# The Colony, Texas

The Colony is a city in Denton County, Texas, United States, and a suburb of Dallas. The population was 44,534 at the 2020 census.

## History

The Colony derives its name from the original Peters Colony. The Peters Colony headquarters was located within the current boundaries of The Colony in the historical community of Stewartsville and the site of the Hedgcoxe War. The Colony is also the site of Bridges Settlement (established during the years of the Republic of Texas and the oldest community in Denton County), Stewarts Creek, Rector, Stoverville and Camey, also known as Camey Spur.
One of the oldest portions of The Colony is Bridges Cemetery, established in 1857 on land owned by the Bridges family, is found on Morningstar Drive. The cemetery gates stand closed to the public except during certain dates when it is open to visitors by the local history committee.
The Colony did not exist before 1973, when home developers Fox and Jacobs (which became part of Centex) purchased 3,000 acres (1,200 ha) located around State Highway 121 and Farm to Market Road 423. The name "The Colony" was chosen by Fox and Jacobs because they wanted its new development to share a sense of kinship with Texas' early history and "to create a living monument to the spirit and courage of the Peters Colonists ... those men and women who braved considerable hardships to begin new lives, in new homes, on new land." They planned the development to be a new "dream city" consisting primarily of single-family homes grouped as a "colony" and based on the city of Dallas' infrastructure specifications. In 1973, Fox and Jacobs negotiated an agreement with the city of Frisco to begin construction in its extraterritorial jurisdiction. In 1974, street construction began with many streets being named after early settlers and members of the construction crews. The first model homes were completed in August 1974 and the first families moved into their homes in October that year. The homes were served for water services by The Colony Municipal Utility District formed in 1974, electricity via Texas Power and Light, cable television via Lakeside CATV and telephone service via Southwestern Bell.
In 1977, the homeowners associations' petition to disannex the development from the city of Frisco's extraterritorial jurisdiction was approved. The Colony voted to become an incorporated city in January 1977 and became a Home Rule City in 1979. Residents of The Colony participated in two polls to select a name for the new city. Both polls chose the name "The Colony" and the name was ratified by the City Council in May 1977. In 1987, The Colony voted to merge with the small lakeside community of Eastvale.

## Geography

The Colony is located at 33°5′27″N 96°53′5″W﻿ / ﻿33.09083°N 96.88472°W﻿ / 33.09083; -96.88472 (33.090874, –96.884659). According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 16.1 square miles (41.7 km$^2$), of which 14.0 square miles (36.3 km$^2$) is land and 2.1 square miles (5.4 km$^2$), or 12.93%, is water.
The city is bordered on the west by Lewisville Lake and the city of Lewisville, on the north and east by Frisco, and on the south by the cities of Carrollton and Plano. Approximately 23 miles (37 km) of shoreline on Lewisville Lake (including two peninsulas) are contained within the city's boundaries, thus providing the basis for the city's nickname "City by the Lake."

## Demographics

The Colony racial composition as of 2020 (NH = Non-Hispanic) :
| Race | Number | Percentage |
| White (NH) | 23,691 | 53.2% |
| Black or African American (NH) | 4,331 | 9.73% |
| Native American or Alaska Native (NH) | 167 | 0.37% |
| Asian (NH) | 3,910 | 8.78% |
| Pacific Islander (NH) | 32 | 0.07% |
| Some Other Race (NH) | 182 | 0.41% |
| Mixed/Multi-Racial (NH) | 2,193 | 4.92% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 10,028 | 22.52% |
| Total | 44,534 | |
According to the 2020 United States census, there were 44,534 people, 17,401 households, and 10,957 families residing in the city. In 2017, there were 41,388 people. The racial makeup of the city was 74.6% White, 11.2% African American, 5.3% Asian, 0.4% Native American, 5.1% from other races, and 3.4% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 19.2% of the population. In 2020, the racial and ethnic makeup was 53.2% non-Hispanic white, 9,73% African American, 0.37% Native American, 8.78% Asian, 0.07% Pacific Islander, 0.41% some other race, 4.92% multiracial, and 22.52% Hispanic or Latino of any race.

## Politics

The Colony is a home rule municipality with a council-manager form of government. It has a six-member council, with two members elected at large, as well as a city mayor. All meetings of the City Council are open to the public, and meetings are broadcast live on Time Warner Cable government access Channel 16, AT&T Uverse channel 99, as well as on the broadcast page of The Colony's website.
In November 2021, Richard Boyer ran unopposed to become mayor of The Colony, succeeding Joe McCourry who had been mayor of The Colony for 11 years.

