Read the stories from the latest issue:
by Terri Wiebold After months of planning and preparation, T-Mobile has begun construction of a new cellular tower at the Castle Pines North Community Center, located at the corner of Yorkshire Drive and Castle Pines Parkway. “We finally have everything approved and I am pleased we were able go forward with the flag pole design…
by Belinda Paredes Water Parks – Pirate’s Cove – www.englewoodgov.org, 1225 W. Belleview Ave., Englewood, 303-762-COVE. O’Brien Park – www.parkeronline.org/recreation/h2obrienpool.aspx, 10795 Victorian Drive, Parker 720-851-5873 Water World – www.waterworldcolorado.com, 1800 W. 89th Avenue, Federal Heights, 303-427-SURF. Island Kingdom @ Six Flags – see Elitch Gardens information below. Amusement Parks – Six Flags Elitch Gardens –…
by Elean Gersack The Master Association’s Summer Movie in the Park is planned for Saturday, June 24, at Coyote Ridge Park. This year’s movie, Napoleon Dynamite, is a PG-rated film about a high school boy helping his friend to win the class presidency. The fun begins at 6:30 p.m. with a Napoleon Dynamite parade, air…
Photos courtesy of Sarah Byrne by Elean Gersack On Saturday, April 22, Rock Canyon High School (RCHS) juniors dressed up, posed for pictures and took the town in celebration of the school’s first prom. The dance was held at Hudson Gardens in Littleton and was themed “Midnight in Manhattan.” Students danced beneath the lights and…
The Porter family from the left Jake, Jeff, Abby, Anna, and Kari by Lane Roberts Many families are often faced with the difficult task of caring for a child with special needs. For Jeff and Kari Porter, they’ve met the challenge head-on. Residents of Castle Pines North (CPN) since 2001, the Porter’s daughter, Abby, was…
by Elean Gersack Reckless Abandon will be back again this year to perform on Sunday, August 6, at Coyote Ridge Park. Festivities, including concessions and air castles, will begin at 4:30 p.m. and the concert will begin at 6:00 p.m. Castle Pines North Boy Scout Troop 316 will be on hand to barbeque hot dogs…
by Elean Gersack For more than 65 years, the Douglas County Fair and Rodeo has attracted folks from far and wide to the Douglas County Fair Grounds. Rodeos, parades, carnival rides, and a home-town county feeling are sure to please the young and the young at heart. Enjoy free admission to a variety of events,…
by Carin Kirkegaard Water is an important commodity in Colorado’s semi-arid climate, and it is important to conserve whenever possible. Since 2003, the Castle Pines North Metro District (CPNMD) has provided the community with a mandatory watering schedule. Residents should have received a schedule by mail in late April. The circle, diamond, square third day…
CPN resident Chad Spath (#24) of the Rock Canyon Jaguars battles a Mountain Vista player during the March 18 game. CPN resident Andrew Paredes is assistant coach of the Mountain Vista team. by Belinda Paredes The Rock Canyon High School (RCHS) boy’s lacrosse team finished its season with only one loss and an opportunity to…
by Carin Kirkegaard Teamwork along with a sense of community pride can accomplish a lot when a group works together. In Romar West, located in the Daniel’s Gate area, it could not be more evident. As one of Castle Pines North (CPN) newest developments, the Romar West Neighborhood Association has more than 275 homes and…
Photo courtesy of Nanci Simmons of Tri-County Farmers Markets by Elean Gersack Summertime is here and that means fresh produce from Colorado farmers. Shop the open air markets and enjoy mouth-watering, locally grown fruits and vegetables. Colorado farmers offer the highest quality produce at reasonable prices. Fresh fruits and vegetables are important for good health,…
By Terri Wiebold Replacement smoke detector units are still available at Station 36 for residents who have confirmed affected units, and who have experienced a problem (intermittent chirping, unexplained alarms, and/or exploding batteries) with the units. In order to be eligible to receive these free replacement units, residents must have filed a report with South…
Vice President of Planning for Village Homes, Ron Skarka presented ideas for CC-20 to residents on April 19. By Lane Roberts If you build it they will come. That was the key message from Village Homes, owner of the land located on the northwest corner of Castle Pines Parkway and Monarch Boulevard known as CC-20.…
by Elean Gersack Although summer is here, planning is already underway for the fall. Here is the scoop about a variety of nearby organizations offering fall sports leagues and activities. Check them out soon as fall sign-up deadlines are fast approaching: Castle Rock Recreation Some of the fall leagues being offered at the Castle Rock…
