City News

Are you planning for your future in 2025? Douglas County is too, with connectivity through transportation. Whether you travel solely by car or are looking for a transit option, Douglas County wants to continue improving the way you move throughout the county. There are several opportunities to provide your feedback throughout February. Share your feedback with Douglas County by completing a brief survey.

To learn about the Integrated Transit and Multimodal Study, comment on new potential opportunities and proposed transit options, attend one of these meetings:

• Wednesday, Feb. 12, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Philip S. Miller Building, 100 Third Street; Castle Rock, CO 80104
• Thursday, Feb. 13, from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Highlands Ranch Senior Center, 200 E Highlands Ranch Parkway in Highlands Ranch, CO 80126 (The Senior Center is next to Stop #24966 / Highlands Ranch Parkway & Ridgeglen Way on RTD’s 402L bus line, Westbound.)

The same information will be presented at both meetings, so there is no need to attend both.

If you’re more interested in vehicle travel, you’ll want to learn about the 2050 Transportation Plan. Please plan to attend one of the following meetings to learn about the current state of transportation and share input on your transportation needs:

• Wednesday, March 5, from 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. at Parker Library, 201 Mainstreet; Parker, CO 80134
• Wednesday, March 5, from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Highlands Ranch Library, 9292 S. Ridgeline Boulevard; Highlands Ranch, CO 80129
• Thursday, March 6, from 10 a.m. to noon, at Castle Rock Library, 100 S Wilcox Street; Castle Rock, CO 80104
• Thursday, March 6, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Castle Pines Library, 360 Village Square Lane; Castle Pines, CO 80108

The same information will be presented at all meetings.

The 2050 Transportation Plan will evaluate the existing status of the road network, projections for future demands, and public input to guide investment in transportation improvements. During a series of community meetings, Douglas County will present the latest data about the transportation system and collect public input on how the community would like to see transportation addressed.

Additionally, with the Integrated Transit and Multimodal Study, Douglas County wants to find ways to provide reasonable and reliable transit to people who do not own or have access to their own transportation, who do not own a phone, and/or who have limited personal mobility. In February, an online survey will also be available to share your input.

To stay up to date on the transit study and transportation plan – and to receive the survey link – sign up for the Douglas County Transportation and Transit Study email list.

The Castle Pines City Council held a regular meeting on January 28. Meeting highlights include:

• Approving a non-exclusive Public Utility Easement Agreement with CenturyLink QC.
• Approving The Canyons Planned Development - Fifth Major Amendment, amending the official zoning map.
• Approving a Fourth Amendment to The Canyons Annexation and Development Agreement.
• Approving an ordinance to extend vested property rights associated with a Fifth Amendment to The Canyons Planned Development and a Fourth Amendment to The Canyons Annexation and Development Agreement.
• A decision on Resolution 25-07 was postponed to the February 11 City Council meeting.

View the January 28 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 January edition of the City's e-newsletter is now available. Learn about the 2025 Wildfire Mitigation Grant application, your stormwater utility fee statement, and more. bit.ly/TheSourceJanuary2025

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

The agenda for the January 28 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.

Meeting highlights from the January 14 City Council meeting include:

• Approving an intergovernmental agreement with the Douglas County Sheriff's Office for law enforcement and animal control services for 2025.
• Approving amendments to the City of Castle Pines fee schedule.
• Approving the appointment of a youth member to serve on the Castle Pines Parks and Recreation Advisory Board.
• Approving an amended and restated intergovernmental agreement for the City's participation and funding for the Douglas County Youth Initiative Program.
• Approving the conveyance of certain recreation properties from the Castle Pines North Metropolitan District to the City of Castle Pines.
• Approving the appointment and a professional services agreement for an interim municipal judge.

View the January 14 City Council Meeting Agenda for more information about all agenda items. Visit the City Council Meetings webpage to watch the recording.

Customers will soon receive 2025 stormwater utility fee bills via mail or email (depending on the preference selected during previous annual billings). The fee remains at $105 for the year and is due on February 15, 2025. Payments can be made online or delivered to the City's offices.

The stormwater utility fee covers the costs of managing and maintaining stormwater infrastructure. The fee allows the City to provide upgraded, consistent service throughout the city. Visit CastlePinesCO.gov/stormwater for more information or to make a payment.

The agenda for the January 14 City Council meeting is now available. A 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 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 meeting virtually.

Arctic-cold air is set to descend on Colorado from Orchard City to Olney Springs for about a week starting Thursday, and Black Hills Energy is sharing steps you can take now to save money before the temperature drops.

“Weather changes are a key driver in our customers’ usage and bills,” said Chris Downey, Black Hills Energy General Manager for Colorado Gas Operations. “We want people to know about a few simple things they can do right now to help save money and energy ahead of the low temperatures.”

1. Be winter-ready – Planning begins long before these kinds of weather events. As the cold sets in and customer demands for energy increase, the company focuses on delivering safe, reliable energy, while equipping our customers with ways to help reduce their usage. Click here for weatherization tips: Weatherization | Black Hills Energy
2. Lower your thermostat to 68 degrees – Making a small adjustment to your home temperature can have a big impact. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, you can save as much as 10% a year by simply turning your thermostat back seven to 10 degrees for eight hours a day from its normal setting.
3. Lower your water heater setting – Lowering your temperature setting a few degrees can also save energy. Reducing your water heater temperature to under 120 degrees can save you up to 10% on your water heater costs.
4. Utilize the natural heat of the sun – Opening blinds for all south-facing windows is a great way to let the sun heat your home during the day, so that you can turn down the thermostat and turn off the lights. Remember to close your drapes or blinds at night, which will help insulate your home from any energy leaking from windows.
5. Keep the warm air in – Use kitchen and bath ventilating vans only when necessary. In just one hour, these fans can blow away a house full of warm air.

“Black Hills Energy is ready for winter,” Downey said. “Although there is currently no cause for concern with these low temperatures, we are watching the weather carefully and are prepared for our technicians to support our communities when necessary.”

The company is also reminding the community of important natural gas meter safety tips. Snow and ice buildup on your meter can create a safety hazard and even cut off the flow of natural gas to your heating equipment and other appliances. Please follow these guidelines:

Natural Gas Winter Safety Tips

1. Gently clear snow away by hand or with a broom. Do not use a shovel, ice pick or other sharp tools, damage could result and make the situation worse.
2. Keep snow blowers and shovels away from gas meters and other above-ground equipment.
3. Carefully clear snow away from the outdoor vent on high-efficiency furnaces. The furnace won’t run safely and efficiently if the vent is blocked.
4. Safely remove ice buildup from overhead eaves that could fall and damage gas meters below.
5. Point out the meter and any other above-ground utility structures to anyone you hire for snow removal.

Black Hills Energy will continue to provide service updates on its Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram pages. For more information on cold weather energy efficiency tips, including steps to take after the cold weather passes, visit blackhillsenergy.com.