Read the stories from the latest issue:
The February 12 Mail Ballot Election has 21 candidates running for mayor, clerk, treasurer and six city council positions. On January 14, each candidate was asked to submit a photograph and provide a 200-word answer to the following:What have been your contributions to the CPN community and what qualifications would you bring to this position?…
The election to determine the first leaders of the new city of Castle Pines North (CPN) is just around the corner. CPN officially becomes a city at the first meeting of the newly elected city council. Since the November election, manyquestions have evolved. Here are some answers to frequently asked questions about Douglas County’s newest…
by Lane Roberts The ballots have officially been mailed. On January 25, Douglas County Clerk and Recorder, Jack Arrowsmith mailed ballots to 4,883 active registered voters in the new City of Castle Pines North (CPN). On February 12, residents of the new city of CPN will elect the first nine city officials which will include…
Castle Pines North, Col., (Jan. 14, 2008) — Business in the Pines will host community forums to introduce candidates running for positions with the new City of Castle Pines North (CPN). Voters will elect the city’s first nine officials in a February 12 mail ballot election coordinated by Douglas County. During the forums, CPN residents…
On January 15, helicopters began running lines on the newest power poles located in Xcel’s transmission corridor that runs east-west through CPN. The helicopter drew quite an audience during its aerial feat. (photo by Tim Gamble)
Article and photo by Terri Wiebold After the hustle and bustle of the holidays, rejuvenate, refresh and revitalize at Castle Pines North’s very own Sanctuary Day Spa, formerly Agave Massage Spa, nestled in the heart of downtown Castle Pines North. “I am excited to let the community know how passionate I am about the transition…
The Castle Pines North (CPN) Master Association welcomes Carol Langley-Finnegan as its new safety committee chairperson. by Terri Wiebold Langley-Finnegan is the staff liaison for public safety issues for the CPN Master Association and tracks the weekly crime statistics for all CPN residents from the DCSO, in addition to being a member of the CPN…
Business in the Pines will present the second annual EasterFest on Thursday, March 13 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Last year, snow drove the event indoors, but 300 people still turned out to enjoy the festivities in the Castle Pines North (CPN) Community Center. This year promises to be bigger and better. Held in…
by Lane Roberts There are NO polling places for the February 12 election. Ballots may be returned via U.S. mail or dropped off at either of the following locations: Castle Rock Bank – 506 Castle Pines Parkway, Castle Pines North, CO Beginning Monday, January 28 until Monday, February 11 ballots can be dropped off weekdays…
by Anthonette Klinkerman Nutrition studies at school have spilled from the health and Home Economics classes into the cafeteria. Douglas County School District hired Brent Craig as the new nutrition services director last summer. His goal is to wean the schools from previous food service contracts by June 30, 2008. Instead of the prepackaged selections…
Gary Worth on his visit to the African Orphanage he and his wife, Cathy Fox, have worked for years to build. The compound, called Vukarhani, is in Mozambique and is currently home to 14 children. by Lisa Crockett Meet Gary Worth and Cathy Fox By American standards, the building that has taken years of work…
by Elean Gersack Spring break is just weeks away. Plan ahead and enjoy some memorable family activities right here in Colorado. From state parks to museums, there is much to do and see close to home. Outdoor Recreation Castlewood Canyon State Park 2989 South State Highway 83, Franktown 303-688-5242 This beautiful retreat is located just…
The Castle Pines North Metro District recently welcomed Dan Schmick, formerly of Clifton Gunderson LLP, on board to assume many of the financial duties of the District. During the past to years with Clifton Gunderson, Schmick assisted with the compilation of many of the District’s financial statements, which were outsourced to the firm at the…
Share questions, ideas, comments or opinions with The Connection. E-mail questions to Contact by email . I know that Castle Pines North (CPN) will levy a sales tax now that it is a city. When does the new sales tax take effect? A sales tax of 2.75 percent was approved by CPN voters in the…
Ballots for the Feb. 12 election have been mailed to 4,883 active registered voters in CPN. There are NO polling places for the February 12 election. Ballots must be received (not postmarked) by 7 p.m., February 12. Two ballot drop-off locations will be available including: Wilcox Administration Building 301 N. Wilcox Street Castle Rock, CO…
