Sanctuary was designed by Colorado-based architect Jim Engh and opened in 1997. It is aptly named, since the wildlife here includes many deer and elk, along with the occasional mountain lions, black bears, wild turkeys, and golden eagles. Just 85 acres are irrigated among the 12,400 acres of land. To preserve the course's exclusivity, scenery, and habitat, the club allows only 9,000 rounds of golf to be played each year — a good number of which happen during charity and fund-raising tournaments.

Engh designed Sanctuary so that the first tee is the highest point on the course at 6,590 feet above sea level; only four holes play uphill. As a result, mountain views are in abundance, including Pikes Peak to the south and Mount Evans to the west.