Read the stories from the latest issue:
By Terri Weibold Due to a significant increase in the risk of fire danger, the Douglas County Board of Commissioners adopted a resolution restricting open fires and open burning in unincorporated areas of Douglas County, including Castle Pines North. The ban, effective June 15, escalated the existing Stage One restrictions to Stage Two, prohibiting all…
by Elean Gersack On Sunday, August 6, women from around Denver will swim, bike and run to raise money for the fight against breast cancer. Tri for the Cure will be held at Cherry Creek State Park (near Belleview and I-25) and all fundraising proceeds will support the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. Many…
John Ewing by Terri Wiebold (CPN) Metro District Board of Directors, John Ewing is leaving the Board to pursue other interests. “There is still very important work to be done on the Board,” said Ewing. “But, I am term-limited and my time is up.” Ewing lists among the high-points of his tenure on the board…
Cherokee Ranch Fire October 2003 as seen from Berganot Trail in Castle Pines North by Terri Wiebold One of the features about Castle Pines North (CPN) that attracts residents to live in this community is its abundance of open space and natural surroundings. With that beauty often comes hazardous conditions, such as the potential for…
Watch for school buses in the Castle Pines North community in early July. Timber Trail Elementary (TTE) has officially switched to a four-track calendar and students will be heading back to school this year in July. TTE has projected more than 600 students for the 2006-2007 school year and will have four tracks this year.…
by Belinda Paredes The Castle Rock Recreation Center held grand opening celebrations for the new leisure pool on May 19 and 20, offering free swimming, prize drawings, games, and entertainment. The new facility boasts a multi-use leisure pool, lazy river, exterior water slides, splash down area, zero-depth entry, and interactive water features. There is also…
How Dry is 2006? Galen Crowder, CPN resident and former Metro District Board member, is one of many homeowners in the area that tracks moisture statistics in the community. Just how dry is 2006? Take a look at these numbers provided by Crowder: January 1, 2006 – May 4, 2006 3.75 inches January 1, 2005…
Remember to vote in the August Primaries to determine which candidates will represent the Democratic and Republican parties in the November 7 election. Contact respective political parties for more information. To contact the Douglas County Democrats, visit www.douglasdemocrats.org, or call 303-539-9048. To contact the Douglas County Republicans, visit www.dcgop.org, or call 303-730-0100.
By Carin Kirkegaard Summer is here and along with the long hot days come solicitors canvassing the neighborhood. Residents in Castle Pines North can avoid unwelcome solicitors by simply purchasing a “no solicitation” sign and placing it near the doorbell. According to the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office (DCSO), any person engaged in door-to-door selling of…
by Lane Roberts Castle Pines North (CPN) continues to have a low crime rate which can often lead to complacency, especially during the summer months. Last summer, there was a brief rash of vehicle break-ins throughout CPN, and several residents lost wallets, purses, computers, and other valuable items. To help keep the community safe, please…
Share questions, comments or opinions with The Connection. E-mail questions to editor@cpnhoa.org. I am all for cyclists riding along Monarch, but are you aware of the frequency in which they cross the white line and cross into traffic? Someone is going to get hurt and it will be a tragedy. – Joe Musso, Hidden Pointe…
by Elean Gersack In Colorado, gardens can sometimes be hard to maintain with warm summer days, cool summer nights and plenty of dryness. Fortunately, there is a local resource available to help even the most novice gardener create a wonderfully landscaped yard. PlantTalk Colorado is a web based resource which provides answers to commonly asked…
Project Lifesaver wristband and battery used by participants. by Terri Wiebold Castle Pines North (CPN) resident Maureen Shul, a resident of Bramble Ridge and Master Association Board President, along with Victor and Amy Mitchell of Castle Pines, are among the volunteers who have worked to make Project Lifesaver a reality in Douglas County. Project Lifesaver…
by Elean Gersack On July 4, this nation will celebrate its 230th birthday. Celebrate this magnificent day with stars and stripes, music, parades, and fireworks displays. Here are just a few ideas to help plan the celebration: The Liberty Festival will be held at the Douglas County Fairgrounds on July 4. The Air Force Color…
