Read the stories from the latest issue:
by Lisa Crockett Have you ever wondered how certain businesses, homes or civic amenities came to be in Douglas County? Douglas County is in the midst of a full-scale effort to revise its plans for the future; work sessions and hearings on the matter are open to the public. Meetings for the so-called 2030 Comprehensive…
Sheriff Dave Weaver (third frrom the left) and Deputies in the DCSO Community Resources Division meet with community advocates to discuss the new proposed alarm ordinance. (photo by Terri Wiebold) by Terri Wiebold Residents and businesses in Castle Pines North and throughout Douglas County who contract with a private security company may be paying more…
by Anthonette Klinkerman Now it matters more than ever where Castle Pines North residents shop. Incorporation efforts all began over which community, Castle Pines North or Castle Pines Village, was going to benefit from the sales tax revenue generated by the CPN business district. Seventy-seven percent of CPN’s residents voted to support incorporation in order…
by Lisa Crockett A traffic meter has been installed at the Castle Pines Parkway/I-25 Interchange. The Colorado Department of Transportation (C-DOT) is conducting the study to determine whether or not a metering light is needed at the location to ease traffic congestion. “We will be gathering data for the next few months, then looking at…
Mayor City Council Treasurer City Clerk JOB DESCRIPTION MAYOR CITY OF CASTLE PINES NORTH, COLORADO The following are the duties for the position of Mayor, City of Castle Pines North, Colorado in accordance with statutory requirements. (1) The mayor shall be elected by a plurality of the votes cast for that office at the regular…
The 180-foot crossover power pole recently installed by Xcel north of Coyote Ridge Park has created a stir among residents. Views from homes miles from the power line corridor have been impacted by this new pole. (photo by Tim Gamble) by Lane Roberts The newly installed 180-foot pole north of Coyote Ridge Park has created…
by Terri Wiebold “ICE” (In Case of Emergency) is a Douglas County Sheriff’s Office program designed 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 emergency contact information. If a cell…
by Lisa Crockett Construction on the new RidgeGate freeway interchange, on I-25 south of Lincoln Avenue, will soon add a new component to its construction schedule. A frontage road, intended to allow for additional emergency access and also to handle traffic overflow, is scheduled to begin sometime this summer. The project is a joint venture…
by Lisa Crockett It was a full house at the Community Center for the first of three community forums for city government candidates held Tuesday night. The forum was hosted by Business in the Pines (BIP), a coalition of businesses in Castle Pines North (CPN) and surrounding areas. The forum was moderated by Paul Arvidson,…
by Terri Wiebold and Lane Roberts For the fourth consecutive year, the Castle Pines North (CPN) Metro District Board of Directors voted to increase water rates and capital improvement fees. The Board made the decision at a public meeting held on December 10. The Board also reviewed its proposed 2008 budget during the meeting. More…
John Van Epps Karl Johnson by Terri Wiebold The Castle Pines North (CPN) Metro District recently honored two of its employees with an “Employee of the Year” award. District Manager Jim McGrady publicly recognized and at the District’s annual holiday party in December. “We strongly believe that the time has come to award performance and…
by Lisa Crockett Grading, infrastructure and road construction are underway at the site of a future Walgreens drug store on the north side of Castle Pines Parkway at Lagae Road. The project, which experienced several delays, is expected to continue for much of the coming year. “Some of our progress will be dependent on the…
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…
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…
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.
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…
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…
Special thanks to Summer Movie co-sponsor Dr. Andrew Dunbar of Castle Pines Orthodontics. by Elean Gersack The 2007 Movie in the Park, co-sponsored by the Castle Pines North Master Association and Dr. Andrew Dunbar of Castle Pines Orthodontics, featured the 2006 version of “Charlotte’s Web.” Families snuggled in blankets and chairs under the stars to…
Construction is underway to create the Ridgegate Interchange near the highly congested Lincoln Ave. (photo by Terri Wiebold) by Lisa Crockett Construction adjacent to northbound I-25 may mean some minor delays for commuters from Castle Pines North (CPN) in the coming months. The long-anticipated Ridgegate interchange, designed to alleviate congestion on Lincoln Avenue, is finally…
Thistle and Knapweed by Lisa Crockett Many residents have expressed concerns regarding the spraying of noxious weeds in the open space areas around Castle Pines North (CPN). The majority of open space areas within CPN are maintained by the CPN Metro District. Herbicides applied to open space areas to control noxious weeds are safe and…
Janet Conner by Terri Wiebold The Castle Pines North (CPN) community has lost one of its most ardent advocates. Janet Conner and her husband Keith have moved from CPN. In the past several years, Janet was very involved in the CPN community, especially the area of public safety. Until her move in mid-September, she was…
by Terri Wiebold The Castle Pines North (CPN) Metro District continues to search for a reliable, renewable water source. In addition, the District is also responsible for other amenities in the CPN community such as parks, open space and other neighborhood-related issues. The District reviewed the following issues during its August board meeting: The upgrade…
by Lisa Crockett Two Castle Pines North (CPN) businesses have called it quits. Handmade Colorado, a showcase for local artists, and Castle Cones, an ice-cream parlor, are no longer in business. “In a nutshell, there wasn’t enough business to keep us going,” said Chris Ogilve, who owned and operated Handmade Colorado with his wife, Becky.…
On Saturday and Sunday, November 3 and 4, Pax Christi Catholic Church will sponsor a Third World Market. All proceeds will go back to the countries from where the products were made. Pax Christi Catholic Church is located at 5761 McArthur Ranch Road – just north of Rock Canyon High School. For more information, please…
by Elean Gersack The Town of Castle Rock will kick off the holiday season on Saturday, November 17 by lighting the star in historic downtown. Come enjoy festivities and special events leading up to the star lighting, which is scheduled from 5:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at the old courthouse building on Wilcox Street in…
The Castle Pines North (CPN) Master Association will host its annual board meeting on Tuesday, November 13 at 7 p.m. at the Community Center, 7404 Yorkshire Drive. The annual meeting is open to all residents of CPN. All delegate representatives from each neighborhood HOA are encouraged to attend the annual meeting. Delegates will vote for…