HRCA|news
March 2011 ANNIVERSARY
Enhancing property values and creating quality of life through recreation, community events and leadership
election of directors & d e l e g at e s ANNUAL MEETING OF DELEGATES (Election of Directors) - The Annual Meeting of Delegates will be held March 15 to elect two candidates to the HRCA Board of Directors. There are five candidates running for the two Director positions. The candidates are: Christina Caputo, David Gundersen, Nancy McDonald, Brock Norris, and Jeff Suntken. For more information about the Director election process or to review the Candidates’ bios please visit the web site.
M a r c h 2 0 11
workshop backyard to table
“BACKYARD TO TABLE” Join us for this one-day workshop for homeowners on how to grow and harvest backyard bounty and
ANNUAL MEETING OF MEMBERS - In odd-numbered years members (property
turn your efforts into a delicious and
owners) within odd-numbered districts or vacant districts elect their District Delegate.
healthy meal. Select from class topics
2011 elections will take place at the Annual Meeting of Members on April 26, 5:30 p.m. at
such as: vegetable gardening, pest
Eastridge, Community Room. For more information about Delegate elections or to locate
management, composting, backyard
your delegate district, please visit www.hrcaonline.org/Leadership. If you are interested
fruit trees, cooking from the garden,
in running for a Delegate position, please call the HRCA Administrative Office at 303-471-
and preserving fruits and vegetable.
8958. Last date for known Delegate Candidates to be printed on the Notice mailed to members is March 16. Write-in Candidates will still be accepted and valid.
b a c k c o u n t ry t r a i l s t o re-open
The workshop also includes a series of lessons for children ages 5-13 while parents attend classes. Children will enjoy hands-on lessons and projects including: shooting sports,
The Wildcat Mountain Trails re-open on Saturday, March 26. The trails have been
gardening, insects, cooking, and the
closed for the winter to allow the elk, deer, and other wildlife to get through the winter
science of seeds and grains.
with minimal human disturbance. The Wildcat Mountain Trails are over five miles of natural surface trails for Highlands Ranch residents. The trails are perfect for wildlife
Saturday, March 5, 8:30 a.m. - 3:00
watching, mountain biking, and trail running. The HRCA’s Highlands Point Trail System,
p.m. at Southridge. Workshop fee of
along with the Douglas County East/West Trail that crosses through the Backcountry
$11 per adult or child includes class
are open year around. For trail maps and more information visit www.HRCAonline.org,
materials. Registration deadline:
call 303-471-8885 or email mgiebel@hrcaonline.org.
February 28. For more information, call 303-730-1920.
30th Anniversary Building a lifestyle that you want to live
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GARY D EB U S
HRCA|news
Community manager
is published monthly by the Highlands Ranch Community
www.hrcaonline.org The HRCA web site is one of your best resources for information about not only the HRCA, but Highlands Ranch. Our community has a very unique governance model with the HRCA serving as the central hub for our citizens.
Association, Inc.
HRCA|event weather line 303-471-8888 BOARD OF DIRECTORS Laura Hopkins 303-478-9103 Todd Landgrave 303-470-8765 Scott Lemmon 303-346-1412 Nick Robinson 303-791-0840 Gregory Terry 303-329-6199 ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICES 9568 University Blvd. 303-791-8958 RECREATION FACILITIES 303-791-2500 Recreation Center at Northridge 8801 Broadway Facility Hours: M-F 5:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m. Sa. & Su: 6:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. Recreation Center at Eastridge 9568 University Blvd. Facility Hours: M-F 5:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m. Sa: 6:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m. Su: 7:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m. Recreation Center at Westridge
Meanwhile Back at the Ranch If you haven’t signed up for the Meanwhile Back at the Ranch e-blasts, you are missing out on another communication tool that we use to keep you in the know about your community. Events and special notices are featured. Unlike some of the email subscriptions you may receive, we try to do this once per month unless there is a special topic that just can’t wait. Go to www.hrcaonline.org and click on the red e-Me button about halfway down the home page on the left side. You can always unsubscribe if you decide later that you don’t want to receive the “Meanwhile Back at the Ranch”. Are You Tired of Getting Phone Books Delivered to Your Home? I am. That’s one reason the HRCA has a Highlands Ranch Yellow Pages. How do you find a local garage door repairman, painters, landscaper or lawn sprinkler service for that job that is a little more than a do it yourselfer? Perhaps you are a handyman and want to reach more potential customers. Again, your best resource is the HRCA’s web site. Click on the Yellow button “Business is just a click away” and look for the services you need.
