The Castle Pines Connection

For the most current garage sale information, visit the Master Association Community-Wide Garage Sale event page. The Castle Pines North Annual Community Garage Sale is quickly approaching, so it’s time to start your spring cleaning! The Sale will be held between the hours of 8 a.m. and 2 p.m., on both Friday, May 20 and…

Construction of the new power lines is now complete. Xcel Energy has returned to Castle Pines North to repair damage to the power line corridor. Xcel is working to fill holes, add new top soil and seed in areas affected by the construction. Weather permitting, the project is expected to be completed in April. If…

Douglas County’s newest Charter School, American Academy, is gearing up to open in August. The school, founded by several CPN residents, has been awarded grants, signed their contract with the Douglas County School District, and has selected a new administrator. The Walton Family Foundation recently awarded American Academy with a grant for $180,000. The Foundation…

Are you the parent who always knows when the school science fair is scheduled? Do you think every child should have a library card? If you are an organized parent of an elementary school student who answered “yes” to the above questions, the Douglas County Library (DCL) bookmobile wants you as a liaison! The DCL…

At meetings and in mailings this winter, Douglas County School District representatives have been working to share information and seek parent input regarding ways to address the Castle Pines area’s growing number of students. After assessing enrollment figures and parent feedback forms, the District expects to announce by mid-February any changes to the 2005-2006 calendars…

The episode of “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” that features Marc Towne, CPN resident and owner of Little Italy Pizzeria, is scheduled to air on Sunday, February 13, on the ABC television station. Marc and his wife, Lisa, fed the crew during the marathon construction project in Arvada.

It’s hard to remember during the middle of winter that springtime is around the corner. This means that outdoor sports teams will begin meeting and practicing soon. If you are coaching a sports team or are involved in a sports league that will begin practice this spring and you need to reserve park space, make…

The land located on the corner of Castle Pines Parkway and Monarch Boulevard has been zoned for commercial development since the master plan for Castle Pines North was first created in 1984. “What does the zoning allow? View the CPN Development Guide.” Originally, the commercially zoned area consisted of more than 20 acres. In 2000,…

On Monday, January 10th, Xcel Energy will begin construction to replace one of the power lines along the power line corridor in the eastern portion of Castle Pines North. Construction of the new poles is expected to take two to four weeks, weather permitting. Xcel crews will be working on the project 10 hours a…

The Castle Pines North Bookmobile will be temporarily out of service until November 22. The Bookmobile is currently having maintenance repairs and went out of commission on November 1. For the next few weeks, library items such as books, DVDs, or videos, can be returned in a 24-hour-a-day drop-off bin located in the King Soopers…

The inaugural Buffalo Stampede to support Timber Trail and Buffalo Ridge Elementary Schools attracted more than 530 runners on Saturday, November 13. Two races, a 1-Mile and a 5K, wound through the streets of HOA #1 and HOA #2 beginning at about 9 a.m. Although the event was held under gray skies, the nip in…

The Castle Pines North Metropolitan District has announced a vacancy in the District Manager position. “As District Manager for the past three years, Judy Dahl has made valuable contributions to our community and we greatly appreciate her efforts,” said John Ewing, President of the Metro District Board of Directors. “Her assistance in developing and maintaining…

The CPN Metro District and various Homeowner Associations continue to make plans to improve landscaping in various portions of Castle Pines North. After moving into CPN, residents often have questions about landscape maintenance in the open spaces throughout the community. Who should mow the weeds in the open space behind new homes? Who is responsible…

Rock Canyon High School will present its first-ever theatrical production, “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow,” in the auditorium at Rock Canyon High School, located at 5810 McArthur Ranch Rd., Highlands Ranch. Performances are set for 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, December 10 and 11. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. From the classic tale…

The Connection periodically receives requests for information on area playgroups and parenting organizations. If you belong to a parenting or play group that currently is seeking new members, please e-mail the information to communications@cpnhoa.org. We will make the list available on the website at www.cpnhoa.org. In the meantime, here is a list of established groups…

With some exceptions, Douglas County is responsible for removing snow from the streets, circles and drives in Castle Pines North, but does not typically clear snow from the cul-de-sacs. Douglas County DOES NOT plow the streets of neighborhoods that have private streets. In these areas, sub-associations contract with private companies to plow the streets. Residents…

On October 29, the one-year anniversary of the Cherokee Ranch Fire that had threatened parts of Castle Pines North, residents of Daniels Ridge neighborhood held a “thank you” dinner honoring the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office and the South Metro Fire and Rescue District. Bob Holder, a Daniels Ridge resident, and a few other neighbors came…

