The Connection

Article and photo by Terri Wiebold Heritage Professional Pet Grooming is a full service pet salon, where pet grooming is considered an art and the stylists do the work for you. Whether bathing, brushing, clipping, styling, or simply pampering a pet, the staff at heritage Pet Grooming believes that humane and loving treatment is the…

by Terri Wiebold Collectively, more than seventy residents gathered at the February and March Castle Pines North (CPN) Metro District board meetings to discuss a proposed multiple year fee schedule the Metro District is proposing. “Up to this point, the District has never really had a formalized fee schedule,” said Metro District Manager James McGrady.…

The Connection presented all candidates running for the South Metro Fire Rescue (SMFR) Board of Directors with the following question. Candidates were allowed to provide an answer in 100 words or less. The responses received are provided below. QUESTION: Now that Castle Pines North is a new city, we are very concerned about SMFR in…

by Lisa Crockett An independently-owned day care center has signed a purchase agreement for a pad currently under development on the north side of Castle Pines Parkway at Lagae Road. Max Heitzmann, vice president at Anxon, Inc., which is developing the property, said that three of the four pads planned for the site are now…

Crews work to install new “vault” restroom facilities at The Retreat Park in CPN. (photo by Terri Wiebold) The completed restroom facility at The Retreat Park. (photo by Terri Wiebold) by Terri Wiebold The much-anticipated “vault” restroom facilities at The Retreat Park, Coyote Ridge Park, and Daniels Gate Park are installed and available for public…

Two Metro District Candidate Forums Scheduled for April The Castle Pines North Master Association will host two “Candidate Forums” for all candidates running for the Metro District Board of Directors. Mark the calendar and make sure to attend one of these two events: Monday, April 14, 7 p.m. Thursday, April 24, 7 p.m. Both events…

The Boards of Directors for SMFR and Parker Fire met March 18 to discuss the potential consolidation of both departments. (photo by Terri Wiebold) Parker Fire Chief Dan Qualman, who is acting chief for SMFR (left), and SMFR Assistant Chief Mike Dell’Orfano may soon be working together under one unified department if the two agencies…

The Castle Pines North Master Association sent out annual dues invoices in February which were due March 31, 2007. All CPN homeowners (with the exception of Hidden Pointe residents) should have received one. This bill is in addition to any individual neighborhood association dues homeowners pay, and it is only billed once a year. For…

by Terri Wiebold Servicing more than 3,000 men, women, and children in the Castle Pines North community since 2000, Salon 188 specializes in the latest cuts, color, perms, and texturizing and finishing touches for hair. The Salon 188 styling team features experienced stylists who maintain ongoing education in classic and progressive cutting and coloring techniques.…

Financial Advisor Steve Zahorik has been a Castle Pines North resident for ten years. He is proudly serving the Castle Rock area investors from the A.G. Edwards office located in the Denver Tech Center. Now that A.G. Edwards has joined forces with Wachovia Securities, Zahorik is still committed to putting the needs of his clients…

Renee Palmer – Keller Williams Real Estate by Anthonette Klinkerman Renee Palmer with Keller Williams Real Estate – Park Meadows recently completed the Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist training, offered by the Institute for Luxury Home Marketing. The course, which covered such topics as demographics of the affluent, lifestyle segmentation, trends and amenities in today’s…

The new T-Mobile cellular tower is up and functional in the parking lot at The Ridge. The light on the tower was initially met with resistance from members of the community, but the Master Association Design Review Committee worked with all parties involved for an amicable resolution. T-Mobile is currently working with the Metro District…

Xcel Meeting Planned The CPN Master Association has invited Xcel Energy to a second community meeting to discuss plans related to the installation of future poles near Coyote Ridge Park and Daniel’s Gate. As of press time, the meeting was planned for Thursday, April 10, at 7 p.m. at the CPN Community Center, 7404 Yorkshire…

The first elected representatives of the City of Castle Pines North were sworn in at a ceremony on March 10. Top row from the left: Treasurer Doug Gilbert, Ron Clark, City Council Ward 3, Kim Hoffman, City Council Ward 2, Jennifer Havercroft, City Council Ward 1, Mayor Maureen Shul. Seated from the left: Chip Coppola,…

by Jean Flynn, South Suburban Parks and Rec South Suburban Parks and Recreation’s Lone Tree Recreation Center, 10249 Ridgegate Circle, offers superior summer camp opportunities. Athletically-minded boys and girls, ages 4-10, will delight in weekly, half-day Multi-Sport & Splash Champs Camps that operate June through August. Experienced instructors focus on the basic sport fundamentals of…

by Lisa Crockett Are your closets and basement full of treasures you no longer have use for? Then roll up your sleeves, grab some sunscreen and a water bottle and get ready for this year’s community garage sale. The sale is set for May 16 and 17, from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m. both days.…

