From the beginning days of the diocese, discussions were held about establishing another parish in northern
Douglas County. The questions to be answered were: Where? When?
Bishop Hanifen met with concerned Catholics in the Highlands Ranch area. St. Mark was established and the
first Mass was celebrated on Easter Sunday 2000 at Thunder Ridge High School.
Groundbreaking for the church building took place on March 21, 2004. The first Mass in the church was April 4,
2005. The church dedication took place on April 25, 2005, the Feast of St. Mark. A new rectory was built on the
parish grounds in 2014.