By Lane Roberts On Saturday, May 6, Castle Pines North (CPN) celebrated the official grand opening of the new skateboard park at Coytote Ridge Park, presented by the CPN Master Association and CPN Metro District. Adults and children of all ages enjoyed live music by Solid Life U-Turn Youth Band, ice cream donated by Sinton…
by Carin Kirkegaard The Douglas County Garden Club is sponsoring the “Woodsy Owls” at Buffalo Ridge Elementary (BRE) as part of its philanthropic work in Douglas County. During the program, the Daisy troop that meets at BRE, learned about the environment and how to keep it clean and preserved. “We measured trees and planted salad…
New residents of Castle Pines North are invited to attend the next welcome coffee set for Tuesday, June 13, at 7 p.m. at the Community Center located at 7404 Yorkshire Drive. Held quarterly, the welcome coffees are designed to communicate important facts and information to new residents and to welcome them to the community. For…
by Terri Wiebold In the month of May, there were at least three confirmed vehicle thefts in Castle Pines North. This trend has a tendency to occur around the same time every year – generally coinciding with the weather turning warmer. The thefts generally occur between the hours of 11 p.m. and 6 a.m. The…
Brandon S., 14 months, enjoys his first Easter Egg Hunt on April 8. Brandon was the winner of the CPNMaster Association’s Easter Egg Hunt Photo Contest. by Elean Gersack Congratulations to Christine S. for taking the winning photograph at the Master Association’s Easter Egg Hunt on April 8. The Master Association received many wonderful photos…
by Carin Kirkegaard The new Metro District Board was seated on May 22 and welcomed three new members: Jonette Brown Eyes, Ted Lohr and Bruce Thompson. Each new member is dedicated and focused on serving Castle Pines North (CPN) with a fiscally-responsible approach, while looking to secure future water supplies for the community. Brown Eyes…
by Belinda Paredes The Canyons development, proposed for the area southeast of I-25 and Castle Pines Parkway, has a new website available. To view plans, new developments, and upcoming events, visit www.thecanyonsliving.com. According to the area developer, The Alpert Company, no open houses have been scheduled yet. They are still awaiting comments on sketch plans…
by Elean Gersack Residents from throughout Castle Pines North (CPN) enjoyed the Master Association’s Easter Egg Hunt at Coyote Ridge Park on Saturday, April 8. Over 10,000 eggs and the Easter Bunny were on hand for this fun CPN tradition! Little ones, some with help from their parents, raced for eggs that were divided by…
With only a six percent voter turnout on May 2, the Metro District Board election proved to have one of the lowest numbers of participants in CPN’s history. Out of a total of 5,644 residents eligible to vote, only 309 found the time to make it to the polls to elect new board members. Thirty-nine…
by Carin Kirkegaard A proposal to develop a 12.23-acre parcel of commercially-zoned land in Castle Pines North (CPN) has been filed with the Douglas County Planning Division. The site lies directly north of the intersection of Castle Pines Parkway and Lagae Road, between the Douglas County Montessori School to the east, and the Xcel power…
by Elean Gersack June is adopt-a-cat month and The Buddy Center is gearing up to find homes for many of its kittens and cats during Kitty Karnival on Saturday, June 24. The Karnival will be held from 10:30 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. with crafts, games and small prizes on hand for children. “Our goal is…
By Carin Kirkegaard In the mail ballot election for the South Metro Fire Rescuse (SMFR) Board of Directors, Castle Pines North (CPN) resident William (Bill) P. Schaeffer was one of the three incumbent candidates selected to serve another four-year term. Raymond A. Bullock and Peter Webb were also re-elected. With the entire group returning to…
by Terri Wiebold South Metro Fire Rescue (SMFR) recently joined a select group of fire agencies around the world that have gained accreditation from the Commission on Fire Accreditation International (CFAI). SMFR Chief, Robert Rinne, spoke at the Castle Pines North Master Association Board of Director’s meeting on April 20 about his Department’s accomplishments. “It…
Summertime brings out bikes, skateboards, scooters and motorized toy vehicles. Motorized scooters, dirt bikes and all-terrain vehicles all fall under the category of “toy” vehicles, and all are prohibited from public roadways and sidewalks. Owners of these “toys” are only permitted to operate the vehicles on private property with the permission of the property owners.…
