The City of Cherry Hills Village sits near the western edge of Arapahoe County, which was the first county in Colorado. Residents of Cherry Hills Village chose to incorporate in 1945 due to concerns about adjacent development, including a proposal for a new regional airport near Cherry Hills Village. By incorporating, the City had the authority to establish an ordinance to regulate the lowest altitude at which airplanes could fly over the City.
Ironically, Denver decided to locate its airport elsewhere, and Cherry Hills Village never passed an ordinance governing flight elevations. After incorporating, the City’s first priority was to put essential city services into place. In the mean time, citizens volunteered their services as town treasurer, marshal, attorney, city clerk, and judge. The city clerk worked out of her home, court took place on a porch in a backyard, and police and road departments worked out of their personal vehicles. The first zoning map was developed in 1945, and a land use Master Plan was adopted by the City in 1950.
With this plan, a Community Center District was established at the intersection of Quincy Avenue and University Boulevard. The new plan allowed for a limited amount of commercial uses in order to maintain the City’s unique rural character. In 1966, Cherry Hills Village changed its governance status from a statutory town rule to that of home rule.
Between 1950 and 1970, the City grew 514%, going from 750 residents in 1950 to 4,605 residents in 1970. In 1961, Cherry Hills Village purchased the four acres planned for the Village Center for a mere $20,000. Today, much of the City continues to maintain a rural atmosphere, and it is one of the most beautiful and desirable communities in the metropolitan Denver area. Cherry Hills Village is still predominantly residential and now has a population of about 6,000 residents.
The City of Cherry Hills Village is a Home Rule Municipality located in Arapahoe County, Colorado, United States. The population was 5,958 at the 2000 census. It is one of the most affluent places in Colorado and the United States. It is home to one of Colorado's most prestigious schools, Kent Denver School, which counts former Secretary of State Madeline Albright among its alumni. The city hosted two PGA Championships (1941 & 1985) and the 2005 U.S. Women's Open Golf Championship at the Cherry Hills Country Club. According to common stories amongst members, the classic Arnold Palmer iced tea drink is reported to have been started at the Cherry Hills Country Club . Cherry Hills Country Club is a private country club in Cherry Hills Village, Colorado, a suburb of Denver. The club was founded in 1922 and designed by William Flynn. The club features an eighteen hole golf course, a nine hole par three course, eight tennis courts, and a lap pool. The nine hole course is called the Rip Arnold Course, named for the man who was the club's head golf professional from 1939 to 1962. The club hosts a Pro-Member Invitational every September named for Warren Smith, head professional at Cherry Hills from 1963 to 1991. A bas relief of Smith, who was honored as the PGA of America's Golf Professional of the Year in 1973, now sits near the 1st tee at the course. The championship eighteen hole golf course measures 7,160 yards and is a par 72. However, the course plays much shorter because golf balls travel farther in high altitudes. In 2005 Cherry Hills completed a $12 million dollar renovation on the club house facilities. As of 2006, the membership fee is $95,000.[citation needed] The club's signature colors are cherry red and white.