The Castle Pines Connection

4000 Justice Way Castle Rock, CO 80109 Release Page 1 CONTACT #1: Public Information Officer, Lt. Alan Stanton, 303-660-7586; pgr. 303-208-5233 CONTACT#2: Jamie Moore, Douglas County Emergency Management Director, 303-660-7589 RELEASE DATE: 08/30/05 RELEASE TIME: 3:15 p.m. CASE NUMBER: N/A WHAT: Douglas County Board of County Commissioners have Rescinded Stage 1 Fire Restrictions for Unincorporated…

Multiple efforts to help those who lost so much to the destruction of Hurricane Katrina are underway here in Castle Pines North and throughout Douglas County. Residents who want to help can start with these relief efforts: Boy Scout Troop 316 Douglas County Schools Colorado SART (State Animal Response Team) Douglas County FUNd-Raiser Boy Scout…

Douglas County will be holding a household chemical roundup on September 24. Castle Pines North residents can bring hazardous chemicals and other waste to the Castle Rock Utilities site at 175 Kellogg Road. Drop off times will run from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. There is no charge for drop off, but a donation of…

Installation of a new traffic signal at the intersection of Castle Pines Parkway and Yorkshire Drive is underway. The median on Yorkshire Drive, at the Royal Hill entrance, was recently removed. Construction for the project began months ago and wasn’t noticeable until the recent median removal. “Most of the work is being done at or…

4000 Justice Way Castle Rock, CO 80109 Release Page 1 CONTACT #1: Public Information Officer, Lt. Alan Stanton, 303-660-7586; pgr. 303-208-5233 CONTACT#2: Jamie Moore, Douglas County Emergency Management Director, 303-660-7589 RELEASE DATE: 08/30/05 RELEASE TIME: 3:15 p.m. CASE NUMBER: N/A WHAT: Douglas County Board of County Commissioners have Rescinded Stage 1 Fire Restrictions for Unincorporated…

On September 23 Douglas County will adopt the Katrina ravaged victims that have been relocated in Colorado at the Lowery Air Force Base and those victims of Jackson County Mississippi in an all day FUNd-Raiser event. The event will be held at the Douglas County Fairgrounds in the Event Center. Activities are scheduled from 10…

The streets of Castle Pines North were teaming with brightly decorated wagons, bikes, scooters, strollers, and pets on Monday July 4th, all in celebration for the Nation’s birthday. Many of CPN’s neighborhood HOAs promote this holiday as an opportunity to bring neighbors together and have fun. Celebrations were happening throughout the day. Many parades hit…

British Petroleum will be putting its 100 service stations in Colorado up for sale, according to a recent article in the Denver Post. This includes the BP at the intersection of Castle Pines Parkway and N. Debbie Lane. These stores could be purchased by various names such as Conoco, or Diamond Shamrock. BP is selling…

Douglas County has extended the school day for all middle and high school students. The state of Colorado has a requirement of 1,080 hours of instructional time per year for secondary schools. Elementary schools are required to meet for 990 hours of instructional time per year. These requirements provide more teacher student contact. Although the…

Many residents continue to ask questions about Xcel’s power line corridor that runs along the eastern side of our community. CPN Master Association Board Member Bruce Thompson recently answered a few of the frequently asked Xcel questions. Are the New Poles in Place? “The new metal power pole installation is now complete and Xcel is…

With a decision made last spring, the sixth graders at both Timber Trail Elementary and Buffalo Ridge Elementary will pack their backpacks and head off to Rocky Heights Middle School. This is the first group of sixth graders entering middle school in the Castle Pines North area. Now that the change has occurred, families are…

The 2005-2006 school year brings the first junior class to Rock Canyon High School. With this status come varsity athletics and the school’s first Junior Prom. Being the first class to attend Rock Canyon, Renita Mundwiller, a parent of a junior classman, was concerned for her son’s high school experience. “I was worried that he…

DOUGLAS COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE MEDIA RELEASE 4000 Justice Way Castle Rock, CO 80109 Release Page 1 CONTACT #1: Public Information Officer, Lt. Alan Stanton, 303-660-7586; pgr. 303-208-5233 CONTACT#2: RELEASE DATE: 08/22/05 RELEASE TIME: 6:00 p.m. CASE NUMBER: N/A WHAT: Telephone Access to the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office Limited: Main Quest Routing Line Down NARRATIVE: DOUGLAS…

County Commissioner Walter “Mike” Maxwell will attend the Castle Pines North Master Association monthly meeting Thursday, August 18. The meeting is held at the CPN Community Center and begins at 7 p.m. Commissioner Maxwell will bring staff representatives from the Commissioner’s Office, County Planning and the Sheriff’s Department. Topics for discussion may include: the eventual…

