Week of October 13, 2022
FREE
DOUGLAS COUNTY, COLORADO
A publication of
CastlePinesNewsPress.net
VOLUME 10 | ISSUE 8
City, metro district negotiating IGA for parks, stormwater Process delayed BY NINA JOSS NJOSS@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
As the city of Castle Pines and the Castle Pines North Metro District approached the Sept. 30 closing date for a stormwater intergovernmental
agreement, or IGA, an additional idea entered the conversation and altered the stormwater transfer timeline. In a Sept. 26 board meeting, the metro district unanimously voted to authorize President Chuck Lowen to add an amendment to the stormwater IGA that would extend the document’s deadlines by 90 days.
of granting easements. Easement dedications grant the right to cross or use someone else’s land, often for utility purposes. The original stormwater IGA stated the metro district would grant easements to the city, giving city staff the right to use the
The goal of this extension was to provide time to draft an IGA for the transfer of parks, trails and open spaces to the city before the stormwater agreement closes, Castle Pines City Manager Michael Penny said in a Sept. 21 meeting. Penny said the decision to pursue a parks IGA before the stormwater IGA could simplify the process
SEE STORMWATER, P12
Castle Rock increases water rates
San Luis Valley water project still has problems
Average of $4 per month for residents BY MCKENNA HARFORD MHARFORD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Castle Rock water users will see an increase in their 2023 rates as the town invests in a number of water infrastructure projects and efforts to build renewable resources. The Castle Rock Town Council unanimously approved an average of a 4% increase, as well as increased fees for developers, on Oct. 4. The rate changes will translate to an extra $4 per month on residential bills. Mark Marlowe, the director of Castle Rock Water, told the board at the Sept. 20 meeting that rates are increasing as both costs in supply and demand continue to rise. Marlowe said supply cost increases include rising construction, labor and energy costs, as well as challenges with a slowed down supply chain. At the same time, Castle Rock has planned a number of investments into its water systems. Next year, Castle Rock plans to invest $19 million in a second reservoir planned for Castle Rock Water, $14 million for a program to import water. Funds will also be used SEE RATES, P12
Legal situation unchanged BY ELLIOTT WENZLER EWENZLER@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
As the Town of Castle Rock continues to invest in a renewable water future, council approved rate hikes. Mark Marlowe, the town’s water director, continues to work at the COURTESY PHOTO Plum Creek facility.
INSIDE: VOICES: PAGE 14 | LIFE: PAGE 16 | CALENDAR: PAGE 19 | SPORTS: PAGE 24
A plan to pipe thousands of gallons of water from the San Luis Valley to Douglas County has taken another hit after a lawyer hired by DougCo said the plan was still not ready. Steve Leonhardt, an attorney who specializes in water law, met with Renewable Water Resources about their proposal in July, and a memo summarizing the discussions was released Friday. “While it was a good meeting, the discussion did not alter my initial analysis and conclusions and there remain many hurdles to a successful project, which are not resolved at this time,” according to the memo. “The legal concerns with the project remain unchanged.” For several months earlier this SEE VALLEY, P11
Special CD Rate
3.07% APY* 10 Month Term
120 S Wilcox St. Castle Rock, CO 80104 | 303-660-4001 *Annual Percentage Yield (APY) and interest rate of Certificate of Deposit (CD) may change after account opening. Fees could reduce earnings on the CD. A penalty may be imposed for early withdrawal. *The CD is automatically renewed into a Standard 9 month CD with current rate at renewal. *The Annual Percentage Yield is current as of October 7, 2022.