City News

The October edition of the City's e-newsletter is now available. Learn about the upcoming pumpkin and leaf composting event, the 2025 proposed budget, and more. bit.ly/TheSourceOctober2024

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

Sheriff Weekly has ordered Fire Restrictions in Douglas County to be moved to Stage 1, effective 10/31/2024.

Stage 1 means NO open burning and NO fireworks (including the use of model rockets). Violation of these fire restrictions is a Class-2 Petty Offense, punishable by up to a $1000.00 fine and a $10.00 surcharge.

Allowable Activities are fires within liquid fuel or gas stoves, grills, fire pits, or liquid-fueled or gas appliances, and small recreational fires at developed picnic or campground sites in fixed permanent metal or steel fire rings (rock fire rings are considered temporary and are NOT permanent).

Joint Statement: Update Regarding October 28 Sewer Line Blockage

As reported on October 28, 2024 by the Castle Pines North Metropolitan District, debris from the Monarch Boulevard road and water line replacement project caused a temporary blockage to a sewer line near Monarch Boulevard and Happy Canyon Creek. This caused nearly 1,000 gallons of sewage to spill into nearby Happy Canyon Creek.

Crews cleaned up the spill on the morning of Monday, October 28. The contractor, Elite Surface Infrastructure, will pay for costs associated with the cleanup effort, and no public funds from either the City of Castle Pines or the Castle Pines North Metropolitan District will be used for the cleanup efforts.

Happy Canyon Creek is not a source of drinking water, and there is no impact on drinking water quality or safety. The Castle Pines North Metropolitan District is working with state agencies to ensure the creek bed area is safe before reopening it. Nearby trails remain open and are safe for use. The area highlighted in red in the map below identifies the impacted creek area.

Questions? Contact the Castle Pines North Metropolitan District at 303-688-8550.

The City of Castle Pines is asking businesses and property owners to share ideas for physical improvements to the Village Square business area. The City formed an urban renewal authority in 2023 to support investment in the Castle Pines Village Square area by existing businesses and property owners.

The Castle Pines Urban Renewal Authority is now asking community businesses and property owners to come up with creative ideas for beautification, increased accessibility, and other improvements that will make the area better for business. More information about available resources is available at CastlePinesCO.gov/CPURA.

We also invite tenants and property owners to an information session to learn more about how we can partner to improve businesses and buildings in Village Square. The meeting will be held on October 30 at 7:30 a.m. at the Castle Pines Library. Register to attend by visiting CastlePinesCO.gov/CPURA.

The agenda for the October 22 City Council Meeting is now available. The regular meeting will begin at 5 p.m., and a study session is scheduled immediately after.

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.

The City of Castle Pines is asking businesses and property owners to share ideas for physical improvements to the Village Square business area. The City formed an urban renewal authority in 2023 to support investment in the Castle Pines Village Square area by existing businesses and property owners. The Castle Pines Urban Renewal Authority (CPURA) is asking business and property owners in the community to get creative with ideas for beautification, increased accessibility, and other improvements that will make the area better for business

CPURA will utilize tax increment financing to reinvest existing taxes into the Village Square area. The effort will focus on helping private sector investors who want to enhance their properties with improvements to existing infrastructure, incentivize top-tier and intentional development, and add to the sense of community in Castle Pines.

“The City of Castle Pines understands the costs of improving buildings and businesses can be a burden. We want to be a partner for our property and business owners who have great ideas but need a little support to make them happen,” said Castle Pines City Manager Michael Penny. “This is a great opportunity for the Village Square community to come together, get creative, and add to the vibrancy and sense of community in a primary commercial area.”

The City is pleased to partner with our private sector property and business owners in creating a vibrant and dynamic community hub. To stay in touch with progress in the CPURA Village Square project, visit the Castle Pines Urban Renewal Authority information webpage, where the City will share updates and information for our community.

Meeting highlights from the October 8 City Council meeting include:

• Approving a liquor license for BlueStar Resort & Golf, LLC.
• Approving an ordinance to change the boundaries of the three voting districts of the city due to population growth.
• Approving a resolution to consent to the dissolution of The Canyons Metropolitan District No. 6.
• Approving a resolution supporting a "Yes" vote on the Douglas County School District's Ballot Issues for the November 5, 2024 election, seeking voter approval for the Douglas County School District's Bond Initiative.