### Council members

| Name | Place | Term expires | Year started serving on City Council | Concurrently serving on these boards |
| Richard Boyer | Mayor | Nov. 2024 | Mayor since 2021 Place 2 2009-2021 Boyer served on the 4B board for six years (2003) prior to his role on the city council. Also served several positions as a member of the Stephen F. Austin State University Board of Regents. | Hotel Development Corporation; Local Development Corporation; Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone Board #1 and #2 |
| Judy Ensweiler | One (at-large) | Nov. 2024 | Place One since 11/2021 | |
| Robyn Holtz | Two (at-large) | Nov. 2024 | Place Two since 11/2021 | |
| Brian Wade | Three | Nov. 2023 | Place 3 since 11/2014 Wade served for over 12 years as commissioner on The Colony's Planning and Zoning Commission (both chair and vice chair). Prior to that he served on the Parks and Rec Board from 2002 - 2004 when it was dissolved. Brian Wade faced a runoff election in 2020 | Hotel Development Corporation; Local Development Corporation; |
| David Terre | Four | Nov. 2023 | 05/2011 Terre served on the Planning and Zoning Commission before being elected to the Council. He also currently serves on the Denton County Appraisal board of directors. And he has served as Mayor Pro Tem. Terry faced a runoff election in 2020 | Animal Services Advisory Board; Hotel Development Corporation; Local Development Corporation; Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone Board #2 |
| Perry Schrag | Five | Nov. 2023 | 05/2002 Schrag faced a runoff election in 2020 | Hotel Development Corporation; Local Development Corporation; Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone Board #1 and #2 |
| Joel Marks | Six | Nov. 2023 | 05/2002 Marks is a long-time resident and board member of The Colony. He was elected to place 6 in 1988 and served 3 terms thru 1994. He was re-elected to place 6 in 2002 and has been the place 6 representative since then. He has also held both Mayor Pro Tem and Deputy Mayor Pro Tem positions. | Hotel Development Corporation; Local Development Corporation; Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone Board #1 and #2 |
The Colony has several Boards and Commissions, all of which list their current members, Term expiration dates, and meeting minutes on The Colony's website. Meetings usually have time setup in the agenda for Citizen input which can be submitted by email or presented in person at most board's meetings. Board applications are available on The Colony's website or at City Hall and a list of currently vacant positions can be found on the site as well.
| Board Name | Board Purpose | Overview |
| Animal Services Advisory Board | The purpose of the board shall be to serve as an advisory body to the City Council with respect to matters concerning regulations for adoption by the City Council and recommendations for animal control. | The board has five members - to include a licensed veterinarian, a municipal official, an animal shelter employee, the supervising captain, and a resident of the City of The Colony. |
| Board of Adjustment | In communities that have adopted zoning regulations, boards of adjustment serve as a relief valve that can allow for the use of property that is not otherwise permitted under the property’s specific zoning category. | The Board of Adjustment is a quasi-judicial body consisting of five Council appointed members and two alternates. The members of the Board of Adjustment also serve as the Sign Board of Appeal and the Building Standards Commission. |
| Building Standards Commission | See Board of Adjustment | The members of the Board of Adjustment also serve as the Sign Board of Appeal and the Building Standards Commission. |
| Capital Improvements Advisory Committee | This committee is appointed by the City Council to serve in an advisory capacity to assist the City Council in adopting land use assumptions, review the capital improvements plans and file written comments, monitor and evaluate implementation of the capital improvement plans, and advise the City of the need to update and revise the land use assumptions. The land use plan and capital improvements plans are as adopted by City Council for imposition of impact fees. | The committee is composed of the Planning and Zoning Commission members and one additional member from The Colony’s Exterritorial Jurisdiction (they are currently seeking to fill that vacancy, must reside in the ETJ). |
| Community Image Advisory Board | The purpose of the board shall be to serve as an advisory body to the City Council with respect to matters concerning regulations for adoption by the City Council and recommendations for beautification efforts throughout the city. Serves as the Keep The Colony Beautiful Board and Community Image Advisory Board. | The board is made up of seven members, each serving a two-year term. |
| Community Development Corporation Board | Oversee funds designated for promotion of new or expanded business enterprises through the development of athletic, tourist, and recreational facilities. They conduct public hearings to obtain citizens' input relating to community development projects and may raise funds through issuance of bonds, notes or other debt instruments. | The Community Development Corporation (Type B) Board includes seven members who serve two year terms. |
| Economic Development Corporation (4A) | The Economic Development board oversees funds designated for the use of improving and developing The Colony's commercial base. | The board is made up of five members who serve three year terms. |
| Hotel Development Corporation | Aids, assists, and acts on behalf of the city to implement and finance public works, public improvements, and other programs determined by the city. | This board includes nine members each serving two year terms. This board may raise funds through issuance of bonds, notes or other debt instruments. Many of the current members concurrently serve as City Council members. |
| Keep The Colony Beautiful Board | The purpose of the board shall be to serve as an advisory body to the City Council with respect to matters concerning regulations for adoption by the City Council and recommendations for beautification efforts throughout the city. | Seven members serve two year terms. Serves as the Keep The Colony Beautiful Board and Community Image Advisory Board. Currently there are 3 vacant board positions. |
| Library Board | The Library Board makes suggestions and recommendations respecting the development of the Library and Library services to the City Council. | There are seven members on the Library Board and each serves a two-year term. The Board also provides advice to the Library Director upon request. |
| Local Development Corporation | Aids, assists, and acts on behalf of the city to implement and finance public works, public improvements, and other programs determined by the city. | This board includes nine members each serving two year terms. Many of the current members concurrently serve as City Council members. |
| Planning and Zoning Commission | The planning and zoning commission approves preliminary, final plats and replats, and makes recommendations to the city council on site plans, specific use permits, zoning changes and planned development issues. | The Planning and Zoning Commission is made up of seven citizens who are appointed by the City Council. Appointments are for a two-year term and a member can be reappointed at the term’s expiration. Currently there are two vacant positions, place 3 and 6. |
| Sign Board of Appeals | See Board of Adjustment | The members of the Board of Adjustment also serve as the Sign Board of Appeal and the Building Standards Commission. |
| Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone Board | Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone Board | |
| Board #1 | Establishes and provides administration of programs to develop and diversify the economy in Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone Number One, and develop and expand business and commercial activity within the zone. | Meetings as needed, currently consists of several members of the City Council, in addition to two County Representatives. Nine members make up this board and each serves a 2-year term. |
| Board #2 | Establishes and provides administration of programs to develop and diversify the economy in Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone Number Two, and develop and expand business and commercial activity within the zone. | Meetings are as needed; Nine members make up this board and each serves a two-year term. Currently, the Tax board membership consists of the entire City Council (current) plus Two County Representatives. |
| Technologies Board | The board shall identify rapidly emerging and evolving technologies in the areas of computers, telecommunications, the Internet, data, voice, video, wireless, and other future technologies. | This board includes seven members who serve two year terms. The board provides recommendations (approve / disapprove) on all technology initiatives / purchases / programs prior to any council approval requests. |

