Read the stories from the latest issue:
by Carin Kirkegaard Mark the calendar and be sure to attend the Castle Pines North (CPN) Master Association Meeting on April 20 at 7 p.m. located in the Community Center, 7402 Yorkshire Drive. CPN residents will have an opportunity to hear the candidates running for the three open positions on the CPN Metro District Board…
Douglas County, Colo. – Douglas County Clerk and Recorder Carole Murray has initiated a Voter Education Outreach program to inform citizens about the significant changes in this year’s election process. Descriptions of the changes can be found at www.DouglasVotes.com, a site that will be regularly updated with information about where the public can get hands-on…
by Carin Kirkegaard Springtime gets gardeners out and digging. One important thing to remember before starting any landscaping projects is to locate the water, cable, gas, telephone, and electric power lines that are underground. Careless digging could cause unnecessary consequences such as serious personal injury, environmental damage and costly delays. Before beginning spring and summer…
On February 16, the Castle Pines North Master Association Board of Directors appointed Janet Conner to fill a vacant director position. Conner previously served as a board member for her neighborhood HOA. She formed a HOA managment company for BristleCone Patio Homes and works closely with the board of that community. Conner also serves on…
by Carin Kirkegaard Douglas County has been one of the fastest growing counties in the United States. With this growth, the number of constituents the Douglas County Board of Commissioners serves has grown as well. It is because of this growth that the Douglas County Voters for Local Representation, a group of concerned citizens, is…
by Terri Wiebold Alarmingly large numbers of young people in Colorado (and throughout the country) report having made serious plans for suicide attempts. According to the Colorado Office of Suicide Prevention, suicide is the second leading cause of death for Coloradans between the ages of 10 and 19. Following a series of teen suicides at…
CONTACT #1: Public Information Officer, Lt. Alan Stanton, 303-660-7586; pgr. 303-208-5233 CONTACT #2: Douglas County Emergency Management Director, Jamie Moore, 303-660-7589 RELEASE DATE: 04/25/06 RELEASE TIME: 4:40 p.m. CASE NUMBER: N/A WHEN: Effective Immediately (04/26/06) NARRATIVE: DOUGLAS COUNTY, CO – Earlier this afternoon, the Douglas County Board of County Commissioners adopted a resolution, R-006-068, which…
Homes in The Retreat overlook CC-20, located on the northwest corner of Castle Pines Parkway and Monarch. Village Homes has announced new plans for the 15.7-acre parcel. (Photo by Tim Gamble.) by Lane Roberts After two years of negotiations, the northwest corner of Castle Pines Parkway and Monarch Boulevard may soon be getting a facelift.…
by Carin Kirkegaard Castle Pines North (CPN) is home to two neighborhood swim teams. For the past three years, CPN children have been swimming for the CPN Piranhas through Team Colorado. This summer, CPN will have two options for families to choose from. Team Colorado’s Castle Pines North Piranhas – hosted by HOA2 Castle Crocs…
by Carin Kirkegaard The Canyons, located just across I-25 to the east of Castle Pines North (CPN), is continuing its planning process. With progress starting in the southern portion of the development, questions regarding number of houses, size of lots and community amenities are being asked. In response to these questions, The Canyons will be…
by Carin Kirkegaard Douglas County’s slash and mulch program is typically held each Saturday from Memorial Day through Labor Day, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. The program is part of the County’s wildfire mitigation and recycling efforts. There are two goals to this program: First, to provide a drop-off location for residents to reduce,…
by Terri Wiebold Douglas County Emergency Management Director, Jaime Moore, was a guest speaker at the Master Association’s meeting on February 16. Moore works in cooperation with numerous local, state and federal agencies to provide emergency management programs to better equip Douglas County in handling disasters. “The biggest push for our department in 2006 is…
Share questions, comments or opinions with The Connection. E-mail questions to editor@cpnhoa.org. Dear Connection: I noticed the new skateboard park at Coyote Ridge. What is the status of Castle View Park and other future parks for Castle Pines North? – Park Lover in CPN Dear Park Lover: Construction of Castle View Park was originally set…
