Pictured: During public comment, Oct. 14, 2025, a resident asked for those who support Zebulon to raise their hands
The community asked, and now the vision for new regional sports amenities to serve youth and adults across Douglas County is one step closer to reality.
During a regular business meeting Tuesday, Oct. 14, the Board of Douglas County Commissioners unanimously approved a land transfer with Sterling Ranch to acquire 46.5 acres for the new Zebulon Regional Sports Complex. The land is generally located along Waterton Road, near the County’s existing Emergency Vehicle Operation Course.
Here are the highlights of the transfer:
- Douglas County will receive 34.2 acres of land to combine with property already owned by the County and land that was part of a previous agreement with Sterling Ranch to develop a total of 46.5 acres for Zebulon Sports Complex.
- Sterling Ranch will receive 23.8 acres of land owned by the County for commercial development.
- Sterling Ranch residents will receive free, but not exclusive, access to some of Zebulon’s future amenities.
- Sterling Ranch will continue its commitment to preserve 185 acres of open space for elk migration in the area.
Watch the full meeting online.
The vision for Zebulon is based on community input from surveys and Live Town Hall events. The new regional complex is envisioned to be a hub for youth and adult activities, including ice rinks, basketball/volleyball courts, a sports dome (with indoor turf fields, fitness space, a restaurant and family entertainment), and outdoor fields for soccer, baseball and softball. The complex will be open to all Douglas County residents and is intended to draw national competitions for youth sports.
“One of our most well-attended town halls was the Douglas County Fairgrounds Master Plan discussion, where we heard from thousands of residents about what our youth need to play, compete, and thrive in sports. We are fortunate to have such incredible families and young people in our community, and it is our responsibility to support the opportunities they pursue,” said Douglas County Commissioner Abe Laydon. “This facility is designed to serve everyone, and we have a remarkable opportunity to transform this land into a space that benefits the entire community.”
“This project is a chance for residents of all ages to enjoy top-quality recreational facilities. Zebulon will serve as a gathering place for our entire community to spend time outside in the sun and enjoy one of the many perks of being a Douglas County resident,” said Douglas County Commissioner Kevin Van Winkle. “I personally look forward to experiencing Zebulon with my own family and seeing our community come together in this shared space.
We’ve been discussing the need for additional sport fields and recreation facilities for some time now,” said Douglas County Commissioner George Teal. “This land transfer is a vital step in the process to bringing these resources to families and kids in Douglas County.”
The County is completing engineering studies to determine the total cost to develop infrastructure for the site and is engaging in a competitive public process to partner with private companies and nonprofits to design, build, finance, operate, program, and maintain the various elements of the project.
Zebulon is one of the Board’s priorities for voter-approved parks funding. Additionally, the County – in partnership with Lone Tree, Parker and Castle Rock – recently announced historic investments in new parks amenities across Douglas County. As part of that announcement, Lone Tree, Parker, and Castle Rock councils also signed a resolution of support for Zebulon.
While part of the same voter-approved 2022 funding measure, funding for these park priorities is, per voter-approved ballot language, separate from funding for Open Space. The Board, also on Oct. 14, transferred 202 acres of land and allocated $3.5 million in open space funding from the sales tax measure to preserve Wildcat Regional Park.
Learn more about the Parks, Trails, Historic Resources and Open Space funding online.
Learn more about Zebulon and sign up for updates on our webpage.