Read the stories from the latest issue:
Cherokee Ranch: Colorado Symphony Orchestra Sunday, December 10, 5:30 p.m. Listen to holiday music from the Colorado Symphony Orchestra at the exquisite Cherokee Ranch Castle. For more information, visit www.cherokeeranch.org. Cherokee Ranch: Winter Holiday Tea Various dates and times November 21 – December 21 Holiday teas at the enchanting Cherokee Ranch are very popular. The…
Douglas County traffic worker prepares Monarch Boulevard for a new pedestrian crosswalk in Daniel’s Gate. Article and photos by Terri Wiebold Two new pedestrian crosswalk projects have been cooperatively undertaken by the Metro District and the County that would not have come to fruition were it not for the input of local Castle Pines North…
by Elean Gersack With overcast skies and crisp air, it was the perfect morning for a little outdoor exercise. On November 11, just fewer than 1,400 runners and walkers hit the pavement at Rock Canyon High School to raise money for local schools during the 2006 Rockslide. Students, teachers, families, and friends from American Academy…
By Elean Gersack With falling leaves and overcast skies, local residents and visitors enjoyed a beautiful fall day in Castle Pines North (CPN) during OctoberFest on Saturday, October 14. This annual event, sponsored by local CPN businesses, has become a fall favorite for those who live in and around the area. Families strolled through The…
by Elean Gersack The holidays are upon us so take some time to enjoy the sights and sounds of the season. Whether you prefer the ballet, the symphony, or children’s entertainment, there are numerous happenings for adults and families alike. Some are close to home and others require a bit of a drive, but they…
by Lane Roberts Public hearing notices were placed on the CC-20 parcel on November 14. Plans for the parcel, located on the northwest corner of Castle Pines Parkway and Monarch Boulevard, are moving forward and new changes have been introduced. As of press time, a public hearing was scheduled for November 27 with the Douglas…
Here are the preliminary results of the General Election: Congressional Representative: Tom Tancredo (R) Governor: Bill Ritter Jr.(D) Secretary of State: Mike Coffman (R) State Treasurer: Mark Hillman (R) TOO CLOSE TO CALL Cary Kennedy (D) Attorney General: John Suthers (R) Regent, University of Colorado – At Large: Brian Davidson (R) TOO CLOSE TO CALL…
By Lisa Crockett The Douglas County Planning Commission hosted a hearing regarding the re-zoning and development of CC-20 on Monday, November 27. Representatives from Village Homes (who owns the land), the county and residents of Castle Pines North (CPN) presented their plans and concerns for the parcel of land, which is on the northwest corner…
by Terri Wiebold The science and psychology of speed limits is a study that spans decades. It is comprised of multitudes of speed studies, reports, measurements, accident reviews, surveys, and a lot of documentation. Much of the research referred to in this article is provided by the Colorado Department of Transportation Safety and Engineering Branch,…
by Terri Wiebold The Following information was provided by the Douglas County Public Works Engineering Division to provide clarification on the recent changes: The recent signing and striping revisions on Castle Pines Parkway between Village Square/Charter Oaks and I-25 were implemented to more effectively balance the use of each of the eastbound lanes. By adjusting…
by Lane Roberts Public hearing notices were placed on the CC-20 parcel on November 14. Plans for the parcel are moving forward and new changes have been introduced. The Douglas County Planning Commission will host a public hearing on Monday, November 27, at 7 p.m. The second public hearing is set for Wednesday, December 13,…
by Celine Hundt When it rains, it pours. On the day that “A Taste of Timber Trail” was scheduled to take place, the heavens opened up and the difficult decision to postpone the event by a week was made. The following Saturday, the skies still looked threatening, but the brave organizers of the event ploughed…
by Elean Gersack Castle Pines North (CPN) is fortunate to have many excellent public educational choices close to home: American Academy, Buffalo Ridge Elementary, DCS Montessori, Timber Trail Elementary, Rocky Heights Middle School and Rock Canyon High School. New to The Connection is a bulletin board section for these local schools. Check the next few…
On September 18, Rocky Heights Middle School and Rock Canyon High School Orchestras performed the National Anthem at the Colorado Rockies Game. Congratulations on a job well done! The Rocky Heights Parent Community Alliance (RHPCA) holds its monthly meetings on the third Tuesday of each month at 1:30 p.m. All parents are invited to attend…
