Read the stories from the latest issue:
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…
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…
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…
Scrub oak clearing begins in the Pine Ridge open space. by Terri Wiebold Nestled amid some of the most beautiful topography in the area – Daniel’s Park, The Sanctuary, Cherokee Ranch, and The Ridge Golf Course – residents in the Pine Ridge neighborhood of Castle Pines North enjoy the breathtaking scenery and abundant surrounding landscapes,…
by Lorraine Masonheimer Castle Pines Community Church will host vacation bible school June 25-29, 9 a.m. to noon, age three to fifth grade. The event will take place at Timber Trail Elementary, 690 W. Castle Pines Parkway. To register online, go to www.castlepineschurch.org or call 303-663-9755. Christ the King and Epiphany Lutheran Church will present…
by Lisa Crockett The Alpert Corporation (Alpert), developer of The Canyons, has cleared the first major hurdle in its long journey toward build-out. The Douglas County Commissioners approved the sketch plan for the new community, which will be located east and south of Castle Pines Parkway (CPN) across I-25. The sketch plan is the first…
by Lisa Crockett Castle Pines North (CPN) and the thousands of acres of open space surrounding the community are home to nearly 10,000 people, a varied collection of pets, countless deer, elk, rabbits, raccoons and the predators that prey on these creatures. While mountain lions are generally elusive animals which typically avoid human contact, CPN…
by Lane Roberts The Master Association has received reports of rattlesnake sightings in yards in the Serena neighborhood of Daniel’s Gate. Snakes come out of hibernation in May and June as the weather warms and rely mostly on rodents for food. Rattlesnake babies have venom and are dangerous from birth. Please use caution with small…
by Lane Roberts As of press time, negotiations between Castle Pines North (CPN) and Castle Pines Village (VILLAGE) were still underway. The two communities, both vying for the same business district in its proposed incorporation boundaries, recently filed a “request to stay” on both petitions in Douglas County District Court. “The intent of the court…
by Elean Gersack Business in the Pines kicks off summer with a fresh alternative to shopping. Like a farmer’s market with a twist, Market in the Pines will offer an array of selections such as garden accessories, clothing, jewelry, flowers, epicurean delights, produce and more. “We have unique and up-scale items to sell to our…
Parks and Open Space Manager Charlie Fagan, right, Metro District board members and WinterBerry homeowners discuss the eroding hillside on Buffalo Trail. Article and photos Lorraine Masonheimer Morning sun crested over the WinterBerry hillside, warming the sparse, fledgling blades of native grasses. The few clumps of grass that grow here cling to the steep slope—a…
Douglas County Library Bookmobile by Lisa Crockett Douglas County’s Director of Libraries, Jamie LaRue, is looking to add value to the Castle Pines North (CPN) community by giving it a new 6,500 square foot facility on the corner of Castle Pines Parkway and Monarch Boulevard. LaRue outlined his plans for the new CPN library, as…
by Terri Wiebold When the Cherokee Ranch fire in 2003 came within 100 yards of Pine Ridge open space and forced the evacuation of much of the Castle Pines North community, the Pine Ridge Homeowner’s Association (HOA) formed a committee to expand upon the basic Wildfire Mitigation Plan originally written for its developer in 1999.…
The view is changing at the northeast corner of Monarch Boulevard and Castle Pines Parkway as Village Homes begins retail and residential construction. (photo by TimGamble.) by Lisa Crockett Bulldozers are grading dirt and clearing debris on the land at the corner of Castle Pines Parkway and Monarch Boulevard in preparation for the development that…
Metro District Board Member Bruce Thompson discusses the impact of noise pollution for the CPN community. by Lorraine Masonheimer Castle Pines North (CPN) residents attended an informal meeting on May 31 to hear details regarding the power line expansion proposed by Xcel Energy to the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) earlier this month. The meeting was…
Business in the Pines is growing by the day. Below is a member list as of press time. To learn more about membership benefits and to find out about upcoming Business in the Pines events, visit www.businessinthepines.com. American Family Insurance – Julie Sequeira, American Family Insurance – Tim Brown, Arbonne International – Jana Ray, Back…
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…
by Terri Wiebold Information provided by United States Postal Service (USPS) New postage rates went into effect on Monday, May 14, including a two-cent increase in the price of a First-Class Mail stamp to 41 cents. Post Offices nationwide are now selling the new 41-cent stamps and also one and two-cent stamps for customers who…
by Lisa Crockett Castle Pines North Boy Scout Troop #316 and Troop #637 will hold their annual sprinkler blow-out fundraisers October 13, 14, 20, and 21. Prices for the service vary; contact troops for more information. Scouts will be fully supervised by adults. All proceeds support troop activities. To schedule a blow out with Troop…
CPN kids enjoy making a snow cave (photo by Elean Gersack) by Lane Roberts Mother Nature has been busy in Colorado this winter. Record snowfall across the state has continued to cause slick roads, delayed school days, and frigid tempatures. Castle Pines North (CPN) saw more than 57.6 inches of snow in less than a…
by Lorraine Masonheimer There will be a little something for everyone at the Buddy Center’s first Cat Crawl – 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 box and scratching…