TOWN OF CASTLE ROCK
VOL. 12, ISSUE 3 Fall • Winter 2015
A magazine for everyone who calls Castle Rock home
Castle Rock is thriving Learn how your local government is using your input to plan for the future while maintaining high-quality levels of service to our community.
Castle Rock Town Hall 100 N. Wilcox St. Castle Rock, CO 80104
ECRWSS POSTAL CUSTOMER CASTLE ROCK, CO
PRESRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID CASTLE ROCK, CO PERMIT NO. 26
Growing Better
When my family settled in Castle Rock in 2002, a trip to the hospital meant heading somewhere north of 470. A short time later, Sky Ridge opened in Lone Tree, cutting that distance dramatically.
In this issue
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Log on to the new CRgov.com Find out how your Town website has been redesigned with you in mind
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The road ahead
Master planning, funding drive future of Castle Rock roads
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Strategic development Your Town has a vision for future growth
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Leap into a fun future
Learn how Castle Rock plans to keep a larger population active Download mobile app
CRgov.com/go
Thankfully, it wasn’t something that mattered often. But, proximity generally is key when someone is heading to the ER. How great is it, then, that we now have a state-of-the-art hospital right here in Town? Our community’s growth prompted our access to that awesome amenity. Recently, more amenities have been blooming, as our Town is thriving. I know some of you reading this have mixed feelings about the growth. But from my perspective, it’s a positive thing for our Town. It means easier access to shops and restaurants, which can help our residents better balance their busy lives. And keeping our hard-earned dollars local benefits everyone, from the mom and pop business owners to our first responders. Investing in our community matters. It provides sales tax revenues the Town needs to provide core services, like maintaining our aging streets and helping during emergencies. By shopping locally and doing other simple things, like being neighborly, we can all help ensure that as Castle Rock grows bigger, it also grows better. I am proud to be part of a Town that is growing smart. All of us want what’s best for our community. I am a Rock, and so are you.
Mayor Paul Donahue
where to call community resources at a glance
Animal control/nonemergency Police 303-663-6100 Building permits 720-733-3527 Business licenses 720-733-2227 Chamber of Commerce 303-688-4597 Code enforcement 720-733-3559 Douglas County government 303-660-7400 Douglas County Libraries 303-791-7323 Elections/voter information 303-660-1367 Fire Department nonemergency 303-660-1066 MAC (Miller Activity Complex at Philip S. Miller Park) 720-733-2222 Main Town number 303-660-1015 Municipal Court 303-663-6133
Park rentals Public Works/snow removal Recreation Center Red Hawk Ridge Golf Course Town Council information Town employment Transit-dependent services Utility/water billing Water conservation
720-733-2260 720-733-2462 303-660-1036 720-733-3500 303-660-1367 720-733-2218 303-814-6407 303-660-1373 720-733-6000 E mergency Mass Notification Life can change with just a moment’s notice. Make sure you are connected to emergency personnel. To register, visit CRgov.com/CodeRED.
A publication of the Castle Rock Community Relations Division Design Karen Carter, Community Relations Manager Versatility Creative Group Executive Editor Fritz Sprague, Deputy Town Manager
Editors Karen Carter, Community Relations Manager Caroline Kipp, Sr. Community Relations Specialist Carrie Martin, Community Relations Specialist KerriAnne Mukhopadhyay, Community Relations Specialist Kristin Zagurski, Assistant to the Town Manager
Photography Carrie Martin, Karen Carter, Mark Sims, Sims Photographics, Versatility Creative Group and Nick Lucy. On the cover Families enjoy Christmas decorations in Festival Park.
Castle Rock is thriving. Where do we go from here?
It’s true there are growing pains. Every strong community experiences them. Our recent community survey told us traffic was your top concern, and we want you to see how we are being strategic about planning for the future. On Pages 8-11, we’ll tell you about the Transportation Master Plan, road projects that are in the works, and how the Town is planning to keep up with growth. The same survey told us water was also a concern. On Pages 12-13, we’ll dip into the Town’s strategic approach to securing long-term renewable water through the ongoing Legacy Water Projects, which have been in the works for more than a decade and are coming to fruition today.
Courtesy of the Douglas County History Research Center, Douglas County Libraries, Castle Rock, Colo.
By now, you’ve likely seen the numbers. Between 1990 and 2000, Castle Rock grew from just 8,700 residents to more than 20,000. Over the following 15 years, the Town has grown to more than 56,000 people. But those numbers tell just a small piece of Castle Rock’s story. Think about what brought you, your family, or your business to Castle Rock. It might have been the extensive trail system, fun local parks, low crime rate, fun local events, or just the simple small-Town feel. You know Castle Rock has a reputation. It’s safe. It’s familyfriendly. It’s where you know your neighbors. The secret is out, and businesses are following to serve the people who move here.
How will public safety keep up? Will we have more parks? And who is paying for this? We know you are asking those questions. Your Town is studying the answers, and we want your help. The Town is taking another look at its Comprehensive Master Plan. Learn more about the cornerstones driving that plan and how you can be part of planning for Castle Rock’s future on Pages 30 and 31. As we welcome new neighbors, we are striving to maintain the levels of service and small-Town atmosphere that brings people here in the first place. It’s a team effort, and we hope you’ll take part.
Circa 1950s
The Town knows growth is your main concern. That’s why we’re taking this Outlook magazine to examine Castle Rock today and explain some of our plans for our future as we thrive.
Courtesy of the Douglas County History Research Center,
Today!
Douglas County Libraries, Castle Rock, Colo.
CRgov.com
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Check out the new In today’s world, being informed means being tapped into a variety of sources. In Castle Rock, more than 50,000 people each month log on to CRgov.com to get the information they need. CRgov.com is the official one-stop shop for residents and visitors to find information on just about anything related to the Town – events, news, Townwide projects, local development projects, roadwork, maps, parks, trails and facilities – as well as links to our community partners’ websites.
And now, it’s all new. With the same overarching theme of transparency the website has always had, CRgov.com has a new look and new features. In redesigning the site, the Town used Google Analytics to evaluate visits and user behavior to determine what is most important and how people use the site. The Town researched other websites and looked at areas for improvement Then, community members gave feedback. We’re excited about the results. It’s fresh, streamlined and ready to roll. Now let’s explore the new CRgov.com.
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CRgov.com Global navigation
Feedback from the community indicated CRgov.com needed to be easier to navigate. Check out the new global navigation. Drop-down menus help you see what you will get. Then, if you navigate to a Town service, such as fire or police, the top navigation will change, putting the most relevant information on that subject area at the top of the page.
Department pages
In a full-service municipality like Castle Rock, there’s information from a variety of departments to share. Now, each major Town department – including Castle Rock Fire and Rescue, Castle Rock Police, Development Services, Finance, Human Resources, Parks and Recreation and Roads – has its own unique area. You’ll know where you are within the site based on the global navigation and background photo.
Graphic buttons
Consider it a direct connection. We know you want to pay your water bill or see road closures in short order. These graphic links take you there.
