Denver metro, CO relocation guide
Moving to Parker, CO
About Parker
Parker (population 58,512 in 2020) is a fast-growing home-rule town in Douglas County, about 20 miles southeast of downtown Denver. Founded in the 1860s around a stage stop run by the Parker family, it stayed a small ranch town until the 1990s, when master-planned communities made it one of Colorado's fastest-growing municipalities. Downtown Parker's Mainstreet keeps a small-town feel with the Parker Station event venue and the 1914 Ruth Memorial Chapel, while the Rueter-Hess Reservoir and miles of Cherry Creek trails anchor the outdoors.
Home prices in Parker
The median list in Parker is $699,000.
Top places in Parker
- Downtown Parker / Mainstreet — historic main street with shops, dining, and the Parker Station (shown in the Commons photo below).
- Rueter-Hess Reservoir — 1,140-acre reservoir with the Rosie Rueter-Hess Recreation area (shown in the Commons photos below).
- O'Brien Park — the town's central park with concerts and the farmers' market.
- Cherry Creek Regional Trail and the Sulphur Gulch Trail.
- Pace Center — performing arts theater.
- Parker Library (Douglas County Libraries) and the Parker Recreation Center.
- Tallman Gulch and the Bayou Gulch Regional Trail.
Commuting from Parker
- Approximate drive to downtown Denver: ~30–40 minutes (approximate; via E-470/I-25; longer with traffic).
- RTD E Line light rail from nearby Lincoln Station (Lone Tree) to downtown in approximately 40–50 minutes (approximate); Parker has Park-n-Ride bus service.
Schools in Parker
Public schools: Douglas County School District RE-1. For enrollment and performance data, see the state report card in Town links below. Confirm school assignment for any address directly with the district.
Parker FAQs
- What is the housing market like in Parker, CO?
The median list in Parker is $699,000. Median listing price · Sep 2026 - How is the commute from Parker, CO?
Approximate drive to downtown Denver: ~30–40 minutes (approximate; via E-470/I-25; longer with traffic). - Which school district serves Parker, CO?
Parker is served by Douglas County School District RE-1. See the state report card in Town links, and confirm school assignment for a specific address with the district.
Town links
Schools
Transit
Official town resources. School report cards via the National Center for Education Statistics.