A wonderful piece of Colorado’s past, the Incline in Manitou Springs reopened to the public last month.  After a few months of repairs, people are once again challenging themselves to the strenuous hike, rewarded with tremendous views of the Colorado Front Range.

Article and photos by Liz Jurkowski; courtesy photos

Colorado is rich in history, and a remnant of that historic past, affectionately referred to as the “Incline,” can be found embedded in the side of Pikes Peak in Manitou Springs.

Constructed in 1907, the Manitou Springs Incline (Incline) was a one-mile cable tram designed to carry materials to build pipelines atop Pikes Peak.  Following completion of the pipelines, it was turned into a tourist attraction.  The earliest station at the top of the Incline burned down in 1914 but was rebuilt.   The original cars that carried passengers to the summit were little more than the box cars used for hauling construction materials, but with wooden benches added.  During the 1920s, however, the cars were upgraded to allow for a retractable roof and more safety.

In 1990, the Incline closed after a rockslide damaged the tracks and the rails were removed.  Since that time, the track has seen a steady stream of walkers, hikers, joggers and runners, including military personnel training out of nearby Colorado Springs.

On December 5, after nearly five months of repair work from flood damage and to reinforce retaining walls flanking parts of the trail, the Incline reopened to the public.

The repairs were obvious to long-time Incline hiker Lee Ann Hilgendorf (pictured above), a Castle Pines resident who has been hiking it regularly for many years.   

“I can see what they’ve done, but the hike is still very much the Incline, and I like that,” said Hilgendorf.  Other hikers, too, like how the repairs have made it a little safer, but did not change the integrity of the hike.  Hilgendorf continued, “I started hiking the Incline in 1994, and the changes since then are pretty significant.  It is still the best workout ever with awesome views!”

The Incline is not an easy hike; it spans 2,000 feet in elevation in ¾ of a mile.  The steps are made out of railroad ties and are therefore not even, challenging even the fittest of athletes.  Sturdy shoes, water, and dressing in layers are all advised.  The Incline is open year round, but come prepared for varied conditions as the climb rises.  It may be dry at the base, but icy at the top.  The trail is challenging and exhilarating.  The good news is that hikers can take the easier Barr Trail down!  For more information, visit www.manitouincline.com.  For a similar but more family-friendly climb a little closer to home, see the related story on page 7.

The Incline is not an easy hike, spanning 2,000 feet in elevation in ¾ of a mile. 

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Article and photo by Patte Smith

The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) and the Army Corp of Engineers (ACOE) has started work on the west side slope of I-25 along North Surrey Drive, the road that leads into the Surrey Ridge neighborhood from the north.

A spokesperson from CDOT stated that the work involves erosion repair on a large cavity that could have ultimately affected 1-25.  The repairs are to ensure the erosion does not jeopardize motorists on the highway.

The project was started in late November and is expected to be completed by early 2015, weather permitting.

Douglas County Public Works has also placed temporary concrete barriers along North Surrey Drive at Stirrup Lane.  After the continuous rainfall this past summer, the gully on both sides of North Surrey Drive washed out very close to the edge of the roadway.  To protect drivers from the chance of sliding off the roadway in winter, public works put in the temporary barriers until funding for permanent barriers is available.

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By Elizabeth Wood West

Alberta Development (Alberta) invited area residents to attend a community meeting in December to learn more about the Promenade at Castle Rock (Promenade) project.  Attendees listened to Alberta’s presentation describing its rezoning plans for the property and also had an opportunity to talk with one of the property’s first anchor tenants.

Sam’s Club representatives were on hand to announce that a new Sam’s Club will be built at Promenade.  According to the representatives, the facility will be approximately 136,000 square feet in size.  In addition to selling grocery products, services will include a pharmacy, optical department, photo center, and a tire/battery center.

This will be the sixteenth Sam’s Club in Colorado and representatives say it is expected to provide 170 new jobs, as well as support local community-based programs through cash and in-kind donations.  