by Lane Roberts The Castle Pines North (CPN) Master Association is the community-wide HOA that unifies and represents all the individual neighborhoods within the community, while enhancing the overall quality of life for residents. The Master Association communicates important information to the community via newpaper (The Connection), website (www.cpnhoa.org) and through community e-mail alerts. Residents…
by Lisa Crockett Voters in Castle Rock and Lone Tree have decided the fate of the library in Castle Pines North (CPN) – for now, at least. A razor-thin margin of voters – less than a half a percent – voted down a measure to increase funding to the Douglas County Library District, funding that…
God’s Grace Community Church held Christmas Eve services at the CPN Community Center and plans to hold Easter services there as well. The church is working to build a permanent facility on the Lagae Ranch development in CPN. (photo provided by Claudia Larson) by Lisa Crockett One word is all you need to define what…
Buffalo Ridge Elementary (BRE) 7075 N. Shoreham Drive Castle Rock, CO 80108 303-387-5575 Grades K-5 Calendar: Traditional www.1dcsdk12.org/elementary/bre by Elean Gersack In late fall, Cheryl Wedge’s second graders participated in a reading program called Catch the Reading Wave. The fluency results, coupled with true reading enjoyment by students, have caused this program to be slated…
Santa visits with a little friend on December 22 during the annual HOA2 Children’s Christmas Party. (photo courtesy of Kristi Pacheco) The HOA2 annual Christmas party included a gingerbread house decorating contest. (photo courtesy of Michael Gersack)
Article and photo by Terri Wiebold Husband and wife team Jeffrey Rubach and Allison Prescott recently celebrated a year of cooking in Castle Pines North. November 2008 marked the one-year anniversary of Plum Creek Catering’s unique arrangement of leasing space in Castle Cones, located at the Shoppes at Village Square. “This spot is ideal for…
Look for this Poster & Register to win a Valentines Day Basket of Goodies at any of the participating locations. by Elean Gersack No need to venture far to celebrate the holiday of love. Check out local businesses for gifts, dinner, flowers and more. The Bundt Shoppe Those who have not yet tried a cake…
by Lisa Crockett It is a presidential election year, and Colorado voters who wish to help decide what November’s presidential election ballot will look like should mark their calendars for Tuesday, February 5 from 7 p.m. until 9 p.m. Colorado utilizes a caucus procedure to determine who receives the nomination. Caucuses are party-specific; only voters…
Sandy Gamble – HOA#1 Jordan Colling – HOA#1 by Terri Wiebold The past few months have brought many changes to Castle Pines North, including a welcome change in seasons. This winter CPN residents have seen blankets upon blankets of white snow. Many have asked what impact, if any, becoming a city will have on snow…
by Elean Gersack Planning a team practice or party during the next few months? There are currently three parks in Castle Pines North (CPN) available by reservation: Coyote Ridge Park, Daniel’s Gate Park and The Retreat Park. Soccer fields are available at all three parks and baseball fields are available at Coyote Ridge Park and…
by Lisa Crockett Castle Pines North (CPN) has lost one of its most dedicated volunteers. Rod Ellerbusch, a founding member of the Kiwanis Club of Castle Pines, was instrumental in bringing the service club to CPN and in bringing its vision to life. Founded in 2004, the Kiwanis Club of Castle Pines sponsors an annual…
by Lane Roberts The cold and snowy weather did not stop Ward 2 residents from attending the second candidate forum for city government candidates held on Wednesday, January 30, at the Community Center. The forum was presented by Business in the Pines (BIP), a coalition of businesses in Castle Pines North (CPN) and surrounding areas.…
Douglas County is working closely with CPN community leadership to help ensure a smooth transition of services and governance for the citizens of CPN. Leadership Members of the Castle Pines North (CPN) Master Association and the CPN Preservation Committee have agreed to help the community with key issues during this interim period. CPN is working…
by Lane Roberts The new City of Castle Pines North (CPN) is scheduled to host an election on February 12 to elect six council members, a mayor, a clerk and a treasurer. Secretary of State Mike Coffman has declared voting machines throughout Colorado unreliable. What does this mean for the upcoming election in CPN? According…
Have a live tree (or trees) at your house? Then be aware that cut Christmas trees become explosively flammable when they dry out. Keep them watered and away from heat sources like furnace vents and fireplaces. Make an early resolution to get them out of the house right after the holidays.