## Education

The Colony is located inside both the Lewisville Independent School District (LISD) and Little Elm Independent School District.
Lewisville ISD has built six elementary schools, two middle schools and one high school inside the city limits. The elementary schools are Peters Colony Elementary, Camey Elementary, B.B. Owen Elementary, Stewart's Creek Elementary (retired 2020–2021), Ethridge Elementary, and Morningside Elementary. The two middle schools are Griffin Middle School and Lakeview Middle School.
Little Elm ISD built Prestwick STEM Academy in 2014, which serves K–8 in The Tribute subdivision, as well as Strike Middle school (opened Fall of 2020) which also serves the residents from The Tribute subdivision. Strike Middle School is named after former superintendent Dr. Lowell H. Strike who served the district for three years.
During a December 2020 meeting of the LISD Board, several changes were made, including rezoning the area and a closure of one of the elementary schools. Effective the end of the 2020–2021 school year, the LISD board voted to close Stewart's Creek Elementary. Many of the students affected by the rezoning will be attending the new school LISD is building to service the area opening for the 2021–2022 school year, dubbed by the LISD Board as Memorial Elementary – STEM Academy. There were three written-in names submitted by the community with no clear winner of the LISD Naming Survey: Sterling (The school's chosen descriptor of students), Cox (name of B.B. Owen Elementary's influential coach and teacher, and supporter of the annual Kids Chase by the Lake), and Josey Lane (The street the school is on). LISD chose to name the school Memorial elementary instead of the submitted names because "...having a Memorial Elementary School will allow us to have the opportunity to memorialize, if you will, a number of important and influential people in the communities we serve.”
Owing to its original history as part of Frisco, The Colony is located inside the community college district of Collin College, unlike most other places in Denton County. However, since residents of The Colony do not pay taxes to said district they must pay out-of-county tuition rates to attend the college.
In May 2009, Griffin Middle School student and The Colony resident Eric Yang won the National Geographic Bee, beating out 54 other state competition champions to win a scholarship and travel package valued at more than $25,000.
The Colony High School is located just north of Texas State Highway 121 on Blair Oaks Drive.

## Transportation

* Main lanes: Sam Rayburn Tollway
** Service roads: State Highway 121
* Farm to Market Road 423