OCTOBER 2016
      
      
5 Things You Didn't Know About City Finances
With the final months of 2016 upon us, City staff are busy putting together the organization's budget for 2017. To get ready for budget season and the start of the new year, here are some quick facts about City finances that you may not know:
  1. Nearly 50% of the City's revenue comes from sales and use taxes, so shopping and dining locally helps fund the City services you receive.
  2. Unlike other municipalities, no sales tax is imposed on groceries bought in Castle Pines.
  3. At 2.75%, Castle Pines has the second lowest municipal sales tax rate in Douglas County.
  4. Only 3.5% of all the property taxes you pay are collected by the City. This money is sent to the Douglas County Sheriff to pay for law enforcement in Castle Pines.
  5. 54% of the City's budget is dedicated to maintaining, fixing and rebuilding roads.
      
Organizations & Services Map
Castle Pines is lucky to have several different organizations provide vital services to our residents. However, it can sometimes be difficult to remember who provides what. Check out our Public Services Map t o better understand what organizations provide what services, and who to contact when there is a problem with a service.
      
Resignation of Ward 3 Councilmember Wilt
With a letter dated September 27, Ward 3 Councilmember Ned Wilt announced his resignation from the Castle Pines City Council.  Council needs to appoint a replacement within 60 days or hold a special election. Those interested in serving on City Council should contact the City Clerk at  sharon.washington@castlepinesgov.com  with a letter of interest by October 21. Applicants must be a resident of Castle Pines for at least a year, be registered to vote, and currently reside in  Ward 3 .
      

Walk or Bike to School Day
Participate in the 20th annual Walk or Bike to School Day on Wednesday, October 5! This has become  a global event that involves communities from more than 40 countries walking and biking to school on the same day. Here are some reasons why you should walk with your kids to school that day:
      
Lagae Ranch Development Update
Loca ted south of the Village Square Commercial District, the Lagae Ranch development includes Elk Ridge Park and American Academy Charter School as well as 231 new single-family homes, 400 new multi-family residences, an additional elementary school, open space and trails. Construction has already begun and completion is expected at the end of 2018.
 
Representatives from Lagae Ranch recently gave an update on construction and infrastructure improvements.

Completed (appears in green on the map)
Widening of Mira Vista with an additional traffic lane up to American Academy.

Currently Underway (appears in blue on the map):
Realignment of Lagae Road to run more directly north/south. Existing Lagae Road appears in yellow for reference.

Coming Soon (estimated to begin in January 2017): 
Extension of Monarch Blvd. to continue to realigned Lagae. 

Detailed construction schedules are still being developed. Phase 2 of infrastructure improvements will continue through 2017.  View the full presentation.
      
PaRC Plan Update
We have heard from hundreds of residents about community priorities for parks and recreation. Thanks to all who participated in the second Public Survey or talked to us at Party in the Pines events. Check out what we heard in the Phase 2 Outreach Summary. Through October, we will be drafting the strategies and recommendations to go into the Plan, based the community's strong feedback as well as the market and inventory analysis completed earlier in the process. Stay tuned for a release of the draft in November!
      
Snow Season is Coming!
You never know when Colorado weather is going to change, so it's time to start getting ready for snow. Find the resources you need here, and below are a few friendly resident reminders:
  • Property owners are responsible for any sidewalks abutting their property, so please clear snow from your sidewalks within 24 hours of a storm ending. 
  • Avoid getting plowed in by moving cars out of the street before a snow storm comes. This helps plows clear snow from curb to curb and makes for a safer community.
  • If you do park along the curb, please park your car parallel to the curb, as opposed to perpendicular to it. This makes streets and cul de sacs easier to plow.
      

An Evening with John Fielder
The Castle Pines Arts & Cultural Foundation invites you join them for an evening with photographer John Fielder on Friday, October 21  at 7:00 pm at the Castle Pines Community Center, 7404 Yorkshire Drive. Admission is free, but donations are greatly appreciated! Doors open at 6:30pm. 

Celebrating 100 Years of Colorado's National Parks & Monuments: Rivers, Ruins, and MountainsPhotographs and commentary by John Fielder
 
2016 is the 100 th anniversary of America's National Park Service, and Colorado's preeminent nature photographer has photographed the state's most sublime federal lands for over 40 years. In this original presentation, he guides us on foot and boat through its National Parks & Monuments. Enjoy John's commentary about his life in the wilderness, the challenges and techniques of wilderness photography, and beautiful music behind the images. 
      
NearMeDC Cone Zone Notifications
Navigating traffic in Douglas County just got easier! Douglas County recently created the NearMeDC Cone Zone notification tool as a travel-planning solution. The tool allows you to identify  one or more areas within the county through which you travel, subscribe to and then receive a Cone Zone notification specific to the areas you've chosen. When a cone zone occurs in your area of interest, a notification - via email or text - is delivered.

From road construction to utility projects, community events and more, Douglas County, as well as Castle Pines, Castle Rock, Lone Tree, and Parker data is embedded in the NearMeDC  cone zone tool.  In addition to road construction information, users may also search for or subscribe to receive notifications of building permits and senior services or other community services in their area of choice within Douglas County using NearMeDC.
      

Nov. 8 Douglas County General Election
Douglas County will be holding a general election on November 8 - are you ready to vote?  Before the election occurs, make sure that you're registered to vote and that your mailing address is correct. 

During this election, voters will select candidates for federal, state and local offices. Several statewide initiatives will be on the ballot as well.  Ballots will be mailed out in mid-October, so register today!
      

Upcoming Community Events
Castle Pines Run Club
Are you a runner hoping to meet other runners in Castle Pines? Then join the new Castle Pines Run Club! The club meets at Duke's, 363 Village Square Lane, #100, every Wednesday at 5:30pm. Runs will be 3-5 miles and runners of all abilities are welcome. Runners will also meet back at Duke's afterward for a post-run social! If you have questions, please contact  info@discoveryrunning.com

Boulter's 5280 Urban Market
Back again this year, the market will off a wide assortment of artisan vendors and creations that you won't be able to find anywhere else.
  • Every Wednesday until October 27, 3-7pm
  • Located at the north side parking lot of the Safeway off Castle Pines Parkway and I-25
      
Castle Pines In the News
Check out some recent articles about what's going on in our community:
      

October Meetings
Municipal Court
October 7 | 5:30 p.m. | CPN Community Center | 7404 Yorkshire Drive

City Council Meeting
October 11 | 6 p.m. | Douglas County Library | 360 Village Square Lane

City Council Meeting
October 25 | 6 p.m. | Douglas County Library | 360 Village Square Lane

Planning/Zoning Commission Meeting
October 27 | 6 p.m. | Douglas County Library | 360 Village Square Lane
      

City Council Happenings
Read the Council Wrap-up from September 13 here.
Council Updates:
  • Lagae Ranch Development Update
  • Who Provides Which Public Service
  • Contracts for City Services
  • Study Session: Future Planning


City of Castle Pines
360 Village Square Lane, Suite B
Castle Pines, CO 80108
303.705.0200