WEEK OF OCTOBER 3, 2024
VOLUME 129 | ISSUE 31
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Elizabeth addresses concerns about land buy Douglas County School District is asking for a $490M bond
Site eyed for future town hall, police HQ, community use BY NICKY QUINBY SPECIAL TO COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA
In a memo dated Sept. 13, Elizabeth Town Administrator Patrick Davidson addressed citizen concerns about the town’s recent purchase of the property at 601 S. Pine Ridge St. Citizens expressed reservations on social media, particularly about the cost and rationale for the purchase. Purchased on Sept. 12 for $895,000, the town hopes to convert the property into a new town hall, police headquarters, and/or community and senior center. In the Aug. 27 town board meeting agenda packet, Davidson described the property, saying it “encompasses approximately 5.481 acres, with two lots located in the town of Elizabeth, and two lots located within unincorporated Elbert County. The property currently includes a small home, a studio/office, a large metal storage shed, and a 2-car detached garage. Due to the size of the lots, taken together, the property would provide sufficient space for the establishment of a Town Hall facility with ready access to Elizabeth Street … In the alternative, the property may be used for the establishment of the Town’s Community and Senior Cen-
BY MCKENNA HARFORD MHARFORD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
lot, and shared snow removal and maintenance. The proximity of municipal services would offer convenience as well, Davidson said. When asked why the existing town hall is inadequate, Davidson shared that the current town hall building was formerly a chocolate factory and said, “There is insufficient space
Campaign efforts are in full swing to encourage Douglas County voters to support a $490 million bond proposal for the school district to address building maintenance and build new schools. Dozens of community members attended the Invest in DCSD campaign kickoff at Timberline Park in Highlands Ranch, which launched volunteer efforts to inform voters about the bond proposal, ballot issue 5A. “We want a community for our kids, and the simple fact is that communities are built by schools,” said Lynnea Dotseth, a Sterling Ranch resident and mother of four. The bond plan covers the construction of elementary schools in Sterling Ranch and Ridgegate, the expansion of Sierra Middle School and a majority of maintenance projects through 2026. It would also invest in building security improve-
SEE TOWN HALL, P8
SEE BOND, P10
The current Elizabeth Town Hall at 151 S. Banner St. This building was previously a PHOTO BY NICKY QUINBY chocolate factory and was formerly located at 228 S. Banner St.
ter.” Final plans for the property are still up in the air. The town hall and police headquarters are envisioned within the same building to consolidate maintenance, utilities, and other expenses. Based on potential designs approved by the board, the community and senior center would be a separate building. Both buildings could share a common parking
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