by Belinda Paredes Women who enjoy golfing, or are considering learning the game of golf, can choose from a wide offering of ladies’ leagues at Red Hawk Ridge golf course. The novice league is for ladies that are new to golf, or have not been able to improve their handicap below 40. The novice league…
by Terri Wiebold “ICE” (In Case of Emergency) is the name of a new program implemented by the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office to aid law enforcement, fire, and medical personnel in locating necessary contact information about an individual in an emergency situation. The program uses an individual’s cell phone address book as a resource for…
by Terri Wiebold As reported in the December-January issue of The Connection, Lowe’s Home Improvement will be building a new store in the Town of Castle Rock. According to Gary Kranse from the Town of Castle Rock Development Services Department, plans for construction are still underway. The 117,000 square foot store will be located just…
by Belinda Paredes Castle Rock-based SafeStart Swim School recently announced plans to build a state-of-the-art indoor swim instruction facility dedicated to helping kids learn water safety and swimming skills. The 9,000 square foot facility will be built near the intersection of Oswego and Lincoln, immediately adjacent to the Wildlife Experience. Construction will be complete in…
by Terri Wiebold The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office (DCSO) is committed to the concept of “community policing” in Castle Pines North (CPN), as well as throughout the county. One component of this community policing approach involves establishing relationships between patrol deputies and members of the community. By seeking the input and talents of CPN residents,…
By Elean Gersack The Master Association is excited to announce this year’s picks for Summer Movie in the Park and Summer Concert in the Park. Save the dates and enjoy these fun family events at Coyote Ridge Park. Summer Movie in the Park – Saturday, June 24, Coyote Ridge Park – featuring Napoleon Dynamite. Festivities…
By Lane Roberts Xcel Energy recently applied for a construction permit to expand the Daniel’s Gate substation. The electric substation is located on Monarch Boulevard just north of Daniel’s Gate, behind the Serena neighborhood. The Castle Pines North Master Association will share feedback from homeowners regarding this expansion with Douglas County by May 15. Please…
VOTE Vote for the CPN Metro District Board – May 2, at the CPN Community Center, 7404 Yorkshire Drive, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Vote for South Metro Fire Rescue Board -ballots will arrive via U.S. mail by April 17 andmust be received by May 2. CANDIDATES PROFILESGalen R. Crowder Jonette Brown Eyes Bruce…
by Carin Kirkegaard In an area that is quickly becoming urbanized, Douglas County is fortunate to have the Douglas County Division of Open Space and Natural Resources protecting wildlife habitat, natural resources, historic sites, scenic views, and Douglas County’s rural heritage. In an effort to make some of the natural treasures of Douglas County more…
Brian Stopps by Belinda Paredes Many interesting people call Castle Pines North home. In an effort to introduce readers to the remarkable individuals who live in the community, The Connection has created a new feature to spotlight a resident in each issue. Brian Stopps has been involved in the CPN community since moving to Royal…
by Lane Roberts Tech-savvy kids now spend hours in “virtual worlds” communicating with friends and even total strangers. Recent arrests of computer sexual predators in Douglas County should serve as a reminder to parents of the potential dangers of the Internet. Many kids enjoy cell phones, text messaging, instant messaging, social networking sites, and computer…
by Terri Wiebold In the February-March issue of The Connection, plans for a new T-Mobile cellular tower were brought to the public’s attention. Plans had been in the works for this additional coverage site for quite some time, but the logistics of the design – although decided – were not exactly what the Castle Pines…
by Lane Roberts The Castle Pines North Metro District will host the third Integrated Water Resources Community Information meeting in April. (As of press time, exact meeting dates were not determined. Watch for specific meeting details to be announced through community-wide e-mail and on the web.) Since September 2005, CDM, a leading engineering firm, has…
by Terri Wiebold More than two years of research, planning and organizing from the Castle Pines North Master Association Safety Task Force has paid off for the community. The long-awaited and much-needed traffic signal at the intersection of Yorkshire Drive and Castle Pines Parkway is now a reality. The task force worked with Douglas County…