Board members of both the CPN Master Association and the Hidden Pointe HOA entered into discussions on Thursday, November 18th. All legal activities pertaining to the lawsuit have been temporarily suspended while discussions continue. In September, 2003, the Hidden Pointe HOA filed a lawsuit against the CPN Master Association. The suit claims that the contract…

When driving on I-25 north of Exit 191, have you noticed the dilapidated farmhouse in the dell to the east? It seems quite out of place situated among the booming areas of Castle Rock, Parker, and Lone Tree, and you may have thought it was destined to be bulldozed any day now. Happily, that is…

DCS Montessori Charter School is now accepting applications for its lottery for the 2005-2006 school year. If your child will be three before September 15, 2005, he or she will be eligible to begin the pre-school program. Applications are being accepted for all grades, from Pre-school through sixth. For more information about DCS Montessori, visit…

The CPN Master Association’s popular “e-mail alert” system can now be used by any of the 30 neighborhood Homeowner Associations (HOAs) in Castle Pines North. Five years ago, the Master Association began collecting e-mail addresses for all CPN residents. Since that time, the list has grown to reach nearly 75 percent of the homes in…

The Sagebrush Press, written by Colorado Master Gardeners of Douglas County and CSU Cooperative Extension staff, is a free publication with lots of gardening information. The quarterly newsletter has a winter, spring, summer, and fall issue. Although the Winter issue is not on the press yet, probable topics include: tree and shrub pruning, bulb forcing,…

Dyslexia Institutes of America has announced the opening of its diagnostic testing and therapy center in Lone Tree for individuals living with Dyslexia. Founded by Dr. Elaine Jett in 1997, Dyslexia Institutes of America offers a battery of 11 diagnostic tests to determine what type of Dyslexia is present and the level of severity. Wendy…

Exactly how many screaming fans filled the gymnasium at Rock Canyon High School to cheer on their team at the second annual Teacher Kick-Ball Game on November 4th? “About a million,” ventured one first grader from Buffalo Ridge Elementary. Well, there weren’t quite a million, but there were enough to raise hundreds of dollars to…

A local resident would like to start a Parenting Group in Castle Pines North. The group would establish play dates with children of the same age, possibly classes for mothers, and definitely some Mom’s Nights Out! If you are a parent-to-be or have children aged five or younger, please contact Tina Howell at 720-733-6206.

The Douglas County Board of Education has approved American Academy’s charter for a new school in the Castle Pines North area. At a second hearing on November 3rd, the Board of Education voted unanimously to approve the school, contingent on a lease signing agreement and compliance with the District’s open enrollment policy. Parent organizers and…

Marc and Lisa Towne, CPN residents and the owners of Little Italy Pizzeria in the Castle Pines Marketplace, recently got involved with “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition,” and Marc will appear on national television when the show airs. As Director of Purchasing for Standard Pacific home builders, Marc organized the contractors and suppliers who built a…

In the recent election, Douglas County voters echoed State of Colorado voters in almost all races and issues except the contest for U.S. Senate. (County voters leaned heavily toward Pete Coors over winner Ken Salazar.) How did Castle Pines North compare to other areas of the County? Almost 95 percent of Douglas County voters participated…

Noise monitors are now available for any homeowner who wants to record Centennial Airport noise levels at their personal residence. Monitors can be used for a week at a time, and will be set up by a Centennial Airport staff member. While the monitor cannot decipher types of aircraft, it can record noise decibel levels…

Residents in HOA #1 and HOA #2 will see CPN-area children and their families participating in the “Buffalo Stampede Community Run” on Saturday morning, November 13th, from about 9:00 to 10:00 a.m. This 5K fun run has been organized by Buffalo Ridge and Timber Trail Elementary Schools. The race will wind along various streets in…

Douglas County voters echoed State of Colorado voters in almost all races and issues except the contest for U.S. Senate. (County voters leaned heavily toward Pete Coors over winner Ken Salazar.) County voters approved measures to increase the tobacco tax, extend funding for the Scientific and Cultural Facilities District, and fund expanded light rail. They…

An article appeared in the last issue of The Connection regarding bobcat sightings in the CPN vicinity. The article stirred up some questions about wildlife in general – – what should we really watch for, what is dangerous, and just exactly what lives in our backyards? Spotting wildlife near CPN homes is commonplace. In fact,…

The Castle Pines North Master Association will host its annual board meeting on Tuesday, November 16th, at 7 p.m., at the Community Center located at 7404 Yorkshire Drive. The meeting is open to all residents of CPN, and will feature several guest speakers including Charlie Fagan, the new Parks and Open Space Manager for the…