4800 McArthur Ranch Rd.
Snow Removal I must have jinxed it. Last month I mentioned that sooner or later we would get some snow. Traditionally March and April are the snowiest months of the year in Highlands Ranch. Don’t forget, there is a Douglas County Ordinance that requires homeowners to remove snow from their sidewalks within 24 hours of the end of a snowstorm. Our office receives quite a few calls when snow isn’t removed, and Douglas County can give a homeowner a citation for not removing the snow from your sidewalk. Please be considerate of your neighbors, kids walking to school, the post office workers and remove that snow as soon as possible.
Facility Hours: M-F 5:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Happy St. Patrick’s Day
9650 Foothills Canyon Blvd. Facility Hours: M-F 5:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m. Sa: 6:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m. Su: 7:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m. Recreation Center at Southridge
Sa: 6:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m. Su: 7:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m. Copyright © 2011 Highlands Ranch Community Association, Inc. All rights reserved. Permission is required to redistribute, reproduce, modify or republish information from Highlands Ranch Community Association, Inc, in print or electronically.
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The Value of Volunteers – 30th Anniversary of Highlands Ranch In our 30th Anniversary year, we want you to help us thank the volunteers that have helped make Highlands Ranch what it is today; one of the best places to live in the United States. We have a vibrant and celebrated community because of committee members, District Delegates, and Directors. These volunteers serve in capacities that are defined in our governing documents and their direction provides the foundation for our master planned and award winning community. Celebrate our 30th Anniversary with us, and as you see the volunteers and staff that put so much into making Highlands Ranch a great place, let them know you appreciate it. This year there will be a host of events to celebrate the 30th Anniversary. One such highlight will be the 4th of July Parade, Celebration, and one of the best fireworks shows around in the Town Center. Plan now to be there. Highlands Ranch, the Pride of Colorado!
Fyi |
Quarterly Assessments
Assessment invoices will be mailed this month. The 2nd quarter assessment payment of $127 is due April 1. HRCA encourages homeowners to use the direct debit payment program which is a convenient way to save time, postage costs and the assurance that your payment is never late. Please visit our web site for more information. For any questions regarding your account, call 303-791-8958.
March 2011
BOARD corner By Todd Landgrave, Board of Directors In early January, I had the pleasure of sharing the stage with Terry Nolan of the Highlands Ranch Metro District to represent Highlands Ranch at Government Day at the Leadership Douglas County program. We were asked to make a presentation about the unique public/private governance model that exists to serve the Highlands Ranch community. This model has allowed Highlands Ranch to remain an unincorporated community without the added tax burden that comes with a city government. Although Highlands Ranch is one of the largest communities in Colorado (with roughly the same population as Boulder) we are the only one of such size that does not have a city government. I am occasionally asked why we haven’t become a city. The short answer is that the model we have is working well, so why should we disrupt it? Circumstances and needs may change at some point in the future, but for our first 30 years, the joint approach between the Highlands Ranch Community Association (HRCA), the Highlands Ranch Metro District (HRMD), and the Douglas County government and sheriff has served us well. Many unincorporated communities are governed by county governments and local metro districts. The distinguishing feature in Highlands Ranch is that we also have the HRCA. The HRCA provides first class recreation centers, sports programming, various classes, cultural events, parades, backcountry trails, an annual race series, a scholarship program, outdoor concerts, an arts festival, a rodeo, a circus, an Easter egg hunt, and other activities too numerous to fully list. In addition, the HRCA helps maintain our property values with covenant control and Douglas County looks to our Design Review Committee to provide input on every residential and commercial development project. Certainly the 800 dedicated HRCA employees are critical to making all this happen. But one of the other unique aspects of Highlands Ranch is the vast number of volunteers that make the HRCA successful. Every committee is staffed with residents willing to share of their time and talents. We also have an elected group of delegates that represent each specific neighborhood in the Ranch. I know of no other community that has a similar system where democratic representatives are so closely tied to their residents. Delegates are elected by residents for two year terms each April and all residents are eligible to run for these positions. It has been my great honor to serve the last six years as a neighborhood delegate, Board Treasurer, and as the HRCA Board President. I will be stepping down at the end of my term in March and elections will be held for new directors. I am grateful for the opportunity in the last six years to represent Highlands Ranch, to be involved in the decision making process, and to further expand the influence of the HRCA in our county. I hope we all recognize just how lucky we are to live in such a great community. Let’s all do our part to keep it that way.
