Week of November 10, 2022
FREE
DOUGLAS COUNTY, COLORADO
A publication of
LoneTreeVoice.net
INSIDE: VOICES: PAGE 12 | LIFE: PAGE 14 | CALENDAR: PAGE 17 | SPORTS: PAGE 22
VOLUME 21 | ISSUE 38
School board lays out legislative priorities Local control, parent choice are on short list BY MCKENNA HARFORD MHARFORD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
always been a pretty important highway,” said Douglas County Public Works Director Janet Herman. “And what we’ve realized over the last five, six years is that with the increase in development and employment growth in that area, 85 needs to be widened.”
Discussion from Douglas County School Board members indicates they will underscore the importance of local control and school and parent choice in any upcoming legislation on education. At the Nov. 1 board workshop, the school board went through its legislative priorities, which were last updated in 2020, to adjust them ahead of lawmakers returning to the statehouse next year. Before getting into specific areas of possible legislation, the board’s priorities document includes language to express the importance of leaving decisions about schools to local school boards, per the state constitution. Board member Mike Peterson said he wanted to re-emphasize local control of public schools and the district’s support for school choice and a variety of educational opportunities. “I think school choice is something we can really pride ourselves on and then recommit to choice for parents and support local control and honoring school choice,” he said. Peterson also advocated for legislation that reinforces the role of parents in their childrens’ education, giving examples of curriculum transparency and opt-outs. “It would be around supporting legislation that respects and supports parents’ values, beliefs and making it clear that parents have a right to make decisions regarding their childrens’ education in accordance with their personal faith, family upbringing, things like that,” he said. Board members David Ray and Elizabeth Hanson said they’d like the language to focus on the partnership between parents and schools. “I would suggest that we expand
SEE U.S. 85, P11
SEE SCHOOLS, P10
Lone Tree City Attorney Linda Michow presenting to Lone Tree City Council on Nov. 1.
PHOTO BY TAYLER SHAW
Lone Tree council discusses short-term rentals Council considering new restrictions BY TAYLER SHAW TSHAW@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
In an effort to minimize the impacts of short-term rentals in the community, the Lone Tree City Council is considering new regulations including limiting overnight parking and the maximum number of permitted occupants. Discussions of what to regulate are ongoing, as the city council has not formally voted on anything. However, during the council’s Nov. 1 study session, staff presented proposals that council members seemed to favor. City Attorney Linda Michow said the main goals of the short-term rental regulations are to retain the
residential character of neighborhoods, create affordable options to allow residents to stay in their homes, minimize the impact of short-term rentals on other residents and keep regulations simple with complaint-based enforcement. City staff are preparing drafts for two ordinances for council to consider — a licensing and a zoning ordinance, Michow explained. The zoning ordinance would state short-term rentals are allowed on any residentially-zoned property, subject to proper licensing by the city, she said. Proposed licensing program “We would require a separate licensing program in addition to a business license, a sales tax license and so on. And that would be under the city clerk’s office,” Michow said. Obtaining a short-term rental
license would require an application, she said. One of the proposed application requirements is the identification of an “authorized agent” who can address any concerns which may arise, she said. This person must be located within 50 miles of the licensed short-term rental and accessible within two hours of contact or outreach from a city official or city staff person, Michow said. “We thought that was important for any particular noise or other complaints being generated from the licensed premises,” Michow said. Other application requirements include the applicant submitting proof of lawful possession, like a deed, having liability insurance and submitting an affidavit stating SEE RENTALS, P2
Project will widen U.S. 85, improve transportation BY NINA JOSS NJOSS@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
In the largest construction contract in Douglas County’s history, a new project is underway on a section of U.S. 85, also known as Santa Fe Drive, from Highlands Ranch Parkway to C-470. Construction began on Oct. 3.
The project, which is predicted to take three years to complete, will widen the highway from four to six lanes at this segment. In addition, the project includes intersection enhancements, multimodal improvements and business access changes, according to the project’s webpage. The roadway “historically has