Residents of all ages are invited to Walk for the Library on Saturday, September 20. The route will begin at Market in the Pines at Village Square Shopping Center and travel to the proposed library location at Castle Pines Parkway and Monarch Boulevard, and return to the Market. The CPN Library Committee has created a…

Centennial Airport Manager of Planning and Development Michael Fronapfel explains the Centennial Airport influence area map at a Castle Pines North Master Association sponsored community meeting. (photo by Terri Wiebold) by Terri Wiebold Residents from Castle Pines North (CPN) and surrounding communities gathered at the CPN Community Center on March 28 to learn more about…

Dave Jackson I first became interested in SMFR in 2004, after retiring from a 37-year management career with a top five Fortune 500 company. Subsequently, I have attended many Board meetings, becoming a kind of citizen “understudy and advisor”. My experience as a former first responder–having worked as an ambulance attendant (predating paramedics) during college–provides…

Business in the Pines held the second annual EasterFest on Thursday, March 13 at the CPN business district. The event featured Easter goodies, games, cookie decorating, and the Easter Bunny. More than 30 CPN businesses participated in the annual event. (photos by Tim Gamble)

Jason Carroll (right) and Dawn Jones (rear) from Clifton Gunderson address the CPN Metro District board in February to discuss financing options for renewable water. (photo by Terri Wiebold) by Terri Wiebold For the past several years, the Castle Pines North Metro District has been working toward the development and purchase of a renewable water…

by Scott Lasher Hundreds of kids and parents hippity-hopped their way to Coyote Ridge Park on Saturday, March 15, for the annual Castle Pines North Easter Egg Hunt, sponsored by Solid Life Christian Center (SLCC.) Twelve-thousand candy-filled eggs were dispersed throughout the park and chants of “We want eggs! We want eggs!” filled the brisk…

by Lisa Crockett After a disappointing loss last November, Douglas County Library District Director Jamie LaRue is seeking another bite at the apple. LaRue met with interested community volunteers at a meeting in February to explore ways Castle Pines North (CPN) residents could aid in a second effort to bring a library to CPN. Polling…

Wildlife Experience 10035 S. Peoria St., Parker weeklong wildlife camps for ages 4-10: www.wildlifeexperience.org 720-488-3300 South Suburban Parks & Recreation various locations in South Suburban district – a large variety of camps for ages 6 and up: www.ssprd.org 303-708-9500 Primrose Schools Lone Tree, Highlands Ranch, Parker a variety of themed camps for younger kids: www.primroseschools.com…

Owner J. McElroy (right) and his son Jake hang out in front of the family business. (photo by Terri Wiebold) by Big O Tires Let’s face it – getting your car worked on is right up there with having your teeth pulled! The team at Big O Tires gets that. They also understand that you…

Lisa Towne – Little Italy by Little Italy/Anthonette Klinkerman When is a pizzeria not just a pizzeria? When it is Little Italy Pizzeria of Castle Pines North (CPN). This establishment has been an active part of the community in the past, and has further ramped up its efforts in the last few months. Little Italy…

Sky Ridge Medical Center will host a Women’s Symposium on Saturday, May 17, at the Marriott in Lone Tree from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Interactive discussions with physicians and lectures will include breast health, colon health, aging gracefully and menopause survival and more. Lunch with red wine and dessert will be served. For more…

by Elean Gersack The 2008 Furry Scurry two mile fun walk will take place at 9 a.m. on Saturday, May 3, at Washington Park in Denver. According to the Denver Dumb Friends League, more than 25,000 cats and dogs, as well as rabbits, guinea pigs, gerbils and other small pets, are brought to the shelters…

Jimmy’s Steakhouse – 660 Happy Canyon Road, Suite 150 Jimmy’s Steakhouse is proud to add some new items to its dinner menu – a juicy buffalo burger, a succulent grilled chicken sandwich and a crisp, chilled wedge salad. Jimmy’s would like everyone to mark their calendars, starting March 3, for Martini Mondays – $5 all…

by Anthonette Klinkerman One of the bigger honors a teacher can earn is an Apple Award. Teachers are nominated by peers and community members, as well as by their most important fans, their students. This year, the Douglas County Educational Federation chose the theme “A World of Possibilities.” More than 60 teachers throughout the district…

by Anthonette Klinkerman The Castle Pines North swim team, the Castle Crocs will hold registration for new families Sunday, April 13, from 1 p.m. until 3 p.m. at Safe Splash Swim School, located next to the Wildlife Experience near I-25 and Lincoln, 12240 Lioness Way. Swimmers should arrive with swim suits and goggles and be…

