Read the stories from the latest issue:
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 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.…
by Terri Wiebold Residents going to voting centers this election will vote using a new state of the art technology known as an eSlate™ or Direct Record Electronic (DRE) voting system. The eSlate device is about the size of a legal pad, about one inch thick, and weighs just 5.2 pounds. Voters turn a rotary…
by Carin Kirkegaard With more than one thousand participants from seven local schools, the Rock Slide has become one of the most anticipated community events in Castle Pines North (CPN). With all eight schools from the Rock Canyon High School area committed to compete in the 2006 Rock Slide, this year’s event promises to be…
by Terri Wiebold Castle Pines North resident, Jerry Parker, feels very strongly about the use of fireworks in residential areas and near open spaces – and for good reason. In 1985, Parker’s house (not in CPN) was nearly burned down by a fire that spread as the result of illegal fireworks. Parker had to evacuate…
CONTACT #1: Jamie Moore, Douglas County Emergency Management Director, 303-660-7589 CONTACT #2: Public Information Officer, Cocha Heyden, 303-814-7096 RELEASE DATE:07/06/06 RELEASE TIME: 2:00 pm CASE NUMBER: WHAT: Douglas County Sheriff David Weaver Lifts Stage 2 Fire Restrictions WHEN: Effective 07/07/06 at 8:00 am NARRATIVE: DOUGLAS COUNTY, CO – Recent heavy precipitation and weather outlooks from…
Castle Rock, Col., (July 5, 2006) – -The Castle Pines North Master Association will present “Coexisting with Wildlife in Castle Pines North,” on Tuesday, July 18, at 7 p.m., at the Castle Pines North (CPN) Community Center, 7404 Yorkshire Drive. Crystal Petersen of the Colorado Division of Wildlife will present common sense safety tips and…
By Terri Wiebold The Canyons is a proposed residential development to the east of Castle Pines North (CPN), across Interstate-25. It is divided into two separate sections – Canyons North which extends from the Castle Pines Parkway interchange south to Crowfoot Valley Road, and Canyons South which fills the land between Crowfoot Valley Road and…
Xeriscape* is the logical solution to landscape design in the semi-aird state of Colorado. In the days of extreme drought, water restrictions and higher water bills, Xeriscape is a reponsible approach to water conservation. Derived from the Greek word, xeros, meaning “dry,” Xeriscape is a method that promotes water conservation through creative landscaping. Utilizing Xeriscape…
Dear Connection: I am the President of the North Lynx Homeowner’s Association and I have received several complaints from residents who live near the new skateboard park about activities occurring after hours at the park. Who should residents contact if they have questions or concerns about questionable activity at the park? – Jennifer Havercroft, North…
Recent storms in early July brought almost six inches of much needed rain to Castle Pines North. The home of Robert and Sandra Tomlinson (pictured above) in Tapestry Hills was struck by lightening and the garage caught on fire. Special thanks to South Metro Fire Rescue for their quick response. The fire was contained in…
By Carin Kirkegaard Castle Pines North (CPN) residents attended a meeting with Xcel Energy held at the Community Center on June 22. The intent of the meeting was to provide information and answer the community’s questions regarding the upcoming expansion of the Daniel’s Gate Substation. The substation site was built in 1965, nearly 24 years…
by Elean Gersack Despite a chill in the air and passing rain showers, the Master Association’s presentation of Napoleon Dynamite was enjoyed thoroughly by many Castle Pines North (CPN) families. For the first time, and with the help of the main event sponsor, Dr. Andrew Dunbar of Castle Pines Orthodontics, a PG-rated movie was selected…
by Lane Roberts More than 240-acres of the northern portion of the Lagae Ranch was set to be purchased by HF Holdings, LLC, as of press time. The parcel, located behind King Soopers and adjacen to HOA1, was previously owned by A & A Investments, LLC. Darwin Horan and Chris Fellows, principles of HF Holdings,…
