Douglas County Approves Lease for Heroes Hall Veterans Center, $15M Goal

Douglas County commissioners approved the Heroes Hall lease on April 8, clearing the way for the Heroes Hall Foundation to solicit private donations toward a $15 million construction goal for a 14,000-square-foot veterans center at the Douglas County Fairgrounds off Plum Creek Parkway. The approval allows the foundation to move from planning to active fundraising for a facility county and regional coverage say will serve the county’s veterans, a figure Denver7 described as nearly 20,000 people.

Design work is already funded in the county’s short term: commissioners signed a $400,000 contract with DLH Architecture on Jan. 14, 2025, for design services. County materials and the contract record indicate DLH’s work will cover schematic design and initial permitting steps while the Heroes Hall Foundation continues donor outreach and refines a construction timeline.

Douglas County provided the site at the fairgrounds and county communications say the land contribution and ARPA assistance are intended to reduce upfront costs. The Douglas County News Press reports the county-provided parcel has an estimated value of about $3 million. County staff published a promotional news item and video on April 16 asking the community to “help us build a home for all our heroes” and to view renderings and veteran stories accompanying the project announcement.

Public visibility for the project accelerated in late spring with a sign unveiling at the fairgrounds on May 21 attended by Commissioner George Teal and Heroes Hall Foundation leaders. Teal, an Army veteran, said on the county website, “On active duty, we were like a family. And then, that connection is gone. Our Veterans need this space to reconnect. You can help make it happen.” Local coverage around Memorial Day carried additional renderings and imagery of the proposed complex.

Planning documents and local reporting list the facility’s program as event space, a conference center, classrooms, reception areas and an outdoor patio, plus a central gathering area designed to consolidate services. County and Castle Pines Connection reports identify the Douglas County Veterans Service Office and the Douglas County Veterans Monument Foundation as intended tenants, alongside space to consolidate American Legion and VFW posts and a “one-stop shop” for resource and employment assistance and mental health support.

Fundraising will be led by the Heroes Hall Foundation under chairman Mike McNairy, a retired Air Force lieutenant colonel. McNairy told the Douglas County News Press, “We’re excited to take this and use this to (do) good work. This is going to go and help all of our veterans in our community.” Denver7 quoted McNairy saying, “The $5 and $10 donations are just as important as the guys bringing in big money.” The Aloha Fund has already pledged $100,000, according to the Douglas County News Press.

On June 3, 2025, the Castle Rock Town Council unanimously adopted Resolution 2025-687 supporting Heroes Hall and directed town staff to return with fee-waiver options and an analysis of potential revenue impacts after Council member Dietz moved the motion. Next steps on the ground include DLH Architecture’s design work, continued foundation fundraising via the Heroes Hall webpage, and the town’s fee-waiver analysis before permits and construction planning proceed.