By Terri Weibold The Castle Pines North Mater Association and the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office have received several complaints regarding simulated “war games” in the open spaces and recreational parks within Castle Pines North. The complaints originated from various neighborhoods and included issues such as: The safety of residents (one woman was hit by a…
CONTACT #1: Public Information Officer, Deputy Cocha Heyden, 303-814-7096, pgr 303-826-7822 CONTACT #2: RELEASE DATE: 05/08/06 RELEASE TIME: 9:00 am CASE NUMBER: WHAT: Douglas County Sheriff David Weaver Says, “Lock It or Lose It” About Recent Car Break-Ins NARRATIVE: DOUGLAS COUNTY, CO Due to recent car break-ins in the area, the Sheriff would like to…
The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) has received numerous notifications from consumers of an e-mail that has the appearance of being sent from the FDIC. The “From” line of the e-mail displays the name “Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation” and the subject includes the phrase “IMPORTANT: Notification of Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.” The e-mail states that…
by Carin Kirkegaard The ballots are in and the votes are tallied in the 2006 Special District Election for the CPNMD. With only a six percent voter turnout, the election proved to have one of the lowest numbers of participants in CPN’s history. Out of a total of 5,644 residents eligible to vote, only 309…
by Elean Gersack Friday and Saturday, May 19 and 20, traffic on local streets will be bustling as folks from far and wide visit Castle Pines North (CPN) in hopes of finding some good deals. The Master Association will advertise this huge garage sale within Denver and Douglas County newspapers and the CPN website will…
By Carin Kirkegaard Memorial Day weekend is fast approaching and with the extended weekend comes the beginning of summer. May 26 is the official last day of school for Douglas County, and other local schools will soon follow. With longer, warmer days ahead, Castle Pines North (CPN) children will be out playing ball, riding bikes…
by Carin Kirkegaard In the past week a resident that lives on High Ridge Court in the Hidden Pointe neighborhood reported a mountain lion which ran through the resident’s backyard around 9 p.m. This sighting is the most recent occurrence of seeing wildlife within a residential area. In recent months, there have been two reported…
CPN resident Sally Wagner races toward the finish line at Tri for the Cure (Photo courtesy of The Wagner family) by Elean Gersack Ask any woman, and chances are she or someone she knows has been affected in some way by breast cancer. According to the Susan G. Komen Foundation, over 212,000 women will be…
South Metro Fire Rescue 9195 E. Mineral Ave Centennial, CO 80112 720-488-7164 by Carin Kirkegaard BRK Smoke Alarm Issue Updated 5/2/06 STEP 1 – Identification Confirm you have affected models: (all must apply) BRK Brands, Inc. hard-wired smoke alarms Model: 4120B or 4120SB Date: 1998 – October 2000 STEP 2 – Prevention Manufacturer recommends Eveready…
Easter Fest Attracts Hundreds 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…
King’s Crossing resident Mary Williams by Belinda Paredes Philip S. Miller Library in Castle Rock hosted an art exhibit in February and March that featured over 80 pieces by 23 local artists. The show displayed a variety of artwork throughout the library, including sculptures, paintings, jewelry, and pottery. Library patrons could cast a vote for…
by Terri Wiebold The South Metro Fire Rescue 2006 Budget lists capital investments as the major focus for the coming year. When the District went to the electorate seeking an increase in the mill levy in the spring of 2004, the Board of Directors made a commitment to provide mills for capital purposes. One such…
by Carin Kirkegaard Douglas County Planning is reviewing referrals from neighboring homeowner associations regarding the proposed building of a two-story 26,000 square-foot church. Castle Pines Community Church purchased 12 acres of land that lies west of I-25, at the Surrey Ridge exit, and south of Clydesdale Road. During the referral period, the plans for the…
by Terri Wiebold Beginning in April, citizens interested in volunteering in the area of public safety will have the opportunity to participate in a new program through the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office. “The Community Safety Volunteer Program” enables volunteers to provide services to the community in those areas of law enforcement that do not require…
