By Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick
Recently, I have read stories on Colony Ridge (located northeast of Houston), sometimes called Plum Grove, because it’s near that tiny city, and I wanted to see it for myself. Until now, Colony Ridge hasn’t received much attention from local Houston news or national media. However, as the developer continued to purchase and clear a lot of land, people began to take notice.
I wanted to see it for myself. On Monday, I had DPS fly me over the community with a local officer who knew the layout. I also drove much of it and had a thorough briefing with local law enforcement.
It’s a massive development covering around 50 square miles and growing. According to the developer, it covers nearly 33,000 acres. It’s the fastest-growing and biggest housing development I have seen anywhere in Texas. It began with land sales in the northern end about 10 years ago. You can see that area in the photos below. Landowners began by putting up tents, trailers, larger mobile homes, and small houses about 10 years ago. In the last few years, it has exploded in growth.
In the last few years, the community has added small homes. Mobile homes still dot much of the landscape.
Today, I spoke with the developer, Mr. Harris, and he estimates nearly 40,000 people live there now. The Cleveland Independent School District is the fastest-growing school district in the state. I spoke to the superintendent [Stephen McCanless] today, and he said 80 percent or more of their current growth comes from Colony Ridge.
In 2013, the school district had about 3,000 students. It is now over 10,000 students, with projections to double in size within the next 8-10 years. There are currently three recently built elementary schools, one middle school, and two charter schools in the district, and they have already added 66 portable buildings district-wide.
At the current pace that Colony Ridge is selling lots, Mr. Harris told me the community could surpass 100,000 residents in 8-10 years and have the potential to grow to over 200,000 people over time.
As these photos show, massive swaths of land are being cleared. Long finger-like streets line the once-wooded area connected by roundabouts. The community stretches from rural Liberty County to TX-99, a major loop around Houston. The community is about 40 minutes northeast of Houston.
Some reports claim Colony Ridge may have become a magnet for people from around the world who are not U.S. citizens. With the Biden administration allowing millions of people to cross the Texas border, many ask if this community is going to become its own enclave with a population bigger than a mid-size city inside the state of Texas.
This should not come as a shock to anyone. I ask this question whenever I am on Fox News or in other interviews: Where does President Biden think the millions of people he has allowed into the country are going to live? The federal government drops thousands of people in the streets every day in Texas and cities across America. A few things are clear after meeting with law enforcement this week. They do not have enough manpower to patrol this area, which has grown at an unprecedented speed.
Some of the officers are paid for by the community as contract deputies, like many communities across Texas. There are a few Texas Rangers and constables in the area, and the governor just sent in a few more troopers, but I already know it’s not enough for this size population.
We need to send more troopers, and the county judge and commissioners court need to budget for more deputies using some of the money they are receiving from the property tax collections from this new development, and the developer needs to hire more contract deputies.
The governor also recently said the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) needs to look at potential environmental issues.
The governor and I have talked about holding hearings on Colony Ridge in a few weeks when we convene our special session on school choice.
We will have more information in the weeks ahead.
Thank you all for your support and everything you do to keep Texas red. May God bless you and your family, and may He continue to bless the greatest state of all — Texas.
Been there this whole time and now ya’ll want to put your two cents in and cause issues we live there born and raised United States residents and people just trying to do the best we can and you are all stirring up nonsense where is it crime free anymore give me A break and when all you have to do is put $500 down yeah it’s going to grow
You need to become your own county & pay for educating the children & funding security to police the area. Do not expect Liberty county or Cleveland to support you! It’s not their responsibility!
Stop sounding like a whiny liberal. How many of your neighbors are legal US citizens? I’m guessing not as many as you might think. Yes, this is a big issue since it affects everyone!
As a citizen of Cleveland we are over burdened with taxes that is making a lot rethink do we need to San Jacinto or Polk county because in 10 we the little people can not afford to stay in cleveland
Colony Ridge needs to become a separate entity and pay for their security & education needs! Not your responsibility to provide for everyone!!
There have been several murders there just this year. Its inexpensive to buy into property there, so quite a few undesirables have moved in, especially illegals from coutries where life is cheap. A family of five illegals was murdered by an illegal just this year.
That was in san jacinto county not liberty county which is way further down and closer to conroe.
The counties are adjacent and the illegal criminals have vehicles and don’t hesitate to ‘share’ their criminal activity in the neighboring counties. Crime is rampant in and around Colony Ridge; those facts cannot be refuted.