By Lane Roberts A commerical development “For Sale” sign has been placed on CC-20, but Village Homes has no real news to report about the development of the parcel. According to Village Homes, owner of the land located on the northwest corner of Castle Pines Parkway and Monarch Boulevard, a second submission request is being…
By Lane Roberts One might think Castle Pines North (CPN) residents are not passionate about the nature trails in and around the community – – but think again. When news quickly spread that the Highlands Ranch Community Association (HRCA) was denying access to a new trailhead to open space near CPN, dozens upon dozens of…
By Lisa Crockett King Soopers will soon have a new neighbor, and Castle Pines North (CPN) residents will have more options for buying and selling properties in local neighborhoods. In October, Prestige Real Estate Group, ranked as Colorado’s largest independent real estate company, will open its eighth office in the Denver-Boulder area here in CPN.…
by Celine Hundt The year-round or four-track calendar has been adopted by many Douglas County elementary schools. The premise of the system is that the student population is split into four groups or tracks (A,B,C, and D) and one track is almost always off school. This alleviates the resource and staffing constraints caused by high…
By Celine Hundt The development of an Integrated Water Resources Plan (IWRP) for the Castle Pines North (CPN) area has been in progress for more than a year. On August 29, the CPN Metro District held a fourth IWRP public meeting at the CPN Community Center. The IWRP outlined a number of strategies and options…
by Lane Roberts The Castle Pines Parks Authority Board members are currently examining park development options following the recent announcement of the proposed development of Lagae Ranch. Castle View Park, a 21-acre park set to be built in the open space on the corner of Castle Pines Parkway and Yorkshire Drive, was to begin construction…
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By Lisa Crockett Plans are underway to connect Hess Road, an east-west roadway in Parker, to the Castle Pines Parkway Exit 188 at I-25. Currently, Hess Road ends at Chambers Road in Parker. Douglas County had initially planned to connect Stroh Road at the Castle Pines Parkway exit, but that plan was scrapped when it…
Chris Fellows (standing above), principle of HF Holdings, LLC, presents ideas for the northern portion of Lagae Ranch to the Castle Pines Parks Authority and more than 40 residents. (Photo by Tim Gamble) By Lane Roberts Future ideas for the northern portion of Lagae Ranch were recently shared with Castle Pines North (CPN) residents. The…
By Lisa Crockett Castle Pines North residents now have a new choice when shopping for tires. Discount Tire, a national chain that specializes in tire sales and service, is now open for business in the old Great American Tire Company location at 7520 Village Square Drive, next to the Shell gas station. “This is a…
by Terri Wiebold In June, Sponsored Publications sent a letter to homes in Castle Pines North (CPN) announcing the future publication of a neighborhood directory, “Our Neighborhood Directory.” Many residents responded with personal listing specifications, service company referrals, and other helpful input. The content for the book has been compiled, and the book is being…
By Lisa Crockett Plans for a new Walgreens store in Castle Pines North (CPN) are slowly moving forward. Several different aspects of the project, which will be located on the north side of Castle Pines Parkway at Lagae Road, are now underway, including obtaining approval and comments from various county and community agencies. The parcel…
Testing time is just around the corner. Mark calendars for the following testing dates: ACT Test: October 28 PLAN TEST: October 18 (sophomores only) SAT I OR SAT II: October 14, 22 and November 4 PSAT: October 18 and 21 Congratulations to Rock Canyon High School’s Marching Band for winning third place at the Colorado…
Developer Chris Fellows (left) walks the Lagae Ranch property while talking with HOA1 residents. By Lane Roberts On Saturday, October 14, more than 30 Castle Pines North residents from HOA1 attended a meeting with the developer of the Lagae Ranch parcel, Chris Fellows. The parcel is located behind King Soopers and adjacent to HOA1. For…
When the snow starts falling, snuggle up with a good book from the Bookmobile. The full service Douglas County Library on wheels visits Castle Pines North each week in the King Soopers parking lot at 7284 Lagae Road. Avoid the icy roads to Castle Rock or Lone Tree and reserve books and movies on the…
