Read the stories from the latest issue:
The HOYA Foundation is an organization that works with the U.S. Department of Transportation to garner support for small businesses that work in the transportation and construction industries. Based in Arvada, the nonprofit hosts an annual expo, Transportation and Construction Girl, a program that encourages young women to pursue careers to meet the workforce shortage…
Students in all grades at Buffalo Ridge Elementary (BRE) are thinking outside the box and solving problems in the Learning Commons. This school year, library time was added to the rotation schedule, where classes rotate between physical education, art, music and library each for a week every month. Librarian Aimee Valuck facilitated a fun critical…
The Stotz family welcomed an exchange student from the south of France to their home in the Forest Park neighborhood for the school year. In only three months, there have already been many adventures and new experiences for all of them. Earlier this year, Stacy Stotz saw that Antoine was looking for a host family…
In 2022, the Denver Broncos made history by inaugurating the first-ever Girls High School Flag Football league in Colorado. Collaborating closely with the Colorado High School Activities Association (CHSAA), Rock Canyon High School (RCHS) embarked on this three-year pilot program with the goal of making flag football for girls an officially sanctioned CHSAA sport across…
A watering hole with heart Like many brewery owners, Eric Seufert was a homebrewer who turned a hobby into a passionate profession. He was one of the few homebrewers doing lab work in their own house, and that experience proved crucial when he decided in 2015 to open 105 West Brewing Company northwest of Wolfensberger…
Pete Mentz is a strong man. In fact, he is a world champion weightlifter, but it took retirement to achieve it. Mentz has a compelling journey. He had not done regular exercise since he was a gymnast in high school. “People like me need an ejection button to get off the couch and go…
The City of Castle Pines has launched the Development Activity Map (DAP), an online tool allowing citizens to keep track of ongoing and proposed development projects. The DAP provides information on land use projects to include commercial, residential, parks and more. One notable feature of the DAP is its ability to stay current throughout the…
The City Council of Castle Pines unanimously approved an adjustment to the Parkway Plaza Development’s zoning regulations on August 8. The development will occupy the southwest corner of Lagae Road and Castle Pines Parkway, directly west of King Soopers. The adjustment will add self-storage units and a pet daycare to the applicable zoning uses for…
As part of the City of Castle Pines ambitious 2023 Road Solutions Initiative, residents can look forward to a significant upgrade in road safety and traffic flow at the intersection of Lagae and Happy Canyon roads. This eagerly anticipated project will introduce a roundabout as an improvement to the I-25 and Happy Canyon Road…
The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office (DCSO) invited alumni from its Citizens Academy program for another riveting class about multi-agency task forces and partnership with the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS), the primary law enforcement arm of the Department of Justice. Movies like The Fugitive and U.S. Marshals or the television show Manhunters: Fugitive Task Force have…
For homeowners in Douglas County, there is good news. In September, the Board of Douglas County Commissioners in its capacity as the County Board of Equalization approved Douglas County Assessor Toby Damisch’s recommendation for an across-the-board reduction of 4% in assessments for single family residential property owners. This would provide an average of $223 in…
Douglas County Libraries (DCL) celebrated the grand opening of its new Castle Rock library on Saturday, August 26. The new library is located at the same address as the former library, 100 South Wilcox Street. Grand opening events kicked off with remarks from library leaders and special guests, confetti cannons, and a breakaway banner…
At first reading, it might seem like another business news brief shared by Douglas County officials, but it is about much more than a news bit being pushed out in the local news sites. The gathering of Douglas County commissioners, Colorado Energy Office representatives and CORE Electric Cooperative leaders at Glendale Farm Open Space…
The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is holding its annual National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, October 28, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The program “aims to provide a safe, convenient, and responsible means of disposing of prescription drugs, while also educating the general public about the potential for abuse of medications,” according…
Corporal Randy Allen of the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office (DCSO) is passionate about helping the youngest and most vulnerable crime victims. Allen has been with DCSO for 15 years. He spent the last seven years in the Major Crimes Division and the last three specifically with a Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Unit joint task…
Exactly one year from the start of its construction, Journey Church commemorated its new Castle Pines expansion with a grand opening celebration on September 10. The $8 million expansion includes a larger auditorium which seats 515, up from 350, and has doubled the kids’ space, with an added room for middle school and high…