Castle Pines North residents Dave and Sally Warren (above) removed their entire yard of Kentucky Blue Grass at their Hidden Pointe home. The Warrens replaced the lawn with a beautiful Xeriscape design featuring flagstone, river rock, mulch, drought-tolerant plants and evergreens. by Lane Roberts Following a public hearing with suggestions from local residents, the Metro…
by Terri Wiebold This summer, the Douglas County Board of County Commissioners placed fire restrictions in effect for the County, including unincorporated areas of Douglas County such as Castle Pines North, based on changes in the extreme risk of fire danger. Future weather forecasts and lack of precipitation levels create a significant threat of fire…
By Lane Roberts Village Homes, owner of the land located on the northwest corner of Castle Pines Parkway and Monarch Boulevard known as CC-20, has filed three land use applications with Douglas County in an effort to move forward with development of the parcel. Village Homes is expecting to receive comments from Douglas County regarding…
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.…
by Terri Wiebold Every spring and summer, Castle Pines North (CPN) residents are encouraged to participate in Douglas County’s Slash and Mulch Program, beginning Memorial Day weekend and continuing on through Labor Day weekend. The program is part of Douglas County’s wildfire mitigation plan, and it allows residents to take an active role in fire…
The Porter family from the left Jake, Jeff, Abby, Anna, and Kari by Lane Roberts Many families are often faced with the difficult task of caring for a child with special needs. For Jeff and Kari Porter, they’ve met the challenge head-on. Residents of Castle Pines North (CPN) since 2001, the Porter’s daughter, Abby, was…
by Belinda Paredes The Canyons development, proposed for the area southeast of I-25 and Castle Pines Parkway, has a new website available. To view plans, new developments, and upcoming events, visit www.thecanyonsliving.com. According to the area developer, The Alpert Company, no open houses have been scheduled yet. They are still awaiting comments on sketch plans…
Vice President of Planning for Village Homes, Ron Skarka presented ideas for CC-20 to residents on April 19. By Lane Roberts If you build it they will come. That was the key message from Village Homes, owner of the land located on the northwest corner of Castle Pines Parkway and Monarch Boulevard known as CC-20.…
Brandon S., 14 months, enjoys his first Easter Egg Hunt on April 8. Brandon was the winner of the CPNMaster Association’s Easter Egg Hunt Photo Contest. by Elean Gersack Congratulations to Christine S. for taking the winning photograph at the Master Association’s Easter Egg Hunt on April 8. The Master Association received many wonderful photos…
by Carin Kirkegaard Water is an important commodity in Colorado’s semi-arid climate, and it is important to conserve whenever possible. Since 2003, the Castle Pines North Metro District (CPNMD) has provided the community with a mandatory watering schedule. Residents should have received a schedule by mail in late April. The circle, diamond, square third day…
by Elean Gersack The Master Association will host a second Movie in the Park this summer. Shrek will play on the big screen at Coyote Ridge Park on Saturday, August 26. “The Movie in the Park has been such a great event, we decided to show another one this summer,” said Carla Kenny, Social Event…
by Carin Kirkegaard A proposal to develop a 12.23-acre parcel of commercially-zoned land in Castle Pines North (CPN) has been filed with the Douglas County Planning Division. The site lies directly north of the intersection of Castle Pines Parkway and Lagae Road, between the Douglas County Montessori School to the east, and the Xcel power…
by Elean Gersack On Sunday, August 6, women from around Denver will swim, bike and run to raise money for the fight against breast cancer. Tri for the Cure will be held at Cherry Creek State Park (near Belleview and I-25) and all fundraising proceeds will support the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. Many…
Photo courtesy of Nanci Simmons of Tri-County Farmers Markets by Elean Gersack Summertime is here and that means fresh produce from Colorado farmers. Shop the open air markets and enjoy mouth-watering, locally grown fruits and vegetables. Colorado farmers offer the highest quality produce at reasonable prices. Fresh fruits and vegetables are important for good health,…