by Carin Kirkegaard On May 2, voters will be electing three members to the South Metro Fire Rescue Board of Directors. As a special district, South Metro Fire Rescue is governed by an elected board comprised of five members. In the 2006 special district election, there are three seats up for election. There are five…
Photos by Tim Gamble by Lane Roberts The Castle Pines North Metro District and the Castle Pines North Master Association will host a skateboard park celebration ceremony on Saturday, May 6, at 2 p.m. Children of all ages can bring their skateboards and helmets, and enjoy refreshments, entertainment and activities. (In case of inclement weather,…
By Elean Gersack Did you take photos at the Easter Egg Hunt on April 8? Email your favorite picture, along with names of those in your photo and a caption, to webmaster@cpnhoa.org and enter our Easter Egg Hunt Photo Contest! The winning photo will be included in the June/July issue of The Connection and the…
by Carin Kirkegaard Cyclists get ready for a Rocky Mountain tradition! Join thousands of fellow bike riders and kick off the unofficial start to the Colorado cycling season, June 4, at the Douglas County Fairgrounds in Castle Rock. Whether you are six or sixty, prefer to ride on the road or in the dirt, there…
Easter Fest Attracts Hundreds 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…
King’s Crossing resident Mary Williams by Belinda Paredes Philip S. Miller Library in Castle Rock hosted an art exhibit in February and March that featured over 80 pieces by 23 local artists. The show displayed a variety of artwork throughout the library, including sculptures, paintings, jewelry, and pottery. Library patrons could cast a vote for…
by Terri Wiebold The South Metro Fire Rescue 2006 Budget lists capital investments as the major focus for the coming year. When the District went to the electorate seeking an increase in the mill levy in the spring of 2004, the Board of Directors made a commitment to provide mills for capital purposes. One such…
by Carin Kirkegaard Douglas County Planning is reviewing referrals from neighboring homeowner associations regarding the proposed building of a two-story 26,000 square-foot church. Castle Pines Community Church purchased 12 acres of land that lies west of I-25, at the Surrey Ridge exit, and south of Clydesdale Road. During the referral period, the plans for the…
by Terri Wiebold Beginning in April, citizens interested in volunteering in the area of public safety will have the opportunity to participate in a new program through the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office. “The Community Safety Volunteer Program” enables volunteers to provide services to the community in those areas of law enforcement that do not require…
by Terri Wiebold Rules of the road apply to pedestrians and bicyclists in addition to vehicles. Most of us are mindful of traffic rules and regulations when it pertains to driving vehicles. Traffic rules are usually followed when stopping at red lights, driving the speed limit, and staying on the proper side of the road.…
by Carin Kirkegaard Longer daylight hours and warmer weather has the neighborhood venturing outside after being cooped up from the snow and cold winds of winter. Whether riding a bike, taking a jog, or walking a dog on Castle Pines North’s 14 miles of recreational trails intertwined throughout the community, many residents have been out…
VOTE Vote for the CPN Metro District Board – May 2, at the CPN Community Center, 7404 Yorkshire Drive, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Vote for South Metro Fire Rescue Board -ballots will arrive via U.S. mail by April 17 andmust be received by May 2. by Carin Kirkegaard Castle Pines North (CPN) voters…
Courtesy of South Metro Fire Rescue South Metro Fire Rescue (SMFR) is urging voters to participate in the election of three Fire District Board members. Ballots are being sent to eligible voters and may be returned by mail or in person prior to the May 2 voting deadline. The location to drop off ballots in…
Red E. Fox (left) and Dispatcher with Cherie Abbott of DCSO (Photo by DCSO.) by Terri Wiebold The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office (DCSO) has developed a new 911 education program geared toward Kindergarten through 2nd grade students. The program teaches children what to do and what to say when placing a 911 emergency call. It…
by Belinda Paredes The Castle Pines North Master Association has put considerable effort into keeping residents connected to community news and events through a variety of media. The Connection and the website www.cpnhoa.org have traditionally been the main source of information for residents, but last year great effort was made to connect most residents to…
