State House Rep. Mark Baisley gave an overview of his district to other legislators during an Colorado Competitive Council event Aug. 7 at Sterling Ranch designed to introduce lawmakers to their colleagues’ constituents and business leaders.

The Roxborough Park Republican represents District 39, which includes much of Douglas County and all of Teller County. 

“Primarily, House District 39, and really most of Douglas County, is a bedroom community of professional people,” Baisley said. “People take care of themselves and are highly motivated, ...very independent sort of folk.”

During the event, Lockheed Martin, STEM School Highlands Ranch and the Sterling Ranch community gave presentations about their businesses and various approaches to innovation. 

Lockheed Martin's space operations are headquartered in a complex near the mouth of Waterton Canyon in unincorporated Douglas County, where the deep-space crew vehicle Orion is being developed. The company's joint venture with Boeing, a space-launch business called United Launch Alliance, is based in Centennial.

During the Sterling Ranch presentation, founder Harold Smethills and Chief Technology Officer Brock Smethills went over some current happenings on their property. The community is beginning to build its second village, called Ascent, and is gearing up to open a new community center in a few weeks, Harold said.

While Lockheed Martin is not technically in Baisley’s district, the company gave a presentation during the event about its business and its latest developments.

A large, inflatable model of the Orion space capsule stood outside of Sterling Ranch during the event. Once operational, the capsule is planned for a variety of missions beyond earth orbit, including a trip to the moon, according to Lockheed Martin’s website. 

The executive director of STEM School Highlands Ranch, which is also in another house district, also gave a presentation about how they inspire students.

Also in attendance were state Sen. Tammy Story (D-Golden) and state Reps Yadira Caraveo (D-Thornton), Julie McCluskie (D-Dillon), Perry Will (R-Rifle), Janice Rich (R-Grand Junction), Matthew Soper (R-Delta) and Kyle Mullica (D-Northglenn).

Later in the day the legislators visited the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office training facility and had lunch at the Arrowhead Golf Course in Roxborough Park.