Subscribe
Subscribers can receive information ranging from events and news to development updates. Sign up at CRgov.com/notifyme.
Calendar
We’ve simplified the calendar. The old site had 11 different calendars. Now, there are five simple categories: Townwide Events, Meetings (Town Council and Boards/Commissions), Public Notices, Volunteer Opportunities and Classes/Workshops (Water Wiser, etc.). Sign up for one or all to get updates straight to your inbox at CRgov.com/notifyme.
Events
Family-friendly community events are a key part of life in Castle Rock. Stay connected to every happening with a direct link from the homepage. Want to plan your own? There’s information on that, too.
Mobile friendly
Last year, the number of people accessing the Web with mobile devices surpassed those accessing it with desktop computers. That’s why making CRgov.com fit for all mobile users was a top priority. There’s more information per page, so you don’t have to keep clicking.
Interactive maps
We know it’s important for you to get where you’re going in a timely manner. We also know that in order to keep up with road improvements and repairs, we sometimes have to close a road. We’re bringing those priorities together in a new interactive road map on CRgov.com. Visit CRgov.com/roadwork to quickly see where we are working (or hosting an event) and plan your commute.
Exciting videos
Time is valuable. We’re all running from one thing to the next and sometimes only have a minute to grab a sandwich in between. The Town understands. That’s why we’ve been putting an emphasis on finding ways to get information to you quickly. In this day and age, video is key. We’ve produced a number of new videos to be featured on the website. Head to CRgov.com/watch. You’ll find ways to conserve water around your home, tips for interacting with other people on the trails and an explanation about the importance of shopping local. Also, get to know Mayor Paul Donahue, Police Chief Jack Cauley and Fire Chief Art Morales in the “I am a Rock” video series. CRgov.com
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Castle Rock Character Castle Rock is a cherished, sought-out and unique community. It is also a growing and changing one. Changing strategically helps our Town remain relevant amid the metropolitan marketplace, as well as financially capable of providing high-quality services to the community. As Castle Rock evolves, your Town government is dedicated to ensuring our community remains a charming and desirable place that residents can take pride in calling home. Friendly people, a historic Downtown, community events, small businesses, open spaces and safe neighborhoods imbue Castle Rock with charm. The Town prioritizes protection of these aspects of our community as it plans for the future. That’s not to say that the journey from our community of today to the one Castle Rock is going to become – a mid-sized city of at least 100,000 plus residents – won’t include bumps. To reach Castle Rock’s potential as a community that keeps its unique character, it will be critical that we all understand and embrace the importance of smart development. Instead of allowing the changes we’ll experience to chip away at our community spirit, we’ll need to look at those changes as proof of that spirit’s fortitude; each hill the community conquers together adds to our local history, which helps flavor the essence of our beloved Town. So, let’s be authentic in our opinions. Let’s openly discuss the challenges change can bring while remaining united so we can see together how the next chapter unfolds. If Castle Rock’s past is any indication, its future is likely to be filled with admirable success.
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Community Survey Castle Rock is the place where the grass is greener, results from the Town’s 2015 community survey revealed. More than 700 residents responded to the statistically valid survey in April and May after being scientifically selected to participate. The Town surveys residents and business owners every other year to gauge their views regarding Town services and priorities. The information gathered helps guide the Town’s strategic planning and budgeting. The overall completion rate for this year’s survey was 15 percent, and the results have a margin of error of +/- 3.6 percent. Survey respondents indicated that they love living in Castle Rock, and that the quality of life here is exceedingly high. The Town overall received a very strong 4-Star rating, barely missing a 4.5-Star rating, on the survey’s 5-Star rating system. The survey covered 46 satisfaction measures, and 45 of those received an above-average rating of 3 or higher on a 5-point scale. Twenty-eight of the satisfaction measures could be compared to the Town’s 2013 survey, and 13 of those showed improvement. Only one rating decreased; the remainder maintained similar satisfaction levels. Nine out of 10 residents said the quality of Town services exceeds their expectations, and eight of 10 said they believe they’re getting their money’s worth for their tax dollars. Residents affirmed the Town’s strategic priorities are leading the community in the right direction, though the survey did indicate some areas Town Council and the community should examine. Residents view growth and traffic as the most important issues facing the Town and also said the Town could do more to seek residents’ involvement and input. Toward that end, willing survey participants have been invited into an online focus group to provide the Town additional feedback on key areas including growth, transportation, parks and recreation, and communication. Town-licensed businesses also were surveyed, and three out of four of them said Castle Rock is better than other communities; that the quality of services the Town provides businesses exceeds expectations; and that they’re getting their money’s worth for their tax dollar. Similar to residents, businesses see issues relating to growth as the biggest challenges facing the Town. The Town recognizes the importance growth plays in the quality of life in our community. We’re following up on issues raised through the survey to help ensure that the grass here continues to be seen as green, even as the community evolves. View a full report on the survey at CRgov.com/2015survey. CRgov.com
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Roadway to the future
Community input, master planning, and funding drive project decisions When it comes to planning road infrastructure, there’s more than meets the commute. In Castle Rock, there are more than 800 lane miles of roadway. Of those, the Town owns about 615 lane miles, and the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) owns the rest, so preparing for the future takes coordination. Together, multiple jurisdictions must not only plan for a safe and smooth commute for drivers, we must also plan for adequate emergency access and routes that benefit economic development. That’s why the Town of Castle Rock’s approach to planning road improvements has three parts: a 10-year Transportation Master Plan, a five-year Capital Improvements Plan and then implementation through the Town’s annual budget process. All of these plans are rooted in public input, research and data.
Numbers help drive decisions
Data helps separate the facts from the feelings. It may seem like we wait forever at a traffic signal, or sit in traffic for hours. Often, our perceptions are right, and we already have an idea of the busiest areas of Town. Still, the numbers give traffic engineers and planners something to sink their teeth into. Twenty-four-hour traffic counts along the Town’s major roadways were conducted in 2009 and 2010 and helped drive the 2011 master plan. In addition, researchers looked at congestion levels throughout Town based on a three-tier scale of light/no congestion, moderate congestion or heavy congestion. (Numbers of cars were assigned to each level.) On top of that research, developers – both commercial and residential – are required to conduct traffic impact studies when it’s estimated the new development could add 200 or more new trips per day to Town roadways. In addition, crash reports are evaluated, emergency access routes are examined, and household numbers and projections are taken into account. 8
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Transportation Master Plan
With these numbers and community input in hand, the Town creates a Transportation Master Plan. The goal of this plan is to think at least 10 years into the future. Of course, things change, but this plan helps drive strategic budget choices for project implementation on fiveyear and annual bases. The very first Transportation Master Plan was written in the mid-1980s. The second was written in 2003, when Castle Rock’s population started booming. The plan was updated in 2011 and will be updated again next year. With the rate of growth Castle Rock is currently experiencing, longer range planning can be difficult, but it’s still necessary.
