Read the stories from the latest issue:
by Terri Wiebold Construction is underway of a new and innovative meal preparation company in Castle Pines North, and Greenbriar resident Kay Lynn Anderson is the driving force behind it. Entrée Vous is a franchise that began in 2003 as a place for individuals or groups to prepare nutritious meals in a clean and friendly…
Scrub oak clearing begins in the Pine Ridge open space. by Terri Wiebold Nestled amid some of the most beautiful topography in the area – Daniel’s Park, The Sanctuary, Cherokee Ranch, and The Ridge Golf Course – residents in the Pine Ridge neighborhood of Castle Pines North enjoy the breathtaking scenery and abundant surrounding landscapes,…
by Lorraine Masonheimer Castle Pines Community Church will host vacation bible school June 25-29, 9 a.m. to noon, age three to fifth grade. The event will take place at Timber Trail Elementary, 690 W. Castle Pines Parkway. To register online, go to www.castlepineschurch.org or call 303-663-9755. Christ the King and Epiphany Lutheran Church will present…
by Lisa Crockett The Alpert Corporation (Alpert), developer of The Canyons, has cleared the first major hurdle in its long journey toward build-out. The Douglas County Commissioners approved the sketch plan for the new community, which will be located east and south of Castle Pines Parkway (CPN) across I-25. The sketch plan is the first…
by Lisa Crockett Castle Pines North (CPN) and the thousands of acres of open space surrounding the community are home to nearly 10,000 people, a varied collection of pets, countless deer, elk, rabbits, raccoons and the predators that prey on these creatures. While mountain lions are generally elusive animals which typically avoid human contact, CPN…
by Lane Roberts The Master Association has received reports of rattlesnake sightings in yards in the Serena neighborhood of Daniel’s Gate. Snakes come out of hibernation in May and June as the weather warms and rely mostly on rodents for food. Rattlesnake babies have venom and are dangerous from birth. Please use caution with small…
by Lane Roberts As of press time, negotiations between Castle Pines North (CPN) and Castle Pines Village (VILLAGE) were still underway. The two communities, both vying for the same business district in its proposed incorporation boundaries, recently filed a “request to stay” on both petitions in Douglas County District Court. “The intent of the court…
by Elean Gersack Business in the Pines kicks off summer with a fresh alternative to shopping. Like a farmer’s market with a twist, Market in the Pines will offer an array of selections such as garden accessories, clothing, jewelry, flowers, epicurean delights, produce and more. “We have unique and up-scale items to sell to our…
Parks and Open Space Manager Charlie Fagan, right, Metro District board members and WinterBerry homeowners discuss the eroding hillside on Buffalo Trail. Article and photos Lorraine Masonheimer Morning sun crested over the WinterBerry hillside, warming the sparse, fledgling blades of native grasses. The few clumps of grass that grow here cling to the steep slope—a…
Douglas County Library Bookmobile by Lisa Crockett Douglas County’s Director of Libraries, Jamie LaRue, is looking to add value to the Castle Pines North (CPN) community by giving it a new 6,500 square foot facility on the corner of Castle Pines Parkway and Monarch Boulevard. LaRue outlined his plans for the new CPN library, as…
by Terri Wiebold When the Cherokee Ranch fire in 2003 came within 100 yards of Pine Ridge open space and forced the evacuation of much of the Castle Pines North community, the Pine Ridge Homeowner’s Association (HOA) formed a committee to expand upon the basic Wildfire Mitigation Plan originally written for its developer in 1999.…
The view is changing at the northeast corner of Monarch Boulevard and Castle Pines Parkway as Village Homes begins retail and residential construction. (photo by TimGamble.) by Lisa Crockett Bulldozers are grading dirt and clearing debris on the land at the corner of Castle Pines Parkway and Monarch Boulevard in preparation for the development that…
Metro District Board Member Bruce Thompson discusses the impact of noise pollution for the CPN community. by Lorraine Masonheimer Castle Pines North (CPN) residents attended an informal meeting on May 31 to hear details regarding the power line expansion proposed by Xcel Energy to the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) earlier this month. The meeting was…
Business in the Pines is growing by the day. Below is a member list as of press time. To learn more about membership benefits and to find out about upcoming Business in the Pines events, visit www.businessinthepines.com. American Family Insurance – Julie Sequeira, American Family Insurance – Tim Brown, Arbonne International – Jana Ray, Back…