Jennifer Havercroft, Vice-President North Lynx Homeowners Association by Lisa Crockett When residents of the North Lynx Homeowners Association (HOA), comprised of the Serena and Tapadero subdivisions, pay their trash collection fee they also pay for recycling. Many residents, however, were not taking advantage of that service. “As I would be out walking the neighborhood on…
CPNII HOA President Shirley Beer Powell (right) cheers as the results of the vote for incorporation are announced on November 6 at The Ridge in CPN. (photo by Tim Gamble) by Lane Roberts Castle Pines North (CPN) voters have chosen to become Douglas County’s fifth municipality. Voters approved the incorporation issue by nearly a four-to-one…
by Elean Gersack On a perfect fall day, families hit the streets in Castle Pines North (CPN) for Octoberfest on Saturday, October 13. Hayrides ushered guests to and from the fun in the Safeway and Village Square shopping areas, located near I-25 and Castle Pines Parkway. Artisan vendors and local business owners transformed parking areas…
by Lisa Crockett It wasn’t a long ballot, but the few short items in this year’s election generated intense interest in Castle Pines North and surrounding Douglas County. Incorporation passed by a wide margin, with more than seventy-eight percent of voters casting a “yes” ballot on the incorporation question. The other three measures regarding funding…
by Lisa Crockett A new neighborhood called “The Crossings” is slowly taking shape at the corner of Monarch Boulevard and Castle Pines Parkway on the land known as CC-20. The residential portion of the development, which is on the northern half of the property, will soon consist of 20 patio homes and 27 town homes.…
by Lisa Crockett Voters in Douglas County opted not to increase funding to the Douglas County Library District. On the November 6 mail ballot, issue 5A, which would have imposed a property tax increase of 1.25 mills, was defeated by a margin of less than one percent. A mere 208 ballots separated the “yes” votes…
by Lisa Crockett It was not a long ballot, but the few short items in this year’s election generated intense interest in Castle Pines North and surrounding Douglas County. Here’s a look at the other results of the November 6 election: School Board Director, District A: Ryan Stuart School Board Director, District C: Clifton Stahl…
Entrée Vous celebrates its grand opening with a ribbon cutting ceremony on October 18. Entrée Vous is located in Village Square Shopping Center in CPN. (photo by Jeremy Gamble) by Elean Gersack Business in the Pines knows how many helpful people there are in Castle Pines North (CPN). As a community leader, Business in the…
Each issue of The Connection features current events, sports information, school awards, fundraisers and other important items about each of the six neighborhood schools in Castle Pines North. To share school information, please contact by email, or call 303-482-3078. by Elean Gersack Fifth Graders Ski Free Being in the fifth grade has benefits – like…
by Terri Wiebold The Douglas County Office of Emergency Management is the main hub for the coordination of disaster management and training, homeland security, emergency preparedness and education, multi-agency cooperation, and emergency medical and trauma system coordination within Douglas County. It publishes an annual Emergency Preparedness and Prevention Guide, and the guides for 2007 are…
by Terri Wiebold Fall in Castle Pines North (CPN) came and went quickly this year, as our first snow hit in early October. With the snow each year comes many safety concerns in the community, especially in regard to pedestrians and sledding. Unfortunatley, one of the most popular sights for sledding in CPN happens to…
Master Association safety committee members meet with residents at the intersection of Monarch Boulevard and Oxford Drive to discuss ideas for improved safety at the crosswalk at Buffalo Ridge Elementary (Left to right: Carol Langley-Finnegan, Maureen Shul, Kerri Norris, and Rosanne Lumsden) by Terri Wiebold School zones are a particularly busy area of roadway traffic…
by Elean Gersack In a few short months it will be time to hit the ballparks and fields. Now is the time to register for spring sports leagues and activities. Castle Rock Recreation Center Castle Rock Recreation Center offers a variety of sports and activities. For more information and to register, visit www.crgov.com/recreation. Colorado Elite…