19 projects completed, more planned
Between 2003 and 2011, 19 projects described in the 2003 Transportation Master Plan were under construction or completed by either the Town or CDOT. Today, four of the projects that were under construction are done, and new projects are planned. Some improvements are funded and completed by the Town; others are completed by CDOT, or even by local developers.
In 2013, Castle Rock Development Co. completed the widening of Meadows Boulevard between Prairie Hawk Drive and Trailblazer Way. A year later, CDOT completed concrete replacement on Founders Parkway, along with a project to add another through-lane on Meadows Parkway to Interstate 25, which is expected to relieve congestion there. In Town, the Front Street Flyover was completed; Plum Creek Parkway was widened and extended to Ridge Road on the east side of I-25 and Wolfensberger Road to the west; the I-25 interchange at Plum Creek Parkway was reconstructed; two roundabouts were added at Ridge Road; Castle Oaks Drive has been paved; and new lanes were added to both sides of Plum Creek Parkway. The largest Town effort has been the North Meadows Extension, which is nearing completion. (See Page 11.) Once open, it is expected to relieve a significant amount of the traffic volume from the busy Founders/Meadows corridor. Without it, there would be more than 36,000 vehicles per day accessing Meadows Parkway in the coming years. Looking further, the new roadway is expected to carry about 25,000 cars per day by the year 2020. Another 22,000 are expected to remain on Meadows Parkway daily by the same year. Because of its expected positive impact on this busy area, the North Meadows Extension has been Town Council’s top transportation priority. With a new name – Castle Rock Parkway/North Meadows Drive – and construction nearly complete, it’s time to look at other projects, with the next set of projects outlined in a five-year plan.
ge Turn the pa t a k for a loo re tu the fu
Since 2003, there have been nearly 20 transportation projects in the works in Castle Rock. Read the Town’s Transportation Master Plan at CRgov.com/roads to learn more.
CRgov.com
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Traffic signals
Starting this year, the Town will upgrade its traffic signal system. New technology will help prevent signals from failing. In the near future, the Town will take over maintenance and operations of CDOT signals along Founders/Meadows Parkway. That means, when one of those signals happens to fail, a maintenance person will be closer and able to respond faster. Plus, coordinating signal timing will be more effective, because it will all be on the same system. In addition, improvements at some of the Town’s busiest intersections are planned, including at Founders Parkway and Allen Street and Founders Parkway and Crowfoot Valley Road. Further south, at Plum Creek Parkway and Wilcox Street (and at Plum Creek Parkway and Perry Street), improvements include reconstructing intersections and widening to add new turn lanes, along with increasing storage for turn lanes. Design of this area has started, and construction is expected to begin next year.
Future plans
Based on the traffic volume data, many of the Town’s transportation projects over the last five to 10 years were focused on the north end of Town. Projections for 2020 and even 2030 indicate needed projects throughout Town such as an interchange at Crystal Valley Ranch and I-25, widening Crowfoot Valley Road, adding a new north-south connection between Meadows Parkway and Wolfensberger Road, and widening Liggett, Wolfensberger and Ridge roads, among others. There are also plans to amplify pedestrian and bike routes for a multi-modal approach to commuting. More research and public input will be necessary moving into the future. Still, there is a roadmap and a plan looking over the horizon. The Town plans to update its transportation master plan next year. Watch for ways to be involved in that process. To learn more about the Town’s Public Works Department and read the full Transportation Master Plan, visit CRgov.com/roads.
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Castle Rock Par kway North
Meadows Extension
Building bridges for future growth
Crews are working to bring a new connection to Castle Rock. These renderings show what is in store at U.S. Highway 85 and Interstate 25, where the new Castle Rock Parkway will intersect, just north of Town.
I-25
Castle Rock Parkway Castle Rock Parkway
Any Castle Rock driver could tell you the Founders/Meadows Parkway corridor is the busiest in Town. That’s no secret. In fact, the Town knew it would be and planned for that traffic increase with the North Meadows Extension project. Today, we see active construction along U.S. Highway 85 and Interstate 25. In 2016, construction on the North Meadows Extension will be completed, and the new Castle Rock Parkway will be open. It has been part of the plan to accommodate traffic as Castle Rock thrives. In the 1980s, The Meadows was a new development, and the Town knew there would be a need for another access to I-25 and U.S. 85 on the north end of Town as that area continued to grow. Still, it’s important to strike a balance between preparing for a need and building something before it’s necessary. As soon as something is built, it must be maintained. If a road is built before traffic volumes warrant, money can be wasted on maintaining – or even replacing – a road that isn’t necessary. By 2003, traffic volume studies and predictions indicated it was time to move into action on the North Meadows Extension, knowing it would take about a decade to get the necessary state and federal approvals to connect to U.S. 85 and I-25. In 2005, a majority of Castle Rock voters passed the Transportation Action Plan bonds to help fund the project (along with portions of what is now Plum Creek Parkway). Constructing a brand new 2-mile road requires careful planning, federal environmental studies, community input and cooperation with numerous other jurisdictions. Ground broke on the project in October 2013, and now, progress is clear.
US 85
The new bridges, along with on- and off-ramps, are nearly completed near U.S. 85. On the I-25 side, drivers may not notice, but I-25 is now a bridge over the new roadway. Next steps include on- and off-ramps for both interchanges. The North Meadows Extension is strategically planned to, ultimately, be two lanes in each direction from The Meadows to I-25. Still, we wanted to start somewhere. In planning for this new connection, we knew it was important to the community to get the road all the way to I-25, while balancing the budget and continuing to invest in road repairs Townwide. That’s why, this initial phase included one lane in each direction. Today, our investment in this project is helping drive economic development in that area, and new services are coming to Town. The Town knows more residential and commercial growth is on the way, so we are evaluating the cost of adding one more lane in each direction between U.S. 85 and I-25, without deferring other necessary road projects and maintenance throughout Town. That decision could be made by the end of the year, or as part of the 2016 budget process. If approved, the roadway would open with two lanes in each direction between U.S. 85 and I-25. With the addition, construction will remain on track, and the roadway is expected to open in summer 2016. Stay up to date on the Town’s No. 1 transportation priority at CRgov.com/NME. .
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Preserving res Castle Rock Water uses growth to grow water
Rueter-Hess Reservoir
Town Council, Town staff and Parker Water & Sanitation staff tour the progress at Rueter-Hess.
As Castle Rock expands, so does the Town’s water supply. It may be hard to believe, but planned growth is actually good for Castle Rock Water. It’s a message the department is spreading as it furthers the community’s long-term water plan. For years, Castle Rock Water has been planning for our community to grow. Staff has developed master plans, strategic plans and water resource plans in an effort to make sure our community is flowing in the right direction, and that current customers are not the only ones footing the bill. The more people who move to Town in accordance with our planned growth, the more people there are to help spread the costs involved with a thriving community. Water in Castle Rock will always be a precious resource, but currently, our community is too dependent on nonrenewable groundwater. That’s something Castle Rock Water says needs to change whether the community is growing or not. The goal is to be at 75 percent renewable water by the year 2050. The plan to achieve that goal involves many things, but specifically storage, importing water, conservation and managing our local water rights. This long-term water plan will help secure the Town’s water future.