The Outlets at Castle Rock hosted its 18th annual Shopping Extravaganza on September 9. Each year, patrons purchase a ticket for the one-day event and shop guilt-free as $20 from each ticket goes back to nonprofits, some in Douglas County. Other perks include exclusive discounts and activities, two prize-drawing tickets providing the opportunity to win…
Help & Hope Center volunteers in front of the King Soopers on Saturday, September 23 asking for donations of canned food, toiletries and other non-perishable items. One of the volunteers noted, “We are low on items now, and with winter coming, it is imperative that we have enough for those in need.” For more information,…
During the height of the pandemic, there was a shortage of not only hygiene products like hand sanitizer and toilet paper, but schools faced a shortage of teachers. After his wife Jean came home from a school board meeting at Douglas County School District, Thad Dupper decided to get certified as a substitute teacher and…
Dewey is all things a pet owner wants in a dog. He is a nice size to fit in a lap but large enough to play, explore the outdoors and protect the property. A mix of 16 different breeds and left astray on the streets of New Mexico, Amy Griffin and her family rescued…
Abby Watkins lives a very full life in which she prioritizes family. “Life’s too short to sweat the small stuff,” Watkins exclaimed. As a professional photographer, jazzercise instructor, wife, and mom to three kids, two dogs, and three cats, Watkins has perspective about how precious life is and how fast time flies. “Grab those…
Linsay and Ryan Shirley are always up for an adventure, whether it is traveling the world, riding roller coasters at amusement parks, or hiking and camping near Colorado’s high peaks. Shortly after getting married in 1998, Linsay’s dad, Steve Williams, took the newlyweds to hike Mount Sherman, one of Colorado’s 58 mountains more than 14,000…
Ten years ago, Sedalia resident Jonathan Spencer learned more people are enslaved today than at any other time in history. There are an estimated 40 million people trapped in various forms of trafficking around the world. Spencer spent 25 years as an environmental engineer, but over the last decade, he took a hiatus to…
Do you have your house or yard decorated for Halloween? Send us photos of the best decorated house you see in the neighborhood – or send in your own – by October 15 to editor@castlepinesconnection.com for a chance to win a $50 restaurant gift card.
The County Club at Castle Pines (CCCP) honored 14 employees this fall with $89,000 in financial scholarships. In 2013, the CCCP created a scholarship foundation to identify recipients for scholarships for deserving Club employees to help with educational expenses. Scholarship criteria are based on scholastic honors, community service and involvement, work ethic and tenure,…
The Aspen Effect (TAE) held its annual fundraiser, Cars & Cowboys, on September 9. Through a variety of programs, the nonprofit strives to build resiliency in youth by forming a mentor team in an environment working with horses and other farm animals. The event was held inside a beautifully refurbished barn on the west side…
Across 1. Place to keep fireflies (2 words) 5. ___ canto (singing style) 8. Risk getting bleeped 13. Play the siren 14. Sea eagles 15. 1970 World’s Fair site 16. Machu Picchu builder 17. Vast and empty 18. Written in mystical letters 19. Blessing 21. Shrek-like 22. Bad luck curse 23. Favorite fall dessert…
Sometimes truth is stranger than fiction, and scarier too. First published in 1966, In Cold Blood by Truman Capote arguably birthed the true crime genre. Since then, we have witnessed an explosion of true crime interest across several forms of media – from books, magazines, movies and television shows, radio programs and podcasts. This month’s…
Dear Readers, It’s that time of year, the holidays are looming and so are the many social obligations we might consider. It’s time to revisit the RSVP or to put it more simply saying YES or saying NO. Yes, I love parties! I love to host parties. I love to attend parties, but even Mrs.…
A vibrant sense of community is one characteristic that sets Castle Pines – the 80108 ZIP code more specifically – apart from other Colorado communities. Neighbors know each other, they spend time together and they support each other. If you are a new resident, you have likely already experienced this firsthand. The same holds…
The seventh annual 9/11 Eat for a Cause community fundraiser was held at Pino’s Italian Kitchen & Bar. All monies raised went to the OneGoat Foundation, a nonprofit that helps first responders fill a funding gap when they are injured on the job. More than $4,000 was raised from a percentage of proceeds of…
Why do men, like my German father, leave families and cross oceans and plains for a dream? What type of energy drives them, despite all obstacles, known and unknown? Frederick and Charles Doepke must have agreed that their dream was possible when immigrating to the United States in 1853. Finding Minnesota not to their liking,…
There are a number of television shows about cake. Like, a lot. It almost seems like there are too many, but I think I have binge-watched nearly all of them. I am a big fan of cake, both in real life and on the screen. When I see these shows, I am constantly envious…
Aging Resources of Douglas County (ARDC) celebrated its fifth birthday on September 7 at the Healing Gardens at AdventHealth of Castle Rock. ARDC is a nonprofit providing free supportive services to older adults to help them age independently. Some of ARDC’s programs are chore and delivery services, transportation and the companion program. “We had…
