High Forest Ranch

High Forest Ranch is a gated community, and the gate sets the tone. Once you’re through it, roads wind between custom homes set back on acreage, under ponderosas and across open meadow. The traffic is mostly residents and the occasional deer.

The lay of the land

The neighborhood sits east of Highway 83 and north of Shoup Road, on the forest’s western side. The terrain rolls through stands of pine and open meadows, and many homesites look west to Pikes Peak and the Rampart Range. Homesites range from about 2.5 acres to nearly 40, though most fall between two and a half and five acres.

It’s a short drive to the north side of Colorado Springs and to Monument. Highway 83 gets you to Interquest and I-25 in about 15 minutes.

Flying Horse North borders it to the south, and the grounds of Benet Hill Monastery border it to the west. Settlers Ranch is to the northeast.

Living here

High Forest Ranch has private trails for walking and biking, stocked catch-and-release fishing ponds, a playground and sports court, and a community lodge whose deck looks out at Pikes Peak. For people who want to walk the dog or take an evening ride without heading out onto county roads, it’s a real advantage.

The lodge is the community’s gathering place. It hosts neighborhood events, and residents can reserve it for their own private gatherings of up to about 60 people, with a full kitchen, the playground, the playing field and the sports court right there.

The homes

Homes in High Forest Ranch are custom builds, mostly from the early 2000s, with a handful of newer homes built in the last decade. Expect large homes, typically 4,000 to more than 7,000 square feet, many of them ranch plans, with mountain contemporary and rustic designs, big decks facing the views and plenty of garage space. Three-car garages are the minimum, and some properties have room for five to seven vehicles.

Worth knowing before you buy

HOA and gate. The gate, private roads, trails, ponds and lodge are maintained through the HOA. Read the covenants, dues and reserve study, and ask how road maintenance and snow removal are handled.

Wells and septic. Homes in High Forest Ranch use individual wells and septic systems. Review the well permit, test the water and inspect the septic, and ask the HOA what well-reading requirements apply to owners.

Wildfire mitigation. Wooded acreage needs defensible space, and insurance carriers will ask. Get a quote early, and ask what mitigation the HOA does in common areas.

Schools. High Forest Ranch is in Lewis-Palmer School District 38. Verify assigned schools by address.

Nearby neighborhoods

For shared open space and ponds without the gate, see Cathedral Pines. For acreage around a golf course, look at Flying Horse North. For newer custom homes on 2.5-acre lots farther north, see Settlers Ranch.

For the bigger picture, see the Black Forest hub.

Current market and listings

The monthly Market Update covers the broader 80908 trend, and active listings are below. If you’re watching High Forest Ranch, let me know and I’ll keep an eye out for you.