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“Planning for the future is an ongoing process,” said Castle Rock Water Director Mark Marlowe. “We are working hard to secure the Town’s long-term water future while doing our best to not impact current customers with unnecessary fee increases and watering restrictions.” Each of these pieces fit together into an overall long-term water puzzle. While working to complete the puzzle, Castle Rock Water has always planned for growth. “Our development fees in Castle Rock are set up so that growth pays for growth,” said Marlowe. “Planned growth helps spread the costs throughout the community. If Castle Rock stopped growing today, we would still be paying for renewable water. The growth we have planned for helps minimize those costs to the individual customer.” Over the past several years, Castle Rock Water has made huge strides in securing the Town’s long-term water future. The Legacy Water Projects are planned to help the Town reach that 75 percent renewable water goal and complete the long-term water puzzle. Rueter-Hess Reservoir is one of the Town’s most important Legacy Water Projects. The reservoir was completed in 2012, and the Town owns more than 8,000 acre-feet of water storage space in the reservoir. That’s equivalent to more than 2.6 billion gallons of water – enough to fill 3,947 Olympic-sized swimming pools.
ources
future
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Hess Road
Rueter-Hess Reservoir
87 Castle Rock
Most notably, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers recently approved the permit that allows the Town to store water in the reservoir. This is a huge step. Now, the Town will need to build a pipe to get the water from the reservoir to Town. That’s a project that’s currently in design but may not have been financially feasible if it wasn’t for the growth our community is experiencing.
“The reality is, this pipe needs to be built whether or not people continue moving to Castle Rock,” said Marlowe. “The growth our community has been experiencing has been planned for and will help spread those costs among new and existing customers. It’s a win-win for everyone.” Additional future projects include expansion of the Plum Creek Water Purification Facility, and adding an additional diversion to allow the Town to start taking water directly out of Plum Creek. Castle Rock Water is also working on an aquifer storage and recovery system. That will allow the Town to start storing water more than 1,800 feet below ground, in underground aquifers.
Also, in coordination with the WISE Partnership – a coordinated effort among 10 local entities to secure long-term water for the entire region – Castle Rock Water has been working on infrastructure like big pipes and tanks to begin bringing that renewable water from Denver and Aurora to Town by 2017. These same pipes will be used in Castle Rock Water’s complicated plan to import South Platte water from Box Elder north of Denver by 2030. Being proactive has allowed Castle Rock Water to comfortably maintain levels of service and work to secure long-term water needs, all while minimizing the impacts to customers and fee increases. The community’s work on conservation and the Town’s long-range planning have helped put the community in a great position for the future. “I couldn’t be more proud of the work Castle Rock Water has done,” said Marlowe. “This has been a team effort. Our work with the community and throughout the entire region builds confidence that we can meet long-term water expectations and continue to provide phenomenal levels of services as our community continues to grow for years to come.”
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Implementing the vision When you think about the future, what do you want for your community? Castle Rock residents have a vision for our Town. We enjoy our small-Town character, and we don’t want to see that change. We know it’s this sense of community that is bringing new neighbors and, therefore, new residential and commercial developments. To hold on to the character that makes Castle Rock special, we must be strategic about our growth. That’s the business of the Town’s Development Services Department. Development Services handles all aspects of development – from the submitted plan (called a planned development plan), through the public hearing process, to submittal and approval of engineering plans, to construction and inspection. Like any business, Development Services is staffed with experts. Here’s a high-level look at how those experts manage the detailed process of development in Castle Rock.
Market-driven growth
Amenities follow the people, and Castle Rock is thriving. The Town currently issues more than 800 homebuilding permits annually, and businesses are adding about 800,000 to 100,000 square feet of inventory each year. Still, the Town gets a say in that growth through the development process – a process that actually starts long before a developer submits a plan. First, we focus on the future. Planners in the Development Services Department continually work with the community to form a vision and comprehensive master plan. That plan helps keep the big picture at the forefront and drives the types of developments that will be approved. With those documents in place, the Town’s expert planners evaluate all aspects of a proposed development when the planned development plan is submitted. Engineers, community
planners and designers look at everything from traffic and water impacts (see Pages 8 and 12, respectively) to design and aesthetic standards. Their goal is to make sure every new development not only matches the community’s vision, but also that it makes technical sense and, above all, is safe to use. This evaluation happens before a development’s formal public process begins. (Remember, this evaluation is rooted in vision and planning documents the community helped develop.) The team helps dot I’s and cross T’s so what is presented to the public – through Planning Commission, community meetings and Town Council public hearings – is a vetted and complete plan. Then, staff follows up with the developers to ensure public comments taken at public meetings are incorporated into the plan to the extent possible.
Here’s how development works in Castle Rock:
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as Castle Rock thrives From planning to construction
After staff evaluates a proposal, but before ground can break, planned developments go through a public process that includes open houses, hearings before the Town’s Planning Commission and hearings before Town Council. Once Town Council approves the planned development plan, the developer can begin grading. However, the Town’s process is not complete, and starting a project at this point in the development process is at the developer’s own risk. Then, more detailed plans are proposed to staff. Those are vetted and taken before Planning Commission, the public and Town Council. Once Town Council approves this set of plans, a developer can get a building permit and begin building. At the end of the process, the new buildings are inspected and then open to the public. That’s a quick look at the process. To see what’s being built in your area, and to keep up on this process for a specific project, visit CRgov.com/InYourBackyard.
at up box th Easy pop- jects. ro explains p
In Your Backyard shows projects that are in development, including proposed projects, homes, commercial businesses, recreation projects, street projects and utility projects. Log on and click the icons to learn more.
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Support local ,
Make for a year-round holiday season by shopping locally Break out those boots and scarfs, the season is changing. Shorter days, falling temperatures and changing leaves are all signs the holiday season is upon us. And, for many, that means shopping. Before you head out and hit the sales, the Town wants you to remember one thing. It’s important to shop locally. Our Town depends on sales tax dollars. Much of the General Fund, approximately 67 percent in 2015, is comprised of money generated through sales tax. That means the more you shop in Town, the more money that’s available for services like road improvements and public safety. On an average $300,000 home in Castle Rock, the homeowner pays about $40 a year in property taxes to the Town. That only funds approximately 17 days of police and fire services. That’s just one example of why shopping locally and generating more sales tax dollars is so important to how our Town functions. As our community continues to thrive, more businesses will be moving to Town, and that’s a good thing. Castle Rock is a desirable place to live, raise a family and work. Consistently, our Town has ranked among the top places to live in Colorado. So, as that rumor spreads, more and more people will be looking to move to Town, and that means more services closer to home will be a necessity.
