Read the stories from the latest issue:
Congratulations to American Academy for receiving top CSAP honors in Douglas County. In the school’s first year open, they tied for first place with Parker Core Knowledge School and had 90 percent of its students score proficient or advanced on the test. Students and Flight – On Tuesday, August 29, students from 4th grade and…
By Lisa Crockett Plans are underway to connect Hess Road, an east-west roadway in Parker, to the Castle Pines Parkway Exit 188 at I-25. Currently, Hess Road ends at Chambers Road in Parker. Douglas County had initially planned to connect Stroh Road at the Castle Pines Parkway exit, but that plan was scrapped when it…
To Report Neighborhood Incidents or Other Unusual Activities Contact – Emergency Number: 911 Always call 911 for crimes in progress or emergency situations. Douglas County Sheriff’s Traffic Safety Hotline: 303-660-7539 Use this number for ongoing traffic problems. Be sure to record location, days, times and nature of the problem. Douglas County Sheriff’s Dispatch Number: 303-660-7500…
by Maureen Shul The FAA Grant to update the noise contours has been issued and signed by Centennial Airport and Ararahoe County Boards. Work on the noise contour updates will now begin and is scheduled to be completed by the end of the year. Centennial Airport had to reapply for funding to update the contour…
By Lane Roberts One might think Castle Pines North (CPN) residents are not passionate about the nature trails in and around the community – – but think again. When news quickly spread that the Highlands Ranch Community Association (HRCA) was denying access to a new trailhead to open space near CPN, dozens upon dozens of…
Photo by Lane Roberts by Terri Wiebold What happens to the 560 acres of open space and the 13.5 miles of natural trails that surround Castle Pines North (CPN) in the wintertime? Only the most beautiful blanket of snow you have ever seen – not to mention some GREAT sledding hills. From the start of…
The following is an excerpt taken from a letter written by Kurtis Kroeckel of Daniel’s Gate to the CPN Master Association: “I am raising a safety issue that needs prompt attention. The Daniel’s Gate Recreation pool is located across Monarch Boulevard from the Serena development. Children and adults who wish to walk to the pool…
By Celine Hundt The development of an Integrated Water Resources Plan (IWRP) for the Castle Pines North (CPN) area has been in progress for more than a year. On August 29, the CPN Metro District held a fourth IWRP public meeting at the CPN Community Center. The IWRP outlined a number of strategies and options…
by Terri Wiebold The Castle Pines North (CPN) Master Association has received several inquiries about the status of plans to build a fire station on a portion of the 10-acre parcel of land located at the corner of Monarch Boulevard and Hidden Pointe. The South Metro Fire Rescue (SMFR) Board of Directors made a commitment…
by Lisa Crockett It is tradition. The first Tuesday in November is Election Day, and this year is no exception. However, Castle Pines North voters will have opportunities to make their voices heard in some not-so-traditional ways this election. In the past, voters have cast ballots at specific polling places. This year, voters will have…
by Terri Wiebold Residents wanting to explore the open spaces to the north of the Castle Pines North community will have better access in the near future. In accordance with a 1988 agreement between Douglas County, the Highlands Ranch Community Association (HRCA), and Mission Veijo (now Shea homes), Douglas County will begin construction of an…
by Lane Roberts The Castle Pines Parks Authority Board members are currently examining park development options following the recent announcement of the proposed development of Lagae Ranch. Castle View Park, a 21-acre park set to be built in the open space on the corner of Castle Pines Parkway and Yorkshire Drive, was to begin construction…
On September 18, Rocky Heights Middle School and Rock Canyon High School Orchestras performed the National Anthem at the Colorado Rockies Game. Congratulations on a job well done! The Rocky Heights Parent Community Alliance (RHPCA) holds its monthly meetings on the third Tuesday of each month at 1:30 p.m. All parents are invited to attend…
Maureen Shul, President of the Castle Pines North Master Association introducing Bill Winter and Ted Harvey by Lisa Crockett In a scene reminiscent of an old-fashioned town hall, the Castle Pines North (CPN) Master Association hosted a “2006 Election Candidate Forum” and invited several candidates for public office. (see names of candidates , their respective…