Business in the Pines is set to host four summer markets in CPN again this summer. CPN’s unique Farmer’s Market, “Market in the Pines” will feature fresh produce, artisan vendors, live music and more. Make sure to mark the calendar for June 21, July 19, August 16 and September 20. The markets are held from…

Scrub Oak Clean Up in Forest Park 2007 by Anthonette Klinkerman An unusually dry winter and warm temperatures have brought fire concerns back to the forefront of homeowner concerns. Some of the scrub oak groves on homeowner property sustained damage during the winter and need to be cleaned up for safety issues. Scrub oak close…

by Lisa Crockett Drivers on the I-25 corridor between Castle Pines North (CPN) and Lincoln Avenue can expect continued slow-downs as construction on the Ridgegate interchange continues. “It appears now that the west side bridge will be completed in April and we will switch the detour to the other side of the road. Following that,…

Dr. Lisa Fox, DDS by Anthonette Klinkerman If there is one thing that Dr. Lisa Fox, DDS, could call a “life-changing experience,” it would be her work with impoverished children in Mexico. In February, Dr. Fox returned from her annual trip to Mexico, where she and a team of doctors and dentists travel once a…

by Terri Wiebold The beautiful landscape of more than 560 acres of open space, three local parks, and an excess of 13 miles of nature trails represent a few of the main attractions to the Castle Pines North (CPN) community. Unfortunately, recent incidents of vandalism at local parks and homeowner’s association clubhouses have marked up…

by Lisa Crockett Sally Wagner, a mother of three young children in Castle Pines North (CPN), says its time the new city had a recreation center of its own. Motivated by a desire to provide recreation opportunities for her children and all residents of CPN, she and a few other concerned residents have banded together…

by Terri Wiebold On March 8, 2008, a new alarm ordinance went into effect for residents of unincorporated Douglas County, Larkspur, and Castle Pines North (CPN). The ordinance was designed to reduce the number of false alarms in Douglas County and to assist the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office (DCSO) in being more efficient with law…

Parks Authority President Sandy Colling presented preliminary conceptual design plans for Lagae Park to the Metro District on March 17. Colling also requested the Metro District transfer the $1 million allocated in the Metro budget for parks to the Parks Authority for use at Lagae Park. (photo by Terri Wiebold) by Terri Wiebold The Castle…

CPN’s Election Commissioners celebrate at their final meeting. Left to right: Sue Zloth, Jeff Huff, Keri Brehm, Mayor Maureen Shul, Earl Millspaugh, Galen Crowder, Eva Mitchell, Attorney Charles Norton, and Dick Lichtenheld. (photo by Terri Wiebold) by Terri Wiebold The seven-member Election Commission, charged with the responsibility of overseeing and planning the elections pertaining to…

by Lisa Crockett On its website, Castle Pines Community Church (CPCC) is billed as “A Place To Call Home,” but the church still faces a long journey toward building a permanent home in Surrey Ridge. The church, which currently has an attendance of roughly 150 members at Sunday services, has submitted plans to Douglas County…

Before heading to the garden to plant a new flowerbed, add Xeriscape, or a crop of tomatoes, take the time to call the Utility Notification Center of Colorado. Locators are allowed two business days to respond to accurately mark the underground lines in an excavation area. Even a small garden job can be potentially hazardous,…

  Jim Varner of Edit Bay Communications (www.editbay.com) and his wife Laurie Anderson-Varner of Anderson & Associates Public Relations, Inc. (www.prexperts.com), will be exhibiting at EarthWorks Expo to showcase their web development and other marketing tools. In addition, Anderson & Associates Public Relations has been selected by EarthWorks Expo to provide public relations and marketing…

City Clerk Carl Kollmar has not been officially sworn in yet. He is currently on a medical leave of absence. Treasurer Doug Gilbert is currently serving as “interim clerk” until Kollmar returns. “We extend our best wishes to Carl for a speedy recovery and look forward to working with him soon,” said Mayor Shul.

by Lisa Crockett Castle Pines North (CPN) resident Karen Schlidt is passionate about recycling. Every day, she looks for ways to reduce her garbage waste. “The more aware I am about this issue, the more I look for ways I can recycle everything I use,” she said. Something of a phenomenon in her HOA2 neighborhood,…

CPN Resident Maureen Brown, right, co-hosts “Mom’s the Word” an internet-radio show on parenting. Brown’s friend, Maura Ridder, left, is the creator of the show. (photo by Tracey McFadden) by Lisa Crockett With five children ranging in age from four to twelve, Castle Pines North resident Maureen Brown has learned a thing or two about…

by Anthonette Klinkerman Teenagers should have a voice in the goings-on of the new city of Castle Pines North, and Mayor Shul is putting out a second call for a Youth Advisory Commission. As the new city grows, the mayor feels it is important that all residents “have a seat at the table,” and make…