By Terri Weibold Due to a significant increase in the risk of fire danger, the Douglas County Board of Commissioners adopted a resolution restricting open fires and open burning in unincorporated areas of Douglas County, including Castle Pines North. The ban, effective June 15, escalated the existing Stage One restrictions to Stage Two, prohibiting all…
by Elean Gersack On Sunday, August 6, women from around Denver will swim, bike and run to raise money for the fight against breast cancer. Tri for the Cure will be held at Cherry Creek State Park (near Belleview and I-25) and all fundraising proceeds will support the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. Many…
John Ewing by Terri Wiebold (CPN) Metro District Board of Directors, John Ewing is leaving the Board to pursue other interests. “There is still very important work to be done on the Board,” said Ewing. “But, I am term-limited and my time is up.” Ewing lists among the high-points of his tenure on the board…
Cherokee Ranch Fire October 2003 as seen from Berganot Trail in Castle Pines North by Terri Wiebold One of the features about Castle Pines North (CPN) that attracts residents to live in this community is its abundance of open space and natural surroundings. With that beauty often comes hazardous conditions, such as the potential for…
Watch for school buses in the Castle Pines North community in early July. Timber Trail Elementary (TTE) has officially switched to a four-track calendar and students will be heading back to school this year in July. TTE has projected more than 600 students for the 2006-2007 school year and will have four tracks this year.…
by Belinda Paredes The Castle Rock Recreation Center held grand opening celebrations for the new leisure pool on May 19 and 20, offering free swimming, prize drawings, games, and entertainment. The new facility boasts a multi-use leisure pool, lazy river, exterior water slides, splash down area, zero-depth entry, and interactive water features. There is also…
How Dry is 2006? Galen Crowder, CPN resident and former Metro District Board member, is one of many homeowners in the area that tracks moisture statistics in the community. Just how dry is 2006? Take a look at these numbers provided by Crowder: January 1, 2006 – May 4, 2006 3.75 inches January 1, 2005…
Remember to vote in the August Primaries to determine which candidates will represent the Democratic and Republican parties in the November 7 election. Contact respective political parties for more information. To contact the Douglas County Democrats, visit www.douglasdemocrats.org, or call 303-539-9048. To contact the Douglas County Republicans, visit www.dcgop.org, or call 303-730-0100.
By Carin Kirkegaard Summer is here and along with the long hot days come solicitors canvassing the neighborhood. Residents in Castle Pines North can avoid unwelcome solicitors by simply purchasing a “no solicitation” sign and placing it near the doorbell. According to the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office (DCSO), any person engaged in door-to-door selling of…
by Lane Roberts Castle Pines North (CPN) continues to have a low crime rate which can often lead to complacency, especially during the summer months. Last summer, there was a brief rash of vehicle break-ins throughout CPN, and several residents lost wallets, purses, computers, and other valuable items. To help keep the community safe, please…
Share questions, comments or opinions with The Connection. E-mail questions to editor@cpnhoa.org. I am all for cyclists riding along Monarch, but are you aware of the frequency in which they cross the white line and cross into traffic? Someone is going to get hurt and it will be a tragedy. – Joe Musso, Hidden Pointe…
by Elean Gersack In Colorado, gardens can sometimes be hard to maintain with warm summer days, cool summer nights and plenty of dryness. Fortunately, there is a local resource available to help even the most novice gardener create a wonderfully landscaped yard. PlantTalk Colorado is a web based resource which provides answers to commonly asked…
South Metro Fire Rescue 9195 E. Mineral Ave Centennial, CO 80112 720-488-7164 by Carin Kirkegaard BRK Smoke Alarm Issue Updated 5/2/06 STEP 1 – Identification Confirm you have affected models: (all must apply) BRK Brands, Inc. hard-wired smoke alarms Model: 4120B or 4120SB Date: 1998 – October 2000 STEP 2 – Prevention Manufacturer recommends Eveready…
Summertime brings out bikes, skateboards, scooters and motorized toy vehicles. Motorized scooters, dirt bikes and all-terrain vehicles all fall under the category of “toy” vehicles, and all are prohibited from public roadways and sidewalks. Owners of these “toys” are only permitted to operate the vehicles on private property with the permission of the property owners.…