Village Homes and Pinark, LLC, the owners of the 15.7 acres of land on the northwest corner of Castle Pines Parkway and Monarch Boulevard known as CC-20, are changing development plans for this parcel. According to Karen Holbert, Public Processing Manager for Village Homes, the original plan of sub-dividing the commercially-zoned parcel into seven lots…

American Academy PTO will participate in The Rock Slide, the annual 5K run/walk held in CPN on November 5th at 9 a.m. We are seeking sponsors, contributors and runners. Please contact the American Academy PTO at PTO@americanacademyk8.org for more information on how to register and show support for your school.The American Academy PTO is seeking…

The Buffalo Ridge Education Alliance (BREA) has a new approach to fundraising for the 2005-2006 school year. Based on the theme “Empowering Our Children”, the school’s parent group has given each trimester’s activities a purpose that coincides with the overall theme. Empowering our children through healthy living The Parent Coffee is scheduled for 9am August…

The Wildlife Museum in Parker is hosting a “Summer Gone Wild,” program offering free daytime admission for children age 12 and under through the end of August. The Wildlife Experience will also present its second annual “Art and Ale Festival,” on Friday, August 26th. The Art and Ale Festival will feature musical entertainment, a variety…

The Mission of the DCS Montessori Charter School is to provide students with an opportunity to acquire an education based on an authentic and accredited curriculum founded on the educational philosophy of Maria Montessori. Parents considering DCS Montessori for their child, please browse the website at www.dcsmontessori.org, or call 303-387-5625. The first day of school…

Students of Buffalo Ridge Elementary will begin the new school year together. The decision to switch from the four track year-round school calendar was made last spring. Now instead of some students returning to the classroom following the July 4th holiday and others a few weeks later, all students will step through the school’s doors…

With the success of last year’s 5K run and 1 mile run/walk called the Buffalo Stampede, Buffalo Ridge Elementary and Timber Trail Elementary decided to change the name and expand the race to include more schools. “The Rock Slide” will take place Saturday November 5 starting at 9 a.m. Proceeds from the race will be…

With summer winding down and Labor Day weekend only a few short weeks away, now is the time to sign-up for fall sport leagues. The Castle Pines North area has a variety of teams and organizations to choose from. Castle Rock Recreation This fall leagues are offered in baseball, basketball, inline roller hockey, soccer and…

Douglas County has banned all open fires, including the sale and use of fireworks. The decision was based on current dry weather conditions, the threat of wildfires, and as a proactive approach to eliminate human-caused fire ignition sources. “Maintaining the public’s safety is our ultimate goal and responsibility,” said Sheriff Michael Acree of the Douglas…

Castle Pines Village is home to two Jack Nicklaus designed golf courses. The International Golf Tournament, held in August, is played on one of these courses and draws much media attention each year. The other course recently underwent an arranged member buyout. The Country Club at Castle Pines is now one of the few private…

Timber Trail Elementary will head back to the classroom Monday, August 15. New homes are still being built and new students are still arriving in Timber Trail’s boundaries. With these factors, there was consideration of switching the school to the four track year-round calendar. However, the opening of American Academy, the new charter school, and…

Community spirit ran high at the pools of HOA1 and HOA2 this summer. Children from all over Castle Pines North spent many hours of this summer’s hot weather perfecting their strokes and competing in meets. Parents also joined in the fun, volunteering to help run the home meets held at the HOA2 pool. One of…

One movie theatre will open in Castle Rock by the end of 2005, not two as previously reported. Plans to open Castle Rock Stadium 12 are running full steam ahead. The theatre, which is scheduled to open around Thanksgiving, will have stadium seating for 2,200. The Stadium 12 will be owned and operated by Colorado…

The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office has reported an increase in theft of mail from collection boxes, apartment mailboxes, co-op mailing racks and neighborhood delivery and collection box units. The thefts involve checks, credit card applications and bank account statements. Reports of identity theft have been increasing throughout the country. Stories air nightly on television news…

Back to school means back to homework and projects. While the Internet is a great resource, it will never totally replace a visit to the library. Castle Pines North’s Bookmobile has a permanent collection of about 3,000 items, but has access to everything in the Douglas County Library system. Any item can be ordered and…

The Castle Rock Recreation Center, located at 2301 N. Woodlands Blvd., began a $6.6 million expansion project in early April, and has already made significant progress on the project. Demolition and preparation has started on the two-story addition that will include an aerobics/group exercise studio and additional toddler areas. In addition, preparation work is being…

In October, 2003, homes in Castle Pines North were spared during the Cherokee Ranch fire near Daniel’s Park. This summer, the heat wave and dry weather is a reminder that the potential for a wildfire remains high. Be Proactive There are many things homeowners can do to increase a home’s survivability in the event of…

From August 1 through August 7 golfers, media and spectators will descend upon Castle Pines North to celebrate the 20th anniversary of The International. Residents of CPN should anticipate an increase in traffic throughout the neighborhood in addition to International participants frequenting local establishments. Although the tournament runs Monday through Sunday, round one of the…

