The Aurora Highlands – Adams County, Colorado (Near Denver International Airport)

The Aurora Highlands is one of the newest and fastest-growing master-planned communities in the Denver metro area. Located in northeast Aurora in Adams County, just 5 minutes from Denver International Airport (DIA), 20 minutes from both Downtown & Denver Tech Center (DTC) and only 30 minutes from the mountains in Boulder, this exciting development is designed to become a vibrant place to live, work, and raise a family.

Spanning roughly 4,000+ acres, the community will eventually include over 15,000 homes, schools, parks, shopping areas, and business and medical campuses. The neighborhood is part of the larger Aerotropolis development zone, an area expected to bring major economic growth to the region because of its close proximity to DIA, DTC and downtown Denver.

For buyers looking for a newer community with long-term growth potential, The Aurora Highlands is quickly becoming one of the most talked-about neighborhoods in the Denver-Aurora market with 8 distinct villages.

Schools In & Around The Aurora Highlands

Education is a major focus of The Aurora Highlands development, with several schools planned within the community.

Current & Planned Schools

• The Aurora Highland Rattlers P-8 School (Aurora Public School District) – A new preschool through 8th grade school designed to serve approximately 1,000 students with modern classrooms and STEM labs.

• Additional P-8 schools planned as the community continues to grow.

• Future High School (Planned 2028) – A brand new high school is scheduled to open within the Aurora Highlands community. 

• Nearby schools in the Aurora Public Schools District, which serves much of the Aurora area and operates dozens of schools and specialized programs. 

The goal is to allow many students to walk or bike to school within their own neighborhood as development expands.

Parks, Trails & Outdoor Recreation

The Aurora Highlands is designed with Colorado’s outdoor lifestyle in mind. With community events & engagements for all ages, you won't be surprised to find many outdoor festivals for delicious eats, local shops and artisan goods. As early as 6:30am, you can find local coffee vendors at parks to movement workshops and car shows throughout the day and evening. The Aurora Highlands also has enough booth space for local business owners and vendors to grow their business right in the neighborhood.

Residents will enjoy:

• 21+ miles of trails

• 13 neighborhood parks/ athletic fields and playgrounds + 20 Pocket parks

• Community monuments & public art murals + installation

• Large community gathering spaces & performance plaza

• Open natural prairie landscapes with mountain views 

One of the most unique features is Hogan Park at Highlands Creek, a public art park featuring large sculptures and interactive installations that attract visitors from across the Denver area. The famous Winged Melody Park in the area also is a tourist attraction due to its carousel and holiday activities for children.

Future plans also include recreation facilities, beach club (Opens memorial weekend), sports courts, and a large community center.

Shopping, Restaurants & Local Amenities

Because The Aurora Highlands is still growing, many retail areas are currently under construction or planned. The long-term vision includes over 240 acres of retail, office, and commercial space. This will open up over 170k jobs to the Aurora Aerotropolis region.

Nearby shopping and dining options include:

Close-by shopping

• Green Valley Ranch retail centers

• Tower Road shopping corridor

• Northfield Shopping Mall

• Walmart, Costco, Target

Future neighborhood amenities

• Local grocery stores

• Restaurants and cafés

• Community retail plazas

• Medical offices and everyday services

As more homes are built, these retail spaces are expected to expand quickly. The Aurora Highlands bus "AERO" is also open to the public 7 days a week to take cruises around the neighborhood and nearby shops.

Jobs & Economic Growth

The Aurora Highlands sits in one of the most important economic corridors in Colorado.

Major employment opportunities nearby include:

Denver International Airport

• One of the largest employers in Colorado

• Thousands of jobs in aviation, logistics, hospitality, and transportation

Aerotropolis Business Development

The surrounding area is planned to include:

• Corporate offices

• Warehousing and logistics facilities

• Technology and aerospace companies

• Commercial and retail centers

A new AdventHealth medical campus has also begun development within The Aurora Highlands, adding 24/7 emergency department, healthcare jobs, services to the community and more coming September 2026.

Buckley Military Airforce Base is close by as well!

Churches & Community Life

The Aurora Highlands is still developing its own local churches and community organizations, but several established congregations are nearby in Aurora and Green Valley Ranch.

Nearby options include:

• Christian churches

• Catholic parishes

• Non-denominational community churches

• Cultural and multicultural congregations

As the neighborhood population grows, new churches and community organizations are expected to open within the development.

Homes & Housing Options

The Aurora Highlands offers a wide range of housing styles designed for different buyers.

Home options include:

• Single-family homes

• Townhomes

• Paired homes

• Future multifamily

Builders in the community include several well-known regional and national homebuilders, offering modern floorplans, energy-efficient construction, and family-friendly layouts.

For more information about this article, please contact me 720.474.4573 Joseph Sanford. Thank you see you soon in The Aurora Highlands!