South Suburban Parks and Recreation will be offering recreation center passes at a 10 percent discount from November 26 through December 25. Customers who purchase a multiple-use pass or punch card have access to all facility amenities and drop-in fitness classes at South Suburban’s Lone Tree, Goodson, and Buck Recreation Centers. Castle Pines North residents…
By Terri Wiebold Many Questions Still Unanswered In late July, the Castle Pines North (CPN) Master Association Design Review Committee (DRC) submitted its recommendations on the proposed Canyons North development to the County Planning Commission. The committee’s primary concern was the lack of information contained in the referral relating to the traffic impact the development…
by Celine Hundt Triathletes have the arduous challenge of excelling at three different sports (biking, swimming and running). For Kathleen Steffe, a Castle Pines North mother of two, this challenge has become a life’s passion. It was almost an accident that Steffe first discovered the triathlon at the unlikely age of 41. A work colleague…
Congratulations to American Academy for receiving top CSAP honors in Douglas County. In the school’s first year open, they tied for first place with Parker Core Knowledge School and had 90 percent of its students score proficient or advanced on the test. Students and Flight – On Tuesday, August 29, students from 4th grade and…
On September 25, the Master Association welcomed new residents to the community at the “New Resident Welcome Coffee.” The coffees are designed to communicate important facts and information to all new residents and to welcome them to the community. Special thanks to Starbucks, Lucas Liquors and Coffeecakes.com for donating refreshments for this event. For more…
by Celine Hundt Timber Trail Elementary (TTE) is one of five Douglas County Schools that will participate in the Rocky Mountain PBS mini-television series entitled “Super School News.” Fifth and sixth graders from each of the five schools – Redstone, Copper Mesa, Heritage, Sedalia and TTE – will gain a new understanding of the world…
by Maureen Shul The FAA Grant to update the noise contours has been issued and signed by Centennial Airport and Ararahoe County Boards. Work on the noise contour updates will now begin and is scheduled to be completed by the end of the year. Centennial Airport had to reapply for funding to update the contour…
by Terri Wiebold As witches, goblins, and super-heroes descend on neighborhoods across Castle Pines North this October 31, the Master Association joins the American Red Cross in offering parents some safety tips to help prepare children for a safe and enjoyable trick-or-treat experience. Halloween should be filled with surprise and enjoyment, and following some common…
The following is an excerpt taken from a letter written by Kurtis Kroeckel of Daniel’s Gate to the CPN Master Association: “I am raising a safety issue that needs prompt attention. The Daniel’s Gate Recreation pool is located across Monarch Boulevard from the Serena development. Children and adults who wish to walk to the pool…
By Celine Hundt In these days of mass-manufacturing, it is refreshing to find beautifully-crafted handmade goods at affordable prices. Handmade Colorado is a new store in Castle Pines North (CPN) where shoppers can purchase the work of local artists and crafters. The store is located close to Safeway in the Castle Pines Marketplace Shopping Center.…
by Lisa Crockett It is tradition. The first Tuesday in November is Election Day, and this year is no exception. However, Castle Pines North voters will have opportunities to make their voices heard in some not-so-traditional ways this election. In the past, voters have cast ballots at specific polling places. This year, voters will have…
by Elean Gersack The third annual Rockslide is set for Saturday, November 11, at Rock Canyon High School. This fun community event raises money to support participating local schools including: Buffalo Ridge Elementary, American Academy, Rocky Heights Middle School, DCS Montessori, Timber Trail Elementary, Redstone Elementary, Rock Canyon High School, and Wildcat Mountain Elementary. New…
Maureen Shul, President of the Castle Pines North Master Association introducing Bill Winter and Ted Harvey by Lisa Crockett In a scene reminiscent of an old-fashioned town hall, the Castle Pines North (CPN) Master Association hosted a “2006 Election Candidate Forum” and invited several candidates for public office. (see names of candidates , their respective…
