Judge rules in favor of the City of Castle Pines in CP Commercial, LLC lawsuit

On August 4, 2025 a district court judge in Douglas County sided with the City of Castle Pines in upholding the City Council’s denial of a McDonald’s drive-through restaurant in the Parkway Plaza development in the vicinity of the intersection of Lagae Road and Castle Pines Parkway. The property owner of the proposed McDonald’s site initiated a lawsuit in 2024, challenging the City’s decision to reject the McDonald’s proposal. The judge found that the City’s decision was based on competent evidence presented during the public hearing on the application.  It also ruled that the City Council did not misapply the law or abuse its discretion in denying McDonald’s application.

More information about the CP Commercial, LLC Lawsuit can be found on the case's webpage.

Questions? Contact us by emailing communications@castlepinesco.gov or by calling 303-705-0200.

Civic Results is proud to announce the 2025/2026 cohort of the Municipal Leadership Academy (MLA)—a statewide leadership program designed to support and strengthen municipal leaders through in-depth training, peer exchange, and collaborative problem-solving.

Now in its second full year, the MLA provides Colorado’s elected municipal officials with opportunities to deepen their knowledge of good governance, build cross-community relationships, and explore key policy areas such as economic development, housing, communications, public safety, and sustainability.

At a time when local government is more important than ever, municipal leaders are on the front lines of policymaking that directly impacts the daily lives of Coloradans. Whether it’s shaping housing solutions, responding to emergencies, or fostering economic resilience, local elected officials have the power to effect meaningful change—quickly and collaboratively. The Municipal Leadership Academy equips them with the tools, training, and network to lead with vision and impact.

This year’s diverse and dynamic cohort includes 16 elected officials from communities across Colorado:

• Frankie Ashton, City Councilor – City of Victor
• Rondle (Ron) Cole, City Councilmember – City of Castle Pines
• Rebekka Dailey, Trustee – Town of Wellington
• Jonnah Glassman, Town Councilmember – Town of Silverthorne
• Storm Gloor, Mayor Pro Tem – City of Glendale
• Josh Hardy, Mayor – Town of Granby
• Mitch LaKind, Mayor – Town of Monument
• Justin Martinez, City Councilmember – City of Thornton
• Tim McClung, Mayor – City of Yuma
• Melinda Myers, Mayor – Town of Moffat
• Paula Nystrom, City Councilmember – City of Lakewood
• Peter Padilla, Mayor Pro Tem – City of Brighton
• Andrea Peters, City Councilmember – City of Littleton
• Ryan Schuchard, Councilmember – City of Boulder
• Charles Shupe, Mayor – City of Las Animas
• Amy Tharp, City Councilmember – City of Centennial

Participants will attend seven sessions from August 2025 to March 2026, rotating across locations statewide to reflect Colorado’s geographic and cultural diversity. The program is designed and facilitated by Civic Results, in partnership with the Colorado Municipal League, CIRSA, subject matter experts, and professional trainers.

“We’re excited to welcome this exceptional group of local leaders into the Municipal Leadership Academy,” said Heidi Williams, President & CEO of Civic Results and Executive Director of the Metro Mayors Caucus. “These local elected officials are stepping up to not only lead in their own communities, but to collaborate with peers from across the state to tackle the complex challenges Colorado faces.”

To learn more about the Municipal Leadership Academy, visit: www.civicresults.org
Media Contact: info@civicresults.org

Crews are currently working on final construction activities (lane striping, etc.) on the Phase One portion of the Monarch Boulevard reconstruction project. Phase One, between Berganot Trail and Hidden Pointe Boulevard, is scheduled to reopen to local traffic on Tuesday, August 12. Crews will then begin work on Phase Two, between Hidden Pointe Boulevard and Buffalo Trail.

Phase Two will also include initial work on the roundabout to be constructed at the Monarch Boulevard and Buffalo Trail intersection. This initial roundabout work will occur outside travel lanes and will not impact traffic traveling through the intersection via the Buffalo Trail detour.

Monarch Boulevard Reconstruction Phasing Overview:

• Phase One: Berganot Trail to Hidden Pointe Boulevard - Complete August 12
• Phase Two: Hidden Pointe Boulevard to Buffalo Trail will be reconstructed. The side of the new roundabout adjacent to Coyote Ridge Park will be built outside of existing travel lanes. - Begins August 12; Scheduled to be completed in late September/early October.
• Phase Three: The remaining portion of the roundabout will be constructed. Note: Northbound and southbound traffic will be open on the entirety of Monarch Boulevard during Phase Three. When Monarch Boulevard reopens, Buffalo Trail will be temporarily closed during this phase to finish construction of the new roundabout. - Will begin after Phase Two is complete; Anticipated to be completed in late October/early November.

What to Expect During Phase Two:

• During Phase Two of Monarch Boulevard Reconstruction, access to Hidden Pointe Boulevard will be maintained to local traffic and emergency services from the south side of the intersection at Monarch Boulevard.
• Construction activities will begin for the side of the roundabout next to Coyote Ridge Park.

Closure and Detour Information:

• Beginning August 12, Monarch Boulevard will be closed to through traffic from the north side of the Hidden Pointe Boulevard intersection to Buffalo Trail.
• Two-way traffic will be maintained on Monarch Boulevard, south of the Hidden Pointe intersection, for local neighborhood traffic. This closure is necessary to ensure the safety of construction crews and drivers. Detour routes will be clearly marked to minimize inconvenience.

We recognize the impact of construction on your daily routines and are committed to completing this project as swiftly as possible. For detailed information, including detour routes and project updates, please visit our website at www.CastlePinesCO.gov/Monarch.

If you have any questions or need additional assistance, please contact us at monarch@castlepinesco.gov or call 303-705-0200. Thank you for your patience as we work to create safer and more efficient roadways in Castle Pines.

