As we look forward to moving into our new headquarters here at the Highlands Ranch Law Enforcement Training Facility, we invite you to come along with us on a tour of the facilities history.

When Douglas County Sheriff Steve Zotos took office in 1984, one of the first orders of business was looking for a new firing range. The range at that time was located near the Douglas County Fairgrounds, and had a backdrop of Interstate 25. In the interest of safety, the search for better accommodations was started. Douglas County Undersheriff Don Christensen set to the task. After looking at a sight near Parker, Christensen found a local dump that was moving. He had the idea of building large burms out of the garbage. The plan met with resistance from developers of Mission Viejo, who were concerned for residents of a nearby retirement community. They did however offer an option. The Arapahoe Hunt Club was located in the southern most part of Littleton, in Douglas County. The hunt club was moving, and the natural "maple leaf" shape of the land offered a perfect area for a firing range.

The problem now... Too much space! So, Douglas County contacted their "Big brother" agency, Arapahoe County Sheriff's Office. A proposal was made to create a multi-regional facility. Lt. Vern Warner of Arapahoe County was teamed with Undersheriff Christensen to work out the details. The two received a special use permit from the county commissioners, and in June 1986, they took possession on a lease from Mission Viejo.

The facility started changing rapidly, with many large projects being completed in the transformation into a law enforcement facility. The adding of ranges, complete with towers. In January 1993, the Highlands Ranch Law Enforcement Training Foundation was created to manage the facility. Members of the foundation include representatives of Douglas and Arapahoe County Sheriff's Offices, as well as Shea Homes who purchased the land from Mission Viejo. The foundation is a 501 (c) (3) Corp., and the land that the facility sits on will be titled over to the Foundation within the next year. The facility is currently used for training by approximately 52 law enforcement agencies at the City, County, State and Federal level. HRLETF also features several civic activities during the year. The Eagle Scouts are quite active at the facility, and have constructed everything you see in Eagle Park. There are also shooting events at the facility throughout the year for 4H and the Eagle Scouts. In the fall, civilian hunters have a chance to sight in their rifles for hunting season. There are also several "family days" through the year.

The future holds many exciting things for the facility. The Foundation will be constructing a building on site, to include dorms, a cafeteria, classrooms and many state of the art training tools. A driving track will be constructed, as well as a driving simulator. Ranges are being added, as well as a SWAT house and a Hogan's Alley for us by technical teams. More civic programs are in the works, including one for handicapped shooters.

Of Course the project we are most excited about…the new County Sheriffs of Colorado headquarters building. The County Sheriffs of Colorado (CSOC) was established in 1975 to encourage social, charitable, educational, and legislative activities among the sheriffs of Colorado; to continue the education of the sheriffs and deputy sheriffs within the State of Colorado in all phases of law enforcement practice, procedure and technique; to address issues related to crime victims, to help implement and coordinate victim programs and services; to resist the constant efforts to curtail the efforts of all law enforcement officers to preserve law and order within the State of Colorado; to educate the public in the observance of law and order and the suppression of crime; to be a resource to the sheriffs, deputies and general public in the matters of law enforcement technology, education, policy and trends. CSOC also supports youth in the state by awarding scholarship to deserving students who are continuing their education at one of the State's Universities, Colleges or Vocational Schools.

In December 1999, a generous lease offer was make to the County Sheriffs of Colorado by the Foundation and Shea Homes. In April 2000, to coincide with our 25th anniversary, ground was broken and construction was under way on our new headquarters.