Lora Thomas is at the end of her tenure as commissioner and continues to push for a decision on Wildcat Park that is against the constituents wishes that she was voted to represent.

We ask the commissioners to wait on any vote regarding Wildcat Regional Park until after the new commissioner has been elected and has begun their term in 2025.

This decision has a long-term impact on the surrounding community, Highlands Ranch and Douglas County as a whole and Lora Thomas will not budge on her idea of an “iconic park”.

The most recent county-wide survey shows Highlands Ranch in unanimous support of Open Space and Trails at an overwhelming 86%.

HRCA has a proven track record of conservation, preserving wildlife and have been proven stewards of the greater Backcountry Wilderness Area.

HRCA has a proposal for a passive recreation park including a 5k hard packed walking and hiking trail and additional mountain biking trails, that would NOT destroy the topography of the land and could still support the wildlife of the area.

Our neighboring schools could use the park for smaller cross country meets and 5k fundraisers bringing a lot of value to the area.

When asked, 69% of Douglas County residents preferred preserving open space and 31% of residents wanted to develop more parks.

Per the survey, 74% of the respondents in District III (represented by Lora Thomas) say they use open space frequently, yet Lora Thomas continues to want to develop an “iconic” park in cherished open space.

Per the recent county wide survey, the single highest priority of Douglas County citizens is open space, “a conclusion borne out by multiple questions and a sentiment shared broadly across most all segments of the population” said Dr. Hill who conducted the survey.

Per the recent county wide survey, Castle Rock (36%) and Parker (32%) rated the highest communities that were dissatisfied with the number of ballfields while Highlands Ranch (8%) came in last.

Parker’s mayor has expressed interest in possibly building an “iconic sports village” in their area.

Sterling Ranch has offered to discuss 200 acres available for an “iconic sports village”. 

Lora Thomas continues to call development of Wildcat Regional Park a “statutory mandate” which RIWL legal counsel say the deed and Wildcat agreement do not support.

Karen Hickman has introduced the idea of an “iconic” collaborative passive recreation park based on the 5-acre Montbello park in Denver. Based on the information provided to RIWL the idea of Montbello Park would not support the wildlife in the area and would destroy the topography of land still putting the Elk, birds of prey and other wildlife at risk.

The infrastructure of the surrounding area still does not support an “iconic” park regardless of its nature. (i.e.: passive, sports or otherwise)

We support HRCA owning the land as the County still pushes the idea of an “iconic” and “think big” project in Wildcat Park.

Since the Wildcat Agreement in 1996, the land has changed with the introduction of the nesting golden eagle, the elk and cattle herds that often use the space. Even so, the original intent of the land is clear in the agreement and was not intended for bringing in a large number of visitors from outside the county.

In her newsletter, Lora Thomas compares Wildcat to a 7-acre parcel in Sterling Ranch that is said to be worth $4 million, putting a price tag on Wildcat of $115 million, even though Douglas County paid $0 for it. That $115 million value would shrink to nothing with a price adjustment for massive soil leveling. 

A passive, wildlife-friendly regional park with rolling hills would be more majestic and iconic than a mega park with concrete, lights, buildings and noise that has no wildlife.