Happy Canyon Homeowner Association Vice President Drew Butler shared, “It is difficult for me to understand why Castle Rock feels the need to give huge tax breaks and concessions to such an unimaginative project.  It’s just another shopping mall that will squeeze the small business owner that has suffered through some disappointing years.”  He continued, “It will come with noise and traffic that will ruin views and the wildlife habitat that encouraged me to move here.  They deny it, but it’s a ‘cookie cutter’ project that you see all over our country.  Everyone has the right to make a dollar, but I question the number of Sam’s Club/Walmart type locations we need in our area.”

Other issues raised by residents included concerns about the impacts Promenade will have regarding traffic, noise, views, signage, and the removal of many pine trees.  

Happy Canyon resident and former HOA president Les Lilly said, “I shared with Alberta that I think they are creating an ugly ‘northern gateway’ into Castle Rock along the I-25 corridor.  Having big box stores backing up to I-25 is creating what currently exists along the C-470 corridor in Highlands Ranch.  Lilly went on to state, “Some continuity of development layout with the existing Outlets at Castle Rock would make it more aesthetically pleasing to the area residents who will have to look at this new development.”  

Questions arose as to whether the new interchange will be able to handle the traffic from Promenade and The Meadows residential development, which according to Lilly is a little more than 50 percent built-out.   

When contacted about Sam’s Club and questions and/or concerns raised during the meeting, founding principal for Alberta Development Partners, LLC, Don Provost responded to The Connection, “Unfortunately we are not at liberty to disclose anything related to Sam’s Club ... Everything else is public information.”

Promenade at Castle Rock is a 200-acre development that will include one million square feet of large retail, restaurant, and mixed use development.  The property is located north and west of the Outlets at Castle Rock on the west side of I-25, at U.S. Highway 85 and Founders/Meadows Parkway, and on the east side of I-25 just north of Grace Chapel Church and south of Happy Canyon Road.   

For more info about Promenade and/or upcoming public hearings, visit www.crgov.com.

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By Elean Gersack

There are many great fields and parks in Castle Pines available by reservation for sports practices, parties or gatherings.  The Castle Pines North Metropolitan District manages Coyote Ridge, Daniels Gate, and The Retreat parks while the City of Castle Pines manages Elk Ridge Park.  Here is how to make reservations:

Coyote Ridge, Daniels Gate and The Retreat Parks
Soccer fields are available at all three parks and baseball fields are available at Coyote Ridge Park and The Retreat Park.  Requests for spring practices will be accepted starting January 7.

“The board [of directors] did adopt new fees for use of the ball fields effective January 1, 2015,” said Jim Nikkel, district manager for the Castle Pines North Metropolitan District.  “Residents will now pay $25/hour and non-residents will pay $35/hour to help defray costs for maintenance of the fields and to provide for a more equitable sharing of costs associated with maintenance of the fields between those residents that use the fields and those who do not.”

CPN residents can reserve the picnic pavilions at Coyote Ridge Park for $25/hour ($50/hour for non-residents).  The Retreat Park picnic area is available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Visit www.cpnmd.org/reservations.php, complete the online request form, and return it via e-mail to Patty Hoffman by e-mail or Susan Nagel by e-mail. For more information, call 303-242-3267.

Elk Ridge Park
Elk Ridge Park is located off Lagae Road.  It features a synthetic multi-purpose field, as well as three picnic pavilions.  Field reservation applications for the spring will be accepted beginning January 17, with assignments being announced during the first week of March.  Fees for usage are $30 for two-hour blocks for half of the field and $60 for two-hour blocks for the full field.

Pavilion rentals at Elk Ridge are available on a first-come, first-served basis and are primarily for residents in Castle Pines, but rates are available for non-resident use too.  Rental fees are as follows – Residents:  $35 (large pavilion) and $25 (smaller pavilions); and non-residents: $70 (large pavilion) and $50 (smaller pavilions).  All three pavilions require a $100 deposit.

Visit www.castlepinesgov.com, click on “departments” and then on “parks & recreation” for more details and to download application forms and review policies.  Applications and deposits can be dropped off at the City of Castle Pines office, located at 7501 Village Square Drive, Suite 100. 

For more information,  e-mail Diane Spomer by e-mail  or call 303-705-0226.

