Xcel Energy to begin transmission line rebuild in October

Xcel Energy is rebuilding approximately 25 miles of 115-kilovolt (kV) transmission lines connecting the Palmer Lake, Castle Rock, Crowfoot Valley, Happy Canyon, and Daniels Park substations in Douglas County. This includes work on the lines that go through the City of Castle Pines. The transmission lines were originally built in the 1950s. Due to natural weathering and the overall age of structures, they have reached the end of their useful life and must be replaced. New infrastructure will improve electric service reliability to homes and businesses in the region, proactively reduce the risk of damage from wildfire and help meet the growing energy needs of homes and businesses for years to come.

Construction will take place within Xcel Energy’s existing right-of-way. The project will be completed in several phases. The first phase, between the Palmer Lake and Castle Rock substations was completed in Spring of 2024. The second phase, which includes rebuilding the line between the Happy Canyon and Daniels Park substations will begin in October 2024. Survey and staking work for segments between the Happy Canyon and Castle Rock substations took place in summer 2024 with construction work beginning in early 2025. All Work should be completed by the end of 2025.

 

Visit the Xcel Energy project webpage for more information or to contact the project team with questions.

Mayor Tracy Engerman signed an official Proclamation in recognition of "Constitution Week" held annually from Sept. 17-23. Sept. 17, 2024, marks the 237th anniversary of the drafting of the Constitution of the United States of America by the Constitutional Convention. View Mayor Engerman's official Proclamation.

Meeting highlights from the September 10 City Council meeting include:

• Approving a professional services agreement with JR Engineering, LLC to update the City's Master Transportation Plan.
• Approving the conveyance of recreation properties from the Castle Pines North Metropolitan District to the City.

View the September 10 City Council Meeting Agenda for more information about all agenda items. Visit the City Council Meetings webpage to watch the recording.

The agenda for the September 10 City Council Meeting is now available. The meeting will begin with an Executive Session at 5 p.m., followed by a Study Session at 5:30 p.m., and the Regular Meeting at 6:45 p.m.

City Council meetings are held as a hybrid meeting, with both virtual and in-person attendance options available. Meetings are held at the Castle Pines Library Event Hall (360 Village Square Lane). Register to attend the meeting virtually.

As the Castle Pines community grows, there is an increased need for extraordinary park spaces for residents. As a result, the City began work to develop two park project master plans in 2023: the rejuvenation and expansion of Coyote Ridge Park and a new park known as Soaring Hawk Park (to be located near Cross Canyon Trail and Canyonside Boulevard). The City gathered feedback from more than 1,000 residents during various outreach events, including two open houses, a booth at the 2023 Party in the Park, an online survey, and a spring 2024 park planning workshop.

After summarizing and reviewing resident feedback from the various outreach events, Hord Coplan Macht (the city's landscape architect consultant) worked with the Castle Pines Parks and Recreation Advisory Board to develop draft concepts. Following a recommendation from the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board to adopt these concept plans, the City Council adopted an updated Parks and Recreation Comprehensive Plan during the August 27 City Council meeting. The updated plan includes master plan concepts for both Coyote Ridge Park and the future Soaring Hawk Park (shown in Appendix B of the document).

Next Steps

The adoption of the concept plans for improvements to Coyote Ridge Park and Soaring Hawk Park is the initial step in improving our local parks. Before construction can begin, the City will finalize engineering and construction drawings for the improvements. The City Council will then need to approve a construction contract before improvements can begin at either park.

City staff plans to bring recommendations to the City Council to begin initial work for improvements at Coyote Ridge Park as a part of the 2025 budget request. Initial construction at the future Soaring Hawk Park is likely several years away. Improvements for both parks will be paid for by the Parks and Recreation Fund with dollars collected via dedicated property taxes.

