Read the stories from the latest issue:
by Lisa Crockett The Meadows will soon be home to a new Centura Health Hosptial, making it the first and only hospital in Castle Rock. Centura, which is Colorado’s largest healthcare system, signed an agreement to purchase 50 acres of land from the Castle Rock Development Company and plans to open the first phase of…
by Terri Wiebold After more than a year of the county planning and approval process, the new T-Mobile cellular tower in Castle Pines North (CPN) is on its way to becoming a reality. In August 2006, Douglas County sent out referrals on plans to construct a cellular tower in the south parking lot of The…
Developer Chris Fellows (above) of HF Holdings, LLC, presented his plan for Lagae Ranch to CPN residents in late October. The vote to incorporate CPN will expedite this development and secure future tap fee revenue for renewable water. The development will bring approximately 230 single-family-detached homes as well as several multi-family units. Also included in…
by Lisa Crockett Continuing construction on the new Ridgegate freeway interchange, located at I-25 south of Lincoln Avenue, will mean mild traffic slowdowns for the months to come. A bridge at the interchange will be constructed over the next 12 months, bringing a “lane shift” and a slower, 55 m.p.h speed limit, which will be…
Catson Collections to Host Holiday Boutique Catson Collections – a new local business selling pashminas, shawls, and stoles in every color, pattern, and texture imaginable – will host a holiday boutique on December 13 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wine and cheese will be served between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. The boutique will…
by Terri Wiebold South Metro Fire Rescue (SMFR) provides fire and emergency medical services to the residents of Castle Pines North (CPN), in addition to people and properties within 76 square miles of Arapahoe and Douglas counties in Colorado. While the services SMFR provides to the CPN community have remained consistent throughout the years, there…
by Terri Wiebold The Castle Pines North (CPN) Metro District has upgraded its website and has posted a variety of articles pertaining to its activities. It is also in the process of building a database for e-mail communications throughout the community. Another ever-present priority for the District is securing funding for reliable and renewable water.…
by Lisa Crockett Colorado public health experts have spent the last six months using reality-television style ads and games to spread the word about what they feel is one of the most serious issues facing Coloradans today – a possible pandemic flu outbreak. The so-called “What If?” campaign is teaching a handful of contestants how…
Maureen Shul, President Castle Pines North Master Association by Lisa Crockett The rewards of climbing one of Colorado’s famous “Fourteeners” (a peak above 14,000 feet elevation) are great: spectacular vistas and the satisfaction of accomplishment. Just ask Maureen Shul, a Castle Pines North resident who is currently serving as the President of CPN’s Master Association…
by Lisa Crockett It is now a firmly-entrenched tradition. Castle Pines North (CPN) runners turn out in droves each November to show their school spirit, raise money and have a great time. This year’s Rock Slide raised funds for local schools with more than 1,177 partipants. (Final fundraising totals were not available as of press…
Jennifer Havercroft, Vice-President North Lynx Homeowners Association by Lisa Crockett When residents of the North Lynx Homeowners Association (HOA), comprised of the Serena and Tapadero subdivisions, pay their trash collection fee they also pay for recycling. Many residents, however, were not taking advantage of that service. “As I would be out walking the neighborhood on…
CPNII HOA President Shirley Beer Powell (right) cheers as the results of the vote for incorporation are announced on November 6 at The Ridge in CPN. (photo by Tim Gamble) by Lane Roberts Castle Pines North (CPN) voters have chosen to become Douglas County’s fifth municipality. Voters approved the incorporation issue by nearly a four-to-one…
by Elean Gersack On a perfect fall day, families hit the streets in Castle Pines North (CPN) for Octoberfest on Saturday, October 13. Hayrides ushered guests to and from the fun in the Safeway and Village Square shopping areas, located near I-25 and Castle Pines Parkway. Artisan vendors and local business owners transformed parking areas…
by Lisa Crockett It wasn’t a long ballot, but the few short items in this year’s election generated intense interest in Castle Pines North and surrounding Douglas County. Incorporation passed by a wide margin, with more than seventy-eight percent of voters casting a “yes” ballot on the incorporation question. The other three measures regarding funding…