by Terri Wiebold In June, Sponsored Publications sent a letter to homes in Castle Pines North (CPN) announcing the future publication of a neighborhood directory, “Our Neighborhood Directory.” Many residents responded with personal listing specifications, service company referrals, and other helpful input. The content for the book has been compiled, and the book is being…
By Lisa Crockett King Soopers will soon have a new neighbor, and Castle Pines North (CPN) residents will have more options for buying and selling properties in local neighborhoods. In October, Prestige Real Estate Group, ranked as Colorado’s largest independent real estate company, will open its eighth office in the Denver-Boulder area here in CPN.…
by Lisa Crockett Castle Pines Community Church has asked the County for clarification on several comments made regarding its plan for a new church building in Surrey Ridge. The building, which is proposed to be built on a 12.7-acre site at 9009 Clydesdale Road in the Surrey Ridge community, is a smaller structure than what…
by Elean Gersack Castle Pines North (CPN) is fortunate to have many excellent public educational choices close to home: American Academy, Buffalo Ridge Elementary, DCS Montessori, Timber Trail Elementary, Rocky Heights Middle School and Rock Canyon High School. New to The Connection is a bulletin board section for these local schools. Check the next few…
Developer Chris Fellows (left) walks the Lagae Ranch property while talking with HOA1 residents. By Lane Roberts On Saturday, October 14, more than 30 Castle Pines North residents from HOA1 attended a meeting with the developer of the Lagae Ranch parcel, Chris Fellows. The parcel is located behind King Soopers and adjacent to HOA1. For…
Thanks to Janet Conner, Master Association board member and Safety Task Force Chair, thousands of copies of the new Douglas County Emergency Preparedness Guide are now available for each Castle Pines North (CPN) resident. Neighborhood HOA delegates are encouraged to contact Janet Conner via e-mail at safety@cpnhoa.org, to make arrangements to pick up copies of…
By Terri Wiebold Many Questions Still Unanswered In late July, the Castle Pines North (CPN) Master Association Design Review Committee (DRC) submitted its recommendations on the proposed Canyons North development to the County Planning Commission. The committee’s primary concern was the lack of information contained in the referral relating to the traffic impact the development…
The Buffalo Ridge community has suffered the loss of educational assistant Jaqueline Blecha. Blecha and her daughter, Ashley Martin, a sophomore at Rock Canyon High School, were killed in an apparent double-murder suicide in September. The school reported Blecha missing when she failed to show up for work. Blecha had been a staff member at…
On September 25, the Master Association welcomed new residents to the community at the “New Resident Welcome Coffee.” The coffees are designed to communicate important facts and information to all new residents and to welcome them to the community. Special thanks to Starbucks, Lucas Liquors and Coffeecakes.com for donating refreshments for this event. For more…
by Celine Hundt Triathletes have the arduous challenge of excelling at three different sports (biking, swimming and running). For Kathleen Steffe, a Castle Pines North mother of two, this challenge has become a life’s passion. It was almost an accident that Steffe first discovered the triathlon at the unlikely age of 41. A work colleague…
by Celine Hundt When it rains, it pours. On the day that “A Taste of Timber Trail” was scheduled to take place, the heavens opened up and the difficult decision to postpone the event by a week was made. The following Saturday, the skies still looked threatening, but the brave organizers of the event ploughed…
by Terri Wiebold As witches, goblins, and super-heroes descend on neighborhoods across Castle Pines North this October 31, the Master Association joins the American Red Cross in offering parents some safety tips to help prepare children for a safe and enjoyable trick-or-treat experience. Halloween should be filled with surprise and enjoyment, and following some common…
by Terri Wiebold Regional Transportation District’s (RTD) long-awaited Southeast Corridor Light Rail construction is complete, and trains are scheduled to begin transporting passengers on November 17. CPN residents can take advantage of this service from as close as Lincoln Avenue and I-25. Taking the train could help CPN residents save on time and fuel, make…
by Celine Hundt Timber Trail Elementary (TTE) is one of five Douglas County Schools that will participate in the Rocky Mountain PBS mini-television series entitled “Super School News.” Fifth and sixth graders from each of the five schools – Redstone, Copper Mesa, Heritage, Sedalia and TTE – will gain a new understanding of the world…