The newly elected Hidden Pointe Board members and the CPN Master Association have agreed to temporarily suspend all legal activities until the Hidden Pointe Board members are ready to address the matter with the CPN Master Association. Rick Schafer, Hidden Pointe’s HOA President, said the Board is currently working to poll the community and educate…

The developer of Daniels Gate has turned the Romar Homeowners Association over to its residents. Two HOA members were elected by Romar homeowners, and three were appointed by the sub HOAs (Turquoise Terrace and Amber Ridge/Ventana). At the first meeting of the new board held on September 24, the following officers were elected: Jason Gibb…

American Academy at Castle Pines officially submitted its charter application to the Douglas County School District on August 20. If approved, the school will be the sixth charter school in Douglas County and will open its doors in the fall of 2005. The Douglas County School District has 75 days to respond, and American Academy…

Linda Nuzum has been appointed to the Castle Pines North Metro District Board of Directors. The Board interviewed three candidates for this position. “Linda has been active in many community organizations for several years and is intimately aware of the many complexities involved in implementing actions and understanding intercommunity dynamics,” said John Ewing, President of…

Residents can expect to see two construction projects in the CPN power line corridor this fall. Xcel’s power lines upgrades are underway. Also, the CPN Metro District will begin a water main construction project, which runs along a portion of the power line corridor. Xcel is currently working to replace and upgrade existing power poles…

On October 19, proponents for a Core Knowledge Charter School in Castle Pines North presented their charter application to the Douglas County Board of Education. Parents from the CPN community attended the meeting to show support for American Academy at Castle Pines. “Our goal is to uphold the tradition of educational excellence set by Douglas…

Daniel’s Gate resident Jason Gibb was recently selected to fill a vacant position on the Castle Pines North Master Association’s seven-member Board of Directors. Gibb is the first homeowner from Daniel’s Gate to serve on the Master Association board. “Jason is extremely interested in our community and we’re excited to have the first Daniel’s Gate…

Several residents have inquired about recent construction equipment parked on the northwest corner of Monarch and Castle Pines Parkway. Since the land is zoned for commercial development, can we expect new businesses soon? Not for now. According to Metro District Manager, Judy Dahl, construction equipment was stored on this land temporarily. “The paving contractors that…

The ground-breaking for Castle View Park has been delayed until early 2005. According to the CPN Metro District, land issues have temporarily postponed construction of the new 22-acre park. “We hope to have phase one of Castle View Park out for bid early in 2005,” said Charlie Fagan, Metro District Parks and Open Space Manager.…

With winter fast approaching, many residents in CPN are searching for indoor recreation facilities. Historically, CPN residents have used the Recreation Centers in Castle Rock or Parker. This winter, there’s also a new choice, the Lone Tree Recreation Center near Sky Ridge Hospital. The Lone Tree facility features a fitness studio with a variety of…

Skating with The Mile High Mayhem, Casey Kiefer, who lives in Tapadero, competed in the Junior Olympics and brought home a Silver medal in the 14U division. Casey and his teammates traveled to St. Louis, MO in July to face-off against some of the United State’s best In-line Hockey teams. The team, consisting of teens…

Douglas County’s original plan for the asphalt overlay project this summer included the resurfacing of fifteen streets in CPN; however, the County added five streets in The Retreat (shown in photo) to the project. For information about future street repairs in your neighborhood, please contact Carl Lucero at Douglas County Public Works at 303-660-7490.

The Castle Pines North Master Association will sponsor a new social event this holiday season! On December 13th, 14th, and 15th, residents are invited to view Christmas lights as they enjoy a holiday carriage ride through Castle Pines North. The 30-minute holiday carriage rides will begin at the HOA #2 club house on Oxford Drive.…

On Sunday, September 12, parent volunteers at Timber Trail Elementary hosted “A Taste of Timber Trail.” The event featured a variety of carnival games, jump castles, various food vendors and a silent auction. More than 30 community businesses participated in the event. “We had more than 60 volunteers help with this event, including 25 high…

The Town of Castle Rock recently approved a local developer’s plans to bring a massive entertainment complex to the town. The three-story, non-smoking family center will be built on a three-acre parcel on North Castleton Court, across from the Colorado State Patrol office and the Rockyard American Grill Brewery restaurant in Castle Rock. The project…

Many years of enjoying a low crime rate has led Douglas County residents to live with a level of complacency that has recently made us attractive to criminals. A series of vehicle break-ins in recent weeks in CPN and throughout Douglas County could easily have been avoided. These incidents remind us to stay vigilant in…

Local Races What do the County Commissioners do? Are we Voting on Expanding County Commission from 3 to 5? Official Colorado Election Guide (“Blue Book”) Denver Post Election Guide Rocky Mountain News Election Guide Rocky Mountain News – set up a personalized ballot for just the candidates and issues on a CPN residents’ ballot Douglas…

