Bird art, like animal art, also dots the Highlands Ranch landscape.
THE EPIC BIRD
The bird “flying” on signs is immediately recognizable to drivers entering Highlands Ranch. In 1981, builder Mission Viejo asked Brock and Associates marketing firm to develop a logo for the New Town of Highlands Ranch. According to Kathi Brock, instead of cattle—which didn’t seem dynamic enough—her firm created the “epic bird,” a combination of an eagle, falcon and owl. This Highlands Ranch bird logo was subsequentially updated by HRCA, and is now used far and wide in the community.
THE TRIBUTE EAGLE
“The Tribute Eagle” at the heart of the Veterans Monument, next to the Highlands Ranch Library, was created by Mike Curtis and dedicated in July 2009. Sculpting the bald eagle since 1971, Curtis is considered the foremost sculptor of the bald eagle, our nation’s proud symbol. He has created sculptures for veteran’s memorials in 16 states. This is a bronze sculpture.
FALCON IN CIVIC GREEN PARK
Also next to the library at Civic Green Park is a bronze sculpture by Colorado artist Rik Sargent, known for his art in public places. Given free creative rein, he chose two things recognizable in Highlands Ranch—the falcon and the Indian Paintbrush, the latter a symbol of the HR Metro District. Instead of naming his sculpture, he said it’s “Dedicated to the people of Highlands Ranch.”
EAGLE AGAINST THE SUN
At the University of Denver Golf Club at Highlands Ranch is the “Eagle Against the Sun,” a bronze eagle described as “flying with wings stretched out within the sun’s brilliance.” The eagle is surrounded by a stainless steel ring. Opened in July 1998, the club was privately owned—now semi-private—under the name Fairways and Greens, Inc. “Sandy Loeffler, one of the owners, liked what the eagle stood for and that it fit in with the area,” said Andy Benson, director of golf. Chris Navarro, whose work Loeffler admired, was commissioned to do the sculpture. An aside… Shortly after the club opened, the owners donated it to the University of Denver’s golf program. The club’s name change from Highlands Ranch Golf Club occurred in the past 18 months.
These prominent bird sculptures add a special “sense of place” in Highlands Ranch.
Written by Shirley Cavanaugh, Publicity Chair, HRHS
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