Castle Pines North resident Eva Mitchell (left) accepts the William “Bill” Reed Good award for her contributions to water rights in Colorado on October 14, 2007 at the Broadmoor. (photo courtesy of the Colorado Association of Realtors) by Terri Wiebold Water has been the topic of much discussion in the Castle Pines North (CPN) community…
Supporters of incorporation celebrate at The Ridge on Election night. Pictured from the left – Eva Mitchell, Joan Millspaugh, Dick Lichtenheld, Doug Gilbert, Charles Norton, Maureen Shul, Lane Roberts and Earl Millspaugh. (photo by Tim Gamble) by Lane Roberts The votes have been counted and the questions are many. What happens next for the new…
The League of Women Voters Hosted an incorporation debate forum for CPN residents on Friday, November 2, at 7 p.m. at Rocky Heights Middle School. More than 80 CPN residents attended the forum. Maureen Shul and Doug Gilbert (pictured above at the right) represented the pro-incorporation side. Debating against incorporation were Mark Shively and Ted…
Lucas Palazzo, was the winner of the Trick-or-Treat Street $100 gift card to Toys R Us. Palazzo used a portion of his gift card to buy and donate toys for Toys for Tots. CPN area businesses hosted a Toys for Tots drive on Sunday, November 11 at the Daniel’s Gate clubhouse. Toys for Tots donation…
Boy Scout Troop 316 is offering pickup service for Castle Pines North residents. Trees will be picked up on Saturday, December 29 and Saturday, January 5. Trees will be taken to Douglas County recycling facilities. There is no charge for the project, but charitable donations to Troop 316 will be accepted. To schedule a pickup,…
Jeremy Gamble (left) received an award on November 6 from Castle Pines North Preservation Committee Leader Maureen Shul for his contributions to the incorporation effort. Gamble, 13, donated countless volunteer hours to help with incorporation signs and numerous other projects. “Jeremy was always there to help us and always with a smile and a hug,”…
by Lisa Crockett Here is a look at what is happening in the faith community in Castle Pines North (CPN): Castle Pines Community Church – Meets at Buffalo Ridge Elementary; www.castlepineschurch.org Services at Castle Pines Community Church are held each Sunday at 10 a.m. and feature a mixture of traditional and contemporary worship. Special events…
Jimmy and Lasinda Crane by Terri Wiebold Jimmy’s Steakhouse, formerly Chutney’s in Castle Pines Village, opened with style in November. The restaurant has changed ownership and is now offering casual dining with an upscale feel, according to Restaurant Coordinator Lasinda Crane. “Kannan Alagappan [the building owner] wanted to expand the menu and change things up…
Rejuvenations Grand Opening – November 17, 2007 Rejuvenations is now open in the Safeway Shopping Center in CPN. Knowing that health does not come from any one thing, Rejuvenations was created. Combined with regular chiropractic care and exercises, Rejuvenations’ services will help a person become truly well. Detoxification, acupressure, Reiki, and massage therapy can rejuvenate…
by Lisa Crockett The shrinking national mortgage market has hit a Castle Pines North (CPN) business. The Countrywide Financial Home Mortgage office in the Safeway shopping center has closed its doors. “Countrywide is getting smaller in general,” said sales manager Steve Caughlin. “Our lease was up at the Castle Pines North location, and we’ve consolidated…
by Lisa Crockett The Meadows will soon be home to a new Centura Health Hosptial, making it the first and only hospital in Castle Rock. Centura, which is Colorado’s largest healthcare system, signed an agreement to purchase 50 acres of land from the Castle Rock Development Company and plans to open the first phase of…
by Terri Wiebold After more than a year of the county planning and approval process, the new T-Mobile cellular tower in Castle Pines North (CPN) is on its way to becoming a reality. In August 2006, Douglas County sent out referrals on plans to construct a cellular tower in the south parking lot of The…
Developer Chris Fellows (above) of HF Holdings, LLC, presented his plan for Lagae Ranch to CPN residents in late October. The vote to incorporate CPN will expedite this development and secure future tap fee revenue for renewable water. The development will bring approximately 230 single-family-detached homes as well as several multi-family units. Also included in…
by Lisa Crockett Continuing construction on the new Ridgegate freeway interchange, located at I-25 south of Lincoln Avenue, will mean mild traffic slowdowns for the months to come. A bridge at the interchange will be constructed over the next 12 months, bringing a “lane shift” and a slower, 55 m.p.h speed limit, which will be…