By Lane Roberts A commerical development “For Sale” sign has been placed on CC-20, but Village Homes has no real news to report about the development of the parcel. According to Village Homes, owner of the land located on the northwest corner of Castle Pines Parkway and Monarch Boulevard, a second submission request is being…
By Celine Hundt In these days of mass-manufacturing, it is refreshing to find beautifully-crafted handmade goods at affordable prices. Handmade Colorado is a new store in Castle Pines North (CPN) where shoppers can purchase the work of local artists and crafters. The store is located close to Safeway in the Castle Pines Marketplace Shopping Center.…
By Celine Hundt Donna Collison, a resident of Parker who was dropping off her grandson at the DCS Montessori School, was astounded to encounter a black bear as she walked up the path behind the school. She saw the bear on the main road about 25 yards from the dirt parking lot close to the…
New “Exclusive” Highlands Ranch Trail System by Terri Wiebold More than 50 Castle Pines North (CPN) residents attended the Castle Pines North Metro District Board meeting on August 21, along with the news crew from Channel 7, to hear comments from Douglas County Parks and Trails Planner, Randy Burkhardt, regarding the neighboring Highlands Ranch trail…
by Terri Wiebold The Gardner family had lived in the Castle Pines North community less than one year when the problems began. Twice in the past year the Gardner’s house in King’s Crossing has been “egged”, once in February and again in May. In mid April, Joan Gardner was standing on her back deck watering…
In 2005, a total of 2,385 Douglas County households participated in Douglas County’s Household Chemical Roundups, safely disposing of more than 161 tons of hazardous materials. This included 7,500 pounds of pesticides, 140 pounds of mercury-containing devices, 6,500 gallons of hazardous liquids and 130 tons of paint. If not for the Roundups, this waste might…
by Terri Wiebold More than fifty Castle Pines North (CPN) residents turned up at the community center on August 3 to hear a presentation given by Chris Fellows of HF Holdings LLC, regarding future development of the northern portion of the Lagae Ranch. The 240-acre parcel of land, located south of King Soopers and adjacent…
by Terri Wiebold Whisper Canyon resident of three years, David Necker is the newest member appointed to the Castle Pines North Master Association’s Board of Directors. With a background in architecture and construction, Necker brings an expertise in dispute resolution, arbitration, and mediation to the Board of Directors. Necker describes himself as, “level headed, with…
By Carin Kirkegaard One important milestone in life is the all-important day when one starts down the path of education and attends the first day of kindergarten. For many parents, this day approaches with joy and anxiety. This apprehension is only greater when a family has a child with special needs. The Abramovitz family of…
From the left, Jeff Tomczak, Gene Tomczak and Amy Mayo of Show Your Colors by Terri Wiebold Flying America’s colors is not only a successful family business for U.S. Air Force veteran Gene Tomczak, but a true passion. Founder of Show Your Colors Flag Company, Tomczak donated the grand 10 x 15 foot American flag…
by Terri Wiebold In July, the Castle Pines North Master Association Safety Committee met with representatives from the South Metro Fire District and the Douglas County Department of Emergency Management to discuss safety issues in Castle Pines North. Among the issues discussed were notification and evacuation procedures in the event of a large scale emergency.…
The Castle Pines North Master Association is currently seeking a Community Manager to oversee the administrative, financial and daily business management functions of the organization. The manager would report to a seven member board of directors and oversee daily operations of 3,200 homes. This position would require a strong financial background and extensive administrative service…
Vote Centers For the Primary Election, held August 8 and the General Election, held November 7, Douglas County voters will not report to their precinct voting place. Instead, there will be voting centers located across the county. Voters may choose to vote at any of the countywide centers. The Castle Pines North Community Center, located…
CPN resident Ben Ewing sets his sights on the 2008 Olympic games. By Celine Hundt Castle Pines North resident, Ben Ewing, is infectiously passionate about the sport of team handball. When most people imagine handball, it is a picture of two people hitting a ball against a wall with hands in the style of racquetball.…