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By Lisa Crockett

Darrick Fehringer owns the Papa Murphy’s franchise in Castle Pines. Accordingly, when Fehringer lists his business online, mails a letter, or places an advertisement, he uses “Castle Pines” as the business’ address.  
“When we use ‘Castle Pines’ we feel that it helps clear up confusion,” said Fehringer. “Castle Pines is its own community and we’re proud to support it.”

Papa Murphy’s is a relatively new business in the area, so using the city’s name was more or less automatic.  Other residents and entities, including long-established businesses and schools in the area have historically used “Castle Rock” in their addresses because before the city was established, that was the designation given by the U.S. Postal Service.

“Castle Pines has been an established city long enough now that we’re working to give our local businesses greater visibility,” said Kim Newcomer, who represents Slate Communications, the City of Castle Pines communications firm. “By using ‘Castle Pines,’ we are further sharing who we are as a community.  This really is about helping people understand who we are and what we have to offer here.”

The City has enlisted the help of the Castle Pines Chamber of Commerce in getting the word out to the business community by encouraging them to support the effort to bolster cohesion and recognition for Castle Pines.  “We are helping the city work on branding and imaging,” said Carla Kenny, vice president of the Castle Pines Chamber of Commerce.  to have “An important part of that is businesses identify themselves as part of our community.”

Castle Pines Mayor Jeff Huff agreed, pointing out that in addition to identity and clarity, a “Castle Pines” designation on correspondence and online materials can sometimes help the city garner “Best Of” recognition awards given by local and national publications and websites.  In late 2014, Huff noticed that Castle Pines had been passed over for recognition as a “Best Place for Young Families” by the website NerdWallet.com. After speaking with editors for the site, he learned that because addresses listed for schools and businesses here often included “Castle Rock” rather than “Castle Pines,” the City of Castle Rock got credit for some amenities available exclusively in Castle Pines.  These recognitions are important because they often influence real estate buying decisions for homeowners, and can also attract new businesses to the area.  Additionally, the listing may have potential e-commerce implications in allocating which governmental agencies receive tax dollars for online purchases.

“When a business owner chooses to locate in Castle Pines, they make a substantial investment in the community,” said Huff.  “Potential customers, future residents, and other businesses want to know what services and amenities are available in the city.  The business community and the residents will benefit from a consistent message emphasizing that Castle Pines is a great place to live, work, and run a successful business.”

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The challenge staircase has 200 steps and is one of many fitness features at the new Philip S. Miller Park in Castle Rock welcoming all ages and fitness levels.

By Elizabeth Wood West; photos courtesy of the Town of Castle Rock 

If you are looking for a unique kick-start for your 2015 fitness program, try the challenge staircase at the new 230-acre Philip S. Miller Park, located at 1375 West Plum Creek Parkway, west of I-25 in Castle Rock.  

The 200-step staircase is generating a lot of interest and a growing number of fans.  Located at the south end of the park, staircase participants are rewarded for their arduous climb to the top with beautiful panoramic views of the area.  The staircase’s concept originated from input by the public and inspiration borrowed from the Manitou Springs Incline near Colorado Springs (see related story front page).  

KerriAnne Mukhopadhyay, community relations specialist for the Town of Castle Rock said, “Before construction on Philip S. Miller Park began, we surveyed the public and really tried to research what people in the community were looking for.  It truly provides a unique workout for residents and it’s been hugely popular.  During a recent weekend, Parks and Recreation employees counted 1,800 people on the staircase in one day.”

Mukhopadhyay explained that the staircase was hand-built and is made of pressure-treated timbers and a product called “Stay Lock” to help prevent erosion.  “The staircase gains 170 feet in elevation in just 550 feet, or 200 steps.  The steep terrain didn’t allow for any sort of equipment,” she stated.  “That meant crews started at the bottom step, but then had to carry the material and timbers up the staircase as they continued to build the other 199 steps.  Crews were literally carrying buckets of material up and down the stairs dozens of times a day,” Mukhopadhyay said.
 
The staircase is just one of the many fitness features at the new park.  Other amenities include the 65,000-square-foot field house facility called MAC (Miller Athletic Complex); an indoor leisure/four-lane lap pool with a kiddie swim area, waterslide, and vortex whirlpool; a 3,000-square-foot indoor play structure; a 5,000-square-foot trampoline area; full-sized and half-sized synthetic turf athletic fields with drop-down batting cages; an outdoor lighted synthetic turf athletic field; more than six miles of natural surface hiking/biking trails; picnic pavilions; and an outdoor kid’s adventure playground.  