by Belinda Paredes Ever wished for the opportunity to encourage kids to exercise while raising money for their schools? Now Douglas County families have that opportunity through Tri the Rock. Tri the Rock is a youth USA Triathlon open to kids five through 14, to benefit school athletic programs throughout Douglas County and youth athletics…
by Belinda Paredes After an intensive search and interview process, Buffalo Ridge Elementary (BRE) has named a new principal. Allyson “Ally” Berggren, an assistant principal from Colleyville, Texas, was named principal of BRE in February. She will officially start her position on July 1. Berggren has been assistant principal of Bransford Elementary School for the…
Annual invoices for the Castle Pines Master Association were sent out in February and were due March 31. All CPN homeowners (with the exception of Hidden Pointe residents) should have received one. This invoice is in addition to any individual neighborhood HOA dues homeowners pay, and is only billed once a year. For Hidden Pointe…
By Terri Wiebold Informational Meeting about Defective Smoke Detectors to be Held With the recent attention in the media concerning defective smoke detectors found in many CPN homes, a Master Association-sponsored community information meeting is scheduled for Thursday, May 18, from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Community Center, 7404 Yorkshire Drive. South Metro…
Note: Precinct 61 also includes portions of Oak Hills and Surrey Ridge, and Precincts 63 and 65 also include a small portion of Castle Pines Village. Douglas County Democrats and Republicans are holding their party’s caucuses at locations around the county Tuesday, March 21. Caucus location is determined by precinct. Residents can find out what…
Crime prevention was traditionally thought to be the sole responsibility of local law enforcement agencies, but the concept of community policing has dramatically changed that philosophy. Partnerships between police and the residents they serve have helped empower people to take active roles in crime prevention in their neighborhoods. Castle Pines North (CPN) is a low…
Close to Home Wildlife Experience, 10035 S. Peoria St., Parker – weeklong wildlife camps for ages 5-10: www.wildlifeexperience.org, 720-488-3300 South Suburban Parks & Recreation, various locations in South Suburban district – a large variety of camps for ages 5 and up: www.ssprd.org, 303-708-9500 Primrose Schools, Lone Tree, Highlands Ranch, Parker – a variety of themed…
Coaches that need a field to practice on this spring and/or summer make sure to contact the Metro District and reserve one of Castle Pines North three park locations. CPN has three fields available to all residents including: The Retreat Park, Daniel’s Gate Park, and Coyote Ridge Park. Several soccer, baseball, softball, football and lacrosse…
by Terri Wiebold Drivers Use Caution– New Traffic Signal Expected to be Operational by April 5 Effective noon, March 30, the traffic signal at the intersection of Castle Pines Parkway and Yorkshire Drive was put in four-way flashing mode. The signal is flashing yellow to drivers on Castle Pines Parkway and is flashing red to…
Residents’ Task Force Examines Possible Uses of Undeveloped Parcels Castle Pines North is close to the end of home building; however, there are many questions about the various undeveloped parcels throughout CPN and adjacent areas. New CPN Completion Task Force Formed Recently, a Community Completion Task Force comprised of CPN residents was formed to examine…
Summer may be months away, but local sport leagues are already filling fast! Here are just a few of the local sports organizations that serve the Castle Pines North area. Castle Rock Recreation Some of the summer leagues being offered at the Castle Rock Recreation Center include baseball, t-ball, softball, and summer swim team. The…
The Douglas County School District uses tracks and mobile classrooms to manage the peaks in growth of student populations as neighborhoods grow and mature, as do other Colorado School Districts. Switching to tracks allows the school to enroll 25 percent more students. This pattern of growth compares to a bell curve. When the school is…
Vinny DiPasquale’s life is a little slower these days after his almost 1,400 mile journey to Gulfport, Mississippi last December to deliver toys to an elementary school housing victims of Hurricane Katrina. The 15-year-old Rock Canyon High School student undertook the project to earn his Eagle Scout badge from Troop 316 in Castle Pines. Vinny…
Castle View Park, a 21-acre park project at Castle Pines Parkway and Yorkshire Drive, was delayed last fall due to land acquision issues. The Castle Pines North Metro District has now obtained one of the two missing parcels needed for Castle View. In late December, 5.3 acres of land was transferred to the Metro District…