by Lisa Crockett A new neighborhood called “The Crossings” is slowly taking shape at the corner of Monarch Boulevard and Castle Pines Parkway on the land known as CC-20. The residential portion of the development, which is on the northern half of the property, will soon consist of 20 patio homes and 27 town homes.…
by Lisa Crockett Voters in Douglas County opted not to increase funding to the Douglas County Library District. On the November 6 mail ballot, issue 5A, which would have imposed a property tax increase of 1.25 mills, was defeated by a margin of less than one percent. A mere 208 ballots separated the “yes” votes…
by Lisa Crockett It was not a long ballot, but the few short items in this year’s election generated intense interest in Castle Pines North and surrounding Douglas County. Here’s a look at the other results of the November 6 election: School Board Director, District A: Ryan Stuart School Board Director, District C: Clifton Stahl…
Entrée Vous celebrates its grand opening with a ribbon cutting ceremony on October 18. Entrée Vous is located in Village Square Shopping Center in CPN. (photo by Jeremy Gamble) by Elean Gersack Business in the Pines knows how many helpful people there are in Castle Pines North (CPN). As a community leader, Business in the…
Each issue of The Connection features current events, sports information, school awards, fundraisers and other important items about each of the six neighborhood schools in Castle Pines North. To share school information, please contact by email, or call 303-482-3078. by Elean Gersack Fifth Graders Ski Free Being in the fifth grade has benefits – like…
by Terri Wiebold The Douglas County Office of Emergency Management is the main hub for the coordination of disaster management and training, homeland security, emergency preparedness and education, multi-agency cooperation, and emergency medical and trauma system coordination within Douglas County. It publishes an annual Emergency Preparedness and Prevention Guide, and the guides for 2007 are…
by Terri Wiebold Fall in Castle Pines North (CPN) came and went quickly this year, as our first snow hit in early October. With the snow each year comes many safety concerns in the community, especially in regard to pedestrians and sledding. Unfortunatley, one of the most popular sights for sledding in CPN happens to…
Master Association safety committee members meet with residents at the intersection of Monarch Boulevard and Oxford Drive to discuss ideas for improved safety at the crosswalk at Buffalo Ridge Elementary (Left to right: Carol Langley-Finnegan, Maureen Shul, Kerri Norris, and Rosanne Lumsden) by Terri Wiebold School zones are a particularly busy area of roadway traffic…
Understanding the details presented on a ballot is never easy. Before casting a vote, please review the sample ballot below, along with the detailed explanations provided to fully understand the incorporation ballot. As mentioned in the TABOR article on page 3, three other questions must be addressed in voting on incorporation. For incorporation to be…
by Terri Wiebold In September, Centennial Airport announced it anticipates completion of the Part 150 Noise Study contour maps in October, at which time they will go back to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for approval. The maps depict various noise thresholds (70Db at the high end to 50Db at the low end.) They are…
The Retreat Park upgrade is complete. (photo by Terri Wiebold) by Lane Roberts The Castle Pines North (CPN) Metro District has completed the upgrade at The Retreat Park. The oldest park in CPN received a face-lift this summer. All of the old equipment was removed and replaced with a new, state-of-the-art playground facility. The much-needed…
Paul Arvidson from Castle Rock Bank thanks families for coming to the 2007 Concert in the Park. by Elean Gersack The Castle Pines North Master Association presented its annual Summer Concert in the Park on Sunday, July 22, at Coyote Ridge Park.? The event, co-sponsored by Castle Rock Bank at Castle Pines, featured British rock…
by Terri Wiebold Individuals who wish to participate in the Douglas County coordinated election on November 6, MUST be registered to vote by October 8, 2007. Residents in Douglas County can register to vote at the Castle Rock, Parker, or Larkspur town halls, or at the Douglas County Clerk and Recorder’s Office at the county…
Get the Facts Before You Vote Dear Castle Pines North Residents: For almost a year, our community has explored the proposed incorporation of Castle Pines North (CPN). Last December, the Master Association formed the Castle Pines North Preservation Committee in an effort to determine if incorporation of our community is economically feasible. It has been…
