Lone Tree rises after decades of planning
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Lone Tree's RidgeGate development includes the city's new justice center. Photo: Robert Sanchez/Axios
After 25 years of planning, Lone Tree is seeing major development across RidgeGate — the massive mixed-use district that city leaders hope will become the south metro's next urban center.
Why it matters: Hundreds of acres surrounding RidgeGate's light rail stations are now primed for offices, housing, hotels and entertainment projects — giving Lone Tree one of the region's largest remaining transit-oriented development corridors.
Driving the news: After years of infrastructure work, construction is finally accelerating east of Interstate 25. Active projects include:
- A 123,000-square-foot King Soopers Marketplace.
- A justice center.
- High Note Regional Park, with sports fields, a water feature and event space.
- An elementary school scheduled to open for the 2027–28 school year.
Meanwhile, residential development is also picking up, with the Lyric neighborhood expanding, the Onyx apartment complex on RidgeGate Parkway nearing completion and a senior living project recently finished.
The big picture: For two decades, RidgeGate has anchored Lone Tree's broader growth ambitions. Today, it spans roughly 3,500 acres across both sides of I-25, including the planned 440-acre Lone Tree City Center adjacent to the interstate.
- The west side already houses major employers such as Charles Schwab, Cochlear, Kiewit and HCA HealthOne Sky Ridge, along with residential and retail.
- At full build-out, RidgeGate is projected to support roughly 30,000 residents and 50,000 jobs, according to city planning documents and Coventry Development Corp., its master developer.
The intrigue: The Denver Broncos explored the site during the team's stadium search last year before ultimately deciding to remain in Denver — a sign of just how valuable the corridor is.
Reality check: Lone Tree is no longer just Park Meadows mall with a city attached.
- Five light rail stations now connect Lone Tree to the metro area, and the city now draws roughly 30 million visits annually.
What they're saying: For years, RidgeGate's east side lacked the roads and utilities needed for large-scale development, Lone Tree economic development director Jeff Holwell tells Axios.
- Now, "the ingredients needed for it to start are in place," Holwell says.
What's next: Long-term plans for Lone Tree City Center call for up to 10 million square feet of office, hotel, residential, retail, dining and entertainment space.
- Holwell says the city is still searching for an anchor for the site and remains open to possibilities like a minor league baseball stadium.
The bottom line: Lone Tree spent years building roads, rail lines and utilities into RidgeGate. Now, the city is seeing its plans — and an expanded tax base — emerge.