In 2019, friend and former rancher Dennis Niewoehner suggested that I author a collection of stories about the many remarkable characters from The Castle Pines Connection’s “Wildcat Lore” column. As I began, the challenge grew and I uncovered more in-depth history of the settlers, as well as the influencers and facilitators who impacted them on…
A few of the joys of fall include sipping a pumpkin-spiced latte sprinkled with cinnamon, holding a mug of hot apple cider with a curl of cinnamon bark, and taking a bite of a freshly baked apple pie, featuring cinnamon. Since ancient times, the fragrant spice of cinnamon, with its sweet and slightly spicy…
The immune system is constantly regulating outside threats and working to keep our entire system in balance. We know maintaining a robust immune system is crucial for overall health and well-being, especially as we head into the season of spending more time indoors and with others. So, what can we do to set our immune…
Congratulations once again to Ladies 9 in the Pines for another successful breast cancer fundraising event on September 21 at The Country Club at Castle Pines. This year, the annual tournament and awards luncheon raised a record amount of close to $160,000 – and is still counting. Still to come … Club General Manager Perry…
Rock Canyon High School’s homecoming was the week of September 18 with events held every day to celebrate. Volleyball tournaments, powder puff football games, parade, bonfire, football game at EchoPark Stadium and HoCo dance were some of the annual traditions for the Jaguar students and parents. Caption by Hollen Wheeler; courtesy photos
The annual 9/11 Stair Climb at Red Rocks Amphitheater honors the lives of Americans lost on 9/11/2001. After a few brief speeches, a moment of silence was observed and the Colorado Emerald Society Pipes and Drum Band played “Amazing Grace.” The climb then began for the 2,000-plus attendees, which included firefighters from across the state…
DCS Montessori is committed to providing cultural experiences with middle school students. In 2017, now- retired DCSM teacher Ryoko Fusatani began a partnership with Shibaura Institute of Technology Junior and Senior High School. Each year, the Japanese high school sends roughly 30 students to DCSM for a day filled with language and cultural exchanges. Fusatani…
Timber Trail Elementary (TTE) kindergarten teacher Mary Hastings is much more than a primary schoolteacher. She is also a 200-hour, certified yoga instructor who began the after-school and summer camp program, “Yogis for Life,” for interested kindergarten through fifth graders. “I strongly believe the earlier a person begins their yoga practice of connecting their mind,…
Red Shirt Rookies (RSR) is an extension of Special Olympics Project UNIFY, a strategy for engaging schools to use sports programs and educational tools of Special Olympics to create a place of acceptance, respect and human dignity for all students with and without intellectual disabilities. The Red Shirt Rookie club of TTE has reignited…
Everyone loves a party, and what better way to get excited for the school year than with a back-to-school bash? Each year schools throughout the nation host back-to-school events to connect families and friends and ease the anxiety students may have for the new school year. Community schools Buffalo Ridge Elementary (BRE), Timber Trail Elementary…
Rock solid business selling hops With more than 50 years of hospitality experience, Rock Solid Restaurants opened its third Colorado location of its eatery HopsnDrops in Highlands Ranch. The eatery is well-known outside of Colorado, particularly in the Pacific Northwest, with 16 locations in Washington and four locations in Oregon. Since its initial launch in…
If you have ever visited The Wild Animal Sanctuary (WAS) in Keenesburg, you know how much the people that run it love the animals. It is a call of the wild — dedicating a life to not only rescuing some of our wildest creatures, but caring for them long term in an environment that honors…
The Douglas County School District (DCSD) opened two new high schools in August: Legacy Campus in Lone Tree (10035 South Peoria Street) and VALE Campus in Parker (15653 Brookstone Drive). Legacy’s focus is getting students the training and college accreditation they need if they are looking for a specific career path. The career “pathways” Legacy…
Nearly 150 residents provided feedback to the City of Castle Pines about upcoming parks and open space projects during a pair of open houses in early August. The open houses – the first on August 2 at the Castle Pines North Metro District (CPNMD) headquarters and the second on August 9 at The Exchange Coffee…
Catch and release fishing opened at Rueter-Hess Reservoir on August 4 and will run through October – Fridays through Mondays, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., by reservation only. Twenty-five anglers per day, with valid Colorado fishing licenses, will be allowed to fish for the stocked walleye, yellow perch, largemouth bass and channel catfish, to name…
Like most individuals in public safety professions, Lyle Peterson cannot imagine doing anything else with his career. It is a calling for Deputy Peterson of the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office (DCSO). Peterson attended Cal State University in Los Angeles and graduated with a degree in criminal justice and a minor in sociology. He moved to…
In 2022, the DMV launched a statewide contest for residents to create art for new license plates to commemorate Colorado’s 150th anniversary, which will be in 2026. More than 300 entries from 216 citizens participated and 34,000 Coloradans voted on the results. The two winners were chosen by age group: one in the under 13…
