Read the stories from the latest issue:
by Elean Gersack Friday and Saturday, May 19 and 20, traffic on local streets will be bustling as folks from far and wide visit Castle Pines North (CPN) in hopes of finding some good deals. The Master Association will advertise this huge garage sale within Denver and Douglas County newspapers and the CPN website will…
CPN resident Sally Wagner races toward the finish line at Tri for the Cure (Photo courtesy of The Wagner family) by Elean Gersack Ask any woman, and chances are she or someone she knows has been affected in some way by breast cancer. According to the Susan G. Komen Foundation, over 212,000 women will be…
By Carin Kirkegaard Memorial Day weekend is fast approaching and with the extended weekend comes the beginning of summer. May 26 is the official last day of school for Douglas County, and other local schools will soon follow. With longer, warmer days ahead, Castle Pines North (CPN) children will be out playing ball, riding bikes…
South Metro Fire Rescue 9195 E. Mineral Ave Centennial, CO 80112 720-488-7164 by Carin Kirkegaard BRK Smoke Alarm Issue Updated 5/2/06 STEP 1 – Identification Confirm you have affected models: (all must apply) BRK Brands, Inc. hard-wired smoke alarms Model: 4120B or 4120SB Date: 1998 – October 2000 STEP 2 – Prevention Manufacturer recommends Eveready…
Summertime brings out bikes, skateboards, scooters and motorized toy vehicles. Motorized scooters, dirt bikes and all-terrain vehicles all fall under the category of “toy” vehicles, and all are prohibited from public roadways and sidewalks. Owners of these “toys” are only permitted to operate the vehicles on private property with the permission of the property owners.…
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 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…
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…
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 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…
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 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…
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 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…
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…
by Carin Kirkegaard During the past week, there has been a report of a mountain lion in the Stonecroft neighborhood in Castle Pines North (CPN). The Stonecroft neighborhood is located behind the CC-20 lot at the corner of Castle Pines Parkway and Monarch Boulevard. The animal was seen walking across Stonemont Drive toward Stonedale, and…
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…
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 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 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…
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 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…
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…
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…
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…
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 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…
by Lane Roberts Water restrictions in Castle Pines North will begin on May 1. All residents will receive a water restrictions postcard. The Castle Pines North Metro District has implemented mandatory water restrictions since 2003. The circle, diamond, square third day watering program helps manage water supply and also helps conserve water. Water restrictions also…
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…
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 Carin Kirkegaard Coyote Ridge Park will soon be a little lighter. The corner at Serena Drive and Hidden Pointe Boulevard will soon have a streetlight installed at the northwest corner of the intersection. With summer approaching and days getting longer, more families will stay later at the park. This corner presents a danger for…
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 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…
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 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…
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 The Ridge Golf Course opened for the 2006 season on March 2. Tee times will be booked starting at 9:30 a.m. during the month of March. Food and beverage service is now available as well. The Ridge is offering a new “season ticket” program for 2006, which is a book of 20…
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 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…
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 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…
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 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 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 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…
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 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 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 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 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,…
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 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 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…
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…
Barry Meigs, the principal of Buffalo Ridge Elementary (BRE) for the past five years, announced in November, 2005 that he is retiring at the end of the 2006 school year. In his career at BRE, Meigs counts the improvement of the school’s curriculum as one of his accomplishments. “Our curriculum is aligned better. That means…
The mast arms are up, the control boxes are in, but no lights are in operation at the corner of Castle Pines Parkway and Yorkshire Drive. According to Douglas County Public Works Principal Traffic Engineer, Alex Larson, “best case scenario is for the light to be operational in two to three weeks.” In the beginning…
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…
The Canyons development, which lies to the east of Castle Pines North across Interstate-25, is divided into two separate sections. The northern portion extends from the Castle Pines Parkway interchange south to Crowfoot Valley Road. Canyons South fills the land between Crowfoot Valley Road and the new Pradera neighborhood. The sketch plan for the 2,043-acre…
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…
The second annual Holiday Carriage Rides, brought to you by the Castle Pines North Master Association, sold out in just three days! “The event was such a hit last year that we added additional nights and rides this year”, said Carla Kenny, Social Events Planner for the CPN Master Association. “With temperatures hitting the single…
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.…
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…
The CPN Master Association is a community-wide HOA that unifies and represents all the individual neighborhoods within the community, while enhancing the overall quality of life for its residents. The Master Association communicates important information to the community via newsletter (“The Connection”), web site (www.cpnhoa.org), and e-mail alerts. This area saw major improvements last year,…
Who: Students, teachers, parents, families, and the public are invited to attend What: A celebration of the various visual and performing arts represented at RCHS When: Thursday, February 23: 7:30 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. and again from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Where: Rock Canyon High School, 5810 McArthur Road Why: Students, parents, teachers, an…