To Report Neighborhood Incidents or Other Unusual Activities Contact – Emergency Number: 911 Always call 911 for crimes in progress or emergency situations. Douglas County Sheriff’s Traffic Safety Hotline: 303-660-7539 Use this number for ongoing traffic problems. Be sure to record location, days, times and nature of the problem. Douglas County Sheriff’s Dispatch Number: 303-660-7500…
by Lisa Crockett Castle Pines Community Church has asked the County for clarification on several comments made regarding its plan for a new church building in Surrey Ridge. The building, which is proposed to be built on a 12.7-acre site at 9009 Clydesdale Road in the Surrey Ridge community, is a smaller structure than what…
Photo by Lane Roberts by Terri Wiebold What happens to the 560 acres of open space and the 13.5 miles of natural trails that surround Castle Pines North (CPN) in the wintertime? Only the most beautiful blanket of snow you have ever seen – not to mention some GREAT sledding hills. From the start of…
Thanks to Janet Conner, Master Association board member and Safety Task Force Chair, thousands of copies of the new Douglas County Emergency Preparedness Guide are now available for each Castle Pines North (CPN) resident. Neighborhood HOA delegates are encouraged to contact Janet Conner via e-mail at safety@cpnhoa.org, to make arrangements to pick up copies of…
by Terri Wiebold The Castle Pines North (CPN) Master Association has received several inquiries about the status of plans to build a fire station on a portion of the 10-acre parcel of land located at the corner of Monarch Boulevard and Hidden Pointe. The South Metro Fire Rescue (SMFR) Board of Directors made a commitment…
The Buffalo Ridge community has suffered the loss of educational assistant Jaqueline Blecha. Blecha and her daughter, Ashley Martin, a sophomore at Rock Canyon High School, were killed in an apparent double-murder suicide in September. The school reported Blecha missing when she failed to show up for work. Blecha had been a staff member at…
by Terri Wiebold Residents wanting to explore the open spaces to the north of the Castle Pines North community will have better access in the near future. In accordance with a 1988 agreement between Douglas County, the Highlands Ranch Community Association (HRCA), and Mission Veijo (now Shea homes), Douglas County will begin construction of an…
The Rock Canyon Varsity Poms team will compete at the Universal Dance Association National Dance Team Championships in Orlando, Florida on February 2-4, 2007. The team qualified during dance team camp in July by receiving a Superior Dance Team award given only to the teams who showed exceptional ability, work ethic, spirit, and teamwork. This…
by Terri Wiebold Regional Transportation District’s (RTD) long-awaited Southeast Corridor Light Rail construction is complete, and trains are scheduled to begin transporting passengers on November 17. CPN residents can take advantage of this service from as close as Lincoln Avenue and I-25. Taking the train could help CPN residents save on time and fuel, make…
New “Exclusive” Highlands Ranch Trail System by Terri Wiebold More than 50 Castle Pines North (CPN) residents attended the Castle Pines North Metro District Board meeting on August 21, along with the news crew from Channel 7, to hear comments from Douglas County Parks and Trails Planner, Randy Burkhardt, regarding the neighboring Highlands Ranch trail…
By Celine Hundt Donna Collison, a resident of Parker who was dropping off her grandson at the DCS Montessori School, was astounded to encounter a black bear as she walked up the path behind the school. She saw the bear on the main road about 25 yards from the dirt parking lot close to the…
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 Carin R. Kirkegaard One important factor in what makes Castle Pines North (CPN) a community where people want to live is the people, and more specifically those who give freely of themselves and their time. Stacie Sneider is one of those people who tirelessly gives back to CPN. A Colorado native, Sneider grew up…
The Castle Pines North Master Association is currently seeking a Community Manager to oversee the administrative, financial and daily business management functions of the organization. The manager would report to a seven member board of directors and oversee daily operations of 3,200 homes. This position would require a strong financial background and extensive administrative service…
