Read the stories from the latest issue:
by Lorraine Masonheimer The Metro District Board of Directors recently voted to delay the Castle Pines North (CPN) Community Center Xeriscape project originally scheduled to begin in July. Metro District Vice President Bruce Thompson recommended the delay of the $120,000 water-wise landscaping project until residents vote on incorporation. To learn more, contact the Metro District…
by Terri Wiebold Until funding for a permanent library facility in Castle Pines North (CPN) is approved (see article front page), CPN residents continue to regularly visit the Douglas County Library District’s Bookmobile. The Bookmobile has a collection of more than 3,000 items, but has complete access to everything within the Douglas County Library system.…
If you or a family member is a United States veteran, The Connection would like to hear from you. Send the name, branch of service, and location of deployment to Contact by email. The October-November newsletter will list Castle Pines North residents that have served in past wars to observe Veterans Day on November 11.
by Lisa Crockett The Castle Pines Parkway interchange will soon be part of a metering light study conducted by the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT). “We’ll be looking at every interchange on I-25 between County Line Road and Wilcox/Wolfensberger in Castle Rock,” said CDOT Spokesperson Bob Wilson. Douglas County’s growing population means increasing backups on…
Article and photo by Terri Wiebold Castle Pines North Wine & Spirits and Canyon Ridge Chiropractic celebrated a joint re-grand opening on Saturday, June 23. Both businesses are located in the King Sooper’s Shopping Center in Castle Pines North. The businesses provided free barbecue and lots of free give-aways to residents who stopped by for…
by Lisa Crockett The wheels of progress are moving slowly but surely for one church in Castle Pines North (CPN). Castle Pines Community Church announced plans to build a new church in Surrey Ridge more than a year ago, but has spent many months correcting several technical aspects of the design. In June, the final…
CPN residents and visitors took to the streets for Market in the Pines on June 9 and July 14. Two additional Markets are planned for August 11 and September 8. (photo by Tim Gamble.) by Elean Gersack Market in the Pines debuted in Castle Pines North (CPN) on Saturday, June 9 and then had a…
Castle Rock Star Lighting November 2005 by Lane Roberts Congratulations to the Town of Castle Rock. Family Circle magazine recently selected the Town of Castle Rock as one of the “10 best Towns for Families” in the United States. The article, which appeared in the August edition of the magazine, shares the results of the…
County Commissioner Melanie Worley and other community leaders cut the ribbon officially opening the new trail extension. (photo by Jeremy Gamble) by Terri Wiebold The possibility that Douglas County residents might someday be able to travel from Parker to Durango via a trail system is one step closer to reality, according to Douglas County Parks…
by Lorraine Masonheimer Background – – In the last five years, Xcel Energy has applied and been granted two expansions to increase voltage in the Castle Pines North (CPN) transmission corridors. In 2005, Xcel requested a significant increase in audible noise levels for the second expansion. Bruce Thompson, as a board member of the Master…
by Lisa Crockett Douglas County residents received a newsletter this summer entitled Douglas County Connection, which reports funding sources and expenditures on road projects from 1996 to 2006. The newsletter details road and bridge funding, road sales and use tax, as well as other quality of life issues relating to roads in Douglas County. The…
New Kindergartner Sam C. heads to class, ably assisted by fourth-grade teacher Karen Kolibaba. (photo by Lisa Crockett) Timber Trail Elementary School, Castle Pines North’s (CPN) year-round school, has been bustling with kids all summer long. Other neighborhood schools – American Academy (founded by CPN parents and temporarily based in Lone Tree), Buffalo Ridge Elementary,…
by Lisa Crockett Castle Pines North (CPN) residents now have one less local banking option. The Washington Mutual (WAMU) branch on Lagae Road closed its doors on July 20. WAMU customers will now have to travel to the bank’s location on Milestone Lane in Castle Rock (near WalMart and Kohl’s.) “Accounts will automatically transfer to…
by Elean Gersack Business in the Pines was created earlier this year by the Castle Pines North (CPN) Master Association to promote an environment of communication, cooperation and support for local storefront and home-based businesses. The membership-based organization has grown to more than 60 members to date. As a networking, cooperative marketing and advertising group,…