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shop local
A top Town goal is that growth should pay for growth. Sales tax (along with impact fees and other development fees) is helping make that possible. People who move here are shopping here, dinning here and spending money here – that means more sales tax dollars for the Town to spend on services like street plowing, pothole repairs and emergency response.
Sales tax will generate nearly $28 million for Town services annually. The 2015 General Fund budgets both the Police and Fire departments are just under $11 million and $12 million, respectively. That’s a big chunk of funding that residents would have to pick up through other avenues if sales tax did not exist.
The businesses that are moving here are contributing to the quality of life in our community. By encouraging the success of both locally owned businesses and corporate stores, the Town can help make sure residents’ tax dollars are going to their own community. Also, visitors who come to our area are helping pick up some of the costs. An added benefit of shopping locally is that you’re helping ensure the success of all of these businesses, and that’s a win-win for everyone.
Using sales tax dollars for the current direction Castle Rock is moving is financially feasible. Encouraging businesses to move here and help support our community will help make for a brighter future. So, over this holiday season, as you’re checking your list twice, make sure your getting those gifts locally and providing a better future for our entire community.
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Fall/ Winter E
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Events Calendar
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Why growth is good for Ensuring an ambulance is ready when you call, police patrol our community and roads are repaired and cleared for snow is your local government’s responsibility, and we take it seriously. It goes without saying that all of these municipal services require funding. In fact, it will cost about $40 million next year to provide police, fire, emergency medical, courts, parks, open space, planning and zoning services to the Castle Rock community. Most of that funding will come from sales tax, which means growth – not our current residents – is paying for growth. Let us explain. Property taxes are the least volatile type of tax revenue the Town’s General Fund receives. In other words, they’re a great kind of revenue with regard to planning for the Town’s future, because they are relatively consistent. They also make up the smallest segment of General Fund tax revenues, accounting for just over $1 million of the $40 million needed to provide the tax-funded services. The majority of the $40 million for services you expect from your local government – more than $25 million – comes from a less predictable type of tax revenue: sales tax. That’s the tax you pay when making purchases at stores or dining out at restaurants. That type of revenue can vary considerably depending on overall economic conditions. That sales tax comprises such a large portion of the Town’s tax revenue makes planning for the Town’s future more challenging. It also makes patronizing local businesses, as opposed to those outside of Town, incredibly important.
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Because it is so dependent on sales tax for providing core services, the Town prioritizes expansion of that tax base. In Castle Rock, that occurs when new businesses open within the community. When that happens, more sales tax dollars can remain local, instead of being lost to other communities to our north and south. When members of our community choose to shop elsewhere, they are contributing to those communities’ police and fire forces, rather than to our own. Similarly, those dining at restaurants outside of Town are investing in other communities’ parks and other government services, rather than in those in their own backyards. Your Town strives to be the best steward possible of our community’s tax dollars. For example, we partner with other government agencies and seek out grants in order to optimize the resources available to enhance our infrastructure. As we continue our focus on that stewardship, we ask the community, in turn, to place its focus on shopping and dining locally. Doing so makes more of an impact in your Town than you might think.
your Town’s finances Budget process As you’re reading this magazine, the finishing touches are being placed on the Town’s Proposed 2016 Budget, which will be available online in mid-October. A four-page Budget in Brief summarizing the proposed budget already is available at CRgov.com/2016Budget. Town Council will hold three public hearings on the budget before formally adopting it. The hearings will be during Town Council meetings, which begin at 6 p.m. at Town Hall, 100 N. Wilcox St.
Planned dates for the hearings: Oct. 20: Preliminary presentation of the budget
Property tax The median home value in Castle Rock as of August 2015, according to the Douglas County Assessor’s Office, is $296,864. This means that half of the homes in Town are valued above that amount, and half below.
Nov. 3: Formal first reading of the budget Dec. 1: Second and final reading of the budget
The owner of a home with that value pays anywhere from about $1,750 up to about $3,630 in property tax each year, depending on whether the home is within one of the many metropolitan districts in Town. (Property tax usually is paid as part of one’s mortgage payment.) Metropolitan districts are taxing entities that exist primarily to finance public improvements that benefit property owners in the district. No matter which district a home is in, if any, the Town of Castle Rock will only receive about $40 in property tax each year from a median-valued home. The Douglas County Schools, by comparison, receive about $1,140 from that same home. Using simple math, the Town would have to increase its property tax by 25 times its present amount to realize the same amount of revenue from that source as it does from sales tax. That would bring the median home’s property tax payment to the Town up to about $1,000 a year, from $40. At 1.703 mills, the Town’s property tax rate is one of the lowest in the metropolitan area. Only Lone Tree, which does not have property tax, is lower. Mill levies in other full-service municipalities like the Town – Aurora, Golden, Loveland, Thornton and Westminster – range from 3.650 to 12.340. Elizabeth has the highest mill levy of our neighboring communities, at 21 mills, or more than 12 times Castle Rock’s rate.
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Maintaining levels o
Castle Rock Police em
Community character, family-friendly events and abundant parks, trails and open space are all things that make Castle Rock popular. Residents should also be proud to hear the Town is equally known for being one of the safest communities in Colorado. Castle Rock Police strives to keep our community among the safest in the nation. In the last three years, the department has grown from 54 sworn officers to 67. Calls for service have increased by more than 20,000 over the last few years. Additionally, requests for community involvement have skyrocketed. But, our officers wouldn’t have it any other way.
As our community grows, so does the Police Department. Currently, there are only between 5 and 7 officers who patrol the Town throughout the day. Those officers respond to more than 1,200 calls a week. In 2016, the minimum number of officers patrolling the streets will increase to 6. It’s an opportunity police say is necessary to help the community continue moving forward. “We are hiring staff to keep up with Castle Rock’s growth and comfortably serve our community to the best of our abilities,” said Lyons. “The Castle Rock Police Department is proactive and will continue meeting our community’s expectations.”
Despite the increase in call volume, Castle Rock’s crime levels have remained low. A majority of calls now relate to noncriminal issues, community policing and meeting community expectations. Dealing with situations outside the realm of crime is an opportunity our officers are happy to be a part of.
Castle Rock Police conducts an annual levels-of-service analysis to help make sure the department is keeping up with the community. The report uses the Benchmark City Survey as a measurement tool to ensure the department is providing the best service possible.
“Keeping the community safe used to be a police officer’s only job,” said Commander Jason Lyons. “Now, our officers are getting involved in the community like never before. It’s an exciting, and rewarding, time for those of us in public safety.”
Nearly 30 agencies from around the country – everywhere from Lakewood, Fort Collins and Boulder, Colo. to Plano, Texas, Bellevue, Wash., and Boca Raton, Fla. – submit data on general department information, crime rates, clearance rates and traffic safety. Those numbers are processed and analyzed to give departments a benchmark average.