View the October 8 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 October 8 City Council Meeting is now available. The study session will begin at 6 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.

The City of Castle Pines is pleased to announce the online application process to request financial assistance from the newly formed Castle Pines Urban Renewal Authority (CPURA). The City formed an urban renewal authority in 2023 to support investment in the Castle Pines Village Square area by existing businesses and property owners.

“The City of Castle Pines is honored to support our property and business owners in their desires to invest and improve the Village Square. We look forward to an improved road system and maintenance, driven by the City. We also hope to see investments by property and business owners to enhance the physical environment with beautification, increased accessibility, and other improvements that will make the area better for business.” said Michael Penny, City Manager.

CPURA will utilize tax increment financing to reinvest existing taxes into the Village Square. The effort will focus on helping private sector investors who want to enhance their properties with improvements to existing properties and infrastructure, to incentivize top-tier and intentional development, and to add to the sense of community in Castle Pines Village Square. The City invites tenants and property owners to learn more at an information session on Wednesday, October 30, at 7:30 AM at the Castle Pines Library Event Hall or virtually on Wednesday, November 6, at 6:30 p.m. More information about the information sessions can be found at CastlePinesCO.gov/CPURA.

The City is pleased to be a partner to our private sector property and business owners in creating a vibrant and dynamic community hub. For more information on the CPURA Village Square project, visit the CastlePinesCO.gov/CPURA.

The September edition of the City's e-newsletter is now available. Learn about the upcoming Fall Festival, progress on the Monarch Boulevard project, the leaf and pumpkin composting event, and more. bit.ly/TheSourceSeptember2024

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

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.

Douglas County Mental Health Initiative is equipping community members with tools to support Mental Health

We know that injuries happen all the time. That’s why teachers, coaches, first responders and all kinds of people learn first aid. Did you know that mental health crises are nearly as common, but would you know what to do when someone in your community needs support?

You’re invited to sign up for a Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training, offered by the Douglas County Mental Health Initiative.

MHFA is an evidence-based course that teaches not only the signs, symptoms and risk factors of mental health needs and substance use problems but also the skills to reach out a provide initial help and support to someone who may be developing a mental health or substance use problem, ideally before requiring more significant mental and/or behavioral health intervention.

The full-day course is within the spirit of medical first aid – that neighbors can help neighbors. If you or someone you know is feeling stressed, lonely, unmotivated, distracted, restless, etc., MHFA can help.

After taking the course, you’ll have:

• Increased mental health literacy, including knowledge of signs, symptoms and risk factors of mental health and substance use challenges.
• The ability to identify appropriate types of professional and self-help resources for individuals with a mental health or substance use challenge.
• Increased confidence and self-efficacy and likelihood to help an individual in distress.
• Reduced stigma and increased empathy toward individuals with mental health challenges.
• Increased likelihood to seek therapy or mental health care for themselves.

Register for a training today at Mental Health First Aid Training – Douglas County.

This program is a result of collaboration with many community partners including the Colorado Department of Human Services, Behavioral Health Administration, Arapahoe Community College Sturm Campus, Aging Resources of Douglas County, Castle Rock Senior Activity Center, CSU Extension, Douglas County Health Department, Douglas County Libraries and Highlands Ranch Metro District. The funding is provided by a grant from The National Council of Mental Wellbeing.

Meeting highlights from the August 13 City Council meeting include:

• Approving a resolution to amend the 2024 annual budget by carrying over unspent 2023 project budgets.
• Approving an intergovernmental agreement with the City of Lone Tree, the Town of Parker, the Town of Castle Rock, Douglas County, and the Douglas County Housing Partnership to establish a collaborative process to fulfill commitments to meeting the affordable housing goals of Proposition 123.

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

The agenda for the August 13 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.

The July edition of the City's e-newsletter is now available! Learn about the Monarch Boulevard reconstruction project, Party in the Park, the ongoing improvements to neighborhood roads, and more. bit.ly/TheSourceJuly2024

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

Meeting highlights from the July 23 City Council meeting include:

• Approving a resolution on the City Council policy on public records related to fees for Colorado Open Records Act requests.
• Approving a resolution to amend the City of Castle Pines fee schedule.
• Approving and adopting a City gift and donation policy.

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