by Terri Wiebold The land once slated for 1,600 residential homes known as the Tanterra Development near Centennial Airport will instead become soccer fields, open space and airport-compatible businesses under a deal brokered with Dove Valley Business Park Associates, Ltd. by the airport and the Arapahoe County Board of Commissioners in June. The proposed residential…
by Lorraine Masonheimer Esperanza, a peninsula of 58 homes nestled in a valley between WinterBerry and Tapadero, is a gated community developed by Richmond Homes. The signature gates recently received medallions with a cursive “E” at Esperanza’s entrance located at Monarch Boulevard and Esperanza Drive. Mike Dunker has served as president of the Homeowners Association…
by Lisa Crockett The planned Ridgegate interchange, located South of Lincoln and north of the Surrey Ridge exit was slated to begin construction in June, but has been temporarily put on hold. The Ridgegate project will handle the increase in traffic that will result from the planned closure of exit 191 and the Surrey Ridge…
Article submitted by the Castle Crocs Swim Team Castle Pines North children spent the hot summer days working on swim stroke development, connecting with neighborhood friends, and improving times for the reward of a Castle Cones ice cream cone. Having competed in five dual meets, the Crocs were proud to bring home three wins. In…
Xcel North-South Powerline Corridor by Lane Roberts Xcel Energy is set to begin construction at the Daniel’s Park substation the week of August 6. Initial work on the project includes the installation of grading, erosion and sedimentation control measures approved by Douglas County. Grading at the substation is scheduled for the week of August 13.…
by Lane Roberts As of press time, Douglas County District Court was set to hold a brief hearing on the “Revenue Sharing and Settlement Agreement” between Castle Pines North (CPN) and Castle Pines Village (VILLAGE). The agreement, heard by the court on July 25, was signed on June 7 by representatives from both CPN and…
by Elean Gersack Amazing Animals – Pangi the Parrott, Drifter the Dog and Mudslinger the Pot Belly Pig – wowed the crowd in HOA2 on Sunday, June 10. The animals performed with their trainer, John Vincent. The HOA2 Social Committee sponsored this free event for their neighborhood. Mudslinger the Pot Belly Pig (above) jumps the…
The new CPN bakery also sells gifts, greeting cards and books. (photo by Lorraine Masonheimer) The Bundt Shoppe 7437 Village Square Drive—Castle Pines North Telephone – 303-814-0149 Web – www.thebundtshoppe.com Open – Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Cost $3.25—$38.95 by Lorraine Masonheimer Castle Pine North’s (CPN)…
by Elean Gersack Effective June 1, 2007, Jason Ortman, O.D., assumed Castle Pines Family Eye Care from prior owner, Jeffrey Butts, O.D., who has relocated outside of Colorado. During the past five years, Dr. Ortman practiced in Lakewood, Colorado. He completed undergraduate studies at Indiana University and received his Doctor of Optometry at The Ohio…
by Lisa Crockett The Citizens for the Preservation of Castle Pines North committee (CPNPC) is a group of citizens working together to advocate and inform all residents of Castle Pines North (CPN) of all the facts pertaining to the question of incorporation. CPNPC welcomes participation from any concerned citizens in CPN in the following areas:…
Douglas County Sheriff David Weaver by Terri Wiebold A citizen’s committee formed by Douglas County Sheriff David Weaver recently presented two recommendations to the Board of County Commissioners for consideration as ballot issues for this November 2007 election: The LEA (Law Enforcement Authority) Mill Levy should be increased 1.5 mills (from 4.5 to 6.0) for…
Saturday, August 11 – Shea Stadium, located at 3720 Redstone Park Circle, Highlands Ranch – 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, September 22 – Castle Rock Utilities Building, 175 Kellogg Drive, Castle Rock – 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. For maps to the drop-off locations or for more information about what items will and will…
Michaels Craft Store is just one of many new shopping options under construction in Castle Rock’s northern quadrant. (photo by Lisa Crockett) by Lisa Crockett Whether looking to cash a check, knit a sweater or build an addition to a home, new shopping options in Castle Rock abound. A flurry of construction in Castle Rock’s…
by Lorraine Masonheimer Daniel’s Gate residents recently asked the Metro District to relocate the “vault” restroom facility planned for Daniel’s Gate Park to lessen the impact for homes in the area. The original site placed the facility next to the parking lot. In June, the Metro District Board of Directors unanimously agreed to move the…