Office of Mayor Maureen Shul 2368 Office of City Clerk Carl Kollmar 2362 Office of Treasurer Douglas Gilbert 1394 Vivian Hallberg 270 Paul Oehm 937 Office of Member of City Council Ward 1 Howard Cohen 203 Chris Dooley 365 Jennifer Havercroft 503 Mark Massa 123 William Porter 148 Office of Member of City Council Ward…

The Castle Pines North Election Commission has developed the following “Code of Civility” pledge for candidates running for the nine positions in the first election for the new City of Castle Pines North. This code was developed specifically for CPN using the Code of Civility Pledge that was created by the Interfaith Alliance of Colorado.…

Look for this Poster & Register to win a Valentines Day Basket of Goodies at any of the participating locations. by Elean Gersack No need to venture far to celebrate the holiday of love. Check out local businesses for gifts, dinner, flowers and more. The Bundt Shoppe Those who have not yet tried a cake…

by Lisa Crockett It is a presidential election year, and Colorado voters who wish to help decide what November’s presidential election ballot will look like should mark their calendars for Tuesday, February 5 from 7 p.m. until 9 p.m. Colorado utilizes a caucus procedure to determine who receives the nomination. Caucuses are party-specific; only voters…

Sandy Gamble – HOA#1 Jordan Colling – HOA#1 by Terri Wiebold The past few months have brought many changes to Castle Pines North, including a welcome change in seasons. This winter CPN residents have seen blankets upon blankets of white snow. Many have asked what impact, if any, becoming a city will have on snow…

by Elean Gersack Planning a team practice or party during the next few months? There are currently three parks in Castle Pines North (CPN) available by reservation: Coyote Ridge Park, Daniel’s Gate Park and The Retreat Park. Soccer fields are available at all three parks and baseball fields are available at Coyote Ridge Park and…

by Lisa Crockett Castle Pines North (CPN) has lost one of its most dedicated volunteers. Rod Ellerbusch, a founding member of the Kiwanis Club of Castle Pines, was instrumental in bringing the service club to CPN and in bringing its vision to life. Founded in 2004, the Kiwanis Club of Castle Pines sponsors an annual…

by Lane Roberts The cold and snowy weather did not stop Ward 2 residents from attending the second candidate forum for city government candidates held on Wednesday, January 30, at the Community Center. The forum was presented by Business in the Pines (BIP), a coalition of businesses in Castle Pines North (CPN) and surrounding areas.…

by Carin Kirkeggard The pools in Castle Pines North (CPN) are still buried under the most recent snow and temperatures are dipping below the freezing mark, but before long, kids will be counting down to the last day of school and the CPN swim team, the Castle Crocs, will begin their third season. The winter…

by Terri Wiebold While CPN residents may have heard of local “Neighborhood Watch” programs, many are not aware of a valuable program provided by the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office (DCSO) called the “Watch Dog 1.0 Douglas County House Watch.” The house watch program is a service provided by the DCSO for residents who will be…

by Lisa Crockett Have you ever wondered how certain businesses, homes or civic amenities came to be in Douglas County? Douglas County is in the midst of a full-scale effort to revise its plans for the future; work sessions and hearings on the matter are open to the public. Meetings for the so-called 2030 Comprehensive…

Sheriff Dave Weaver (third frrom the left) and Deputies in the DCSO Community Resources Division meet with community advocates to discuss the new proposed alarm ordinance. (photo by Terri Wiebold) by Terri Wiebold Residents and businesses in Castle Pines North and throughout Douglas County who contract with a private security company may be paying more…

by Anthonette Klinkerman Now it matters more than ever where Castle Pines North residents shop. Incorporation efforts all began over which community, Castle Pines North or Castle Pines Village, was going to benefit from the sales tax revenue generated by the CPN business district. Seventy-seven percent of CPN’s residents voted to support incorporation in order…

by Lisa Crockett A traffic meter has been installed at the Castle Pines Parkway/I-25 Interchange. The Colorado Department of Transportation (C-DOT) is conducting the study to determine whether or not a metering light is needed at the location to ease traffic congestion. “We will be gathering data for the next few months, then looking at…

Mayor City Council Treasurer City Clerk JOB DESCRIPTION MAYOR CITY OF CASTLE PINES NORTH, COLORADO The following are the duties for the position of Mayor, City of Castle Pines North, Colorado in accordance with statutory requirements. (1) The mayor shall be elected by a plurality of the votes cast for that office at the regular…

The 180-foot crossover power pole recently installed by Xcel north of Coyote Ridge Park has created a stir among residents. Views from homes miles from the power line corridor have been impacted by this new pole. (photo by Tim Gamble) by Lane Roberts The newly installed 180-foot pole north of Coyote Ridge Park has created…