by Lane Roberts School buses are already out on the streets of Castle Pines North (CPN). On July 7, Timber Trail Elementary switched to a four-track year-round calender and welcomed more than 600 students back to school. Buffalo Ridge will remain on a traditional calendar this year. DCS Montessori School, Rocky Heights Middle School, and…
By Carin R. Kirkegaard One important factor in what makes Castle Pines North (CPN) a community where people want to live is the people, and more specifically those who give freely of themselves and their time. Stacie Sneider is one of those people who tirelessly gives back to CPN. A Colorado native, Sneider grew up…
by Carin R. Kirkegaard Rocky Heights Middle School heads back to school August 14 and is looking forward to a year of learning. At Rocky Heights, “the primary objective of student achievement requires community involvement, parent participation and a culture of high expectations,” said Principal Patricia Dierberger. Doors for the first day of school open…
by Celine Hundt Because DCS Montessori School is a charter school, it relies heavily on its fundraising efforts to finance its school foundation – the Montessori Educational Foundation (MEF). Proceeds from school fundraisers go directly to buy computers and supplies. One such fundraising event is the school’s Fall Festival which will be held this year…
by Terri Wiebold Castle Pines North (CPN) residents may soon have another line of defense for fighting crime in the open spaces throughout the CPN community. Horses Rodney, Rowdy and Whiskey are the three latest additions to the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office’s newly-formed Mounted Patrol Division. According to DCSO Public Information Officer, Dave Jolly, the…
by Carin R. Kirkegaard The 2006-2007 school year promises to be full of opportunity and celebration for Buffalo Ridge Elementary School (BRE). The first full day of classes will begin August 16 for grades first through fifth. Goal setting conferences will be held on August 14 and 15. During these conference days, parents can open…
by Roberta Harrell, American Academy CAO Can you imagine learning 7th grade science through the hands-on marine science educational program delivered by marine science professionals at SEACAMP in San Diego? Or how about learning 6th grade archeology from professional researchers at a working excavation site at Crow Canyon Archaeology Center in Cortez, Colorado? These are…
Smile Makeover Winner Mary LaPorte by Terri Wiebold Sixty-three year old Mary LaPorte is smiling a lot these days after winning a Mother’s Day Smile Makeover contest in May from Castle Pines North Family Dentistry. Of the 25 entries submitted for the contest, Drs. Jeff and Stephanie Scheich selected LaPorte after reading the nomination her…
by Celine Hundt A community-wide celebration on May 6 heralded the opening of the new skateboard park at Coyote Ridge Park. However, now that a few months have elapsed, the mood of some of the neighbors who live adjacent to the skate park is anything but celebratory. While the park undoubtedly provides a much-needed outlet…
By Carin Kirkegaard Children from across Castle Pines North (CPN) neighborhoods enjoyed their days in the sun swimming for the community on one of the local swim teams. This summer was the first that CPN was able to offer families a choice in choosing a swim team. Castle Pines Piranhas The Castle Pines Piranhas spent…
The Douglas County Libary’s Bookmobile visits Castle Pines North (CPN) each week. The Bookmobile has a permanent collection of more than 3,000 items, but has complete access to everything within the Douglas County Library system. Any item can be ordered on-line and delivered to the Bookmobile for pick-up. Save gas and time and visit the…
by Carin Kirkegaard In May, a swarm of honey bees was discovered at the corner of Oxford and Berkley Circle in the Kings Crossing neighborhood of HOA2. Concerned neighbors spotted the brown swirling mass and upon closer inspection discovered that it was a swarm of bees. Residents tried calling organizations like local animal control as…
by Terri Wiebold Since ancient times, storytellers have shared stories to pass on wisdom, engage the imagination of young people, and foster a sense of community. The spellbinders storytelling program recreates this age-old tradition by bringing together generations and advancing literacy, while enriching the lives of children and volunteers alike. Spellbinders is a group of…
by Terri Wiebold After many months of planning, design, and re-design, the T-Mobile cellular flag pole at the Castle Pine North (CPN) Community Center is finally complete. The Community Center, located at the corner of Castle Pines Parkway and Yorkshire Drive, was selected as the site for the new tower because it was a high…