CONSUMER BULLETIN August 21, 2007 SEX OFFENDER NOTICES Homeowners throughout Colorado are finding notices taped to their doors stating that a known sex offender has moved into their neighborhood. The notice directs them to a website, www.neighborhoodredalert.com. The website offers for a fee to notify you when a sex offender moves into your neighborhood. The…
by Terri Wiebold South Metro Fire Rescue (SMFR) has undergone some major changes in the past few months, but one change is of particular interest and benefit to residents in the Castle Pines North (CPN) community. On July 15, the ambulance once based at Station 36 – located at 421 Castle Pines Parkway – returned…
The Douglas/Elbert Task Force, a non-profit agency providing emergency assistance to those at risk of homelessness, needs volunteers in its Thrift Store and Food Bank. Task Force volunteers work in Thrift Store donations intake, sort, price and stock store merchandise, cashier and assist in the Food Bank. Volunteers receive training, mentoring, store discounts, gifts certificates…
Information provided by the Castle Pines North Metro District July 30, 2007 The Castle Pines North Metro District is sending you this brief update on activity that you may be noticing in your neighborhood. In addition to supplying continual behind-the-scenes water, wastewater and storm water infrastructure services, the District maintains recreational and aesthetic amenities enjoyed…
by Elean Gersack The Castle Pines North (CPN) Master Association presented its annual Summer Movie in the Park on August 25, at Coyote Ridge Park. The movie, co-sponsored by Dr. Andrew Dunbar of Castle Pines Orthodontics, featured the 2006 version of “Charlotte’s Web”. Families brought sleeping bags, blankets, and chairs and sat back to enjoy…
by Terri Wiebold Earlier this year, The Connection reported on a new cellular tower proposed to be built at the south end of The Ridge Golf Course parking lot. The 19-inch diameter, 35-foot tall tower was designed with a shoe-box style light mounted near the top, similar to those found in grocery store parking lots.…
by Terri Wiebold The Kiwanis Club of Castle Pines will host its third annual golf tournament at The Ridge Golf Course in Castle Pines North on Thursday, September 13. The cost is $200 per person, which includes an amazing day of golf and an awards dinner at The Ridge Restaurant. Proceeds from the tournament go…
by Elean Gersack The Castle Pines North (CPN) Master Association will present the 2007 Summer Movie in the Park, featuring “Charlotte’s Web” at Coyote Ridge Park on Saturday, August 25. The movie will begin around 8:30 p.m. This 2006 G-rated version, starring Dakota Fanning, is a remake of the story by E.B. White. Bring the…
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Wendy Manitta Holmes Director of Public Affairs Douglas County (303) 880-7785 OR Susan Baird Denver Parks and Recreation (720) 913-0617 August 22 Event Hosted By Douglas County and Denver Parks and Recreation Castle Rock, CO……A jewel in the crown of the Denver Mountain Parks System in Douglas County…
On May 30, Governor Bill Ritter signed into law HB 1064, also known as Project Lifesaver. This legislation will provide start-up funds for those counties statewide wishing to participate in this program. Project Lifesaver involves tracking technology that reduces search time to less than 25 minutes for people who are prone to wander and get…
by Lane Roberts The Castle Pines North (CPN) Metro District has been exploring the possible purchase of water rights from the London Mine, located on the middle fork of the South Platte River for several years. At the monthly board meeting on May 21, the Metro District Board voted to terminate the contract with THF…
by Lorraine Masonheimer As Castle Pines North (CPN) prepares for Memorial Day and Independence Day festivities, many residents have family members in the military deployed throughout the world or are veterans of wars past. The burden falls especially hard on these neighbors. Differing opinions on present-day and past wars can be heard across the country…
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Castle Rock, Col., (June 8, 2007) — Representatives from Castle Pines North (CPN) and Castle Pines Village (VILLAGE) have entered into a comprehensive “Revenue Sharing and Settlement Agreement” regarding the commercial area included in two separate petitions to incorporate filed by both communities last December. The agreement, signed June 7 by representatives…
by Lorraine Masonheimer The Castle Pines North (CPN) Parks Authority Board met on April 19 to discuss future park development. Among the items discussed was the East-West Regional Trail Extension. The Lagae Ranch park proposal is delayed for 30 to 60 days due to schedule conflicts with HF Holdings, LLC. The 240-acre parcel is located…
