DOUGLAS COUNTY, Colo. — Sterling Ranch, one of Colorado's master-planned communities, has become the center of a heated debate over school land.

The controversy centered on whether John Adams Academy , a 26-acre charter school currently under construction in Sterling Ranch, should count toward the developers' commitment to dedicate 110 acres for schools in the community.

Douglas County leaders faced the decision Tuesday night of whether to include the charter school in the public school land dedication total, with state law defining charter schools as public institutions.

Ultimately, commissioners voted unanimously to allow John Adams Academy to be included, and Sterling Ranch developers increased their land donation from 110 acres to 125 acres, which they said will create space for a

See Full Page