On May 30, Governor Bill Ritter signed into law HB 1064, also known as Project Lifesaver. This legislation will provide start-up funds for those counties statewide wishing to participate in this program. Project Lifesaver involves tracking technology that reduces search time to less than 25 minutes for people who are prone to wander and get…
by Lane Roberts The Castle Pines North (CPN) Metro District has been exploring the possible purchase of water rights from the London Mine, located on the middle fork of the South Platte River for several years. At the monthly board meeting on May 21, the Metro District Board voted to terminate the contract with THF…
by Lorraine Masonheimer As Castle Pines North (CPN) prepares for Memorial Day and Independence Day festivities, many residents have family members in the military deployed throughout the world or are veterans of wars past. The burden falls especially hard on these neighbors. Differing opinions on present-day and past wars can be heard across the country…
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Castle Rock, Col., (June 8, 2007) — Representatives from Castle Pines North (CPN) and Castle Pines Village (VILLAGE) have entered into a comprehensive “Revenue Sharing and Settlement Agreement” regarding the commercial area included in two separate petitions to incorporate filed by both communities last December. The agreement, signed June 7 by representatives…
by Lorraine Masonheimer The Castle Pines North (CPN) Parks Authority Board met on April 19 to discuss future park development. Among the items discussed was the East-West Regional Trail Extension. The Lagae Ranch park proposal is delayed for 30 to 60 days due to schedule conflicts with HF Holdings, LLC. The 240-acre parcel is located…
Douglas County Libraries Board of Trustees engage in a thoughtful discussion about whether or not to place a ballot question before the voters in the November 6 election. From left to right: Cathy Norris, Stevan Strain, David Starck, Mark Weston, and Steve Roper. G. Robert McLaughlin attended by phone. (photo courtesy of Douglas County Libraries)…
by Elean Gersack The cold and snow did not put a damper on the fun at Easter Fest in Castle Pines North (CPN). On Saturday, April 7, more than 300 children and adults dropped by the CPN Community Center for goodies, music and a visit with the Easter bunny. Business in the Pines storefront and…
by Lane Roberts Castle Pines North (CPN) is home to more than 560 acres of open space. The Castle Pines North Metro District is responsible for maintaining 323 acres of open space, including the three community parks. Many homes in CPN back to open space areas that are owned by the CPN Metro District. Recently,…
by Lane Roberts Douglas County Public Works has several asphalt overlay and concrete repair projects slated for Castle Pines North (CPN) this summer. The following streets (or portions of them) will be resurfaced this summer: Berkshire Court, Berkshire Lane, Clare Drive, Corby Court, Corby Place, Tenby Way, Warwick Place and Shoreham Drive (from Clare Drive…
by Lane Roberts On Monday, May 7, more than 30 residents attended the Castle Pines North (CPN) Metro District’s public hearing regarding a proposed water and wastewater rate increase. During the meeting, Metro District Manager James McGrady gave a presentation that detailed the need for the proposed 10 percent water rate increase and the restructuring…
by Lane Roberts Construction on the long awaited restrooms for all three Castle Pines North parks are set to begin this summer. Three “vault” restroom facilities will be built this summer at Coyote Ridge Park, The Retreat Park and Daniel’s Gate Park. Vault restrooms are commonly used throughout Colorado’s State Parks. The waterless toilets provide…
by Elean Gersack In the August issue of 5280 magazine, Rock Canyon High School (RCHS) received accolades as the overall number two high school in the Denver area. The article titled, “Denver’s Best High Schools” evaluated private and public high schools by student-teacher ratio, lowest number of disciplinary issues, ACT and SAT scores, teachers with…
by Terri Wiebold Information provided by United States Postal Service (USPS) New postage rates went into effect on Monday, May 14, including a two-cent increase in the price of a First-Class Mail stamp to 41 cents. Post Offices nationwide are now selling the new 41-cent stamps and also one and two-cent stamps for customers who…