Watch for school buses in the Castle Pines North community in early July. Timber Trail Elementary (TTE) has officially switched to a four-track calendar and students will be heading back to school this year in July. TTE has projected more than 600 students for the 2006-2007 school year and will have four tracks this year.…
by Elean Gersack Residents from throughout Castle Pines North (CPN) enjoyed the Master Association’s Easter Egg Hunt at Coyote Ridge Park on Saturday, April 8. Over 10,000 eggs and the Easter Bunny were on hand for this fun CPN tradition! Little ones, some with help from their parents, raced for eggs that were divided by…
by Elean Gersack Although summer is here, planning is already underway for the fall. Here is the scoop about a variety of nearby organizations offering fall sports leagues and activities. Check them out soon as fall sign-up deadlines are fast approaching: Castle Rock Recreation Some of the fall leagues being offered at the Castle Rock…
By Carin Kirkegaard Summer is here and along with the long hot days come solicitors canvassing the neighborhood. Residents in Castle Pines North can avoid unwelcome solicitors by simply purchasing a “no solicitation” sign and placing it near the doorbell. According to the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office (DCSO), any person engaged in door-to-door selling of…
by Elean Gersack June is adopt-a-cat month and The Buddy Center is gearing up to find homes for many of its kittens and cats during Kitty Karnival on Saturday, June 24. The Karnival will be held from 10:30 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. with crafts, games and small prizes on hand for children. “Our goal is…
by Terri Wiebold South Metro Fire Rescue (SMFR) recently joined a select group of fire agencies around the world that have gained accreditation from the Commission on Fire Accreditation International (CFAI). SMFR Chief, Robert Rinne, spoke at the Castle Pines North Master Association Board of Director’s meeting on April 20 about his Department’s accomplishments. “It…
by Belinda Paredes The International at Castle Pines Golf Club will be held this year from August 7-13. Residents of CPN may feel an impact from the tournament in a number of ways, notably increased traffic and busier restaurants, stores, and gas stations. Residents who drive Daniel’s Park Road to Highway 85 will be especially…
John Ewing by Terri Wiebold (CPN) Metro District Board of Directors, John Ewing is leaving the Board to pursue other interests. “There is still very important work to be done on the Board,” said Ewing. “But, I am term-limited and my time is up.” Ewing lists among the high-points of his tenure on the board…
by Elean Gersack Buyers and sellers alike enjoyed the crowds at the Master Association’s Community Garage Sale on May 19 and 20. Hundreds of Castle Pines North (CPN) residents registered sale items on the website and attracted buyers from throughout the greater Denver area. “I received great feedback from residents regarding the sale,” said Carla…
How Dry is 2006? Galen Crowder, CPN resident and former Metro District Board member, is one of many homeowners in the area that tracks moisture statistics in the community. Just how dry is 2006? Take a look at these numbers provided by Crowder: January 1, 2006 – May 4, 2006 3.75 inches January 1, 2005…
by Elean Gersack Reckless Abandon will be back again this year to perform on Sunday, August 6, at Coyote Ridge Park. Festivities, including concessions and air castles, will begin at 4:30 p.m. and the concert will begin at 6:00 p.m. Castle Pines North Boy Scout Troop 316 will be on hand to barbeque hot dogs…
by Terri Wiebold After months of planning and preparation, T-Mobile has begun construction of a new cellular tower at the Castle Pines North Community Center, located at the corner of Yorkshire Drive and Castle Pines Parkway. “We finally have everything approved and I am pleased we were able go forward with the flag pole design…
Project Lifesaver wristband and battery used by participants. by Terri Wiebold Castle Pines North (CPN) resident Maureen Shul, a resident of Bramble Ridge and Master Association Board President, along with Victor and Amy Mitchell of Castle Pines, are among the volunteers who have worked to make Project Lifesaver a reality in Douglas County. Project Lifesaver…
