Arapahoe County
Whether you’ve been here for a couple months or your entire life, Arapahoe County residents realize that their community provides the best of everything Colorado has to offer. From babies to boomers and beyond, our residents put down roots, raise families, start and run businesses and embrace the endless opportunities and amenities that make Colorado so unique.
Arapahoe County is one of Colorado’s fastest growing counties, with more than 650,000 residents. By 2030, about 800,000 are projected to live here, which would make us the most populous county in the metro area, surpassing the City and County of Denver. The County spans approximately 805 square miles and its diversity is evident throughout, from vibrant urban, suburban, and rural communities, to an unparalleled open space and trail system, to major employment centers and a robust multimodal transportation network.
The County is home to 13 cities and towns, nine school districts and 450 local improvement and special service districts. It also has one of the lowest property tax mill levies in the state. Our County government only keeps 15 percent of the tax revenue it collects, to invest in County services and infrastructure; the rest goes to schools, cities and towns, and special districts like fire and water.
One of the benefits of living in Arapahoe County is the wide variety of available cultural, entertainment and outdoor activities. As a member of the Scientific and Cultural Facilities District, Arapahoe county helps fund a variety of cultural organizations each year. The County also is the home to the Denver Broncos Football Team.
Arapahoe County owns and manages 5,300 acres, eight parks, four trailheads, five open spaces, 14 miles of trails, the historic 17 Mile House Farm Park and the Arapahoe County Fairgrounds and Event Center. The County's Open Spaces program is funded through a dedicated quarter-cent sales and use tax, of which 50% is shared back to cities and towns. The County also is home to the High Line Canal and South Platte regional trails. In addition to municipal programs, the county is served by the South Suburban Parks & Recreation District and the Arapahoe Parks & Recreation District.