by Lisa Crockett Castle Pines North Boy Scout Troop #316 and Troop #637 will hold their annual sprinkler blow-out fundraisers October 13, 14, 20, and 21. Prices for the service vary; contact troops for more information. Scouts will be fully supervised by adults. All proceeds support troop activities. To schedule a blow out with Troop…
CPN kids enjoy making a snow cave (photo by Elean Gersack) by Lane Roberts Mother Nature has been busy in Colorado this winter. Record snowfall across the state has continued to cause slick roads, delayed school days, and frigid tempatures. Castle Pines North (CPN) saw more than 57.6 inches of snow in less than a…
by Lorraine Masonheimer There will be a little something for everyone at the Buddy Center’s first Cat Crawl – including adoption, face painting, carnival games, food and beverages, shopping for that special feline, and classes about cat behavior. Staff specialists will be on hand to answer questions and offer advice about litter box and scratching…
by Terri Wiebold The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, as well as officers from the Douglas County Animal Services Department, responds to calls of dogs or other animals that have been left in vehicles with little or no air flow on hot days. This can prove to be deadly. The following tips are provided by the…
by Terri Wiebold Due to recent sightings of rattlesnakes in Castle Pines North (CPN) neighborhoods, the following information has been compiled by the CPN Master Association and provided by the Colorado Division of Wildlife: Prevention – Effective snake control begins with prevention. Make your property an undesirable home for snakes and be prepared for possible…
by Lorraine Masonheimer Improvements to the oldest park in Castle Pines North are set to begin in mid-July. The Metro District Board of Directors recently approved the $100,000 park improvement project. The Retreat Park, located on Tangleoak Lane off of Castle Pines Parkway in The Retreat neighborhood, will now be home to new play ground…
by Terri Wiebold The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office (DCSO) and the Douglas County Recorder’s Office have partnered up to address possible license plate fraud issues. Colorado statute requires that a resident register a vehicle within 30 days of residency in Colorado, even if the vehicle plates are from another state and are not expired. “There…
by Elean Gersack An Old Fashioned Holiday Christmas Boutique will be held Thursday through Saturday, November 15, 16 and 17, at the Castle Pines North (CPN) Community Center. The boutique celebrates twelve years and is a local holiday favorite for CPN residents. Crafters from years past, as well as new crafters, will be on hand…
by Lisa Crockett A metering study of the I-25 interchange at Castle Pines Parkway will take place sometime in the fall, although as of press time, no exact dates had been decided. “This metering study won’t require a change in driving habits and most drivers will likely not even know we’re doing the study,” said…
Spring Gala – “A Night on Treasure Island” – Saturday, April 21 The American Academy Spring Gala will be held at the Marriott Denver South at Park Meadows on Saturday, April 21. The silent auction, live auction, dinner and dancing event will help raise money for Math, Science and Technology programs, the library, teacher funds,…
by Lane Roberts The first, and oldest, park in Castle Pines North (CPN) is set to receive a face lift. The Castle Pines North Metro District Board of Directors recently approved an upgrade to The Retreat Park. The park, located off Tangleoak Lane in The Retreat neighborhood, was built in the late 1980s. Metro District…
by David Lichtenstein, Castle Pines North Metro District In less than half an hour any resident can learn how to transform a yard into a beautiful landscape that works with our Colorado environment. A free DVD, funded by a grant from the Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB), makes this possible. The DVD, planned for distribution…
South Metro Fire Rescue Meeting Dates and Times: The South Metro Fire Rescue Board of Directors meets the third Thursday of every month at 7 p.m. The meeting location is 9195 E. Mineral Avenue (north of Park Meadows off Chester Boulevard between County Line Road and Dry Creek Road.) Castle Pines North residents are welcome…
CPNII President Shirley Beer Powell (above left) presents South Metro Fire Rescue firefighter Gretta Flatt with certificates for pet resuscitation masks for all stations in Douglas County. Shoshana Powell (below) tries on the pet mask at CPN’s Fire Station 36. by Terri Wiebold “Burn my house down…destroy all of my property…just save my babies! My…
