Answers to frequently asked questions

Who is developing Banning Lewis Ranch?

The Banning Lewis Ranch Management Company team is a group of seasoned professionals with extensive experience in master-planned community development. Our goal is to use this experience to create a community that honors this area's history, natural beauty and outdoor lifestyle. We are committed to the success of Banning Lewis Ranch and its contribution to the economic development of Colorado Springs.

What will make Banning Lewis Ranch different from other Colorado Springs communities?

What we're trying to do with Banning Lewis Ranch is create a special place for residents in a number of different ways. At the beginning of our design process, we asked ourselves a series of "what if" questions. These questions will give you a feel for how we plan to make Banning Lewis Ranch different — beginning with our first village, Northtree. To really dig into the differences at Banning Lewis Ranch, we invite you to explore these sections of our website: The Ranch and Lifestyle & community.

• What if you could move into a neighborhood where trails, parks, beautiful landscaping, a school and a community center were all waiting for you before you move in? Instead of the typical "future facility" signs, we completed many major community features before the grand opening of Northtree in September 2007. Including a community park, Banning Lewis Ranch Academy a K-8 public charter school, community recreation building and information center, neighborhood parks, connecting trails, entry monumentation and landscaping installed on the major village collector streets.
  
• What if you could choose any home in the neighborhood and be no more than a block or two from a trail? We've designed Northtree to include over 20 miles of tree-lined sidewalks, footpaths and trails within over 50 acres of parks and open space. Homes in Northtree will have easy access to this trail system, which is being designed with bikers, walkers and strollers in mind.
  
• What if those footpaths and trails could lead you to a variety of interesting destinations? The plan for Northtree includes four neighborhood parks, a nine-acre community park and Banning Lewis Ranch Academy, a K-8 public charter school. Features within these parks include an approximately 7,500 square-foot multipurpose community and information center, swimming pool, soccer and ball fields, multi-sport courts, play areas for small children and adventure playgrounds for all ages.
  
• What if your new neighborhood had some of the flavor of Colorado Springs' older neighborhoods? At Northtree, we're teaming with a select group of home builders to provide authenticity in architectural design. Residential styles will reflect the history of Colorado Springs and include Colorado Traditional, Western Regional Farmhouse, Prairie, Craftsman, Ranch Hacienda, Mid-Century Colonial, Monterey, Ranch Territorial and Spanish Hacienda. We're also planning tree-lined streets and artful, water-wise landscaping to enhance the neighborhood street scene.
  
• What if your neighborhood made you feel more connected to your neighbors? The more you see your neighbors, the better chance you have of getting to know them. So, in Northtree, at least half the homes will feature front porches. And our plan every step of the way is to provide an integrated system of parks and trails, as well as an online community extranet. After all, community is all about the people living in it.

How big is Banning Lewis Ranch?

The entire Banning Lewis Ranch property is just over 21,000 acres and runs from Woodmen Road on the north to Fontaine Road on the south; Marksheffel Road on the west to Meridian Road on the east. Yes, it's a big place, and it will provide a significant portion of the economic growth in Colorado Springs for the next 40 to 50 years.

How many homes will be built?

Our focus now is on our first village, Northtree. This village includes about 350 acres on the northwest portion of the ranch near Woodmen and Marksheffel roads. Northtree will be comprised of 11 neighborhoods and approximately 1,000 homes.

Is Banning Lewis Ranch a broker-friendly community?

Absolutely. All of our Guest Builders are cooperating with brokers (you'll need to contact the Guest Builders directly for details). And we've also created the Banning Lewis Ranch Preferred Broker Program to help families find home.

When will Northtree open?

The grand opening for Northtree was held on September 29, 2007. Tree-lined streets, parks, trails, fully furnished models of five different home collections, the Ranch House Recreation & Information Center were all ready for the grand opening. The Ranch House, located at the heart of the village, has exercise facilities, a junior Olympic-size pool as well as an Information Center with information on Banning Lewis Ranch and its Guest Builders.

Will Banning Lewis Ranch include shops and offices?

Yes. Retail, office and commercial areas are integral parts of the vision for the Banning Lewis Ranch master plan. We think this sort of "mixed use" community design provides a more complete lifestyle experience, one where residents can live, work, play, and shop in one environment. A charming retail district is planned for our second village and will likely open in the 2009 timeframe.

Falcon School District 49 is bursting at the seams. What is the Banning Lewis Ranch Management team doing to help alleviate overcrowding in the schools?

Knowledge is one of the cornerstone values of Banning Lewis Ranch. We have teamed with the school district, builders and other developers to expand educational opportunities to families living in District 49. Each Guest Builder working within District 49 at Banning Lewis Ranch will contribute to Falcon Community Builders for Classrooms, a non-profit corporation dedicated to helping District 49 alleviate school crowding. In addition, our inaugural village, Northtree, includes Banning Lewis Ranch Academy which opened for the 2006 school year. Enrollment is available to Banning Lewis Ranch children as well as children from outside the Ranch.

How do I get more information?

The best way is to join our interest list, which will let you receive regular updates on the latest developments at Banning Lewis Ranch. If you're a member of the media, you can direct additional inquiries to Kim Mutchler at ThinkPR at (719) 475-2797.