The new zip line feature is under construction and is expected to be completed by the end of January.  There will be 10 zip line courses, a “head rush” tower, and a dual-race zip line for the more competitive enthusiasts.  Future zip line improvements may include a self-paced, family-friendly aerial trekking course.  For more information, visit www.crgov.com and search “Miller Athletic Complex.”

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By Elean Gersack

The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office (DCSO) offers many great services to help keep Douglas County’s low-crime statistics in check.  By working as a team with community members, crime is more easily and effectively deterred.  

According to Detective Chris Stadler of the DCSO, the famous quote by the forefather of community-oriented policing, Sir Robert Peel, “Community are the police and the police are the community,” sets the stage for modern day law enforcement like what is here in Douglas County.  Some of these great programs include:

Security Walk-Throughs
The DCSO offers free home security walk-throughs to give homeowners recommendations for increasing safety in and around homes.  Appointments for this service can be made by calling the Community Resource Unit at 303-660-7544.  

House Watch Program
Going on vacation?  The DCSO will perform patrol checks around your home on the days you are gone.  Visit the DCSO website and click on “services” and then on “house watch program” to register.

Neighborhood Watch Program
Be the eyes and ears of the community and get involved in your neighborhood by starting a neighborhood watch program.  Neighbors get to know each other and report anything out of the ordinary to law enforcement.  This program has been around since 1972 and has proved to prevent crime.  From the DCSO website, click on “programs” and then on “community resources” and then on “neighborhood watch program.”

“Be a good neighbor and look out for each other.  You see something, you say something when it is occurring,” said DCSO Public Information Officer Sergeant Ron Hanavan.   In an emergency, always call 911.  For non-emergency calls, use the DCSO non-emergency line at 303-660-7500.  

Learn more about these and other community programs at the DCSO website at www.dcsheriff.net. 

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Tina Dang opened her new business, Castle Pines Day Spa in December, fulfilling a life-long dream.

Article and photo by Elizabeth Wood West

“Being an esthetician is my dream, my talent; it’s what I love to do!” exclaimed Tina Dang, esthetician and owner of the new Castle Pines Day Spa.  

Dang had three potential locations in mind as she considered where to open her day spa – Castle Pines, Lone Tree, or Highlands Ranch.  After her first visit to Castle Pines, she fell in love with the area.  She waited several months for just the right spot to become available and was finally able to open her new business a few doors down from Duke’s Steakhouse in December.  

“Castle Pines was my first choice and my new location turned out to be a perfect fit,” said Dang.    

Dang lives in Highland Ranch with her three sons, ages 16, 23, and 24.  After being in the nail business for 22 years and the owner of six nail salons, Dang decided to pursue her dream of becoming an esthetician.  Upon selling all six nail salons, Dang enrolled in a two-year associate degree program in esthetics.  After graduation, she spent the next two years working at a medical office to gain experience as a professional esthetician.  

Dang learned her hard work ethic and commitment to fulfill her dreams from her parents, who in 1979 gathered Dang and her eight siblings and fled war-torn Vietnam by boat.  Her family was among tens of thousands of refugees known as “boat people” that landed in Hong Kong.  Dang’s family and other refugees were given the choice of settling in the United States, Canada, or Australia, but would have to wait until a sponsor from any of the countries would agree to help them with resettlement.  Dang’s father chose the United States and waited for about a year until a Baptist church in Dallas, Texas stepped forward and agreed to sponsor Dang’s family.  The family stayed in Dallas for a short time and eventually moved to Denver.  

Dang provides all esthetic services herself, including skin care and facials, and has other specialists who provide massage therapy, waxing, tinting, eyelash extensions, permanent make-up, and nail care services.  

Castle Pines Day Spa is located at 363 Village Square Lane, Unit 110, in Castle Pines.  To learn more or to schedule a service, call Tina Dang at 303-736-8649.  (See ad on previous page for 50% off any service).