The agenda for the August 5 City Council study session is now available. The study session will begin at 5 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.

About City Council Meetings

The regular meetings of the City Council are held on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. at the Douglas County Library, 360 Village Square Lane, Event Hall. The public is encouraged to attend and participate in these meetings. Anyone who wants to address the Council may do so during the public comment period at the regular meetings of the City Council.  Public comment is limited to three minutes per person.

Study sessions are held, as needed, at 5:30 p.m. on the first, second, and fourth Tuesdays of each month. Study sessions are informational meetings and differ in several ways from the regular City Council meetings. While the City Council may give direction to City staff, no votes are cast, no formal action is taken, and there is no public comment during the study session.

Earlier this week, single-lane traffic opened on eastbound Castle Pines Parkway between Forest Park Drive and Monarch Boulevard. Crews are currently working to complete lane striping, and all travel lanes are now scheduled to open by the end of the day on Friday, August 1! Temporary single-lane closures will occur periodically as crews complete final project items, including sidewalk installation and landscape restoration. However, traffic lanes will remain open in both directions.

Project improvements include:

• 3,000 feet of full roadway reconstruction from Forest Park Drive to Monarch Boulevard
• Safety enhancements
• Stormwater infrastructure improvements
• Installation of a six-foot sidewalk on the southern portion of Castle Pines Parkway

Thank you for your patience this summer as we worked to reconstruct the City's aging roadway infrastructure on this portion of Castle Pines Parkway.

The Castle Pines City Council held a meeting on July 22. Meeting highlights include:

• A study session about future stormwater infrastructure needs.
• Approving The Canyons Filing No. 3, 4th Amendment Replat.
• Approving an amendment to the professional services agreement with Alfred Benesch & Company for on-call engineering services.
• A presentation by the Douglas County Sheriff's Office,
• Approving The Canyons Preliminary Plan No. 2, 2nd Amendment.

View the July 22 City Council meeting agenda for more information about all agenda items. Visit the City Council Meetings webpage to watch the recording.

Interested in receiving meeting updates right to your inbox? Sign up or update your email subscriptions to receive emails about a variety of City activities.

The July edition of the City's e-newsletter is now available. Learn about the Monarch Boulevard and Castle Pines Parkway roadway construction projects, how to register for CodeRED to receive emergency alerts from the Douglas County Sheriff's Office, and more. bit.ly/TheSourceJuly2025

Subscribe to receive future e-newsletters right to your inbox by visiting CastlePinesCO.gov/NewsletterSignUp.

The agenda for the July 24 Planning Commission meeting is now available. The meeting will begin at 5:30 p.m.

Planning Commission meetings are held as hybrid meetings, 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 July 24 meeting virtually.

About the Planning Commission/Board of Adjustment

The City of Castle Pines Planning Commission deliberates and makes recommendations to the City Council on land-use applications, proposed long-range policy planning documents, and zoning regulations. The Commission consists of seven residents from various backgrounds who are appointed by the City Council. The Commission meets on the fourth Thursday of every month at 5:30 p.m. in the Douglas County Library, 360 Village Square Lane in Castle Pines.

The City of Castle Pines Board of Adjustment holds public hearings on variance requests and considers appeals to interpretations made by City staff. The Board of Adjustment is comprised of the same members as the Planning Commission and meets on the same meeting days, as needed.

For more information about the Planning Commission, visit the Commission's webpage.

The agenda for the July 22 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.

About City Council Meetings

The regular meetings of the City Council are held on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. at the Douglas County Library, 360 Village Square Lane, Event Hall. The public is encouraged to attend and participate in these meetings. Anyone who wants to address the Council may do so during the public comment period at the regular meetings of the City Council.  Public comment is limited to three minutes per person.

Study sessions are held, as needed, at 5:30 p.m. on the first, second, and fourth Tuesdays of each month. Study sessions are informational meetings and differ in several ways from the regular City Council meetings. While the City Council may give direction to City staff, no votes are cast, no formal action is taken, and there is no public comment during the study session.

Get ready for enhanced fishing and boating experiences with new regulation updates this month at Rueter-Hess Reservoir.

Over the past two years, Douglas County staff have collaborated with Parker Water & Sanitation District to evaluate visitation patterns, recreational trends, and natural resources to understand the impact of recreation on the property and its effects on the water quality.

Currently, the data indicates that the property can support the limited use and size of electric trolling motors for fishing, and the fishery can support catch-and-keep of Walleye, Largemouth Bass, and Yellow Perch!

Love to fish at Rueter-Hess? So do we! Here’s what you can expect from the new regulations:

• Visitors will be allowed to participate in catch-and-keep fishing of Walleye, Largemouth Bass, and Yellow Perch. Other fish, such as Black Crappies, Bluegills, Channel Catfish, Fathead Minnows, Wipers, Triploid Grass Carps, and White Suckers still need to be released.
• The use of barbed treble hooks is now permitted.
• In addition to having a state fishing license, all anglers are required to obtain a free daily fishing permit to help manage the fishery.

The limited use of electric trolling motors for fishing purposes will now be permitted. Here are the rules:

• Only approved watercraft, such as paddleboards, canoes, kayaks, river pontoons, and johnboats, may use an electric trolling motor.
• The electric trolling motor cannot exceed a thrust of 55 pounds or shaft of 24 inches, and the boat cannot exceed 14 feet in length.
• The electric trolling motor must be hand-operated.
• The electric trolling motor must be detachable.
• The use of electric trolling motors for non-fishing activities is prohibited.

Whether you’re a history buff, day hiker, or water sport enthusiast, Rueter-Hess Reservoir has something for everyone. Visit the Rueter-Hess Reservoir webpage to make reservations and plan your visit!