Jay Knight is most responsible for not enforcing the Liberty County Rules for New Subdivision Development! He could shut Colony Ridge down at any time, refuse to approve their plats for sale, could even put the developers in jail for being in violation of the county rules for new subdivision development…. but he won’t! County Residents voted for Jay Knight in last election, you too get what you voted for…. Colony Ridge, coming to your back yard soon too! Enjoy!
it is totally out of control but they also need to look in Montgomery County, Kings Colony. The same kind of thing is going on and the schools are exploding but the administration seems not to care. i only hope these Texas leaders will do something and quit talking about it.
As our governor has received over a million dollars in donations from the developers and or State Representatives are getting donations, what do you expect them to do? It speaks for itself. Nothing!
That rural area between Houston and Beaumont, Liberty County down to Chambers County, has always had lots of abject poverty, drug issues and mental illness. It’s a complete embarassment to have in a state as rich as Texas. Those new homes, schools, etc are a major improvement.
So because ‘it’s always been that way’ (in your mind) you’re okay with the illegal invasion and increased criminal activity? Just turn a blind eye because you believe it’s a “major improvement”. Quick question: A “major improvement” over what exactly? Reynosa? Matamoros? Nuevo Laredo?
What an ignorant comment you posted, Thomas! But hey, don’t worry… Colony Ridge is probably coming to your backyard soon too! Then you’ll experience the wonders that they bring. smh! 😐
So why wasn’t the blown-out roadway of Plum Grove Rd at Rocky Branch crossing toured as well? That huge hole in the main road thru the City of Plum Grove has been barricaded and uncrossable for 6 years now! And just 1 look at where that giant almost 3 mile long drainage canal thru Colony Ridge is directing all it’s channelized water towards, shouldn’t take an engineering degree to figure out why the city roadway was blown apart at Rocky Branch crossing! Just saying.
Lt. Dan
You can’t have it both ways. Construction thrives on illegals. Cheap labor which is good for business. If you want to control illegal immigration, just start enforcing existing laws and fine any business that hires an undocumented immigrant. Watch the flow at the border become a trickle. However you need a cause to create fear and anxiety to rile up your supporters. Just like you do with abortion. God bless Texas. We need help from our leaders.
Abbott receives millions of dollars from Colony Ridge Development- Abbott also supports WEF and they support the border invasion- you can’t trust ANYONE!!! NO TEXAS POLITICIANS ARE DOING ANYTHING- ABBOTT BUSING ILLIGALS TO OTHER STATES IS LUDICROUS- BUS THEM BACK TO WHERE THEY CAME FROM
And Abbott has recently endorsed Janice Holt’s campaign… not someone I’d want to have endorsing me for anything! Just saying.
You should have talked to residents of Plum Grove where their homes flood now and never flooded prior to this development and pos county judge does nothing because it’s not next door to him
Agreed! Thank you Jack!
If you want to point fingers, point them in the direction of 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. That’s where the problem lies.
But until we can flush the pResident from 1600 Penn., we need to keep poking the criminal idiots in Austin.
Not to mention, those in the Liberty County courthouse who permit’ed Colony Ridge’s developments. But hey, you get what you voted for and the voters of Liberty County voted for Jay Knight so… enjoy as your county falls to pieces and your taxes skyrocket! smh!
Colony Ridge is not Plum Grove!! We have Plum Grove Road addresses. Our grandparents helped build Plum Grove road 100 years ago. In 2011, 6 vehicles per minute passed our gate. In 2022, 60 per minute. Same 2 lane, no shoulders, with blind curves. Plum Grove population was 600 in 2010, still only 1,245 in 2020 census. Most of the 75,000 “Terrenos” residents “must” use our road(s) to escape or enter that world. Our over-worked, under-financed, volunteer fire-fighters serve Colony Ridge for no appreciation. Thanks Lt. Gov. Patrick for visiting. What now?!!
[…] the Freedom Cities that former President Donald Trump wants to build. This is the makeshift city of Colony Ridge, Texas, a direct result of President Joe Biden’s disastrous border policies. Most of the residents of […]
Yuuuge difference between what PDJT proposed and the Colony Ridge criminal enclave, LEGAL AMERICAN citizens. So, there’s that…
[…] the Freedom Cities that former President Donald Trump wants to build. This is the makeshift city of Colony Ridge, Texas, a direct result of President Joe Biden’s disastrous border policies. Most of the residents of […]
[…] the Freedom Cities that former President Donald Trump wants to build. This is the makeshift city of Colony Ridge, Texas, a direct result of President Joe Biden’s disastrous border policies. Most of the residents of […]