By Terri Weibold The Castle Pines North Mater Association and the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office have received several complaints regarding simulated “war games” in the open spaces and recreational parks within Castle Pines North. The complaints originated from various neighborhoods and included issues such as: The safety of residents (one woman was hit by a…
CONTACT #1: Public Information Officer, Deputy Cocha Heyden, 303-814-7096, pgr 303-826-7822 CONTACT #2: RELEASE DATE: 05/08/06 RELEASE TIME: 9:00 am CASE NUMBER: WHAT: Douglas County Sheriff David Weaver Says, “Lock It or Lose It” About Recent Car Break-Ins NARRATIVE: DOUGLAS COUNTY, CO Due to recent car break-ins in the area, the Sheriff would like to…
The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) has received numerous notifications from consumers of an e-mail that has the appearance of being sent from the FDIC. The “From” line of the e-mail displays the name “Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation” and the subject includes the phrase “IMPORTANT: Notification of Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.” The e-mail states that…
by Carin Kirkegaard The ballots are in and the votes are tallied in the 2006 Special District Election for the CPNMD. With only a six percent voter turnout, the election proved to have one of the lowest numbers of participants in CPN’s history. Out of a total of 5,644 residents eligible to vote, only 309…
by Elean Gersack Friday and Saturday, May 19 and 20, traffic on local streets will be bustling as folks from far and wide visit Castle Pines North (CPN) in hopes of finding some good deals. The Master Association will advertise this huge garage sale within Denver and Douglas County newspapers and the CPN website will…
By Carin Kirkegaard Memorial Day weekend is fast approaching and with the extended weekend comes the beginning of summer. May 26 is the official last day of school for Douglas County, and other local schools will soon follow. With longer, warmer days ahead, Castle Pines North (CPN) children will be out playing ball, riding bikes…
by Carin Kirkegaard In the past week a resident that lives on High Ridge Court in the Hidden Pointe neighborhood reported a mountain lion which ran through the resident’s backyard around 9 p.m. This sighting is the most recent occurrence of seeing wildlife within a residential area. In recent months, there have been two reported…
CPN resident Sally Wagner races toward the finish line at Tri for the Cure (Photo courtesy of The Wagner family) by Elean Gersack Ask any woman, and chances are she or someone she knows has been affected in some way by breast cancer. According to the Susan G. Komen Foundation, over 212,000 women will be…
by Terri Wiebold “ICE” (In Case of Emergency) is the name of a new program implemented by the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office to aid law enforcement, fire, and medical personnel in locating necessary contact information about an individual in an emergency situation. The program uses an individual’s cell phone address book as a resource for…
by Terri Wiebold As reported in the December-January issue of The Connection, Lowe’s Home Improvement will be building a new store in the Town of Castle Rock. According to Gary Kranse from the Town of Castle Rock Development Services Department, plans for construction are still underway. The 117,000 square foot store will be located just…
by Belinda Paredes Castle Rock-based SafeStart Swim School recently announced plans to build a state-of-the-art indoor swim instruction facility dedicated to helping kids learn water safety and swimming skills. The 9,000 square foot facility will be built near the intersection of Oswego and Lincoln, immediately adjacent to the Wildlife Experience. Construction will be complete in…
by Terri Wiebold The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office (DCSO) is committed to the concept of “community policing” in Castle Pines North (CPN), as well as throughout the county. One component of this community policing approach involves establishing relationships between patrol deputies and members of the community. By seeking the input and talents of CPN residents,…
By Elean Gersack The Master Association is excited to announce this year’s picks for Summer Movie in the Park and Summer Concert in the Park. Save the dates and enjoy these fun family events at Coyote Ridge Park. Summer Movie in the Park – Saturday, June 24, Coyote Ridge Park – featuring Napoleon Dynamite. Festivities…
By Lane Roberts Xcel Energy recently applied for a construction permit to expand the Daniel’s Gate substation. The electric substation is located on Monarch Boulevard just north of Daniel’s Gate, behind the Serena neighborhood. The Castle Pines North Master Association will share feedback from homeowners regarding this expansion with Douglas County by May 15. Please…
