrive during a short period during spring and early summer. Most
plants will die off during the colder winter months.
By considering the ideal temperature range, reliable water supplies, clean air, and stable seasonal rain or snowpacks, the Climate Health Indicator (CHI) underscores the significance of a healthy climate as the foundation for quality living.
A healthy climate is paramount for ensuring a high quality of life and livability in a region, fostering both physical well-being and environmental harmony. This can be characterized by ideal temperatures, reliable access to water supplies, clean air, and consistent seasonal rain or snowpacks.
Weather Forecast
Streamflow Conditions
South Platte
Area Rivers
South Platte
Snowpack Depths
South Platte
Reservoir Storage Capacity
South Platte
Groundwater Levels
Recreational Opportunity Index (ROI): 5.1
The Recreational Opportunity Index (ROI) recognizes the value of outdoor recreational options, such as parks, hiking trails, camping sites, and fishing spots, while acknowledging that climate plays a pivotal role in ensuring the comfort and consistency of these experiences.
Access to outdoor recreational opportunities, encompassing activities such as parks, hiking, camping, and fishing, is crucial for overall well-being, and the climate plays a pivotal role in enabling and enhancing these experiences, ensuring that individuals can engage in nature-based activities comfortably and consistently.
Camping Areas
| Campground | Campsites | Reservations | Toilets | Showers | Elevation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Meadows | 64 | 7,897 ft | |||
| Farish Military - USAF Academy | None | 9,083 ft | |||
| Peregrine Pines Military - USAF Academy | None | 6,631 ft | |||
| Mueller State Park | 90 | 9,313 ft | |||
| Springdale | 13 | 9,304 ft | |||
| Painted Rocks | 18 | 7,836 ft | |||
| Thunder Ridge | 21 | 9,216 ft | |||
| Colorado | 81 | 7,806 ft | |||
| The Crags | 17 | 10,120 ft | |||
| Meadow Ridge | 19 | 9,177 ft |
Nearby Ski Areas
Catastrophe Safeguard Index (CSI):
The Catastrophe Safeguard Index (CSI) recognizes that natural disaster risk, encompassing floods, fires, hurricanes, and tornadoes, can drastically affect safety and the overall appeal of an area.
The level of natural disaster risk in a region significantly affects safety and the overall livability, with climate change amplifying these risks by potentially increasing the frequency and intensity of events like floods, fires, hurricanes, and tornadoes, thereby posing substantial challenges to community resilience and well-being.
Community Resilience Indicator (CRI): 6.1
The Community Resilience Indicator (CRI) recognizes that education, healthcare, and socioeconomics are crucial to the well-being of a region. The CRI acknowledges the profound impact of these elements on residents' overall quality of life. By evaluating educational resources, healthcare accessibility, and economic inclusivity, the index captures the essential aspects that contribute to a thriving community, fostering resident satisfaction, equity, and social cohesion.