Douglas County declares disaster after Highlands Ranch tornado

To our Highlands Ranch community – you are not alone. As you clean up after Thursday’s storm, you probably have questions on your mind. Please read on for what we know now.

“We are counting on our blessings that there were no injuries or deaths from Thursday’s storm. However, there was significant damage and debris,” said Commissioner Lora Thomas. “We are working in partnership with the Sheriff’s Office, Highlands Ranch Metro District and the Highlands Ranch Community Association to help all those affected.”

“The county has issued a disaster declaration to open the door for state support,” said Commissioner Abe Leyden. “In the meantime, we are working with the Highlands Ranch community to provide a place to drop off the tree debris.”

tree debris clearance
Douglas County crews are working to clear tree debris that is threatening sidewalks and roadway safety, beginning with the most affected area, which is between Highlands Ranch Parkway and C-470. Beach and Broadway to Colorado.

Crews are also evaluating every roadway in Highlands Ranch to map the damage that will help inform crews’ efforts. If you need to report a damaged traffic sign, you can do it online,

For those who have tree debris on private property, Highlands Ranch has two drop-off sites available – and more will be planned as needed. You can drop anything that can be turned into mulch, such as tree branches or shrubs. Please do not bring fences and root balls. This service is for Douglas County landlords, not contractors. Anything larger than a normal trashcan load should go to these sites:

• Highland Heritage Park, 9651 S. Quebec
• Redstone Park, 3280 Redstone Park Circle

Commissioner George Teel said, “We want our community to know that our crews are going street-by-street to assess the damage and prioritize recovery efforts.” “We know that cleaning up after this storm will be a shared responsibility between public entities and our individual homeowners.”

“Thankfully, no one was seriously injured in yesterday’s tornado that hit Highlands Ranch, but our community was greatly affected,” said Stephanie Stanley, Highlands Ranch Metro District General Manager. “Our crews and our partners are assessing the damage and our crews are coordinating repairs in our parks, trails and parkways along major streets. If people notice any issue on public property, please report it through the report concern link www.highlandsranch.org, Updated resources and information are available here http://highlandsranch.org/stormdamage,

“HRCA residents are our top priority every day, especially during a crisis like this. We are working in partnership with Douglas County and the Metro District to provide residents with resources for debris removal and contract concerns. We are working to maintain our website, HRCAonline.orgUpdated as the best resource for the latest information,” said Mike Bailey, general manager of the Highlands Ranch Community Association.

For current information and resources, visit HighlandsRanch.org/StormDamage, Additional updates will be provided as they become known.

For tips and information on cleaning up personal property after a hurricane, visit Read this information from the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies,

Please contact homeowner’s insurance for damage to your property. Please call the Sheriff’s Office only if you are experiencing an emergency.

“Our deputies and emergency personnel responded to this disaster with compassion and professionalism,” said Douglas County Undersheriff Dave Walcher. “They worked through the night to direct traffic, provide information and clear the roads. The recovery phase has begun, and we are working closely with the county and other agencies to provide support and resources.