Airport Noise Reduced as Centennial Completes Runway Construction Centennial Airport recently completed major runway repairs which temporarily impacted aircraft flight patterns this summer. Officials at Centennial expect noise levels to be reduced in CPN now that runway construction has been completed. During the construction project, aircraft noise increased in the CPN area due to necessary…

After this summer’s frequent heavy rains, newcomers to Colorado may have a hard time believing that we live in a semi-arid climate. How unusual was our wet summer, and what does Mother Nature have in store for us this winter? It’s interesting to note that although Denver International Airport recorded more rain than usual this…

Christmas Boutique Scheduled for Nov 16, 17 & 18 at Castle Pines North Community Center The upcoming “An Old Fashioned Holiday” Christmas Boutique is the 8th annual held in the CPN Community Center. The Christmas boutique has become a community event residents of CPN and surrounding areas look forward to every year. Arts & Crafts…

CPN’s new Religious Institutions database has been updated to include a new Inter-denominational Christian church. SouthLink Church is located in Parker. Also updated with a new address is Jewish Congregation Beth Shalom. This synagogue moved to a new location: 6116 S. Pennsylvania Street in Centennial. To view the entire list, click here. If you know…

In preparation for the holiday season, the December/January issue of The Connection is scheduled to be in homes by November 29.Therefore, deadline for all copy and advertising will be Wednesday, November 3. For more information, please contact Sharon Kollmar at 303-688-5656.

Don’t miss the new CPNHOA Community Events Bulletin Board for school and youth activities. The board is updated constantly with new information and events. Contact webmaster@cpnhoa.org to add a non-profit community event to this calendar. Click here to see the calendar.

The Castle Pines North Master Association’s Safety Committee is working with Douglas County to improve traffic flow in the neighborhood. A left-turn signal has been installed at the intersection of Monarch Blvd. and Castle Pines Parkway. The change has greatly improved the flow of south-bound traffic from the neighborhoods north of the parkway. The County…

Sit back, relax, and enjoy the ride! There’s a new commuter express bus service from Colorado Springs to Denver, with stops in Monument, Castle Rock, the Denver Tech Center and downtown Denver. This week, October 11-15, Front Range Express (FREX) is offering free rides for anyone wanting to try out this new commuter service. The…

Weather Conditions Delay Bridge Closure Due to adverse weather conditions, the southbound on-ramp to I-25 from Castle Pines Parkway (exit 188) was closed on Sunday, September 26 and Monday, September 27 instead of scheduled nights during the prior week On each night, the ramp closed at approximately 7:00 p.m. and re-opened at approximately 5 a.m.…

The re-model of the old convenience store at 506 Castle Pines Parkway is underway. The Castle Rock Bank plans to open their second branch in the Castle Pines North community in early 2005. The full-service bank will provide four drive-through lanes, a 24-hour ATM and will also feature a drive-through Starbucks Coffee. “The permit remodel…

On Saturday, August 21, more than 1,000 residents attended the annual Summer Family Barbeque, presented by the Castle Pines North Master Association. Coyote Ridge Park was quickly transformed into an exciting event featuring jump castles, giant slides, trampolines and more. Children and adults of all ages enjoyed live music, activities, carriage rides, barbeque, and ice…

The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, South Metro Fire Rescue and Nordstom at Park Meadows are teaming up for a safety extravaganza this Saturday. The second “C-Safe” Day, which stands for Community Safety Awareness & Fire Education Day will be held in the parking lot outside Nordstrom from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. October 2nd. The…

The businesses of Castle Pines will present the third annual OctoberFest on Saturday, October 30, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The event, held at the Castle Pines Village Shopping Center, will feature a variety of activities for the entire family including: games, live entertainment, art activities, clowns, haunted house, costume parade, pumpkin and face…

Registration Deadline: October 4 is the deadline to register to vote in the Nov. 2 General Election. Simply download the voter registration form at douglas.co.us/elections, fill it out and mail it to the Elections office at P.O. Box 1360 in Castle Rock, 80104, or deliver it to 301 N. Wilcox Street in Castle Rock. All…

Looking for a sports league – competitive or recreational, indoor or outdoor, for boys or girls? The CPN website now contains a database of more than 15 types of kids’ sports programs, including who organizes them, where to find more information, what seasons the sports are played, and more. Click here for all the details…

Outdoor Rebate Offers Anyone can submit an application for a discount on his or her water bill for the months of May to September. The District will review the water bills for 2003 and 2004 to verify that the customer did reduce their water usage by 20 percent. The credit will be applied the water…