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of service
mbraces community growth Castle Rock Police’s No. 1 priority is to ensure the safety and security of residents, visitors and business owners. This information helps the department meet that goal. “As our community continues to grow, Castle Rock Police will continue maintaining a high level of service,” said Castle Rock Police Chief Jack Cauley. “Using the benchmark cities information, and by listening to feedback from our residents, we are confident that Castle Rock Police is moving in the right direction to continue providing a high level of customer service and be ready for any situation that may arise as Castle Rock continues to thrive.” Improving response times is one way police have used the benchmark cities information to improve their service to our community. In the past three years, our officers have shaved more than 4 minutes off their response times. Now, the department consistently responds to calls for service in a time well below the benchmark average. As more people move to Town, Castle Rock Police officers are confident they are ready to continue serving our great community to the standards that have been set. Police work with Development Services to predict areas of residential and commercial growth. Officers are also incorporating statistical information to follow trends and predict patterns in crime. It’s all part of the department’s efforts to embrace our thriving community.
Our efforts are working. Community survey feedback continues to find the department is more than meeting expectations. Additionally, community policing officers use comment cards to get information from the public about how they can perform better. Those comment cards are consistently ranking our community policing officers at an average of 4.95 out of 5. Also, feedback on the Town’s social media pages show the community embraces our department’s hard work. These are all examples of how our officers working with the public on a personal level has helped improve our community. That relationship with the community is something our officers don’t take for granted. They work hard to maintain the trust of residents and keep our community safe. “Crime isn’t just a police issue. It’s a community issue,” said Cauley. “That’s why we work hard to partner with our community to keep Castle Rock a great place for us all to call home.”
“Crime isn’t just a police issue. It’s a community issue. That’s why we work hard to partner with our community to keep Castle Rock a great place for us all to call home.” - Police Chief Jack Cauley CRgov.com 23
Reg i o na l Ph il ip S. Mi l l e r Pa r k t h r i v e s Beautiful parks, well-planned trails and abundant open space are all things for which Castle Rock is known. Most residents would agree, the Town’s 20 developed parks, 41 miles of soft-surface and 32 miles of paved trails, along with the 5,781 acres of open space are all part of what makes Castle Rock a great place to call home. If you like spending time outdoors, whether it’s hiking, biking, skateboarding or even zip lining – Castle Rock has a place for you. As the community continues to move forward, the Town wants residents to know that’s not going to change. Philip S. Miller Park has been a huge success. The park has been a significant regional draw and has brought enthusiasts into Castle Rock from around the state. Attendance at the MAC (Miller Activity Complex) has been even higher than expected. And overwhelmingly, feedback is positive. In the first five months of operation, more than 52,000 people visited the MAC. The indoor full- and half-sized fields were reserved for a total of approximately 2,000 hours. Vehicle counters clocked an average daily usage of more than 5,200 cars entering the park. The unique trails and the Challenge Hill are also proving to be wildly popular with park users. In one month, trail counters clocked more than 25,000 round trips on the 200-step staircase. “The entire Parks and Recreation staff couldn’t be more pleased with the success of the park,” said Interim Parks and Recreation Director Jeff Brauer. “It was several years of challenging work for our department, but the outcome has been extremely rewarding. We’re pleased with the community’s response to all the new amenities we were able to bring the residents of Castle Rock.” 24
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And, the fun has just begun. Phase two of the park is currently under construction. The second phase of the park is set to open in early 2016. Construction includes: the core plaza, which will have picnic pavilions, a splash pad, restrooms and outdoor fire pits; the Millhouse events center, which will be an indoor/outdoor events center for up to 125 people with an outdoor pond and water feature; and an outdoor amphitheater for concerts, shows and events of up to 2,000 participants. Because Philip S. Miller Park has been so wildly successful among park users and has been identified by both residents and Town Council as a top Town priority, much of the department’s resources for park and trail development have been refocused to the park. Miller Park is a great amenity for the entire community and is something that both residents and visitors can enjoy. However, that doesn’t mean there aren’t other neighborhood parks, open space or trails on the Town’s horizon. “We are looking at an updated master plan that will outline our department’s direction for the next five to 10 years,” said Brauer. “Town Council and Parks and Recreation have a goal that every resident possess a park or recreational facility within walking distance. This master plan will help ensure we can make that a reality.”
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The master plan helps make sure the department is meeting the community’s expectations and responding to ongoing growth. The priority to preserve Castle Rock’s unique character and keep the community linked through an interconnected trail system is among the top goals outlined in the plan. Over the next few years, the department is also planning to expand the network of protected open space by acquiring key parcels of land. Because everything comes at a cost, the parks and recreation impact fee structure (along with all impact fee structures throughout Town) is being evaluated. These are fees developers pay to fund new amenities, along with water and road infrastructure. The intent is to make sure Castle Rock can continue growing without negatively impacting the character of our community. Open and park space will be required, and fees will be established to make sure that growth continues to pay for growth. While the master plan helps outline the department’s goals, the department’s strategic plan finds ways to achieve those goals. The 2015-2017 Strategic Plan will guide the department as it executes Town priorities while also providing flexibility to respond to additional interests raised and allowing the department to meet community needs.
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“The Parks and Recreation Department works diligently to meet the recreational needs of the entire Castle Rock community,” said Brauer. “We’re pleased to keep bringing this community’s vision to life, and we’re always looking for areas of opportunity to develop unique recreational activities to our area.” Some of those needs outlined in the plan include: a possible sports complex, new tennis courts, and additional fitness, gymnasium and pool spaces. Options for a potential ice arena are also being discussed. With a thriving community like Castle Rock, plans like this are a necessity. “Living in an active community is one of the best things about Castle Rock,” said Brauer. “We want to make sure our community continues moving in a healthy direction when it comes to recreation.”
Reimagining Festival Park Adapting to a growing community is some of the motivation behind the Town’s latest park project – the redesign of Festival Park. All summer, the Town and the Downtown Development Authority have been reaching out to the community for input on what residents would like to see in the park. Six public meetings were hosted to gather valuable feedback about the exciting project. Festival Park is a hub for community events, including Splash in the Park, Starlight Movie Series, the Castle Rock Half Marathon and Spring Up the Creek. But, the goal is to make the park a center point for all of Downtown. Town Council is set to review the design in October. Several exciting features have been discussed. While amphitheater seating will still be a key draw for the park, play structures, a splash pad, interactions with the creek and relaxation zones are also being incorporated. Stay up-to-date on the final design and project progress at CRgov.com/festivalpark. Planning for the redesign of Festival Park was a vision some time ago. In 2008, Downtown businesses voted to increase their property taxes to help pay for Downtown improvement projects. Those increased funds, called tax increment financing, were allocated to a special financing fund by the Downtown Development Authority. Tax increment financing can only be used for improvements that benefit the general public – wider sidewalks, decorative lighting and additional parking, for example. The Festival Park improvements would fall in that category. Construction is planned to begin in the near future.