by Terri Wiebold and Elean Gersack The Castle Pines North (CPN) Master Association is thrilled to announce Holiday Carriage Rides at the Ridge Golf Course in December. This annual event is a favorite among CPN residents and The Ridge is the perfect venue to make this year’s carriage rides the best ever. In addition to…
All mail ballots for the upcoming election must be received (not postmarked) by November 6, at 7 p.m. Voted ballots may be mailed, or hand carried to any of the following locations: Wilcox Administration Building 301 N. Wilcox St. Castle Rock Town of Castle Rock 100 N. Wilcox St. Castle Rock Highlands Ranch Motor Vehicle…
Special thanks to Summer Movie co-sponsor Dr. Andrew Dunbar of Castle Pines Orthodontics. by Elean Gersack The 2007 Movie in the Park, co-sponsored by the Castle Pines North Master Association and Dr. Andrew Dunbar of Castle Pines Orthodontics, featured the 2006 version of “Charlotte’s Web.” Families snuggled in blankets and chairs under the stars to…
Construction is underway to create the Ridgegate Interchange near the highly congested Lincoln Ave. (photo by Terri Wiebold) by Lisa Crockett Construction adjacent to northbound I-25 may mean some minor delays for commuters from Castle Pines North (CPN) in the coming months. The long-anticipated Ridgegate interchange, designed to alleviate congestion on Lincoln Avenue, is finally…
Thistle and Knapweed by Lisa Crockett Many residents have expressed concerns regarding the spraying of noxious weeds in the open space areas around Castle Pines North (CPN). The majority of open space areas within CPN are maintained by the CPN Metro District. Herbicides applied to open space areas to control noxious weeds are safe and…
Janet Conner by Terri Wiebold The Castle Pines North (CPN) community has lost one of its most ardent advocates. Janet Conner and her husband Keith have moved from CPN. In the past several years, Janet was very involved in the CPN community, especially the area of public safety. Until her move in mid-September, she was…
by Terri Wiebold The Castle Pines North (CPN) Metro District continues to search for a reliable, renewable water source. In addition, the District is also responsible for other amenities in the CPN community such as parks, open space and other neighborhood-related issues. The District reviewed the following issues during its August board meeting: The upgrade…
by Lisa Crockett Two Castle Pines North (CPN) businesses have called it quits. Handmade Colorado, a showcase for local artists, and Castle Cones, an ice-cream parlor, are no longer in business. “In a nutshell, there wasn’t enough business to keep us going,” said Chris Ogilve, who owned and operated Handmade Colorado with his wife, Becky.…
On Saturday and Sunday, November 3 and 4, Pax Christi Catholic Church will sponsor a Third World Market. All proceeds will go back to the countries from where the products were made. Pax Christi Catholic Church is located at 5761 McArthur Ranch Road – just north of Rock Canyon High School. For more information, please…
by Elean Gersack The Town of Castle Rock will kick off the holiday season on Saturday, November 17 by lighting the star in historic downtown. Come enjoy festivities and special events leading up to the star lighting, which is scheduled from 5:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at the old courthouse building on Wilcox Street in…
The Castle Pines North (CPN) Master Association will host its annual board meeting on Tuesday, November 13 at 7 p.m. at the Community Center, 7404 Yorkshire Drive. The annual meeting is open to all residents of CPN. All delegate representatives from each neighborhood HOA are encouraged to attend the annual meeting. Delegates will vote for…
The Ridge General Manager, Mike Henritze Article and photo by Terri Wiebold The Ridge at Castle Pines North Golf Course (The Ridge) recently welcomed a new general manager, Michael Henritze, who replaced former manager of four years, Darrell Fuston. Henritze brings valued experience to The Ridge after serving as general manager and director of golf…
by Lisa Crockett The Castle Pines North (CPN) Master Association welcomed Rex Lucas to its Board of Directors in September. Lucas, who also serves as Treasurer for the Brambleridge HOA, comes to the position with a wealth of community volunteer experience. He has been involved in the CPN community since moving here four years ago…
by Terri Wiebold & Lisa Crockett Considered by some to be a “jewel in the crown” of the Denver Mountain park system, historic Daniels Park is slated for some upgrades over the next 10 years as part of a proposed Master Plan that Douglas County is currently evaluating. On September 5, more than 40 residents…
