Colorado Community, Sterling Ranch, Earns Class 1 Fire Protection Rating

The rating is the highest level of fire protection, lowering insurance premiums for homeowners

STERLING RANCH, Colo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sterling Ranch, Colorado's 21st century master planned community with 2,400 homes on 3,400 acres, is proud to announce that it has achieved an ISO Class 1 Fire Protection Rating from the Insurance Services Office (ISO). ISO is an organization providing data, analytics and tools to the property and casualty insurance industry (www.verisk.com). The rating indicates the highest level of fire protection by a community, providing homeowners with lower insurance premiums.

"With the risk of wildfires being a real and increasing threat to homeowners throughout Colorado and the Western United States, Sterling Ranch made fire mitigation a priority in our community and for our homeowners," said Harold Smethills of the Sterling Ranch Development Company. "We continue to implement plans to protect our homeowners from wildfires and as an added result pay lower insurance premiums."

Some of the fire mitigation measures Sterling Ranch has put into place include:

-- Heavy equipment operators are on call to create fire breaks in open spaces bordering residential areas, if necessary.

-- Over one million gallons of water at a minimum is being stored in water tanks on the Sterling Ranch property to battle any fires that might spark-up.

-- Approximately 200-head of cattle move between grassy areas to graze on potentially volatile grass areas that serve as fuel as they fertilize and aerate the soil.

-- Attractively designed concrete fencing is used in place of wooden fences.

-- The community is adjacent to Douglas County Colorado’s firefighting helicopter pad.

-- Residents are consistently updated, and Sterling Ranch has an active communication system in place to keep residents informed.

The community also shares insight and information with residents on how they should personally prepare, including landscaping tips such as removing debris and vegetation; home maintenance including the use of flame-resistant materials; preparing family and loved ones for the possibility of a wildfire and having a plan in place; connecting with local emergency notification systems.

More information regarding Sterling Ranch, the top selling community in Colorado and among the Top 50 Master Planned Communities in the nation, is available at www.SterlingRanchColorado.com.