Week of November 17, 2022
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DOUGLAS COUNTY, COLORADO
A publication of
CastleRockNewsPress.net
VOLUME 20 | ISSUE 31
Bracken, Gray win second terms on Castle Rock council Brooks defeats Johnson in District 5 BY MCKENNA HARFORD MHARFORD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Castle Rock Mayor Pro Tem Kevin Bracken was reelected to a second four-year term on council last week.
Bracken will continue serving in District 3. Bracken defeated Dean Legatski with more nearly 55% of the total votes, according to the unofficial results. Mayor Jason Gray will also be seated to a new term, running unopposed in the city’s lead seat. In District 5, incumbent councilmember Caryn Johnson was
defeated by newcomer Max Brooks, who garnered more than 55% of the votes. Brooks also defeated Caryn Ann Harlos. Bracken and Legatski have had differences in the campaign over numerous issues such as growth and how much power the town’s nonelected Design Review Board has in deciding downtown developemnt. Bracken has supported the board’s
Fewer metro area property owners are challenging assessments More could come as market fluctuates BY ELLIS ARNOLD EARNOLD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
SEE COUNCIL, P8
As school measure fails, Kane vows to return next year BY MCKENNA HARFORD MHARFORD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
As home prices in the counties around Denver shot up over the last decade, tens of thousands of residents argued officials incorrectly estimated the values of homes and other properties. They demanded their taxes be reduced. But that trend, practically a rite in some regions, reversed in recent years. Challenges filed with county assessors declined as homeowners apparently acknowledged the rising cost of real estate. “People today understand that values have been going up dramatically,” said Scot Kersgaard, the Jefferson County assessor. “Day after day, week after week, it’s been in the newspaper constantly.” The news is also on websites, like Zillow, Redfin and Trulia, which track the value of homes. But the last word on the value of SEE MARKET, P13
work, voting against changing it multiple times over the last two years. In a conversation with Colorado Community Media on Nov. 9, Bracken said he is grateful to his supporters for a second term. Bracken plans to continue to address homelessness in town, touted recent efforts to
Douglas County School District’s $60 million mill levy override and $450 million bond questions failed in the 2022 election. The mill levy override would have gone toward making staff compensation more competitive, with the average teacher to see a 9% salary increase. The bond money would have been used to build three new elementary schools, on top of maintaining and improving other district buildings. At the Invest in DCSD watch party on Nov. 8 in Highlands Ranch, Superintendent Erin Kane said the results were not what she was hoping for, but was optimistic about the support shown by voters. “I’m actually feeling good because we were at 39% (approval rating A sign reads “home for sale” in the south Denver metro area.
Dream Big Dreams...
SEE COMPENSATION, P11
FILE PHOTO BY DAVID GILBERT
Special CD Rate
4.17% APY
Special CD Rates ** Term * Term Or 2.74% APY 2.33% 16APYMonth 27 Month
* 10 Month
120 S. Wilcox, Castle Rock | (303) 660-4001
120 S. Wilcox, Castle Rock ♦ (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 31, 2022.
Annual Percentage Yield (APY) and interest rate for Certificate of Deposit (CD) may change after account opening. Fees could reduce earnings on the CD. A penalty may be imposed for early withdrawal. *To open the CD, $1,000 minimum opening deposit is required. The CD is automatically renewed into a Standard 12 month CD with current rate at renewal. **To open the CD, $1,000 minimum opening deposit is required. The CD is automatically renewed into a Standard 24 month CD with current rate at renewal. The Annual Percentage Yield is current as of 11/22/018.
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