DougCo's all-in bid for youth sports
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The Gold Crown Foundation's planned complex in Castle Rock. Rendering: Courtesy Douglas County
Douglas County is coming for kids' travel ball, swim meet and basketball tournament weekends — plus their parents' hotel nights, meals and everything between.
Why it matters: County-backed sports projects could turn our kid-heavy county into a regional youth sports hub.
Driving the news: County commissioners on Tuesday approved $7.5 million for the 75,000-square foot Gold Crown Field House, a $35 million project in Castle Rock's Dawson Trails development.
- The facility — expected to open in 2028 — would include six basketball and 12 overlapping volleyball courts.
And Colorado Aquatics Foundation launched a $3.2 million fundraising campaign for a facility at Sterling Ranch's massive Zebulon Regional Sports Complex that'll open in 2028.
- It could include a 50-meter pool once used for the Olympic Trials.
The big picture: Many Douglas County parents say recreation facilities haven't kept pace with the nationwide youth sports explosion.
Combined plans in Castle Rock, Lone Tree, Parker and Sterling Ranch project at least 10 fields, dozens of court configurations, ice sheets and pools.
Follow the money: Douglas County's putting $7.5 million from its 0.17% parks tax into each of three projects: Gold Crown, High Note Regional Park and Salisbury Regional Park's expansion.
- Zebulon could use up to $100 million in Certificates of Participation.
Zoom out: Americans spend about $60 billion annually on participatory sports tourism.
- Gold Crown Foundation officials estimate its site's economic impact would be $14 million—$19 million per year.
What they're saying: County Commissioner Abe Laydon called the push "the most significant parks and open space investment in county history."
Yes, but: Opponents have raised questions about Zebulon's financing.
The other side: County officials cite a 2024 survey showing residents prioritized recreation facilities.
Zoom in: Colorado Aquatics Foundation faces an Oct. 31 deadline to join Zebulon's first phase or risk higher costs.
- "It's not hyperbolic to say that this is an opportunity of a lifetime," foundation president Jerrod Brown tells Axios.
KT Development will design, build, program and operate Zebulon.
What's next: Parker's Salisbury expects to finish its first phase in September, adding four grass baseball-softball fields and two synthetic-turf multipurpose fields.
- Lone Tree's High Note Regional Park broke ground this year, and its first phase should open in 2027 with two lighted synthetic multipurpose fields and a 200-seat beer garden.
- Gold Crown and Zebulon follow in 2028.