Douglas County Libraries Board of Trustees engage in a thoughtful discussion about whether or not to place a ballot question before the voters in the November 6 election. From left to right: Cathy Norris, Stevan Strain, David Starck, Mark Weston, and Steve Roper. G. Robert McLaughlin attended by phone. (photo courtesy of Douglas County Libraries)…
by Elean Gersack The cold and snow did not put a damper on the fun at Easter Fest in Castle Pines North (CPN). On Saturday, April 7, more than 300 children and adults dropped by the CPN Community Center for goodies, music and a visit with the Easter bunny. Business in the Pines storefront and…
by Lane Roberts Castle Pines North (CPN) is home to more than 560 acres of open space. The Castle Pines North Metro District is responsible for maintaining 323 acres of open space, including the three community parks. Many homes in CPN back to open space areas that are owned by the CPN Metro District. Recently,…
by Lane Roberts Douglas County Public Works has several asphalt overlay and concrete repair projects slated for Castle Pines North (CPN) this summer. The following streets (or portions of them) will be resurfaced this summer: Berkshire Court, Berkshire Lane, Clare Drive, Corby Court, Corby Place, Tenby Way, Warwick Place and Shoreham Drive (from Clare Drive…
by Lane Roberts On Monday, May 7, more than 30 residents attended the Castle Pines North (CPN) Metro District’s public hearing regarding a proposed water and wastewater rate increase. During the meeting, Metro District Manager James McGrady gave a presentation that detailed the need for the proposed 10 percent water rate increase and the restructuring…
by Lane Roberts Construction on the long awaited restrooms for all three Castle Pines North parks are set to begin this summer. Three “vault” restroom facilities will be built this summer at Coyote Ridge Park, The Retreat Park and Daniel’s Gate Park. Vault restrooms are commonly used throughout Colorado’s State Parks. The waterless toilets provide…
by Elean Gersack In the August issue of 5280 magazine, Rock Canyon High School (RCHS) received accolades as the overall number two high school in the Denver area. The article titled, “Denver’s Best High Schools” evaluated private and public high schools by student-teacher ratio, lowest number of disciplinary issues, ACT and SAT scores, teachers with…
Army Chaplain Ellison (left) and his family. by Lisa Crockett Being in the Army Reserves usually means serving your country two days a month and two weekends a year. It was a comfortable arrangement for Chaplain James Ellison (Col.), a Castle Pines North (CPN) resident who was busy in his work as a chaplain, supporting…
Residents can now travel safely across Hidden Pointe Boulevard without crossing over the rocky center island. (photos by Tim Gamble) by Terri Wiebold Last December, the Castle Pines North (CPN) Master Association Safety Committee, the CPN Metro District, and Douglas County Public Works cooperatively took on two pedestrian crosswalk projects in the Castle Pines North…
by Elean Gersack The ReJuveniles will perform at the 2007 Summer Concert in the Park on Sunday, July 22. This free concert, sponsored by the Castle Pines North Master Association and Castle Rock Bank, will take place at Coyote Ridge Park. Bounce castles and concessions will kick off the fun at 4:30 p.m. and the…
by Elean Gersack On Thursday, April 12, more than 25 local business owners attended the kick-off event for Business in the Pines – an association formed by the Castle Pines North (CPN) Master Association in January to unite local businesses. Members and Margaritas was organized as a meet and greet opportunity for store-front and home-based…
Fire = Oxygen + Heat Source + Fuel. Fuel = Combustible material, both living and dead, that is capable of burning in a wildland situation. Fire Mitigation = The actions taken that lessen the risk to people, property and resources from wildfire. Defensible Space = An area around homes or structures, either man –made or…
by Terri Wiebold On the heels of what some might argue was one of the wettest winters in Colorado history, is it possible that Douglas County is still in danger of wildland fire this summer? Absolutely. According to Douglas County Sheriff’s Office Emergency Management Director, Jamie Moore, snow does not always contain a lot of…
Patty Moschner (left) and Leslie Clemesen partner on many projects, including participating in the CPN Master Association sponsored Suicide Forum. by Terri Wiebold On the evening of April 18, residents in the Castle Pines North (CPN) community gathered at the community center to share in an open discussion about suicide and how to prevent this…
