plan advancing to transform colorado springs golf course

A new development that would see the construction of more than five hundred homes could be going up at the site of the current Springs Ranch Golf Course on the east side of Colorado Springs.

The developer, Classic Homes which is also based in Colorado Springs, announced several months ago that it wanted to transform roughly 150 acres of the site into a neighborhood of upscale homes.

The company has already hosted several neighborhood input meetings during which it was noted that the homes would be of varying sizes and styles and priced between $300,000 and $450,000.

Classic Homes has now submitted an application to the City of Colorado Springs asking that the zoning for the site be changed from its current agricultural area to residential.

The ultimate decision regarding approval of the project will eventually be decided upon by the Colorado Springs City Council.

Springs Ranch Golf Club owner Tom Tauche earlier this year told the publication Colorado Avid Golfer that he wanted to sell the property both owing to a downturn in golf participation and the fact that it could cost several million dollars to bring the course up to date.

The publication added that even though Tauche said he’d like to see the property continue on as a golf course, “He hasn’t found a golf developer or operator willing to pay him what a real estate developer would.”

The golf course, at 3525 Tutt Boulevard, opened in 1997 and has long been valued by area neighbors for providing open space in a part of Colorado Springs that in recent years has seen the construction of a number of new single-family homes and apartment complexes.

For that reason, many of those neighbors have expressed their opposition to developing the site.

City officials say all comments regarding the project will be fully reviewed during the zoning hearing process.

By Garry Boulard

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