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Growing with the
Castle Rock Fire and
In a growing community, there can be a few challenges— maintaining public safety is one of them. Many departments within Town pay special attention to community trends and can plan for that growth. For Castle Rock Fire and Rescue, things work a little differently. Firefighters do their best to be proactive, but they must go to where the growth is already occurring. In Castle Rock, the Fire Department has 66 firefighters who staff four fire/rescue stations 24 hours a day. The department responds to more than 4,700 calls for service a year and protects a 66-square-mile area that includes both the Town and the Castle Rock Fire Protection District in Douglas County. Additionally, late this summer, we had firefighters helping fight wildfires in the Shasta National Forest in California and in Northern Idaho. Castle Rock Fire and Rescue is also internationally accredited and is one of 200 accredited departments in the world.
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But even for a high-performing, award-winning department, a large service area, increased call volume and calls for assistance from other organizations can sometimes pose challenges as the department strives to provide the same levels of service to every resident throughout the community. That’s why new fire stations are built where there’s demand and where the construction and ongoing expense of the station are justified. “We would love for our levels of service to be equal throughout the Town,” said Castle Rock Fire and Rescue Chief Art Morales. “While that’s a goal, it can be extremely difficult. Rural areas and developments established in remote neighborhoods can pose a challenge. Often, we need to build a station in the area to help meet the needs of that community.” One way the need for new fire stations is determined is by monitoring increases in call volumes. When the call volume for a specific fire station reaches 200 calls per year, the plan for an additional station in the area starts to take shape. When call volumes reach 300 calls per year, budgeting for construction of the new fire station begins. That’s the situation unfolding in the Crystal Valley Ranch area.
community
Rescue plans for new station As more and more people move to the area, the need for a new station in Crystal Valley becomes even clearer. Over the past five years, nearly 500 homes have been built in that area. Our firefighters work hard to have among the best response times in the country. However, a big factor in response time is location. The closer the firefighters are to the call, the quicker they can respond. On average, a fire station costs between $5 million and $6 million to build. Additionally, it takes approximately $2 million to staff and run a fire station on a year-round, 24/7 basis. Starting last year, funding adjustments were made to the Town’s budget to help absorb the costs of the new Crystal Valley station. The new station is scheduled to open in 2018. As Castle Rock continues to thrive, the Fire Department’s master plan will help predict where fire stations are needed next. The plan looks at projected development, development density and proposed target customers as factors for further growth planning. “Basically, growth in population equals growth in call demand,” said Morales. “We want to make sure we’re taking into account population demographics and their subsequent impact on call volume to make sure our department is more than prepared to meet the community’s needs.” Among the 26,000 departments in the United States, Castle Rock Fire ranks in the top 5 percent for cardiac care. As the community continues to move forward, the Town’s Fire Department is proud of the accomplishments it’s made, but is also looking toward the future. With hard work, the entire Castle Rock Fire and Rescue Department knows our firefighters will keep reaching a level of service of which residents can be proud.
“Growth in population equals growth in call demand. We want to make sure we’re taking into account population demographics and their subsequent impact on call volume to make sure our department is more than prepared to meet the community’s needs.” - Castle Rock Fire and Rescue Chief Art Morales
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Master plan is roadm No one has a crystal ball, but that doesn’t stop us from planning for the future – saving for college, setting career goals or even scheduling that dream vacation. Your Town is planning for our collective future as we continue to thrive. In 2002, armed with community input and research, Town Council approved the 2020 Comprehensive Master Plan. Of course, with time, comes change. Now, we are updating the plan for the next decade. Let’s start at the beginning. In 1999, the Town’s population was taking off, and we needed to be strategic about our future. Together, the community came up with four cornerstones on which to focus future development and defined those in Castle Rock’s first vision statement. The cornerstones are Town identity; responsible growth and development; high-quality community services; and a healthy, growing economy. Based on community feedback in both the 2013 and 2015 community surveys, as well as outreach completed while updating that vision statement in 2014, we know those cornerstones are still important to the community. They will remain the same as we plan today. Putting these cornerstones into tangible community projects takes planning. Since April, the Town has been meeting monthly with a Community Review Team, which includes representatives from the Planning Commission, various Town boards and commissions, the development community and the community at large. This team has been working to draft the new comprehensive master plan, cornerstone by cornerstone. Each cornerstone was given five to seven proposed principles, and each principle has proposed steps to meet the goal. For example, Town Identity has four principles. The first is “a highly accessible and well-distributed system of parks, recreation facilities, open space and trails.” A step to achieve that principle is proposed as “through the development process, work with developers to dedicate land suitable for recreation resources.” View the entire draft plan at CRgov.com/CompPlan. The draft was then taken on the road. It was presented at community events, to the Town’s boards and commissions and then to Town Council. The next step is for Town Council to consider the plan, with an option to formally adopt the plan. Watch for more information on CRgov.com as this process moves forward. 30
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map for the future A Distinct Town Identity
Castle Rock is a unique and welcoming community distinguished by its small-town feel, diverse and easily accessible recreational options, scenic backdrop and natural environment, and family-friendly events and activities.
Responsible Growth and Development
Castle Rock will be responsibly planned to accommodate the needs of existing and future residents while preserving and protecting the Town’s historic Downtown character, distinct identity as the County seat and a freestanding community, independent spirit, access to nearby destinations within the region, and quality of life.
High-Quality Community Services
Infrastructure and essential community services will be provided in an efficient manner to support the public interest and well-being of all Castle Rock residents and businesses.
A Healthy and Growing Economy
Castle Rock will be a self-sufficient community that is home to a variety of businesses and industries, offers a broad range of employment opportunities for residents, and maintains a healthy tax base.
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Welcome a new member to our community
Town Manager has track record of success in growing community As growth occurs in Castle Rock, Town Manager Dave Corliss is dedicated to ensuring the Town’s team continues to provide high-quality community services in a fiscally responsible manner.
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He acknowledges that maintaining balance in a thriving community can be a challenge. That challenge is actually part of what drew him to the job here; he took the helm as Town Manager on June 1.
Corliss previously was City Manager in Lawrence, Kan., which grew from 60,000 to 90,000 residents during his 24 years there. His team in Lawrence successfully managed growth while enhancing the city’s downtown, improving its road and water networks and more.
Share why you are a Castle Rock resident Residents know Castle Rock is a special place to live. There’s plenty of family-friendly fun, and it’s a safe place to be. But at its core, Castle Rock is about its residents. Every resident is a Rock.
The campaign was created to help represent and promote the obvious pride residents of Castle Rock have for their Town. It will also be the focus of videos launching with the Town’s new website (see Page 4).
But, what does that mean?
The campaign features three videos in which key public figures tell us why they are a Rock. View them at CRgov.com/IamARock.
Very simply, anyone living in and loving Castle Rock is a Rock. You are a Rock when you volunteer for various events around Town like, Spring up the Creek in early spring, or Trick or Treat Street in the fall. You are a Rock when you shop locally, because the sales tax from your purchases helps pay for our police, fire, parks and roadwork. Are you a Rock? Show us your best I am a Rock pose by taking a picture and posting it on our Facebook page, Facebook.com/CRgov, and you’ll be entered into a drawing for a free T-shirt or temporary tattoo. It’s all part of a new campaign in which the Town set out to capture what Castle Rock means to you. The new campaign features a vintage-style tattoo, complete with a heart, arrow, our familiar rock formation and a bold banner across the heart that reads I am a Rock.
