Douglas County’s Planning Commission is scheduled to consider a request Monday that could pave the way for development of the Crowsnest property.

The proposal was previously rejected by neighboring municipalities and criticized by residents concerned about growth, traffic and infrastructure.

The request seeks to change about 745 acres, near Crowfoot Valley Road, south of Parker and east of Castle Pines, from a nonurban designation to an urban designation.

The proposal marks the latest chapter in a development effort that has drawn opposition from local officials and residents for months.

In December 2025, Parker officials raised concerns about the proposed development that at the time could include more than 4,500 housing units. Parker Mayor Joshua Rivero argued the project did not align with the town’s comprehensive plan and cited concerns about housing density, traffic and infrastructure capacity.

The property was also the subject of an annexation effort into Castle Pines. In March, the annexation request was withdrawn after the Castle Pines City Council directed staff to develop a formal annexation policy and approved a 120-day pause on future annexation requests.

“We need to take time with this, we need to make sure we get this right,” Castle Pines City Council member Nate Winegar said at the time. “And make sure that all voices are heard in the community.”

The new application before Douglas County does not seek development approval. Instead, it requests a comprehensive master plan amendment that would redesignate the land from nonurban to urban, a change that would allow future urban-scale development proposals to be considered.

According to county staff, the project area includes 15 parcels totaling about 745 acres. The site contains existing homes, agricultural structures and the Lemon Gulch drainage corridor, which crosses the property from southwest to northeast.

Ventana Capital, representing the property owners, argues the land is a logical location for future growth because it is largely surrounded by existing urban development. In application materials, the developer states future development could include residential neighborhoods, commercial areas, parks, trails and open space centered around the Lemon Gulch corridor.

County staff, however, noted the proposal would reduce the nonurban separation between neighboring communities. Staff cited comprehensive plan policies that support maintaining community separators and preserving rural land uses, open space and agricultural areas.

The application has also prompted concerns from nearby homeowners associations.

Multiple nearby HOAs submitted letters to the county noting potential impacts on open-space protections, added strain on infrastructure and compatibility with surrounding neighborhoods

Douglas County Public Works requested a traffic impact study to assess whether Crowfoot Valley Road could accommodate future development. As of the staff report’s publication, the county had not received the study.

Questions also remain about utility service. The property is not currently located within the service area of a water or sewer district. Parker Water and Sanitation District said the property owners would need to petition for inclusion in the district before service could be provided.

County staff concluded that the Planning Commission may approve the amendment if it determines the proposal meets required master plan criteria.

The Planning Commission is scheduled to review the request during its Monday meeting.

County staff concluded that the Planning Commission may approve the amendment if it determines the proposal meets required master plan criteria.

Any future residential or commercial development proposals would require additional county approvals.