Now that the construction on the Castle Pines Parkway Bridge over I-25 is complete, the “cone zone” has moved to other sections of Castle Pines Parkway and portions of Monarch Blvd. The first construction zone residents will notice is part of this year’s portion of the multi-year Metro District Roadside Landscaping Improvement Project, which will…

A number of Castle Pines North residents recently reported seeing, mountain lions, bobcats, and possibly lynx in their backyards. Much of Colorado is prime mountain lion, bobcat and lynx country, and CPN lies right in the middle of it. Mountain lions are usually tawny to light-cinnamon in color with black-tipped ears and tail. They vary…

Residents of Castle Pines North should mark their calendars and plan to attend the next Master Association meeting. One of the Douglas County Commissioners will attend the August 18 meeting held at 7pm in the Castle Pines North Community Center. The goal for this meeting is to introduce the Commissioner’s office face to face with…

The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office is gearing up for the 22nd Annual National Night Out celebration, scheduled for Tuesday, August 2, 2005, from 6:30 pm to 9:00 pm. This nationwide event will bring the citizens of Douglas County together with local law enforcement and emergency services personnel to participate in a night of “fun, food,…

On May 15, BankWest officially changed its name to Colorado Capital Bank. There has not been a buyout of the bank, nor is there a new management team. Account numbers, fees, and banking hours have all remained the same

The new Castle Rock Bank branch, located at 506 Castle Pines Parkway, opened on April 18. The bank, which is connected to a drive-through Starbucks, is planning a grand opening celebration for late June.

The Flower Shop, located at 361 Village Square Lane in CPN, will host a “Grand Opening and Customer Appreciation Open House,” on July 16, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. The Flower Shop’s new owner, Tim Hannon, will feature new designs, merchandise and more. Refreshments will be provided. For more information, please call 303-663-8835.

The Federal Aviation Association (FAA), has completed its “150 Study,” which contains recommendations that would help with aircraft noise in our area. After Centennial Airport completes updates their noise contour maps, the FAA can proceed with the 180-day public input period. It is expected that the 180-period will begin sometime this year. After the public…

Exciting things will be happening this summer at the Douglas County Libraries! If you are looking for a way to keep your kids busy this summer, why not visit a Douglas County library? Here are a few of the programs offered this summer at various locations: Fourth Annual Teen Battle of the Bands; The Big…

During June 24 to July 1, the Colorado Department of Transportation will periodically detour traffic at I-25 and Castle Pines Parkway. Alternate routes are highly recommended. Residents can expect to see various delays on I-25, Castle Pines Parkway, and all access ramps during the following dates and times: Friday, June 24 – 5:00 a.m. to…

Colorado’s beautiful weather invites many Castle Pines North residents to open their windows and invite the warm weather and fresh breeze into their homes. It also beckons residents to sit out on their porches and decks. However, this tranquility can all be ruined in a heartbeat with the incessant barking of a neighbor’s dog. According…

Overwhelmingly, the customers of the Intermountain Rural Electric Association (IREA) voted to exempt themselves from the Renewable Energy Initiative, or Amendment 37. In November 2004, the state of Colorado voted in favor of Amendment 37 which would have required IREA to purchase 10% of its energy requirements from renewable resources, like wind power, by the…

The Castle Rock Recreation Center, located at 2301 N. Woodlands Blvd., began a $6.6 million expansion project in early April, and expects to be completed in February, 2006. The project will increase program space for high demand activities, specifically in the areas of youth and aquatics, and improve cardiovascular, free weight and exercise areas. The…

To the delight of many local food connoisseurs, Tony’s Meats and Specialty Foods opened its fourth location in Douglas County on May 19. The Littleton-based company moved into the former Castle Creek Market in The Village at Castle Pines. Castle Creek owner Jim King said that although his business had been growing, the traffic wasn’t…

Construction of the new Xcel poles earlier this year caused damage to the land along the power line corridor. Xcel has been working to repair the damage with soil, and to plant new grass seed. Inclement spring weather has drastically affected the repair project. “Xcel had already planned on being finished with the repairs to…

The Metro District will again test standing water in open spaces for mosquito larvae. If there is evidence of mosquitoes, the District will implement environmentally safe tablets designed to destroy the mosquito larvae. The intent is to prevent breeding and the possibility of spreading West Nile virus. The mosquito season runs from late spring through…

Douglas County Public Works plans to make extensive concrete repairs to Monarch Boulevard this summer. As of press time, no official start date had been set. “The concrete on Monarch is showing signs of normal wear-and-tear caused by age and weather,” said Carl Lucero of Douglas County Public Works. Monarch Blvd. is the only Castle…

Bruce Thompson, Master Association Board member and delegate to The Hamlet, would like to extends his thanks and appreciation to Douglas County. The County recently repainted the bike lanes on Monarch Boulevard, widening the lane and creating a safer environment for both bikers and drivers.