by Lane Roberts Xcel Energy will be installing the second set of power lines along the eastern corridor of Castle Pines North (CPN) in September. According to Anne MacRae, spokesperson for Xcel Energy, all permits for the second set of power lines have been obtained from Douglas County. MacRae said some preliminary groundwork will begin…
Wildlife Experience, 10035 S. Peoria St., Parker – weeklong wildlife camps for ages five to 10: www.wildlifeexperience.org, 720-488-3300. South Suburban Parks & Recreation, various locations in South Suburban district – a large variety of camps for ages five and older: www.ssprd.org, 303-708-9500. Primrose Schools, Lone Tree, Highlands Ranch, Parker – a variety of themed camps…
by Terri Wiebold The Castle Pines North Master Association communications staff boasts its very own world champion! Tim Gamble, HOA-1 resident, CPN Master Assocation webmaster, and staff photographer for The Connection, has recently won second place in a Photoshop contest, ranking him number 62 in the world. “I decided I needed to practice my skills,…
Annual dues invoices for the Castle Pines North Master Association were sent out in February and were due March 31, 2007. All CPN homeowners (with the exception of Hidden Pointe residents) should have received this invoice. This bill is in addition to any individual neighborhood association dues homeowners pay, and it is only billed once…
by Terri Wiebold The Master Association is the community-wide homeowner association (HOA) that unifies and represents all the individual neighborhoods within Castle Pines North (CPN). It is served by a seven-member volunteer board of directors, and has delegates represented from individual neighborhood HOAs. Its primary function is to work as an advocate to resolve community…
Womenade Board Members are pictured clockwise from top left: Debbie Vair, Carla Kenny, Sharon Kollmar, Donna Scott, Jamie Kimbrouogh. Photo by Elean Gersack. by Elean Gersack It is simple enough – women gather for a potluck meal and offer a small donation to help a family or individual in need. From single parents with serious…
Page to Stage Productions Children’s Literary Theatre Tour to Visit Douglas County Libraries The Page to Stage Productions Children’s Literary Theatre tour will visit the Douglas County Libraries in May and June to present the classic fairy tale, The Emperor’s New Clothes. Emperor JB Jones, III, is the richest, meanest, most big-headed man in the…
by Lane Roberts Voting. It is a right often taken for granted; one that defines our nation as a democracy. Whether Republican, Democrat or Independent – – opinions should always be voiced in any election. The Citizens for the Preservation of Castle Pines North (CPN) was formed to launch petition efforts on behalf of the…
New to You Purse Exchange for Warren Village. Pictured from the left, Mary Boettcher, Kim Bevill, Tammy Abramovitz and Tisa Meisel. Photo provided by Tammy Abramovitz. by Elean Gersack Women and children at Warren Village in Denver are looking for a second chance. Since 1974, they have been getting one. A unique family community…
Janet Conner by Terri Wiebold For a small-town girl from Colby, Kansas, Janet Conner has lived a life she never dreamed she would have. It all started when Conner took a job out of college with Wichita-based Cessna Aircraft Company writing its internal newsletter. “My degree was in journalism, so I knew what I was…
South Metro Fire Rescue (SMFR) has acquired the land on the northeast corner of Monarch Boulevard and Hidden Pointe Boulevard. SMFR hopes to complete the new station by 2008. by Terri Wiebold The long-awaited new fire station in Castle Pines North is one step closer to becoming a reality. In February, South Metro Fire Rescue…
by Elean Gersack Business in the Pines is a newly-formed organization bringing businesses and merchants located near I-25 and Castle Pines Parkway together for the future. Benefits of belonging to Business in the Pines include: open communication with other CPN businesses; a small business development center; a complete membership directory; free advertising in the business…
The Super School News Crew from TTE. Pictured back row (left to right): Ms. Harrington, and Amanda. Front row (left to right): Georgia, Ashley, Gabby, Emily and Laura. Photo by Elean Gersack Spanish for “The Night of the Party”, the TTE Silent Auction, will be held on Friday, May 4 at The Marriott at Park…
by Lisa Crockett A community effort to reach an agreement with the Highlands Ranch Community Association (HRCA) regarding the use of the Wildcat Trail (pictured above) is still underway; however, at this time the future of the project remains uncertain. Talks between the HRCA and the Castle Pines North (CPN) Master Association have failed to…