Corliss attributes this success to a style that involves finding what works in a given situation and then using that method to accomplish the goal. He intends to approach issues this way in Castle Rock as well, in order to benefit the community. “In a dynamic community like Castle Rock, you’ve got to remain nimble in order to stay successful,” he said. Corliss’ experience leading a growing community while employing strong
financial management and economic development strategies is part of what led Town Council to select him as Town Manager following a nationwide search this year. “I am confident that Dave can help lead Castle Rock to continued success,” Mayor Paul Donahue said. “The Town Council looks forward to working with him to continue the Town’s reputation as one of the country’s premier communities.” CRgov.com 33
Are you winter-ready? Can it be that time of year already? Fall is here, and winter weather is around the corner. That means a beautiful snow-capped Castle Rock. Here are some things to keep in mind so you can make the most of the season.
Road conditions are a Town priority
Keeping roads clear of snow and ice is a team effort. Employees from multiple Town departments work 12-hour shifts as needed so you and emergency crews have safe access to Town roadways. During snow events, main thoroughfares and school bus routes are the Town’s main priority and are plowed for every snow event. From Nov. 15 through March 15, when days are longer and temperatures are warmer, residents can expect plows to clear one emergency access lane on neighborhood streets when 4 inches of snow or more are predicted to accumulate on the road. After March 15, the Town’s threshold for plowing neighborhood streets is 8 inches of accumulation. (During snow events, follow the plows at CRgov.com/plowtracker.) The Castle Rock Parks and Recreation Department removes snow from public properties, including paved trails, when snow reaches 2 inches of accumulation. When it comes to ice, the Town is armed with a huge ice-breaking machine and a plan. Busiest intersections are first, followed by streets pedestrians use most, such as school and walking routes. Then, as time and conditions allow, we head into neighborhoods. As always, you can help minimize ice buildup in the streets by removing snow from sidewalks and driveways onto your lawn.
Castle Rock Fire and Rescue wants you to be safe
With holidays and cooler weather ahead, creating ambiance through candles, Christmas lights and fireplaces is a must for many. Castle Rock Fire and Rescue is always ready to take your call, but here are some tips to help make sure CRFD doesn’t have to become a part of your celebration. • One of the leading causes of chimney fires each year is creosote buildup. Have your chimney and vents cleaned each year. • If you use a wood-burning fireplace, make sure to use dry, seasoned wood. Also, ensure you have a metal container outside and at least 10 feet away from your house, where you can dispose of cooled ashes. • December is a peak time of year for candle fires. Never leave candles burning unattended. Also, be sure to keep a fire extinguisher handy, just in case. If the fire is larger than a small trash can, call 911 immediately. • When using decorations that can get hot, make sure not to hang them near anything that burns easily. Always turn off decorative lights before going to bed or leaving your home. • If using a space heater, make sure you have at least 3 feet of clearance from anything that could burn easily. Always turn off a space heater before going to bed or leaving home. When purchasing one, make sure it has an automatic shut-off switch. • During winter months, power outages are more common. Make sure to have an emergency preparedness kit ready just in case. Include batteries, extra blankets, a three-day supply of water and food, and a stash of family activities that don’t require power. 34
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Starlighting:
Shining a light on community character
Courtesy of the Douglas County History Research Center, Douglas County Libraries, Castle Rock, Colorado
The expression “times are hard” was a tame description of the brutal reality facing folks living in the Castle Rock area in 1936. Some of the most extreme weather ever recorded in American history occurred in 1935 and 1936. Local news articles from 1936 reported that December in Castle Rock was “extremely cold.” Eight long years of the Great Depression had a strangle-hold on the country, and the residents of Castle Rock suffered along with the nation. There were rumors of another war in Europe, while in America, many former hard-working citizens remained jobless, homeless and hungry.
What do you do when you are down on your luck, running out of hope and the days have never looked darker? In Castle Rock, you come together. The story has long been told about how the star atop the rock came to be. How Castle Rock Hose Company No. 1 (the original name of the Castle Rock Fire Department) whose volunteers daringly carted the construction material up the rock; Town Council, which provided financial aid; the Castle Rock Motor Company, which donated the gas for welding; the Schweiger Motor Company, whose owner did the welding; Mr. William Sloan, a WPA foreman working in the area, who did much of the designing and enlisted a number of his crew for construction; George P. Stewart, who donated the land; and Mountain States Telephone, which donated used electrical wire for the project. All conspired to literally brighten the unusually hopeless and dark December of 1936.
That first year, the star was lit for only a couple of weeks. An article published in the Castle Rock Record Journal in 1937 stated, “Many folks enjoyed this Christmas decoration last year, but during the time it was burning, the weather was extremely cold and many folks did not get to see it. With the star being lighted all through the month of December, many more people will see and admire it.” And thus began a treasured Town tradition. A tradition rooted in bravery and resiliency in the face of overwhelming obstacles. A defining moment of community character took shape in a star that epitomized community cooperation and determination to survive and thrive. One doesn’t have to be in Town long to realize that those values haven’t changed in the almost 80 years since a cold dark night, was warmed by the light of community character in the form of a solitary star, built on a rock. CRgov.com 35
Season of the Star Celebrate the season in Castle Rock
The winter season is particularly special in Castle Rock. Each year, we light the Star, and our community shines just a little bit brighter. This year, the Town, the Castle Rock Chamber of Commerce, the Downtown Alliance and Douglas County are launching the new Season of the Star event series to celebrate the warmth of our community. Beginning with Starlighting on Nov. 21, Downtown will come alive with a new event every weekend. Take a tour through charming Downtown on a carriage ride, or participate in story time with S’mores. Watch holiday movies, and enjoy community performances. We know there are also special gifts to buy this time of year. The new 12 Stops of Christmas event will be Saturdays Nov. 28 and Dec. 12, which is Small Business Saturday. Get everything on your list while enjoying the spirit of the season in our Town’s center.
Season of the Star series, weekends Nov. 28 through Jan. 2, 4-7 p.m., Downtown Castle Rock. Admission is free. 12 Stops of Christmas, Nov. 28, 4-7 p.m., Downtown Castle Rock Admission is free. Storytellers and s’mores, Dec. 5, 4-7 p.m., Festival Park Admission is free. 12 Stops of Christmas, Dec. 12, 4-7 p.m., Downtown Castle Rock Admission is free. The Castle Rock Polar Express, Dec. 19, 4-7 p.m., Festival Park Admission is free. Christmas Eve Candlelight services, Dec. 24, 4 p.m., Festival Park Admission is free. Downtown holiday movie screening, Dec. 26, 4 p.m., Festival Park Admission is free. Winter fest, Jan. 2, 4-7 p.m., Festival Park. Admission is free.