The pioneer spirit, accompanied by the beauty of the mountains, foothills, and plains, is gloriously evident in Douglas County. Today, the County's strength, as the centerpiece of the Denver/Colorado Springs development corridor, is a perfect blend of quality lifestyle and business environment. Douglas County is recognized for being one of the most family-friendly communities in Colorado, offering a quality of life unmatched elsewhere in the state. In 2021 Douglas County was named the 2nd healthiest county in America, according to the 2021 Healthy Communities rankings by U.S. News and World Report, released in collaboration with the Aetna Foundation. The County is approximately 843 square miles, of which 63,037 acres are permanently protected land through the Douglas County Open Space Program.