LEARN ABOUT THE PLANNING PROCESS & REVIEW THE PLANS

The August edition of the City's e-newsletter is now available. Learn about the ongoing wildfire mitigation, the upcoming slash collection event, and more. bit.ly/TheSourceAugust2024

Visit the City's website to subscribe to receive future e-newsletters right to your inbox. CastlePinesCO.gov/NewsletterSignUp

The agenda for the September 5 City Council Special Meeting is now available. The meeting will begin at 4 p.m.

City Council will hold an Executive Session pursuant to C.R.S. § 24-6-402(4)(b) for discussion of specific legal questions with the attorney who represents this public body for purposes of receiving legal advice and pursuant to C.R.S. § 24-6-402(4)(e) determining positions relative to matters that may be subject to negotiations; developing strategy for negotiations and instructing negotiators related to the CP Commercial, LLC lawsuit.

To speak during the public comment period, register to attend the meeting virtually.

Meeting highlights from the August 27 City Council meeting include:

• Approving updates to the Parks and Recreation Comprehensive Plan, including adopting concept plans for Coyote Ridge Park and Soaring Hawk Park.
• Approving the acceptance of right-of-way from the Colorado Department of Transportation related to the Happy Canyon Road and Lagae Road roundabout.
• Approving a memorandum of understanding with Douglas County regarding the Douglas County Household Hazardous Waste Collection Program.

View the August 27 City Council Meeting Agenda for more information about all agenda items. Visit the City Council Meetings webpage to watch the recording.

The agenda for the August 27 City Council Meeting is now available. The study session will begin at 5:30 p.m., and the regular meeting will begin at 6:30 p.m.

City Council meetings are held as a hybrid meeting, with both virtual and in-person attendance options available. Meetings are held at the Castle Pines Library Event Hall (360 Village Square Lane). Register to attend the meeting virtually.

Douglas County Libraries’ 2024 Brew Tour is underway. This unique collaboration with local craft breweries and coffee shops features a blend of flavor, fun, and community spirit. Running through September 30, the Brew Tour invites participants to explore Douglas County’s local brewing culture while enjoying a variety of engaging events at select library and partner locations.

“The Brew Tour is a fantastic way to celebrate our community, support local businesses, and meet Douglas County residents where they are,” said DCL Special Events Manager Kerri Morgan. “We’re thrilled to partner with local breweries and coffee shops to offer this unique experience.”

Brew Tour participants can earn prizes and rewards by logging visits to the different participating partners during August and September, and they are automatically entered into DCL’s grand prize drawing for a Happy Brew Year, consisting of one premium stainless steel growler with a booklet of fills from the partner breweries. They also earn points toward prizes by attending exclusive DCL-hosted Brew Tour events, like Bookish Trivia and Music Bingo, as well as pop-up Power Hours.

Less than two weeks into the Tour, more than 1,700 participants have generated 1,100 individual brewery visits and 630 coffee shop visits, according to Morgan.

DCL has also partnered with Mix 100 for a Pint for Pint blood donation event on Tuesday, August 27, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at Lone Tree Brewing. Blood donors will receive a voucher for a free pint to be redeemed at a later date as a thank-you. Donors can register at Mix100.com.

Participating in the Brew Tour is a free and fun way to support local businesses and connect over shared passions. Information on Brew Tour events and registration can be accessed via the Beanstack app. Visit DCL.org/brew-tour to learn more and sign up. Must be 18 or older to participate, and 21 or older to consume alcohol.

Brew Tour Partners

• 3 Freaks Brewery, Highlands Ranch
• 105 West Brewing Company, Castle Rock
• Battle Mountain Brewing Company, Castle Rock
• Castle Rock Collective, Castle Rock
• Convict Coffee Company, Parker
• Deja Brew Coffee & Print, Parker
• Downhill Brewing, Parker and Greenwood Village
• Fiction Beer Company, Parker
• Fika Coffee House, Parker (two locations)
• Iron Mule Brewery, Castle Rock
• Living the Dream Brewing Company, Highlands Ranch and Sterling Ranch
• Lone Tree Brewing Company, Lone Tree and Parker

Douglas County Libraries elevates our community by inspiring a love of reading, discovery, and connection.