Best Place to Raise Your Kids: Colorado

Best Place to Raise Your Kids: Colorado

Highlands Ranch

Nearest city: Denver
Population: 96,056
Median family income: $121,294
Runners-up: Boulder, Fort Collins

Highlands Ranch is a 22,000-acre planned community located 12 miles south of Denver. Founded in 1981, Highlands Ranch now has a population of nearly 94,000 and is served by the well-respected Douglas County School District. The community has about 70 miles of trails, 22 parks, and more than 2,000 acres of open space.