Have any paint products, motor oil, antifreeze, vehicle batteries, house and garden chemicals, fire extinguishers, fireworks, ammunition, mercury, propane or tires to throw away? Remember… it’s a hazard to put them in your trash can. This year, there will be three separate drive-through Roundups in Douglas County: • May 21, Parker Joint Services Center, 17801…

Castle Pines Community Church is planning an exciting Vacation Bible School, (VBS), for children ages three thru those who have completed fifth grade. VBS will be held June 27- July 1, and Buffalo Ridge Elementary School will become the setting for a wild safari called “Serengeti Trek”. Adventurous games, interesting and creative crafts, and learning…

Memorial Day weekend brings the advent of summer and the opening of many Castle Pines North neighborhood pools. With the long lazy days of summer nearly upon CPN residents it’s important to remember safety in and around the water. According to the National Safe Kids organization, “drowning remains the leading cause of unintentional injury-related death…

The Castle Pines North swim team is gearing up for their summer league swim team which begins May 31st. Fifty swimmers signed up at the team’s open house held at HOA1 clubhouse May 7th. Registration will continue through June 4, 2005. Under the management of Team Colorado, the goal is learn to swim effectively, be…

The Colorado Department of Transportation has stated that more than 90 percent of child safety seats inspected by their organization, Child Passenger Safety Team Colorado (CPS), were installed improperly. If you have questions about child safety seats, stop by South Metro Fire Rescue’s FREE safety checks held monthly. Take a few minutes and stop by…

With builders like D.R. Horton sold out, and others nearly sold out, CPN will soon become a more static neighborhood. The sale offices will disappear, as well as the signs pointing potential homebuyers to their sites. When build out finally occurs, CPN will have 3,263 homes. Currently, there are only 288 homes left to be…

The Douglas County Sheriff ’s Office will host the “Shoot-Out at Sanctuary 2005,” a charity golf tournament benefiting four vital non-profit Douglas County youth and community service organizations, on Monday, June 20, 2005. The tournament will be held at the Sanctuary Golf Course on Daniel’s Park Road. Proceeds from this year’s event will benefit: The…

Firefly Furnishings, a specialty retail store selling designer furniture, bedding, art, accessories and clothing for children, will open its second location in the Castle Pines Village Marketplace on July 15. Firefly Furnishings originally opened in 2003 in the Lowry Town Center in Denver, and quickly received the 2004 honor as the top rated Children’s Furniture…

You look at the sky, it looks dark and threatening. You may wonder, “could this be a tornado?” In the spring and summer, you’ll see numerous tornado warnings for the eastern plains, including the far eastern portion of Douglas County. Tornados are extremely rare in the Castle Pines North area, but not unheard of. In…

The Castle Pines North Master Association and the staff of The Connection newsletter would like to extend a heartfelt thank you and best wishes to Kathleen Nash. Kathleen served as the editor of The Connection for five years, and was a resident of CPN for seven years. Her journalistic talent and countless hours of work…

The Ridge at Castle Pines North is booking tee times for the 2005 season. Located in the southwest corner of CPN, The Ridge is an asset to the community and offers a discount on green fees to CPN residents. The course is a par 71 challenge playing from four sets of tees. The total course…

Douglas County has leveled the berm at the intersection of Berganot Trail and Monarch Blvd. The berm created a blind spot for drivers, and was causing concern that a serious accident could occur. The Tapestry Hills HOA contacted the County several years ago and the Master Association’s Safety Committee Chair Janet Conner later joined in…

The CPN Master Association and the Douglas County Sheriff ’s Office continue to search for ways to prevent crime in our community. Last summer, there were numerous vehicle break-ins throughout CPN, and many residents lost wallets, purses, computers, and other valuable items. To help keep our community safe, please follow these simple crime-prevention tips: Always…

Each day throughout Colorado, careless digging causes unnecessary consequences such as serious personal injury, environmental damage and costly delays. Before you begin summer landscaping projects or fence installation, make sure you know where you’re digging. Contact the Utility Notification Center of Colorado. Locators are allowed two business days to respond to your location, not including…

Due to severe and unusual weather in the Castle Pines North area, the estimated completion date of the new Castle Pines Parkway Bridge, and new I-25 on- and off-ramps at exit 188 has been pushed to July 8. “This is not unusual,” said Nabil Haddad of the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT). “In April we…

Castle Rock Recreation Center Celebrates Expansion Groundbreaking The Castle Rock Recreation Center, located at 2301 N. Woodlands Blvd. began a $6.6 million expansion project in early April, and expects to be completed in February, 2006. The project will increase program space for high demand activities, specifically in the areas of youth and aquatics, and improve…