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Enjoy the view: the upstairs bar and dining area at the ViewHouse in Centennial offers a sunny, picturesque space to enjoy fresh, new flavors in an up-to-date sports bar setting.  Downstairs, diners can take in the game on a 200-inch television, play ping pong in the activity room, or dance the night away on the dance floor.

By Lisa Crockett; photos courtesy of the ViewHouse

A new year is a great time to try new things. And though a sports bar hardly seems new,  when it comes to the ViewHouse in the Denver Tech Center, that traditional concept gets a fresh perspective.

“Jose Guerro, our Head Chef, is just amazing,” said Amanda Gillie, the Marketing Director for ViewHouse Centennial.  “He takes American classics and tweaks them based on influences from around the world.  We have flavors that come from Mexico, China, and South America, to name a few.”

Just like the menu, the atmosphere at the ViewHouse also has an up-to-date vibe; renovations at the 20,000 square-foot property which used to house the old Trail Dust restaurant, were extensive.  A courtyard was added for time outside when weather permits and a dining area was added upstairs, but a few of the characteristic features remain.

“The style of the building is rustic-modern,” said Gillie.  “So we kept some of the details from the original barn-style building, including the original dance floor.”

Every seat in the restaurant has a good view of one of the many televisions stationed throughout the dining areas.  The “sports tavern” area of the restaurant, which is on the main floor, boasts a 200-inch television screen for game-day viewing – especially that big game at the end of this month.

“For the Super Bowl, we will be doing a ‘tailgate party’ with a tailgate buffet for $28.95 per person.  The buffet will have all sorts of game day food favorites: nachos, pizzas, wings, burgers and sandwiches,” said Gillie.  “Guests can reserve a seat for the Super Bowl and have unlimited game day food throughout the game. We will also have game day drink specials including $3 Coors Light beers, $5 Buffalo Gold Graft Beers, and $5 Jim Beam specials.”

Drinks and dining options during the game are extensive.  An expansive menu offers options ranging from flatbreads to sea bass, and traditional fare like tacos and burgers take on a new flare with ingredients like harissa aioli, Haystack goat cheese and Applewood smoked bacon.

“Our food is great because we actually employ chefs, not just line cooks,” said Gillie.  “We offer seasonal features and incorporate a lot of ingredients that are organic and local.”

A sophisticated drink menu offers everything from beer on tap to high-end wines like Nickel & Nickel, Silver Oak and Far Niente. Specialty cocktails, frozen drinks and spiked teas and lemonade round out the beverage offerings.

Brunch on the weekends is a lavish affair and includes favorites like steak and eggs and crab cake eggs Benedict.  On Sunday, a brunch buffet includes dazzling features like seafood towers, an omelet station, sushi, a waffle bar, cold-pressed juices, and desserts like pie and brownies.

“We offer the best of everything at our brunch and we’ve gotten rave reviews,” said Gillie.  “Along with our brunch, we also sometimes offer special activities like a yoga class.”

Lunch at ViewHouse is a good break from the ordinary. I recently stopped in for a tasty cup of chicken tortilla soup and a grilled veggie and goat cheese sandwich that was satisfying, fresh and a good buy to boot. Lunch specials include two items for just $10.

“We offer a great value here at the ViewHouse,” said Gillie.  “Our lunch specials are great. For the true wine connoisseur, the Silver Oak varietal we have usually goes for around $240 per bottle at restaurants and we offer it at $160. At happy hour, we offer drinks and eats for $3, $5, $7, and $9. I think we’ve done a great job designing something for everyone.”

That good value means not only good food, but good times as well.  Mondays provide live, on-site television interviews with local pro athletes. Fridays feature live music.  Private banquet rooms at the restaurant can accommodate groups ranging in size from 17 people to more than 100; larger events for more than 200 people are regular happenings at the ViewHouse and sometimes feature sessions of outdoor volleyball, giant Jenga or cornhole on the outdoor synthetic turf courtyard.  Late nights at the ViewHouse start at 10:30 and feature a special menu to keep diners going strong while they dance the night away.

The ViewHouse is located at 7101 South Clinton St. in Centennial and is open Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. until 2 a.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. until 2 a.m. Reservations are recommended for weekends and special events.  For more information, visit www.viewhouse.com or call 303-790-VIEW.