by Terri Wiebold Castle Pines North (CPN) residents may soon have another line of defense for fighting crime in the open spaces throughout the CPN community. Horses Rodney, Rowdy and Whiskey are the three latest additions to the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office’s newly-formed Mounted Patrol Division. According to DCSO Public Information Officer, Dave Jolly, the…
Vote Centers For the Primary Election, held August 8 and the General Election, held November 7, Douglas County voters will not report to their precinct voting place. Instead, there will be voting centers located across the county. Voters may choose to vote at any of the countywide centers. The Castle Pines North Community Center, located…
Sixty-three year old Mary LaPorte is smiling a lot these days after winning a Mother’s Day Smile Makeover contest in May from Castle Pines Family Dentistry. Of the 25 entries submitted for the contest, Drs. Jeff and Stephanie Scheich selected LaPorte after reading the nomination her husband, John, secretly sent in without his wife’s knowledge.…
by Lane Roberts School buses are already out on the streets of Castle Pines North (CPN). On July 7, Timber Trail Elementary switched to a four-track year-round calender and welcomed more than 600 students back to school. Buffalo Ridge will remain on a traditional calendar this year. DCS Montessori School, Rocky Heights Middle School, and…
by Carin Kirkegaard Rock Canyon High School (RCHS), for the first time in the school’s history, will have its inaugural senior class walking the halls of the school August 15. With this long anticipated moment comes changes to the make up of the school. With nearly 1,200 students attending RCHS this fall, the school was…
by Celine Hundt Because DCS Montessori School is a charter school, it relies heavily on its fundraising efforts to finance its school foundation – the Montessori Educational Foundation (MEF). Proceeds from school fundraisers go directly to buy computers and supplies. One such fundraising event is the school’s Fall Festival which will be held this year…
by Carin R. Kirkegaard Rocky Heights Middle School heads back to school August 14 and is looking forward to a year of learning. At Rocky Heights, “the primary objective of student achievement requires community involvement, parent participation and a culture of high expectations,” said Principal Patricia Dierberger. Doors for the first day of school open…
by Carin R. Kirkegaard The 2006-2007 school year promises to be full of opportunity and celebration for Buffalo Ridge Elementary School (BRE). The first full day of classes will begin August 16 for grades first through fifth. Goal setting conferences will be held on August 14 and 15. During these conference days, parents can open…
by Celine Hundt A community-wide celebration on May 6 heralded the opening of the new skateboard park at Coyote Ridge Park. However, now that a few months have elapsed, the mood of some of the neighbors who live adjacent to the skate park is anything but celebratory. While the park undoubtedly provides a much-needed outlet…
By Carin Kirkegaard Children from across Castle Pines North (CPN) neighborhoods enjoyed their days in the sun swimming for the community on one of the local swim teams. This summer was the first that CPN was able to offer families a choice in choosing a swim team. Castle Pines Piranhas The Castle Pines Piranhas spent…
The Douglas County Libary’s Bookmobile visits Castle Pines North (CPN) each week. The Bookmobile has a permanent collection of more than 3,000 items, but has complete access to everything within the Douglas County Library system. Any item can be ordered on-line and delivered to the Bookmobile for pick-up. Save gas and time and visit the…
by Carin Kirkegaard In May, a swarm of honey bees was discovered at the corner of Oxford and Berkley Circle in the Kings Crossing neighborhood of HOA2. Concerned neighbors spotted the brown swirling mass and upon closer inspection discovered that it was a swarm of bees. Residents tried calling organizations like local animal control as…
by Terri Wiebold Since ancient times, storytellers have shared stories to pass on wisdom, engage the imagination of young people, and foster a sense of community. The spellbinders storytelling program recreates this age-old tradition by bringing together generations and advancing literacy, while enriching the lives of children and volunteers alike. Spellbinders is a group of…
by Roberta Harrell, American Academy CAO Can you imagine learning 7th grade science through the hands-on marine science educational program delivered by marine science professionals at SEACAMP in San Diego? Or how about learning 6th grade archeology from professional researchers at a working excavation site at Crow Canyon Archaeology Center in Cortez, Colorado? These are…