For many, Spring Break will fall sometime in March. Many Castle Pines North residents are looking for activities that will entertain the whole family. Here are a number of options close to home, as well as to CPN’s north and south. Recreation Sir Bouncealots and Castle Crafts Café is located at 3194 N Industrial Way…
Cindi Leitch, learning specialist from Timber Trail Elementary (TTE), was recently chosen as the finalist to represent the Rock Canyon feeder area at the upcoming Apple Awards. Leitch was picked as one of seven finalists from 60 Apple Award nominees from schools throughout Douglas County. Leitch started with TTE as a member of the core…
The Castle Pines North Metro District recently began construction of a new skateboard park located north of the main parking area at Coyote Ridge Park. According to Metro District Parks and Open Space Manager Charlie Fagan, “Skateboarding is one of the top three most requested park needs. It gives kids and adults a controlled, safe…
The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office recently released information about an attempted Mail Box Cluster theft in Highlands Ranch. Although not specific to CPN, the press release is a good reminder for residents to take precautions with regard to mail. For tips on how to better protect your mail click here.
The Rock Canyon High School (RCHS) newspaper staff took home the title of class 3A State champions for their 2004-2005 volume of “The Rock.” In total, RCHS won five first-place awards and five second-place awards, including second in the “Best of Show” competition in class 4A. With 800 students attending RCHS, the school will be…
Looking for a unique and special way to spend Mother’s Day? The Cherokee Ranch and Castle will be hosting two Mother’s Day teas this May. Reservations fill quickly and early booking is encouraged. Spend the day with Mom touring the romanticized replica of a Scottish Castle and the unique collection of artifacts housed in its…
Buffalo Ridge Elementary (BRE) opened its doors in 1997. By 1998, families were preparing to switch to the four-track calendar. At its height, BRE had over 850 students with three mobile classrooms on a five-track calendar filling the halls of the school. With the beginning of this school year, BRE was able to switch to…
The $6.6 million dollar expansion and renovation project at the Castle Rock Recreation Center recently opened newly completed areas to the public. Plans for the completion of the leisure pool are still on track for this spring. In January, the preschool program held an open house for parents to view the newly finished classrooms and…
Extreme spring weather fluctuations can harm bulbs and perennials that are laying dormant underground. What happens during the drastic weather changes in late winter and early spring is referred to as “frost-heaving.” Frost-heaving occurs when garden soils expand and contract through the process of freezing and thawing. If this continues, eventually plant roots and new…
Signs for the last chance to live in the remaining subdivisions of Castle Pines North will soon be taken down. With only 164 homes left to complete, CPN is becoming a vibrant but stable community. Home builder inventories are nearly sold out and only custom homes remain to be finished. When complete, more than 10,000…
Castle Pines Community Church is sponsoring a six-week study based on the book, “The Purpose Driven Life” by author Rick Warren. In the book, Warren discusses the five purposes for which were created and the need for understanding these in order for life to make sense. The study sessions will take place in various homes…
The next Castle Pines North new residents Welcome Coffee is set for March 1st at 7 p.m., at BB’s Coffee House in Village Square Shopping Center. The quarterly Welcome Coffees, presented by the CPN Master Association, are designed to communicate important facts and information to all new residents, and to welcome them to our community.…
NOTE: “The application deadline for the Douglas County Sheriff’s Dept. Community Safety Volunteer Program has been extended to March 31, 2006.” Citizens interested in applying for the Douglas County Sheriff’s Community Safety Volunteer Program must submit applications for the April academy by March 31, 2006. Applications are available online at www.dcsheriff.net or at the Sheriff’s…
One child goes missing in the United States every 40 seconds, 24-hours-a-day, 365 days per year. Last November, two attempted child abductions were reported in Douglas County. These incidents occurred in the Towns of Castle Rock and Parker; but children everywhere should consistently be reminded of the dangers that confront them daily. One Castle Rock…