H RCA o n l i n e . o r g
board motions At the February 15, 2011 Board of Directors meeting, the Board took the following actions: Approved the Minutes of Action from the January 18, 2011 Board of Directors meeting Adopted the following motions as recommended by the Architectural Committee: 1 property for failure to remove unsightly material 1 property for failure to comply with landscaping guidelines 2 properties for failure to remove inoperable vehicle 1 property for failure to comply with trash pickup guidelines 1 property for failure to remove a commercial vehicle/trailer 1 property for failure to maintain fencing 1 property for failure to maintain property Accepted the comments from the February 2, 2011 Development Review Committee meeting Approved the Statement of Opposition To Proposed New Douglas County Landfill subject to slight wording changes made after the meeting and communicated to the Board via email Authorized the Community Manager to execute the standard Property Management Agreement with Spaces at the Ranch
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volunteer showcase delegate of the month
H RCA V OLUNTEER OF T H E M ONT H
Kimberle Rupert – Kimberle
Wayne Shreves – Wayne
has been a volunteer for the
has been a volunteer for the
HRCA for one year. Kimberle
HRCA for ten years as a youth
serves as a Delegate for
basketball coach. Wayne says,
District #82. She volunteers
“I love working with kids and
because she believes in our
helping them improve their
community and enjoys the
skills, sportsmanship, and
great opportunity to give
teamwork. One of the main
back. Kimberle’s favorite place in Highlands Ranch is the
goals for every kid I have coached is to make sure they are
Backcountry Wilderness Area and her own neighborhood!
not afraid to make mistakes and that they realize failure is
Thank you, Kimberle, for your dedicated service to the
a huge life lesson they can learn from youth sports.” Thank
community of Highlands Ranch!
you, Wayne, for your valuable contribution in the lives of our youth!
send us your hrca memories
H RCA T e n n i s
Are you a long-time resident of
The HRCA tennis program ranked first
Highlands Ranch? As we celebrate
again in 2010 according to the Colorado
our 30th Anniversary, we invite you
Tennis Association. With four tennis
to send us your early photos and
league sites and a 9.5% increase in
memories of living in the Ranch.
participants over 2009, HRCA came out
Visit our web site to submit your
on top. While tennis has always been
recollections and to see memories from other residents,
a popular sport for Highlands Ranch residents with hundreds of
including the very first edition of the HRCA News from 1986.
programs available all year long, significant growth occurred in the Super Senior (60 years and older) League. If you’ve never played
helpful homeowner tips Visit our web site at www.
tennis, sign up for one of our classes in 2011. HRCA has beginner through advanced programs.
HRCAonline.org/tips for a variety of informative articles for homeowners.
“ CLIC K IT ”
Also, save money and get free
Click it to get it. Check out the new
recycling when you sign up with Pro
HRCA Online Yellow Pages for great
Disposal, HRCA’s preferred provider.
businesses and services for Highlands
Call 303-791-3827.
Ranch. Visit www. HRCAonline.org/ yellowpages.
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March 2011
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upcoming events S P RIN G B A Z AAR Think Spring! This show has something for everyone: gifts
“ I N T H E P I N K ” FA S H I O N S H OW & L U N C H E O N
for Easter, graduation, Mother’s Day, birthdays, bridal and baby showers. Unique offerings include gourmet food and cookbooks, fine linens, designer clothing, toys, fine crafts and artwork, decorative home accessories, and jewelry to name a few. The Spring Bazaar is a distinctive shopping experience. Saturday, March 26 • 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. • Eastridge • Free Enjoy a decadent catered lunch with
murder mystery
pink sparkling wine while you enjoy
Join us for Denver’s only 1920’s Gangster/Flapper Mystery,
the latest in women’s fashion and
“Murder at the Speakeasy!” Set in “Big Al’s” Speakeasy &
lingerie. Each attendee will receive a
Cabaret where you will meet an assortment of colorful and
complimentary gift bag and two tickets
unsavory characters! Big Al, himself, the head of the whole
for wine.