by Lisa Crockett After months of delay, the planned shopping center at the northeast corner of Lagae Road and Castle Pines Parkway has moved one step closer to becoming a reality. The County Planning Commission unanimously approved plans for the center, which is being developed by Minneappolis-based Anxon, Inc. Anxon is ready to start construction.…
by Terri Wiebold According to the Tri-County Health Department, a total of 2,650 Douglas County households participated in Douglas County’s Household Chemical Roundups in 2006, safely disposing of more than 121 tons of hazardous materials. This included 12,825 pounds of pesticides, 150 pounds of mercury-containing devices, 6,204 gallons of hazardous liquids, and more than 91…
by Lisa Crockett Despite several delays in recent months, the construction of a new Walgreens store on the north side of Castle Pines Parkway at Lagae Road is still in the works, though its arrival will be several months – possibly more than a year — later than planned. The County required the developer, Anxon,…
by Terri Wiebold Everything but the kitchen sink – is what Castle Pines North (CPN) residents often pack as they begin the summer pool, picnic and barbecue season. However, outdoor food gatherings would be safer if residents could actually pack the kitchen sink! Food-borne illnesses resulting from cross contamination increase during this season of outdoor…
by Lisa Crockett Voting in an election is always an important way of voicing an opinion. In a local election, where the total number of voters is much smaller than a state or national election, voters have even more power to effect change. Castle Pines North (CPN) will soon be making important decisions about its…
by Elean Gersack On Saturday, June 9, Market in the Pines debuted in Castle Pines North (CPN). With open-air shopping and artisan vendors, Market in the Pines is a monthly summer event created by the Business in the Pines Association. According to Business in the Pines Vice-President, Carla Kenny, having the first market was a…
by Lorraine Masonheimer Before looking into hiring a lawn service, scheduling sprinkler repair, or deciding which company will perform annual maintenance for the air conditioner, check out the “Who to Hire” section of Castle Pines North (CPN) website. There are a multitude of listings for air conditioning repair, basement finishing, pet grooming, and more –…
by Lisa Crockett Cherokee Ranch and Castle, a historic location in Douglas County, has opened its second season of music and drama. The property is located in Sedalia and was sold in 1996 by its owner, Mildred “Tweet” Kimball, to Douglas County as a conservation easement. The property is home to a Scottish-style castle, which…
Developer Chris Fellows presents plans for Lagae Ranch at the Master Association board meeting. by Lane Roberts The Master Association Board of Directors has offically adopted a resolution to publicly support the development of Lagae Ranch in Castle Pines North (CPN). The 240-acre parcel, located behind King Soopers and adjacent to HOA1, is owned by…
by Lorraine Masonheimer There will be a little something for everyone at the Buddy Center’s first Cat Crawl on June 16 – including adoption, face painting, carnival games, food and beverages, shopping for that special feline, and classes about cat behavior. Staff specialists will be on hand to answer questions and offer advice about litter…
by Lorraine Masonheimer The Castle Pines North Metro District’s three-phased Xeriscape project begins in July at the Community Center, located at 7404 Yorkshire Drive. The Metro District Board recently allocated $120,000 to the venture which will take two and half months to complete. The plan introduces low water use perennial shrubs and native grasses, along…
Dave Fraser, News2’s Chief Meteorologist and parent of a Timber Trail student, runs the live auction at the school’s fundraiser, “La Noche de la Fiesta.” Fraser is flanked by TTE’s outgoing principal, Lisa Phillips (right) and new principal, Michelle Radke (left.) The event raised money for science and reading programs as well as assemblies and…
by Elean Gersack Get fit and have fun with the little ones at the same time. Stroller Bods meets every Tuesday and Thursday at the Retreat Park in Castle Pines from 9:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. The Retreat Park is located just off of Tangleoak Lane and Castle Pines Parkway. From I-25 and Castle Pines…
by Terri Wiebold Construction is underway of a new and innovative meal preparation company in Castle Pines North, and Greenbriar resident Kay Lynn Anderson is the driving force behind it. Entrée Vous is a franchise that began in 2003 as a place for individuals or groups to prepare nutritious meals in a clean and friendly…