by Terri Wiebold Rules of the road apply to pedestrians and bicyclists in addition to vehicles. Most of us are mindful of traffic rules and regulations when it pertains to driving vehicles. Traffic rules are usually followed when stopping at red lights, driving the speed limit, and staying on the proper side of the road.…
by Carin Kirkegaard Longer daylight hours and warmer weather has the neighborhood venturing outside after being cooped up from the snow and cold winds of winter. Whether riding a bike, taking a jog, or walking a dog on Castle Pines North’s 14 miles of recreational trails intertwined throughout the community, many residents have been out…
VOTE Vote for the CPN Metro District Board – May 2, at the CPN Community Center, 7404 Yorkshire Drive, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Vote for South Metro Fire Rescue Board -ballots will arrive via U.S. mail by April 17 andmust be received by May 2. by Carin Kirkegaard Castle Pines North (CPN) voters…
Courtesy of South Metro Fire Rescue South Metro Fire Rescue (SMFR) is urging voters to participate in the election of three Fire District Board members. Ballots are being sent to eligible voters and may be returned by mail or in person prior to the May 2 voting deadline. The location to drop off ballots in…
Red E. Fox (left) and Dispatcher with Cherie Abbott of DCSO (Photo by DCSO.) by Terri Wiebold The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office (DCSO) has developed a new 911 education program geared toward Kindergarten through 2nd grade students. The program teaches children what to do and what to say when placing a 911 emergency call. It…
by Belinda Paredes The Castle Pines North Master Association has put considerable effort into keeping residents connected to community news and events through a variety of media. The Connection and the website www.cpnhoa.org have traditionally been the main source of information for residents, but last year great effort was made to connect most residents to…
by Belinda Paredes Ever wished for the opportunity to encourage kids to exercise while raising money for their schools? Now Douglas County families have that opportunity through Tri the Rock. Tri the Rock is a youth USA Triathlon open to kids five through 14, to benefit school athletic programs throughout Douglas County and youth athletics…
by Belinda Paredes After an intensive search and interview process, Buffalo Ridge Elementary (BRE) has named a new principal. Allyson “Ally” Berggren, an assistant principal from Colleyville, Texas, was named principal of BRE in February. She will officially start her position on July 1. Berggren has been assistant principal of Bransford Elementary School for the…
Annual invoices for the Castle Pines Master Association were sent out in February and were due March 31. All CPN homeowners (with the exception of Hidden Pointe residents) should have received one. This invoice is in addition to any individual neighborhood HOA dues homeowners pay, and is only billed once a year. For Hidden Pointe…
By Terri Wiebold Informational Meeting about Defective Smoke Detectors to be Held With the recent attention in the media concerning defective smoke detectors found in many CPN homes, a Master Association-sponsored community information meeting is scheduled for Thursday, May 18, from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Community Center, 7404 Yorkshire Drive. South Metro…
by Lane Roberts Water restrictions in Castle Pines North will begin on May 1. All residents will receive a water restrictions postcard. The Castle Pines North Metro District has implemented mandatory water restrictions since 2003. The circle, diamond, square third day watering program helps manage water supply and also helps conserve water. Water restrictions also…
by Carin Kirkegaard During the past week, there has been a report of a mountain lion in the Stonecroft neighborhood in Castle Pines North (CPN). The Stonecroft neighborhood is located behind the CC-20 lot at the corner of Castle Pines Parkway and Monarch Boulevard. The animal was seen walking across Stonemont Drive toward Stonedale, and…
by Belinda Paredes The Ridge Golf Course opened for the 2006 season on March 2. Tee times will be booked starting at 9:30 a.m. during the month of March. Food and beverage service is now available as well. The Ridge is offering a new “season ticket” program for 2006, which is a book of 20…
by Carin Kirkegaard Coyote Ridge Park will soon be a little lighter. The corner at Serena Drive and Hidden Pointe Boulevard will soon have a streetlight installed at the northwest corner of the intersection. With summer approaching and days getting longer, more families will stay later at the park. This corner presents a danger for…
