City News

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.

Wildfire mitigation is one of City Council's strategic goals and priorities. To help mitigate wildfire risk and protect the community, the City developed a grant program to provide financial resources for residents and homeowners associations to conduct wildfire mitigation projects.

How much funding is available for a project?

Homeowner associations and individual residents can apply for wildfire mitigation funding. The City will accept funding requests for up to $5,000 from an HOA and up to $250 from a resident. All funding requests require a minimum match of 50% from all applicants. If a resident has a wildfire mitigation project expected to cost $500 or more, they would be eligible to ask for the full $250 of City funds.

When are applications due?

Applications will remain open until March 29, 2025. If your project is selected, funds will be reimbursed after completion of the project. A final report, before and after pictures, and proof of payment or receipt(s) must be submitted to receive reimbursement.

What type of projects are eligible?

• Projects should focus on open space and vegetation mitigation.
• You can replace plants or trees susceptible to wildfire, remove vegetation encroaching on residential structures, or complete other projects to reduce fire hazards around your home.
• Any planted plants must be of a species on the approved Wildfire Resistant Plant List.

Visit the Community Wildfire Mitigation Grant webpage for more information.

The December edition of the City's e-newsletter is now available. Learn how to apply to serve on a new board or commission, view the 2025 annual budget, and more. bit.ly/TheSourceDecember2024

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