by Carin Kirkegaard Rock Canyon High School (RCHS), for the first time in the school’s history, will have its inaugural senior class walking the halls of the school August 15. With this long anticipated moment comes changes to the make up of the school. With nearly 1,200 students attending RCHS this fall, the school was…
Rocky Heights Nighthawks celebrate their state championship win. By Carin Kirkegaard All middle school students in grades six through eight, both boys and girls, interested in playing for the 2006 Colorado Middle School Inline Hockey League are invited to attend the Rocky Heights Nighthawks fall tryouts at the Soc n’ Roll indoor sports facility in…
No matter the child’s age, parents have one thing in common – safety! Follow these simple tips to help children stay safe when traveling to and from school. Map out a safe way for children to walk to school or to the bus stop. Do a trial run. Teach children to follow traffic signals and…
by Terri Wiebold The Ridge Golf Course is one of Colorado’s premier upscale golf courses, receiving statewide and national recognition. It sits nestled in the heart of Castle Pines North (CPN) and is an asset to the entire community. CPN residents enjoy special discounts at The Ridge all through the year, including discounts on green…
by Lane Roberts Castle Pines North is home to many veterans and other military service members who could become victims of identity theft. This summer, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) had the personal information of more than 26.5 million veterans, active duty service members, Reservists, National Guard, and spouses, stolen from an employee’s laptop…
For more than 200 years, the American flag has been the symbol of this nation’s strength and unity. It has been a source of pride and inspiration for millions of citizens, and it has been a prominent icon in national history. The flag is a precious possession, and can be displayed proudly on all days…especially…
Castle Pines North residents can avoid unwelcome solicitors by simply placing a “no solicitation” sign near the doorbell. If the doorbell still rings, make sure to keep a locked barrier in front of the solicitor. Ask to see the solicitor registration card from the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office (DCSO). According to the DCSO, any person…
by Terri Wiebold Common products found in residential homes such as oil-based paints, gasoline, fence and deck stains, degreasers, cleaning compounds, and garden chemicals can be hazardous and should be disposed of properly. If not disposed of properly, these materials have the potential to unknowingly harm sanitation workers, create problems in sewage treatment plants and…
By Terri Wiebold Readers of The Connection may have noticed some subtle changes in the past several issues with the way the newsletter has been published. The Master Association Board of Directors’ vision of this publication is for it to be a community newsletter. With that in mind, coverage of area news has been limited…
Crystal Petersen, Colorado Division of Wildlife By Celine Hundt On July 18, approximately 50 local residents attended an informational seminar entitled “Coexisting with Wildlife in Castle Pines North”. The seminar was rolled out to the community by Castle Pines North Master Association. The meeting’s intent was to address residents’ safety concerns following recent sightings of…
Residents Continue to Report Mountain Lion Sightings in CPN. During June and July, residents continued to report numerous sightings of mountain lions throughout Castle Pines North (CPN). Witnesses have reported spotting mountain lions in Stonecroft, Greenbriar, Hidden Pointe, Glen Oaks, and near Daniels Park. Most sightings have been in the evening, but some have been…
One of the greatest assets of Castle Pines North (CPN) is the thousands of acres of open space that surround the community. With this open space comes the animals that call it home. There are herds of elk and deer, as well as other prey of mountain lions that inhabit the landscape surrounding CPN. Residents…
by Lane Roberts Last year, the Metro District’s landscaping improvement project included planting more than 100 trees, hundreds of shrubs, and drought-tolerant grass along Monarch Boulevard. Co-Cal, the commercial landscaping contractor for the project, was back in Castle Pines North (CPN) again this summer to replace numerous trees, shrubs and areas of grass that did…
by Terri Wiebold Fire Station 36 on Castle Pines Parkway did a fantastic job distributing over 200 replacement smoke detectors to residents whose homes had faulty smoke detectors installed in them. Unfortunately, its supply has run out. Special thanks to South Metro Fire Rescue and Station 36 for its efforts in supplying these replacement detectors.…