Banning Lewis Ranch open house on Sept. 29

Banning Lewis Ranch developers will hold an open house from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 29, to showcase their inaugural neighborhood -- or village, as they're called -- at the ranch. Northtree, southeast of Woodmen and Marksheffel roads, covers 338 acres and will have about 1,000 homes when it's completed over the next few years. The open house will give area residents and prospective home buyers a chance to tour 20 model homes, visit the Northtree recreation center and get a feel for the initial development. Entertainment, treats and giveaways are planned, as well. More information: www.banninglewisranch.com. The Banning Lewis Ranch, annexed in 1988, makes up most of Colorado Springs' east side; about 21,400 acres of the ranch were purchased in 2001 by a California real estate company. Over the next half century, the property will become home to about 75,000 residences and 180,000 people. For now, developer Banning Lewis Ranch Management Co. will concentrate on six villages on the property's far north side.