VOTE Vote for the CPN Metro District Board – May 2, at the CPN Community Center, 7404 Yorkshire Drive, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Vote for South Metro Fire Rescue Board -ballots will arrive via U.S. mail by April 17 andmust be received by May 2. CANDIDATES PROFILESGalen R. Crowder Jonette Brown Eyes Bruce…
by Carin Kirkegaard In an area that is quickly becoming urbanized, Douglas County is fortunate to have the Douglas County Division of Open Space and Natural Resources protecting wildlife habitat, natural resources, historic sites, scenic views, and Douglas County’s rural heritage. In an effort to make some of the natural treasures of Douglas County more…
Brian Stopps by Belinda Paredes Many interesting people call Castle Pines North home. In an effort to introduce readers to the remarkable individuals who live in the community, The Connection has created a new feature to spotlight a resident in each issue. Brian Stopps has been involved in the CPN community since moving to Royal…
by Lane Roberts Tech-savvy kids now spend hours in “virtual worlds” communicating with friends and even total strangers. Recent arrests of computer sexual predators in Douglas County should serve as a reminder to parents of the potential dangers of the Internet. Many kids enjoy cell phones, text messaging, instant messaging, social networking sites, and computer…
by Terri Wiebold In the February-March issue of The Connection, plans for a new T-Mobile cellular tower were brought to the public’s attention. Plans had been in the works for this additional coverage site for quite some time, but the logistics of the design – although decided – were not exactly what the Castle Pines…
by Lane Roberts The Castle Pines North Metro District will host the third Integrated Water Resources Community Information meeting in April. (As of press time, exact meeting dates were not determined. Watch for specific meeting details to be announced through community-wide e-mail and on the web.) Since September 2005, CDM, a leading engineering firm, has…
by Terri Wiebold More than two years of research, planning and organizing from the Castle Pines North Master Association Safety Task Force has paid off for the community. The long-awaited and much-needed traffic signal at the intersection of Yorkshire Drive and Castle Pines Parkway is now a reality. The task force worked with Douglas County…
by Carin Kirkegaard On May 2, voters will be electing three members to the South Metro Fire Rescue Board of Directors. As a special district, South Metro Fire Rescue is governed by an elected board comprised of five members. In the 2006 special district election, there are three seats up for election. There are five…
Photos by Tim Gamble by Lane Roberts The Castle Pines North Metro District and the Castle Pines North Master Association will host a skateboard park celebration ceremony on Saturday, May 6, at 2 p.m. Children of all ages can bring their skateboards and helmets, and enjoy refreshments, entertainment and activities. (In case of inclement weather,…
By Elean Gersack Did you take photos at the Easter Egg Hunt on April 8? Email your favorite picture, along with names of those in your photo and a caption, to webmaster@cpnhoa.org and enter our Easter Egg Hunt Photo Contest! The winning photo will be included in the June/July issue of The Connection and the…
by Carin Kirkegaard Cyclists get ready for a Rocky Mountain tradition! Join thousands of fellow bike riders and kick off the unofficial start to the Colorado cycling season, June 4, at the Douglas County Fairgrounds in Castle Rock. Whether you are six or sixty, prefer to ride on the road or in the dirt, there…
Easter Fest Attracts Hundreds by Elean Gersack The cold and snow did not put a damper on the fun at Easter Fest in Castle Pines North (CPN). On Saturday, April 7, more than 300 children and adults dropped by the CPN Community Center for goodies, music and a visit with the Easter bunny. Business in…
King’s Crossing resident Mary Williams by Belinda Paredes Philip S. Miller Library in Castle Rock hosted an art exhibit in February and March that featured over 80 pieces by 23 local artists. The show displayed a variety of artwork throughout the library, including sculptures, paintings, jewelry, and pottery. Library patrons could cast a vote for…
by Terri Wiebold The South Metro Fire Rescue 2006 Budget lists capital investments as the major focus for the coming year. When the District went to the electorate seeking an increase in the mill levy in the spring of 2004, the Board of Directors made a commitment to provide mills for capital purposes. One such…