The DMV is bringing back history and for a good cause. Authorized in the legislature last year, Coloradans can choose from four historical license plates. The black plate, sometimes referred to as the “blackout,” hearkens back to 1945. The blue plate replicates Colorado’s 1914 visitor license plate and the red represents the 1915 license plate. …
Wildfires are the number one natural hazard for everyone in Douglas County. There is a tool on the Douglas County website that contains an interactive map for wildfire mitigation that educates about the risk at an individual’s home or business. Simply enter your address and learn the risk of wildfire at or near your property,…
The Village at Castle Pines resident Lisza Gulyas just finished her term as president of the Rotary Club of Denver (also known as Club 31) for the 2022 – 23 term. For several years, Gulyas was seeking a Rotary Club in the Front Range and chose Club 31, which was founded in 1911 and is…
Brent Spenst (left), AdventHealth’s Rocky Mountain Region CEO, and Dr. Devin Bateman (right), chief medical officer at AdventHealth Castle Rock, helped celebrate the transition that now has AdventHealth directly managing hospitals that were previously overseen by Centura Health. The occasion on August 3 also marked the hospital’s 10th anniversary. Spenst served as CEO of AdventHealth…
As a former school teacher, education is near and dear to Michelle Wiley’s heart. “I really enjoyed reading to my three kids as they grew and loved coming across books they enjoyed reading over and over,” stated Wiley, owner of Ziggi’s Coffee in Castle Pines. Wiley recalls how much fun her children had –…
Members of the Castle Pines Chamber of Commerce joined in celebrating the 20th anniversary of Sky Ridge Medical Center in Lone Tree on August 17. Caption and photos by Terri Wiebold
We are looking for creative and motivated community members to join our team of staff writers for The Connection. To be a successful, you must be able to meet strict deadlines and possess excellent written and verbal skills. A great staff writer is able to thoroughly research and write compelling copy, conduct interviews, and be…
It is not often in these modern times that one gets invited over for afternoon tea or snacks and delightful conversation. Charlene Chorn is such a host. Not surprisingly, she welcomed me into her lovely home with the table set with a fine bone China snack set that would have made the…
Adriana Hawk left her home of Slovakia (formerly Czechoslovakia), a familiar life and her loving family to find love and participate and contribute her unique talent to the American success story. With both of her parents having Hungarian heritage, Hawk grew up in a trilingual household. In fact, she is fluent in four languages –…
Lynda Bess has always loved hiking the mountain trails of Colorado. A native and longtime resident of The Village at Castle Pines, Bess, her husband and three kids never hesitated to get away when they had the chance. Hiking was always her soul soother, a way to challenge herself physically while calming whatever was on…
“There is reward on the other side of risks you take,” said Milan Klusacek – and he would know. Klusacek is currently the creative director at cyber security company Red Canary, mentoring and coaching their creative team. Previously he did social media for the Broncos. To get this far, he took many risks along…
Renel and Enon (Ron) Straker hail from the West Indies’ Caribbean island of Grenada but call Colorado home today. The couple met while they were both employed with the Sandals resort in their home country: she, a butler helping couples fulfill romantic vacations, and he, a chef. Ron changed jobs, going to the Hilton Hotels…
Les Lilly’s typical workday includes driving bus routes in western Douglas County for the Douglas County School District (DCSD). “I drive out in the rural parts of the county,” said Lilly. “I also make some stops in town for the middle schools and high schools to accommodate capacity issues, because as you know, we’ve…
Born to a Colorado barn cat, Athena’s days on the farm were limited when Kiersten Lockwood and her family learned of orange kittens being given away. Shortly after their visit to the farm, the Lockwoods found themselves home with a tabby kitten and Athena with a new family, bed and food. Athena carries a strong…
Young people of the 21st century seem to be marrying later and fretting more, enjoying the lack of early responsibilities prior to taking on life-altering commitments. A good plan if you’ve got money or accommodating parents. Not so with Sedalian Thomas Buntain. He served in the Civil War as early as 17, marrying his bride…
As the air begins to cool with the sharpness of fall, it is a wonderful time to get outside for an adventure. This month’s book recommendations go beyond Jon Krakauer’s Into the Wild, Bill Bryson’s A Walk in the Woods or Cheryl Strayed’s Wild to discover explorations into the untamed world around us. Desert Solitaire:…
Dear Readers, It’s that time of the year! Are you making plans to head to the hills for the fall colors and the annual changing of the leaves? Let’s take a minute to review the rules of the road. We’ll start with the rules for descending the mountain: Drive down the mountain in low gear…
About 18 miles southwest of Castle Pines, sits The Random Ranch (TRR), a beautiful place for animals of all kinds to live out their remaining years in glorious form. Amy Bennett founded TRR 12 years ago. This working farm was not intended to be an animal sanctuary, but it accidentally became one. Animals end up…
On Paul Edmondson’s last day as a teacher, all of the kids at Heritage Elementary School lined the halls and clapped to see him off in style. Paul spent 27 years as a teacher –17 of them in Douglas County School District (DCSD) – teaching third through sixth grade. Now that he and his wife,…