bootlegging operation; Mae Weist, the “Greatest Cabaret Singer in the World”; Fast Eddie, the gunman; Trixie LaRue, cigarette girl and poet laureate; and don’t forget Cookie! Keep your eyes open, they may be up to no good! Dress like a Mobster or Flapper and join in the “Walk of Fame” costume parade! Enjoy a catered dinner and a cash bar while talking with characters who give hidden clues as to who could have committed the crime. Later join with other detectives and try to discover the culprit. Friday, March 11 • 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. • Southridge • $35 Member, $40 Guest • 21+ ID’s will be checked
The live auction returns with several beautiful Pampered Passions’ gowns featured. Purchase a $5 auction paddle and join in the fun! Spa4ThePink will sell $25 grab bags, valued at $25, with the opportunity to win a prize of an even higher-valued item. All proceeds benefit Spa4thePink which supports breast cancer patients by
• HRCA St. Patrick’s Day 5K – Saturday, March 12, 9:00 a.m. Highlands Ranch Town Center. Get the whole family out to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day by participating in this 5K run and walk. A post-race St. Patty’s festival will follow with fun activities for all. Go to www.highlandsranchraceseries.com for details. • Lebsack Tennis Center Season Opening Day – Saturday, March 12, 9:30 a.m. – Noon. This fun-packed free event is always one of the highlights of the Lebsack tennis season. • Fishing on the Fly - Classes start Saturday, March 26, 8:00 - 10:00 a.m., $20 Members/$25 Guests. Parents attend for free with paying child, ages 11-14, in this introduction to Fly Fishing taught by Cutthroat Chapter of Trout Unlimited. Four classroom sessions are followed by half-day field trip to a local lake. Classes are March 26, April 2, 9, & 16 with field trip on April 30. All materials and equipment are provided. Please check the web site for the most current event information and prices.
H RCA o n l i n e . o r g
attending to their emotion and physical well-being with complimentary skin and body treatments, education, skin care products and more. Call 303-471-8859 or visit any HRCA recreation facility to purchase tickets. Saturday, April 9 • 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. • Southridge, Wildcat Mountain Auditorium • $37 Member, $40 Guest • Tickets must be purchased by 7:00 p.m. on April 5 and will not be available the day of the event. • Must be 21+. ID’s may be checked.
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recreation sports & fitness S U M M E R S W I M T E A M R E G I S T R AT I O N The HRCA is proud to offer two quality summer swim programs: the competitive Mountain High Swim League and the recreational CARA swim team. Mark these upcoming dates on your calendar. • Parent Information Meeting: March 3, 6:30 p.m., Eastridge. • Returning Swimmer Registration: Sat, April 2, 8:00 - 10:00 a.m., Northridge For swimmers previously on the Seahawks Summer Swim Team or who have participated in Seahawks Drill Academy, Conditioning Camp, or Elite. • New Swimmer Tryouts and Registration: Sat, April 16, 7:00 - 10:00 a.m., Northridge For swimmers new to the Seahawks Summer Swim Team who have not participated Z u mb a - t h o n : P a r t y Hearty for the Am e r i c a n H e a r t Association March is Heart Health month so mark your calendar for March 12 and head to Northridge, 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. to Zumba for a great cause! Join Zumba instructors and make a $10 donation (optional) with 100% of the profits going to the American Heart Association. Special guest speakers and guest Zumba instructors will be in attendance, along with food, prizes, and more. For more information about other Zumba events like this around the state and the country, please visit partyhearty.org. March Nutrition Seminar Join Max Muscle Nutrition as March’s seminar topic will cover the Basics of Nutrition. Class will be held at Westridge in the Barn Owl room from 6:30 - 7:15 p.m. Pre-registration and payment of $15 is required prior to attending. For more information, call 303-471-7048.
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in any of the Coached Aquatics programs. Visit www.HRCAonline.org for details. Also this summer, the HRCA will offer a Seahawks Drill Academy program for daytime and evening participants. For information, contact 303-471-8942 or kcornelison@ hrcaonline.org or visit www. HRCAonline.org/swimteam.
S p r i ng B rea k Fa l c ons S p orts Cam p This camp offers the perfect opportunity for kids ages 7-12 to explore a wide variety of outdoor sports and other fun “school yard” games on the turf field at Westridge. Camp is offered March 21 - 25 and March 28 - April 1.
S p r i ng B rea k B as k etba l l Cam p Kids ages 8 - 14 will learn and develop basic fundamentals through teaching progressions, drills, contests, and games. This is a great way to play basketball and stay active during spring break. Camp is offered March 21-25 and March 28-April 1 at Eastridge.
A du lt B as k etba l l & Vo l l eyba l l Leagues include eight regular season games plus playoffs. Leagues for adult basketball and volleyball begin the week of April 11.
H R C A Youth T urf F l ag F ootba l l The HRCA Youth 5v5 Indoor Flag Football Leagues are for ages 5-12 and begin the 1st week of March. Leagues include six regular season games plus playoffs. Games are played on Sundays at Westridge. Teams have one practice per week throughout the season. Registration is open for all leagues.
