New residents of Castle Pines Village (CPV) thoroughly enjoyed themselves at the reception held in February in their honor by the CPV Welcome Group.  The beautiful Country Club at Castle Pines was the venue for this quarterly event, which is the perfect way for new residents to learn more about their new community and to make contact with neighbors.

Article and photos by Amy Shanahan

Castle Pines is recognized as a beautiful community of homes comprised of distinct neighborhoods, each offering a unique sense of Colorado living.  Many neighborhoods in the 80108 zip code (collectively known as Castle Pines) have their own governing bodies and homeowner’s associations, and one neighborhood takes the task of getting to know their new neighbors to the next level.

Each quarter, the “welcome group” in Castle Pines Village (CPV) invites all new residents to enjoy a beautiful reception at the Country Club at Castle Pines (CCCP) where they meet their neighbors, get important community information, and receive numerous gifts – all courtesy of local businesses.

The most recent reception was held on February 4, with more than 50 new residents and welcome group members attending.  Due to a spike in home sales and a surge in new homes being built in CPV, this was one of the largest turnouts to date.  

Sylvia Bolanos-Rogers is a new resident who attended the event with her husband and remarked, “The welcome group did a terrific job of getting everyone together.  It was wonderful meeting so many interesting individuals with such diverse professional backgrounds.  I look forward to raising my girls in a community that is safe, friendly, and family-oriented.  We are truly enjoying our new life in Castle Pines Village.”

The Castle Pines Village welcome group (left to right):  Mike and Michele Volkl, Ned and Terri Sunderman, Susan Clifford, Shari and Bob Jondle, Jack Clifford, Jean and Jim Hornor, Jan and Len Jacob, and Carol and Bill Kingery. (Photo courtesy of  Castle Pines Village welcome group).

The welcome group was started in 2003 by two women in CPV who were interested in meeting new residents and making them feel a part of the neighborhood.  At that time, the welcome receptions were held in private homes and at the neighborhood fitness center.  In 2006, the CCCP generously offered to host the events, enabling new residents to experience the delicious food and gorgeous views that the club provides.

The welcome receptions are a great way for new residents to learn more about the neighborhood.  In addition to enjoying food and drinks, new residents are introduced to members of the Castle Pines Homes Association Board of Directors (pictured below) and are given many pertinent facts and bits of information about the neighborhood.

The Castle Pines Homes Association Board of Directors (left to right):  Terry O’Connor – vice president, Len Jacob – treasurer, Linda Battin – president, Al Dugan – director, and Chuck Skinner – secretary.  (Photo courtesy of the Castle Pines Homes Association.)

As a means of continued communication with CPV residents, the homes association sends out weekly e-mail blasts to its residents, produces The Villager newsletter, and sponsors a host of events throughout the year for both adults and families in the community.

An additional highlight of the evening was the large bag of goodies that each new resident takes home.  This bag includes numerous coupons and gifts – including water bottles, bundt cakes, and bottles of wine, all generously donated by local businesses and merchants.
 
Susan Clifford has chaired the welcome group since 2006 and said she absolutely loves her volunteer role. 

“Our mission is to welcome new residents, provide valuable Castle Pines Village and surrounding community information, share our personal knowledge, and be available to answer questions and help them feel, as we do, that they have chosen a great place to call home,” Clifford remarked.  “Personally, I enjoy sharing time with the wonderful ladies in our group and meeting so many new residents I would not have the opportunity to meet otherwise.”