May 5 What: Denver Dumb Friends League’s Furry Scurry When: Saturday, May 5 Where: Washington Park in Denver This annual event helps the Denver Dumb Friends League raise money to care for thousands of homeless and abandoned animals. The 2-mile walk will take place on Saturday, May 5, 2007 at 9 a.m. at Washington Park…
by Terri Wiebold The south and west sides of the Castle Pines North community will be getting “vastly improved (cellular) coverage in homes,” according to the senior project manager for Technology Associates International Corporation, Matt Butler. Butler is working on behalf of T-Mobile in the design and construction of a new cellular tower in the…
by Terri Wiebold There is a knock at the door. On the other side of the peep hole stands a man, unfamiliar to you, carrying a clipboard with a smile on his face. What to do? This is a decision many Castle Pines North (CPN) residents will face this spring as door-to-door solicitors begin making…
by Lisa Crockett Though most of Castle Pines North (CPN) has almost reached “build out,” a few important parcels still remain under construction. Here is a progress report: Walgreens Development Delayed The developer of the proposed shopping area at Lagae Road on the north side of Castle Pines Parkway has met a minor delay. Missing…
by Elean Gersack This year marks the 10th anniversary of DCS Montessori. As part of the celebration, the school held a Dinner, Dance and Silent Auction at the Marriott Park Meadows on Saturday, March 10. The event was part celebration, part fundraiser, and ALL fun! More than 150 guests enjoyed a fun evening while raising…
Galen Crowder, HOA1 resident by Lane Roberts Galen Crowder, HOA1 resident and CoCoRaHS volunteer, tracks moisture in Castle Pines North each day at 7 a.m. at his home on Huntley Court. CoCoRaHS are volunteers that participate in the Community Collaborative Rain, Hail and Snow Network to measure and map precipitation. So just how much snow…
April 21 What: 9Health Fair When: Saturday, April 21 Where: Sky Ridge Medical Center Sky Ridge Medical Center will host the 9Health Fair on Saturday, April 21, from 7 a.m. to 12 p.m. More than 200 Sky Ridge Medical Center volunteers will assist in this annual event. A complete blood chemistry analysis – including…
by Lane Roberts For more than a year, the Castle Pines North (CPN) Metro District has been in serious negotiations to purchase water rights from the London Mine, located on the middle fork of the South Platte River. Now, the Metro District is looking closely at spending $23 million to purchase 1,200 to 1,300 acre-feet…
by Terri Wiebold Spring is finally just around the corner and despite the record snowfalls, wildfire is still a potential hazard for communities in Douglas County this summer. Beginning Saturday, May 26 and continuing every Saturday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. through September 1, residents are encouraged to participate in Douglas County’s “Slash and…
by Carin Kirkegaard Castle Pines North (CPN) children are pulling out their sun block and goggles in anticipation of the start of swim season. Once again, the Castle Crocs will hold morning practices Monday through Friday from 7-8 a.m. and 8-9 a.m. at the HOA1 pool. Meets are scheduled in June and July. The team…
by Lane Roberts The Castle Pines Parks Authority Board members continue to explore pros and cons of future park development options for the community. The proposed development of the northern portion of the Lagae Ranch by HF Holdings, LLC, introduced another potential park option for the Parks Authority. As a result, the Parks Authority temporarily…
Castle Pines North residents wait in long lines at the Community Center to cast ballots on November 7. Douglas County is now on the Colorado Secretary of State’s Election Watch List due to long wait times at polls. (Photo by Tim Gamble.) by Lane Roberts On November 7, 2006, voters in Castle Pines North (CPN)…
by Terri Wiebold One feature that attracts residents to live in the Castle Pines North (CPN) community is its abundance of open space and natural surroundings. With that beauty often comes hazardous conditions, such as the potential for wildland fires. Despite record snowfalls this winter, Douglas County and CPN are still at risk for wildland…
The ReJuveniles by Elean Gersack The Castle Pines North (CPN) Master Association has announced that The ReJuveniles will perform at the Summer Concert in the Park on Sunday, July 22, at Coyote Ridge Park. A spin-off from Reckless Abandon, who has performed during recent years at the Concert in the Park, The ReJuveniles take a…