by Elean Gersack Little ghosts and goblins are invited to Trick or Treat Street on Monday, October 29. Business in the Pines will sponsor this new event for children in the Castle Pines North (CPN) Business District from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Stop by Nick-N-Willy’s and Little Italy Pizzeria during Trick or Treat Street…
Incorporation Election Commissioners for Castle Pines North and the Preservation Steering Committee meet with legal counsel to discuss the November 6 election details. (photo by Terri Wiebold) by Terri Wiebold and Lisa Crockett The long lines to vote can be avoided this November. For elections in odd years, Douglas County has the option to utilize…
by Terri Wiebold The upcoming general election on November 6 will list several TABOR (Tax Payers Bill of Rights) questions along with the issue of the incorporation of Castle Pines North (CPN) on the ballot. Many residents have asked, “What is TABOR, and how will it affect CPN?” TABOR essentially limits how much total revenue…
by Lane Roberts Castle Pines North (CPN) is at an important crossroads. The long-awaited vote on incorporation is finally approaching. After more than 11 months, CPN residents will cast their vote on incorporation in a mail ballot coordinated with Douglas County on November 6. At three community information meetings held at local schools on September…
Susie Typher – Senior at Rock Canyon High School Article and photo by Elean Gersack Susie Typher, a senior at Rock Canyon High School (RCHS), has joined The Connection as student intern for the 2007-2008 school year. Typher is currently the Executive Editor for the award winning RCHS student newspaper, The Rock. Beginning with the…
Business in the Pines guest speakers Meme Martin (left) and Bart Sayyah (right) shared economic development information with members. Story and photo by Terri Wiebold Business in the Pines formed last December to help promote and enhance future growth of Castle Pines North (CPN) area businesses, and what better way to accomplish that than to…
Photo provided by Douglas County Public Works by Terri Wiebold It is only October and Castle Pines North (CPN) residents are already reading about snow – well, welcome to Colorado! The CPN community rests at a chilly 6,210 feet above sea level, considerably higher than our “mile high” neighbors to the north, and October is…
by Lane Roberts Chances are, most Castle Pines North residents struggle their way through the Lincoln Avenue and I-25 interchange sometime during their day. Construction on the Ridgegate interchange will help minimize congestion at Lincoln, but will not be complete until late 2008 or in 2009. Douglas County and the City of Lone Tree have…
Officer Kevin Duffy of the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office reviews traffic safety information with North Lynx HOA residents. Traffic Safety Reminders: • Traffic cones and other obstructions are illegal and may not be placed on streets by residents. There is some evidence that these tools actually make conditions more dangerous for children. • Drivers must…
Several unique cultural events are planned for children at the Lone Tree Recreation Center this fall. The events do not require registration and are free to the public. For more information, visit the South Suburban Parks and Recreation website at www.sspr.org. In Search of Giants On October 21 at 3 p.m. the Lone Tree Recreation…
by Lisa Crockett Nine Douglas County residents will vie for three open spots on the Board of Education in this November’s election. School Board members are elected by the entire county, but once elected will represent a specific district. “Two of the open spots are in the Highlands Ranch area, and the third is in…
by Lisa Crockett After extensive work on infrastructure and drainage, models for town homes and patio homes on “CC-20” – the land at the northwest corner of Castle Pines Parkway and Monarch Boulevard – could be ready for public tours by late this year or early next year. “Some of the timing will depend on…
by Elean Gersack Business in the Pines is now accepting applications for vendors and sponsors for OctoberFest, which will be held in the Castle Pines North (CPN) business district on Saturday, October 13, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. This annual CPN tradition features food, unique artisan vendors, music, climbing walls, bungee jumps, bounce castles,…
Carl Lowman, new Metro District Board Member (photo by Tim Gamble) by Lorraine Masonheimer The Castle Pines North (CPN) Metro District Board of Directors recently appointed Carl Lowman as a volunteer member-at-large replacing Jonette Brown Eyes who recently moved from the community. Lowman’s term expires in May 2008. “We received many qualified applicants and they…