by Carin Kirkegaard Douglas County Planning is reviewing referrals from neighboring homeowner associations regarding the proposed building of a two-story 26,000 square-foot church. Castle Pines Community Church purchased 12 acres of land that lies west of I-25, at the Surrey Ridge exit, and south of Clydesdale Road. During the referral period, the plans for the…
by Terri Wiebold Beginning in April, citizens interested in volunteering in the area of public safety will have the opportunity to participate in a new program through the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office. “The Community Safety Volunteer Program” enables volunteers to provide services to the community in those areas of law enforcement that do not require…
by Terri Wiebold Rules of the road apply to pedestrians and bicyclists in addition to vehicles. Most of us are mindful of traffic rules and regulations when it pertains to driving vehicles. Traffic rules are usually followed when stopping at red lights, driving the speed limit, and staying on the proper side of the road.…
by Carin Kirkegaard Longer daylight hours and warmer weather has the neighborhood venturing outside after being cooped up from the snow and cold winds of winter. Whether riding a bike, taking a jog, or walking a dog on Castle Pines North’s 14 miles of recreational trails intertwined throughout the community, many residents have been out…
VOTE Vote for the CPN Metro District Board – May 2, at the CPN Community Center, 7404 Yorkshire Drive, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Vote for South Metro Fire Rescue Board -ballots will arrive via U.S. mail by April 17 andmust be received by May 2. by Carin Kirkegaard Castle Pines North (CPN) voters…
Courtesy of South Metro Fire Rescue South Metro Fire Rescue (SMFR) is urging voters to participate in the election of three Fire District Board members. Ballots are being sent to eligible voters and may be returned by mail or in person prior to the May 2 voting deadline. The location to drop off ballots in…
Red E. Fox (left) and Dispatcher with Cherie Abbott of DCSO (Photo by DCSO.) by Terri Wiebold The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office (DCSO) has developed a new 911 education program geared toward Kindergarten through 2nd grade students. The program teaches children what to do and what to say when placing a 911 emergency call. It…
by Belinda Paredes The Castle Pines North Master Association has put considerable effort into keeping residents connected to community news and events through a variety of media. The Connection and the website www.cpnhoa.org have traditionally been the main source of information for residents, but last year great effort was made to connect most residents to…
by Belinda Paredes Ever wished for the opportunity to encourage kids to exercise while raising money for their schools? Now Douglas County families have that opportunity through Tri the Rock. Tri the Rock is a youth USA Triathlon open to kids five through 14, to benefit school athletic programs throughout Douglas County and youth athletics…
by Belinda Paredes After an intensive search and interview process, Buffalo Ridge Elementary (BRE) has named a new principal. Allyson “Ally” Berggren, an assistant principal from Colleyville, Texas, was named principal of BRE in February. She will officially start her position on July 1. Berggren has been assistant principal of Bransford Elementary School for the…
Annual invoices for the Castle Pines Master Association were sent out in February and were due March 31. All CPN homeowners (with the exception of Hidden Pointe residents) should have received one. This invoice is in addition to any individual neighborhood HOA dues homeowners pay, and is only billed once a year. For Hidden Pointe…
By Terri Wiebold Informational Meeting about Defective Smoke Detectors to be Held With the recent attention in the media concerning defective smoke detectors found in many CPN homes, a Master Association-sponsored community information meeting is scheduled for Thursday, May 18, from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Community Center, 7404 Yorkshire Drive. South Metro…
by Lane Roberts Water restrictions in Castle Pines North will begin on May 1. All residents will receive a water restrictions postcard. The Castle Pines North Metro District has implemented mandatory water restrictions since 2003. The circle, diamond, square third day watering program helps manage water supply and also helps conserve water. Water restrictions also…
by Carin Kirkegaard During the past week, there has been a report of a mountain lion in the Stonecroft neighborhood in Castle Pines North (CPN). The Stonecroft neighborhood is located behind the CC-20 lot at the corner of Castle Pines Parkway and Monarch Boulevard. The animal was seen walking across Stonemont Drive toward Stonedale, and…