Catson Collections to Host Holiday Boutique Catson Collections – a new local business selling pashminas, shawls, and stoles in every color, pattern, and texture imaginable – will host a holiday boutique on December 13 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wine and cheese will be served between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. The boutique will…
by Terri Wiebold South Metro Fire Rescue (SMFR) provides fire and emergency medical services to the residents of Castle Pines North (CPN), in addition to people and properties within 76 square miles of Arapahoe and Douglas counties in Colorado. While the services SMFR provides to the CPN community have remained consistent throughout the years, there…
by Terri Wiebold The Castle Pines North (CPN) Metro District has upgraded its website and has posted a variety of articles pertaining to its activities. It is also in the process of building a database for e-mail communications throughout the community. Another ever-present priority for the District is securing funding for reliable and renewable water.…
by Lisa Crockett Colorado public health experts have spent the last six months using reality-television style ads and games to spread the word about what they feel is one of the most serious issues facing Coloradans today – a possible pandemic flu outbreak. The so-called “What If?” campaign is teaching a handful of contestants how…
Maureen Shul, President Castle Pines North Master Association by Lisa Crockett The rewards of climbing one of Colorado’s famous “Fourteeners” (a peak above 14,000 feet elevation) are great: spectacular vistas and the satisfaction of accomplishment. Just ask Maureen Shul, a Castle Pines North resident who is currently serving as the President of CPN’s Master Association…
by Lisa Crockett It is now a firmly-entrenched tradition. Castle Pines North (CPN) runners turn out in droves each November to show their school spirit, raise money and have a great time. This year’s Rock Slide raised funds for local schools with more than 1,177 partipants. (Final fundraising totals were not available as of press…
by Elean Gersack Little ghosts and goblins are invited to Trick or Treat Street on Monday, October 29. Business in the Pines will sponsor this new event for children in the Castle Pines North (CPN) Business District from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Stop by Nick-N-Willy’s and Little Italy Pizzeria during Trick or Treat Street…
Incorporation Election Commissioners for Castle Pines North and the Preservation Steering Committee meet with legal counsel to discuss the November 6 election details. (photo by Terri Wiebold) by Terri Wiebold and Lisa Crockett The long lines to vote can be avoided this November. For elections in odd years, Douglas County has the option to utilize…
by Terri Wiebold The upcoming general election on November 6 will list several TABOR (Tax Payers Bill of Rights) questions along with the issue of the incorporation of Castle Pines North (CPN) on the ballot. Many residents have asked, “What is TABOR, and how will it affect CPN?” TABOR essentially limits how much total revenue…
by Lane Roberts Castle Pines North (CPN) is at an important crossroads. The long-awaited vote on incorporation is finally approaching. After more than 11 months, CPN residents will cast their vote on incorporation in a mail ballot coordinated with Douglas County on November 6. At three community information meetings held at local schools on September…
Susie Typher – Senior at Rock Canyon High School Article and photo by Elean Gersack Susie Typher, a senior at Rock Canyon High School (RCHS), has joined The Connection as student intern for the 2007-2008 school year. Typher is currently the Executive Editor for the award winning RCHS student newspaper, The Rock. Beginning with the…
Business in the Pines guest speakers Meme Martin (left) and Bart Sayyah (right) shared economic development information with members. Story and photo by Terri Wiebold Business in the Pines formed last December to help promote and enhance future growth of Castle Pines North (CPN) area businesses, and what better way to accomplish that than to…
Photo provided by Douglas County Public Works by Terri Wiebold It is only October and Castle Pines North (CPN) residents are already reading about snow – well, welcome to Colorado! The CPN community rests at a chilly 6,210 feet above sea level, considerably higher than our “mile high” neighbors to the north, and October is…