The Slash & Mulch Program drop-off is at the Plum Creek Wastewater Authority, located at 1400 Caprice Drive in Castle Rock. Visit http://www.douglas.co.us/publicworks/operations/ documents/8.5x14_Flyer_Slash_Mulch.pdf for information or call the Douglas County Operations Division at 303-660-7480. Remaining 2007 Slash & Mulch dates and times for 2007 are as follows: Saturday, August 4 – 8 a.m. to…
by Lane Roberts After months of careful research and evaluation, CH2M HILL OMI will present the final results of the long-awaited economic feasibility study in August. Results of the “Revenue Sharing and Settlement Agreement” were included in the final numbers recently completed by CH2M HILL OMI. Community forum dates and locations were not finalized as…
by Lisa Crockett Personal training and fundraising do not often intersect. When the annual Rock Slide race needed a new coordinator, Jenny Brett, member of the Wildcat Mountain Elementary PTO, seemed tailor-made for the job. “As a personal trainer and a parent, I love the mission of the race,” said Brett. Bringing families and the…
by Lorraine Masonheimer The Castle Pines North Metro District Board of Directors recently voted to approve an $18,000 landscaping project in the Esperanza “S” curve open space. The Board awarded the contract to Rainbow Landscape, the lowest of three bidders, to add 30 trees, 59 shrubs, bark mulch, edging, native grass seed and temporary irrigation…
(Photos provided by the Denver Dumb Friends League) Wag ‘n Trail – Support the Buddy Center The Denver Dumb Friends League (DDFL) will present Wag ‘n Trail on Saturday, September 15, at the Glendale Farm Open Space located at I-25 and Surrey Ridge. Proceeds from the 1.6 mile hike will beneift The Buddy Center in…
by Lane Roberts Summer in Castle Pines North – – what better place to be a kid? Thoughout the community, children of all ages have enjoyed many activities. From soaking up the sun at neighborhood pools, riding bikes, playing at CPN parks, or attending many exciting community events – – it has been a great…
by Elean Gersack Introducing Bubble Goddess Bath Company Bubble Goddess Bath Company provides “Natural Bath Products for Your Inner Goddess.” Natural and organic bath products created and manufactured right here in Castle Pines North are a great choice for the whole family and those with dry, sensitive skin. Visit Bubble Goddess Bath Company at Market…
by Lorraine Masonheimer The fledgling blades of native grasses clinging to the side of the eroding WinterBerry hill just received a lifeline. In June, the Metro District Board of Directors approved a $20,000 hillside erosion project for the WinterBerry community located at Monarch Boulevard and Buffalo Trail. The twenty-five homes affected back to Buffalo Trail…
Castle Pines North Master Association President Maureen Shul On July 12, 2007, CPN Master Association President Maureen Shul received a special commendation award from Douglas County Sheriff David Weaver for her involvement in Project Lifesaver. Shul was instrumental in bringing this program to Douglas County and now, statewide. She has volunteered countless hours toward this…
CPN resident Jeremy Gamble (right) earned his black belt in Tae Kwon Do with the help of friend Taylor Moudy. by Lisa Crockett Taking a test is not something that most kids would think of as fun, but for Castle Pines North (CPN) resident Jeremy Gamble, it is just part of a process he enjoys.…
Business in the Pines board members include: (Pictured above left to right) Jessica Schwartz, Branch Supervisor – 1stBank of Douglas County, Carla Kenny, Administrator – Business in the Pines Association (former-Officio), Julie Sequeira, Owner/President – Julie Sequeira Agency / American Family Insurance, Shelly Kliner, Broker Associate – Prestige Real Estate, Sharon Kollmar, Administrator – Business…
Business in the Pines will host this year’s OctoberFest in Castle Pines North (CPN). Mark the calendar for Saturday, October 13, and plan to attend this annual CPN tradition. Food, drinks, vendors and activities make this a great family outing. Vendors interested in booth space should contact Carla Kenny at Contact by email.
Dust off the hat and boots and head down to Castle Rock for the annual Douglas County Fair and Rodeo. For more than 65 years, this event has attracted folks from far and wide. This year, the rodeo will be held August 3 to August 12 and will feature a host of activities including rodeos,…
by Lisa Crockett Representatives from Village Homes are working hard to get the building process underway on the site known as “CC-20” at the corner of Castle Pines Parkway and Monarch Boulevard. The site has been undergoing grading and infrastructure improvements since spring and Village Homes is eager to begin the first phase of the…