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Article and photos by Lisa Crockett

I always look forward to January.  There’s something so peaceful about taking down all the holiday decorations and enjoying the emptiness of the house after a season of celebration.  I like a good party as much as the next person, but there is something deeply delicious about a quiet, clean house after all the hustle and bustle.

I take a similar approach to meal preparation in the new year.  After weeks of butter and cream, sugar and spice, I crave simple and wholesome fare.  I also look forward to making things in the kitchen that are easier and less time-consuming to prepare than holiday treats.  And what’s more basic or perfect than homemade rolls?  A little flour, water and yeast can come together to form the foundation of a tasty and satisfying meal.

And yet, throughout my endeavors in the kitchen, for many years a good batch of rolls proved to be just beyond my grasp.  My earliest attempts at making bread and rolls turned out a final product heavy enough to sink a ship.  Years of practice have taught me a few tricks of the trade that have given me decent results, though.

First on the list: use a recently-purchased package of yeast to ensure proper rising.  Yeast is a living thing and loses potency as it sits in the kitchen cupboard.  Yeast is also rather particular about the temperature it prefers to work in. Too cold and it simply won’t wake up.  Too hot and the yeast will die.  If you want to use a thermometer, shoot for a temperature around 100 degrees.  I usually don’t get quite that technical, however, and simply use water at a temperature that matches what I would use for a comfortably warm soak in the tub.

My next trick isn’t really a trick at all.  In fact, some expert bakers would call it a cheat, but it keeps my rolls from coming out like bricks so I’m okay with it.  Kneading is important because it develops the gluten in the rolls and gives them structure.  It’s also a potentially sticky, harrowing chore.  The best solution, in my opinion, is to get a machine capable of handling the kneading for you.  Lots of mixers can do the job (I have a KitchenAid stand mixer) but a hand-held mixer won’t be up to the task.  Kneading bread dough is a heavy-duty job and requires a heavy-duty machine.

Great rolls also require time and patience.  This is where I continue to falter, even after years of practice.  Making a batch of rolls from start to finish can take all day with fairly unforgiving schedules for rising, forming, rising again, and finally baking.  So as much as I love homemade bread or rolls hot from the oven, it was a rare and special occasion that I actually worked up the gumption to make them. Until now.

I’ve found a recipe that can be mixed up, placed in the fridge and left to rise very slowly overnight or up to a few days.  The slow rise allows me to make rolls on a more forgiving schedule and also produces a complex flavor. The rolls this recipe produces are light and tender and just a bit sweet.  They’re the perfect thing to accompany a pot of soup or chili. They’re also perfect buns for sliders or pulled pork sandwiches.  Or, roll them out and sprinkle the dough with cinnamon sugar for yummy and simple cinnamon rolls that are worth getting out of bed for. And you can have them finished in time for breakfast because they won’t take all day to make.

Delicious Refrigerator Rolls

- 1 1/4 cups warm water
- 1 package active dry yeast
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/3 cup sugar
- 1/3 cup melted butter
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon salt
- Additional melted butter 

See instructions for mixing and baking below

In the bowl of a mixer, mix water and yeast and let the yeast dissolve a bit.  Then add a cup of flour, the sugar, 1/3 cup melted butter, egg, and salt, stirring until the ingredients are well combined.  With the mixer on low, add flour about a half cup at a time, waiting until it is well incorporated before adding the next half cup.  After all the flour has been added, allow the machine to knead the dough for about five minutes.

Place dough in a well-greased bowl, turning the dough over so the whole surface of the dough is greased.  Cover with plastic wrap and place in the fridge for 12 to 48 hours.  The dough will rise in the fridge, so make sure the bowl has room for the dough to grow to roughly double its original size.

When you’re ready to bake the rolls, preheat the oven to 375 degrees and punch the dough down and divide it in half.  Roll half the dough into a rectangle about 12 inches by 18 inches, brush the surface with butter, then roll dough up, jelly-roll style.  Cut roll into 12 pieces.  Repeat with the other half of the dough.  Place rolls about two inches apart on a lightly greased baking sheet, cover with a clean dish towel, and allow to rise in a warm place for about 45 minutes.

Bake rolls for 12 minutes, or until golden brown.  Serve warm or at room temperature

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