by Terri Wiebold Two Castle Pines North (CPN) residents, Carol Langley-Finnegan of The Retreat and Walt Wohlgemuth of Forest Park, (pictured above) were selected to attend the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office Community Safety Volunteer Program. The 10-week citizen’s academy began April 4, 2006, and sixteen other participants from Douglas County are attending the training as…
Share questions, comments or opinions with The Connection. E-mail questions to editor@cpnhoa.org. I am all for cyclists riding along Monarch, but are you aware of the frequency in which they cross the white line and cross into traffic? Someone is going to get hurt and it will be a tragedy. – Joe Musso, Hidden Pointe…
by Carin Kirkegaard The Douglas County Garden Club is sponsoring the “Woodsy Owls” at Buffalo Ridge Elementary (BRE) as part of its philanthropic work in Douglas County. During the program, the Daisy troop that meets at BRE, learned about the environment and how to keep it clean and preserved. “We measured trees and planted salad…
by Elean Gersack On July 4, this nation will celebrate its 230th birthday. Celebrate this magnificent day with stars and stripes, music, parades, and fireworks displays. Here are just a few ideas to help plan the celebration: The Liberty Festival will be held at the Douglas County Fairgrounds on July 4. The Air Force Color…
by Elean Gersack The Master Association’s Summer Movie in the Park is planned for Saturday, June 24, at Coyote Ridge Park. This year’s movie, Napoleon Dynamite, is a PG-rated film about a high school boy helping his friend to win the class presidency. The fun begins at 6:30 p.m. with a Napoleon Dynamite parade, air…
CPN resident Chad Spath (#24) of the Rock Canyon Jaguars battles a Mountain Vista player during the March 18 game. CPN resident Andrew Paredes is assistant coach of the Mountain Vista team. by Belinda Paredes The Rock Canyon High School (RCHS) boy’s lacrosse team finished its season with only one loss and an opportunity to…
Photos courtesy of Sarah Byrne by Elean Gersack On Saturday, April 22, Rock Canyon High School (RCHS) juniors dressed up, posed for pictures and took the town in celebration of the school’s first prom. The dance was held at Hudson Gardens in Littleton and was themed “Midnight in Manhattan.” Students danced beneath the lights and…
by Belinda Paredes Water Parks – Pirate’s Cove – www.englewoodgov.org, 1225 W. Belleview Ave., Englewood, 303-762-COVE. O’Brien Park – www.parkeronline.org/recreation/h2obrienpool.aspx, 10795 Victorian Drive, Parker 720-851-5873 Water World – www.waterworldcolorado.com, 1800 W. 89th Avenue, Federal Heights, 303-427-SURF. Island Kingdom @ Six Flags – see Elitch Gardens information below. Amusement Parks – Six Flags Elitch Gardens –…
New residents of Castle Pines North are invited to attend the next welcome coffee set for Tuesday, June 13, at 7 p.m. at the Community Center located at 7404 Yorkshire Drive. Held quarterly, the welcome coffees are designed to communicate important facts and information to new residents and to welcome them to the community. For…
By Terri Wiebold Replacement smoke detector units are still available at Station 36 for residents who have confirmed affected units, and who have experienced a problem (intermittent chirping, unexplained alarms, and/or exploding batteries) with the units. In order to be eligible to receive these free replacement units, residents must have filed a report with South…
by Elean Gersack For more than 65 years, the Douglas County Fair and Rodeo has attracted folks from far and wide to the Douglas County Fair Grounds. Rodeos, parades, carnival rides, and a home-town county feeling are sure to please the young and the young at heart. Enjoy free admission to a variety of events,…
by Carin Kirkegaard The new Metro District Board was seated on May 22 and welcomed three new members: Jonette Brown Eyes, Ted Lohr and Bruce Thompson. Each new member is dedicated and focused on serving Castle Pines North (CPN) with a fiscally-responsible approach, while looking to secure future water supplies for the community. Brown Eyes…
By Terri Weibold Due to a significant increase in the risk of fire danger, the Douglas County Board of Commissioners adopted a resolution restricting open fires and open burning in unincorporated areas of Douglas County, including Castle Pines North. The ban, effective June 15, escalated the existing Stage One restrictions to Stage Two, prohibiting all…