by Carin Kirkegaard Mark the calendar and be sure to attend the Castle Pines North (CPN) Master Association Meeting on April 20 at 7 p.m. located in the Community Center, 7402 Yorkshire Drive. CPN residents will have an opportunity to hear the candidates running for the three open positions on the CPN Metro District Board…
Douglas County, Colo. – Douglas County Clerk and Recorder Carole Murray has initiated a Voter Education Outreach program to inform citizens about the significant changes in this year’s election process. Descriptions of the changes can be found at www.DouglasVotes.com, a site that will be regularly updated with information about where the public can get hands-on…
by Carin Kirkegaard Springtime gets gardeners out and digging. One important thing to remember before starting any landscaping projects is to locate the water, cable, gas, telephone, and electric power lines that are underground. Careless digging could cause unnecessary consequences such as serious personal injury, environmental damage and costly delays. Before beginning spring and summer…
On February 16, the Castle Pines North Master Association Board of Directors appointed Janet Conner to fill a vacant director position. Conner previously served as a board member for her neighborhood HOA. She formed a HOA managment company for BristleCone Patio Homes and works closely with the board of that community. Conner also serves on…
by Carin Kirkegaard Douglas County has been one of the fastest growing counties in the United States. With this growth, the number of constituents the Douglas County Board of Commissioners serves has grown as well. It is because of this growth that the Douglas County Voters for Local Representation, a group of concerned citizens, is…
by Terri Wiebold Alarmingly large numbers of young people in Colorado (and throughout the country) report having made serious plans for suicide attempts. According to the Colorado Office of Suicide Prevention, suicide is the second leading cause of death for Coloradans between the ages of 10 and 19. Following a series of teen suicides at…
CONTACT #1: Public Information Officer, Lt. Alan Stanton, 303-660-7586; pgr. 303-208-5233 CONTACT #2: Douglas County Emergency Management Director, Jamie Moore, 303-660-7589 RELEASE DATE: 04/25/06 RELEASE TIME: 4:40 p.m. CASE NUMBER: N/A WHEN: Effective Immediately (04/26/06) NARRATIVE: DOUGLAS COUNTY, CO – Earlier this afternoon, the Douglas County Board of County Commissioners adopted a resolution, R-006-068, which…
Homes in The Retreat overlook CC-20, located on the northwest corner of Castle Pines Parkway and Monarch. Village Homes has announced new plans for the 15.7-acre parcel. (Photo by Tim Gamble.) by Lane Roberts After two years of negotiations, the northwest corner of Castle Pines Parkway and Monarch Boulevard may soon be getting a facelift.…
by Carin Kirkegaard Castle Pines North (CPN) is home to two neighborhood swim teams. For the past three years, CPN children have been swimming for the CPN Piranhas through Team Colorado. This summer, CPN will have two options for families to choose from. Team Colorado’s Castle Pines North Piranhas – hosted by HOA2 Castle Crocs…
by Carin Kirkegaard The Canyons, located just across I-25 to the east of Castle Pines North (CPN), is continuing its planning process. With progress starting in the southern portion of the development, questions regarding number of houses, size of lots and community amenities are being asked. In response to these questions, The Canyons will be…
by Carin Kirkegaard Douglas County’s slash and mulch program is typically held each Saturday from Memorial Day through Labor Day, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. The program is part of the County’s wildfire mitigation and recycling efforts. There are two goals to this program: First, to provide a drop-off location for residents to reduce,…
by Terri Wiebold Douglas County Emergency Management Director, Jaime Moore, was a guest speaker at the Master Association’s meeting on February 16. Moore works in cooperation with numerous local, state and federal agencies to provide emergency management programs to better equip Douglas County in handling disasters. “The biggest push for our department in 2006 is…
Share questions, comments or opinions with The Connection. E-mail questions to editor@cpnhoa.org. Dear Connection: I noticed the new skateboard park at Coyote Ridge. What is the status of Castle View Park and other future parks for Castle Pines North? – Park Lover in CPN Dear Park Lover: Construction of Castle View Park was originally set…
by Belinda Paredes Women who enjoy golfing, or are considering learning the game of golf, can choose from a wide offering of ladies’ leagues at Red Hawk Ridge golf course. The novice league is for ladies that are new to golf, or have not been able to improve their handicap below 40. The novice league…