City News

The agenda for the December 3 City Council Meeting is now available. 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 November edition of the City's e-newsletter is now available. Learn about the upcoming tree lighting event, improvements to Coyote Ridge Park, and more. bit.ly/TheSourceNovember2024

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

Mayor Tracy Engerman signed an official Proclamation recognizing November 18-22 as "Crash Responders Safety Week." The proclamation urges all citizens to join the Mayor in this special observance and remember that the State of Colorado has a “Move-Over” law requiring drivers to slow down and move over when approaching an emergency vehicle, a tow truck, or a highway maintenance vehicle when their emergency lights are activated. View Mayor Engerman's official Proclamation.

Meeting highlights from the November 12 City Council meeting include:

• Approving a lease agreement with the Castle Pines North Metropolitan District for the Community Center at 7404 Yorkshire Drive.
• Approving a professional services agreement with Broken Arrow Landscape & Design, Inc. for Elk Ridge Park landscape maintenance services.
• Approving a professional services agreement with Colorado Designscapes, Inc. for 2025 snow removal services.
• Approving a professional services agreement with Lighthouse Transportation Group, LLC for traffic and pedestrian signal and street light maintenance.
• Approving a resolution declaring a vacancy in the office of one of the City Council Members representing District 2 as of December 3, 2024.
• Approving the conveyance of certain recreation properties from the Castle Pines North Metropolitan District to the City of Castle Pines.
• Approving an ordinance to allow for certification of delinquent Stormwater Utility Fees to the County Treasurer to be collected and paid in the same manner as property taxes.
• Approving Phase 1 of improvements to Coyote Ridge Park, including improvements to accessibility and mobility, the playground, and fencing at the basketball court.
• Approving a resolution supporting Colorado Gives Day in Douglas County on December 10.

View the November 12 City Council Meeting Agenda for more information about all agenda items. Visit the City Council Meetings webpage to watch the recording.

During the November 12, 2024 City Council meeting, the Council approved the Phase 1 improvements to Coyote Ridge Park. These improvements, estimated to cost nearly $4,000,000,  focus on improvements in three main areas:

1. Accessibility and Mobility Improvements
   • Provide assessable walk connections to existing shade structures
   • Replacement of one picnic table under existing shade structure to be ADA compliant
   • Provide assessable walks between the north and south sides of the drainage between the playground and ballfield parking lot
   • Possibility of adding a plaza and pollinator garden
   • Addition of a new pedestrian connection to the community
   • Addition of bike racks adjacent to existing playgrounds and shade shelters
   • Provide improved maintenance access along the north side of the playground to the multipurpose field
2. Playground Improvements
   • Replace existing play area equipment, creating an updated all-inclusive play area for all ages
   • Create age-separated play areas for 2–5-year-olds and 5–12-year-olds
   • Replace play area surfacing with more inclusive poured-in-play surfacing or synthetic turf
3. Fencing at the Basketball Court
   • Provide fencing at the edge of the existing basketball court to minimize the balls going into the drainage area

Next Steps

Following the City Council’s approval of these improvements, City staff will now work with a consultant to finalize construction drawings and design for the Phase 1 improvements. Improvements are anticipated to begin in mid-2025 and be completed by early 2026. View the City Council meeting presentation for more information on the proposed Phase 1 improvements. The timing of future phased improvements to Coyote Ridge Park will be determined by recommendations from the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board and approval by the City Council.

Learn More

Visit the Future Park Planning webpage to learn more about future park improvements in Castle Pines.

The agenda for the November 12 City Council Meeting is now available. 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.

Winter Wonderland is back! This season's festivities kick off Friday, December 6, with the annual Castle Pines Tree Lighting at The Ridge. Activities will include a meet-and-greet with Santa, reindeer, train rides, food trucks, carolers, and a drone light show.

Other Winter Wonderland favorites return, including a scavenger hunt, holiday movie night, gingerbread house decorating, Holly Jolly Brunch, and more! Some events require advanced reservations or ticket purchases. Ticket sales and reservations open this Friday, November 8. Spots will fill up fast, so reserve your ticket early!

Visit the City's event calendar or review the events below for more information on this year's festivities. We can't wait to see you there!

LEARN MORE

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.