March 2011
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education youth & adult S p r i n g F o rwa r d w i t h s p r i n g b r e a k c a m p s This month ushers in a change of
songs, and more. In our Tumble Into Spring Camp, 3-7 year olds
seasons. With spring break on the
get to play on our new tumbling equipment and participate in
horizon, now is the time to start
some fun crafts and games. For children interested in engineering,
thinking about your plans for the kids
you don’t want them to miss the ever-popular Engineering
in your family! If your children have
FUNdamentals with LEGO®! This wonderful class for 7-11 year
an artistic interest, try enrolling them
olds gets kids using their hands and minds to create architectural
in the Spring Break Art Camp. Kids
masterpieces and it fills quickly. Perhaps you are looking for
get messy with creative projects like, tie-dying, painting, ceramics
something to give your child a leg up in school during this break!
and collage. If your child likes to help out in the kitchen, enroll in
Consider registering your child for our Handwriting Series for
the Spring Break Chef’s Camp. Kids learn how to make delicious
3-7 years olds. Don’t forget our Horseback Riding Camps held at
snacks, healthy lunches, and desserts to share with family. Perhaps
Stockton Stables. These fun classes give your child the opportunity
your children like to move around a lot! Then get them into our
to learn everything from communication to grooming. Of course,
Spring Break Dance Camp or Tumbling Camp! In the Spring
Day Camp will be running full days from 6:30 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. at
Break Dance Camp for 6-8 year olds, children will not only get a
Southridge, for children ages 5-12. For more information on these
range of dance instruction, they get to participate in crafts, games,
fun and popular spring break camps, call 303-471-8928.
Keeping Your Kids Safe with kidproof Kidproof is the number one provider of proactive, preventative
make smart choices while at home
child safety education in North America. As a leader in safety
without mom or dad. Safety Smarts
education for families and parents, Kidproof helps provide
teaches children what to do if they
important information on guiding children to make safe choices.
become lost from their caregiver and
Not only do these classes help keep kids safe, they increase
Kidproof ’s seminar on Protecting
parent-child communication, increase self confidence, and build
Kid’s Online for parents helps highlight
self awareness. The HRCA has partnered with Kidproof to bring
important topics like cyber bullying,
these classes to you to help protect your family, from Safety in
online predators, and how to protect your child from unsafe web
Motion, which teaches children about walking and stranger smarts,
material. For more information on these classes, call 303-471-8818.
to At Home Alone, a workshop designed to teach kids how to
L o v e Y o u r P e t s a n d k e e p t h e m h e a lt h y Your pet depends on you for his or
ill, injured, or needs help in a disaster, the Red Cross can help. Our
her well-being! In addition to providing
Pet First Aid course teaches you emergency care procedures for
daily care, love, and affection, your
cats and dogs and provides tips for keeping your pet happy and
furry friend depends on you in an
healthy too. Classes are Tuesday and Thursday, March 29 and 31,
emergency or in the event of an
6:00 – 8:00 p.m. or Sunday, April 10 , noon – 4:00 p.m. For more
accident. Whether your pet becomes
information, call 303-471-8818.
H RCA o n l i n e . o r g
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PRESORTED STANDARD US POSTAGE PAID
9568 University Boulevard Highlands Ranch, CO 80126 303-791-2500
HIGHLANDS RANCH CO PERMIT#170
facility closures March 25 – Eastridge Basketball Courts & Track closed at 7:00 a.m. March 26 – Eastridge Basketball Courts & Track closed all day
HRCA Top Picks of the Month With thousands of programs and activities, we want you to be aware of the variety of services. Celebrate our 30th Anniversary by trying something new! • Crafty Kid’s Weekend Workshops • For the Love of Cilantro Cooking Class • Youth Backcountry Wilderness Adventure Camp • Backcountry Wilderness Survival Series • St. Patrick’s Day 5K • Free Drop-In Fitness Day
March|events
community partners
For event details, see page 5 or visit HRCAonline.org March 5
Backyard-to-Table Workshop
March 7
Board Working Session* 6:00 p.m.
March 11
Murder Mystery Theater - Murder at the Speakeasy
March 12
HRCA St. Patrick’s Day 5K
March 12 Lebsack Tennis Center Season Opening Day March 15
RAC & Board Meeting* 6:30 p.m. (Recreation Advisory Committee monthly Meeting of Delegates)
March 26 Fishing on the Fly March 26 Spring Bazaar * These meetings are at Eastridge and open to our members. The HRCA’s ability to bring events to Highlands Ranch is made possible in part by our Community Partners, the Highlands Ranch Cultural Affairs Association (CAA), and the Scientific and Cultural Facilities District (SCFD).