Vehicles used in the roundabouts rodeo included a Douglas County tandem snowplow (plow attached), a large Douglas County “low boy” 72’ tractor-trailer, a Douglas County School District bus, a pickup truck with a large 30’ stock trailer attached (provided by citizen volunteer Matt Clough), a Castle Pines Metro District snowplow, and a Castle Rock Fire Department large ladder truck.

By Elizabeth Wood West with photos provided by CPMD

Castle Pines Metropolitan District (CPMD) and Douglas County engineering staff recently staged a “rodeo” at Douglas County fairgrounds to test the design and maneuverability of the proposed roundabouts project for Happy Canyon Road. Several different large vehicles were successfully driven around a mock-up of the roundabouts’ design.

According to County Director of Engineering Fred Koch, “The rodeo verified that the geometrics of the project would function as calculated, and also provided an opportunity to document the test with video equipment so that the public could see that the roundabouts would function well with various types of large vehicles.” CPMD District Engineer Jonathan Gray added, “The rodeo was an exceptionally positive event that really hit a home run as far as confirming the design.” The five-minute roundabouts rodeo video clip is posted on the county’s website at www.douglas.co.us/engineering/
Happy_Canyon_Roundabout_Information.html.

In addition to the recent trial-run of the roundabouts design, public comments were received at an informational open house hosted by CPMD and Douglas County engineering staff in April. As of press time, the Board of County Commissioners had scheduled a public meeting on June 29 to review the roundabouts rodeo video and take public comment. No formal action was expected to be taken at that meeting. According to Koch, “the public’s understanding of the project is important for a regional solution to this issue for all of Douglas County commuters and residents.”

In a recent statement from members of The Coalition to Keep Happy Canyon Road Open, the group expressed firm opposition to CPMD’s efforts. The group questions the traffic data being used to support the project, and claims it does not warrant the proposed traffic slowing devices. The group also stated that the project could slow emergency vehicle response times, and that it does not support tax dollars being used for ongoing maintenance once the project is completed. Ultimately, the group’s concern is that the project could lead to possible future privatization of the roadway. The coalition includes more than 15 homeowners’ associations and business groups representing about 4,000 citizens.

Moving forward, as part of the approval process, Castle Pines Village must dedicate right-of-way easements to the county to accommodate the construction of the roundabouts. Koch said, “The acceptance of the right-of-way easement dedications by the County Commissioners would allow staff and CPMD to move forward with the final construction plans and then on to construction.” According to Gray, construction plans are currently in design. Construction should begin mid-summer and be finished in the fall. The roundabouts’ construction cost will be paid for by the CPMD.

For more information, please contact CPMD District Engineer Jonathan Gray at 303-688-8330 or e-mail or Douglas County Engineering at 303-660-7490.