City News

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.

The agenda for the July 23 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 Castle Pines Community Wildfire Prevention Implementation Plan was adopted by the City Council during the June 25 meeting. The plan addresses the most immediate wildfire mitigation needs for open space parcels in the community and establishes guidelines and best practices for conducting effective wildfire mitigation work, ensuring long-term fire resilience.

During the June 25 meeting, the City Council also authorized mechanical wildfire mitigation work for 255 acres of City-maintained open space around the community. This work will begin in the coming weeks and is expected to be completed later this year. A map of identified properties by phase is available on the project webpage.

Mechanical wildfire mitigation is necessary to create defensible spaces, reduce fuel loads, and protect lives, property, and the environment from the devastating impacts of wildfires. Mechanical mitigation enhances community safety, protects property, reduces the intensity of wildfires, and promotes overall fire resilience. It's a proactive measure to prevent wildfire disasters.

Mechanical fire mitigation also benefits firefighters. When communities have created defensible spaces and reduced fuel loads, it becomes safer for firefighters to defend homes and properties during a wildfire.

The 255 acres that were identified as mitigation priorities were selected based on recommendations from wildfire mitigation specialists who used data to identify high-risk areas. Every open space parcel under the City's jurisdiction was also physically evaluated through on-site inspections.

LEARN MORE ABOUT WILDFIRE MITIGATION PROJECTS

2024 Neighborhood Pavement Maintenance Program begins July 8
Each year, the City begins a refresh of neighborhood streets that helps extend the life of roadway infrastructure throughout Castle Pines. This effort, known as the Pavement Maintenance Program, is a strategic, proactive approach to extending the lifespan of roadways while minimizing the cost of maintaining road surfaces.

In 2024, work will focus on residential streets, primarily in the northern portion of the city. Improvements include replacing curbs and gutters, repairing sidewalks, repairing concrete pavement and asphalt, and more.

Learn more about the program by visiting the project webpage. An interactive map is available to view specific streets that are scheduled for work this year.

The June edition of the City's e-newsletter is now available. Learn about the Monarch Boulevard reconstruction project, the upcoming neighborhood Pavement Maintenance Program, and more. bit.ly/TheSourceJune2024

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

Meeting highlights from the June 25 City Council meeting include:

• Approving an intergovernmental agreement with Douglas County for financial contributions for the design of the Happy Canyon Road and I-25 interchange project.
• Approving an amendment to the intergovernmental agreement with the Castle Pines North Metropolitan District regarding the operation, maintenance, and transfer of recreation properties.
• Approving a space rental and use agreement with SAFEBuilt Colorado, LLC for a portion of the City of Castle Pines City Offices.
• Approving the adoption of the Community Wildfire Prevention Implementation Plan.
• Approving a professional services agreement with Deer Creek Forestry, LLC for mechanical wildfire mitigation work.

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

News release from the Douglas County Sherriff's Office 

Contact Information:
Douglas County Sheriff's Office
Public Information Officer
Phone: 720-770-0178
Email: pio@dcsheriff.net

(Castle Rock, CO)  As Independence Day approaches, it is essential to know how one can celebrate the holiday safely. It is also crucial to understand the legal ramifications regarding the use of fireworks.

Each year, the careless use of fireworks contributes to personal injuries and significant financial losses to property owners, insurance companies, and the community. The use of illegal fireworks could also result in criminal charges such as Arson, Criminal Mischief, Reckless Endangerment, and civil penalties for damages caused by the illegal fireworks.

Fireworks that explode or leave the ground are always illegal in Colorado. The use of illegal fireworks in unincorporated county areas, the City of Castle Pines, and the Town of Larkspur can be punishable with fines from $50 to a maximum of $750.00 and/or up to six months imprisonment.

For those who live in incorporated Douglas County, please visit your city’s website for policies on fireworks.

But it is more than just an issue of what is legal or illegal. The night of the Fourth, as well as several nights leading up to it, always comes with a huge increase in the calls for service relating to fireworks complaints.

Every year our dispatch center is inundated with calls from citizens reporting that they hear fireworks going off somewhere in their neighborhood. This severely impacts our call system and could affect our response to other calls for service.

We also ask our residents not to hold celebrations in the street. This is a safety issue that could delay emergency response if needed.

Please help us, so we can properly help our community.

We have established a Fireworks Hotline to report the use of illegal fireworks. This means you are seeing someone set off illegal fireworks, not just hearing them in your neighborhood. We need to know the exact address where they are being used.

The hotline, 303-814-7118, will be active July 3rd – 6th, 6:00 p.m. until midnight. Please use the non-emergency number, 303-660-7500, outside those dates and times.

Please DO NOT call 9-1-1 to report the use of fireworks unless there is an injury or an actual fire.

Again, please do not call to report the sound of fireworks, only use the hotline if you see someone using the illegal fireworks.

We recommend that you celebrate the holiday by watching professional fireworks shows to avoid accidents and legal consequences.

 

 

The agenda for the June 25 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.

Hear from Mayor Tracy Engerman as she provides an update on City activities, including the Happy Canyon Road and Lagae Road roundabout, the reconstruction of Monarch Boulevard, the Castle Pines Urban Renewal Authority, and more.

Looking for more information on these topics? Visit the City's website:

• Happy Canyon Roundabout: CastlePinesCO.gov/HCRoundabout
• Monarch Boulevard Reconstruction: CastlePinesCO.gov/Monarch
• Castle Pines Urban Renewal Authority: CastlePinesCO.gov/Urban-Renewal
• Upcoming Events: CastlePinesCO.gov/Calendar

Meeting highlights from the June 11 City Council meeting include:

• Approving a professional services agreement with Jacobs Engineering Group Inc. for design services related to future improvements to the I-25 and Happy Canyon Interchange.

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