Week of November 24, 2022
FREE
DOUGLAS COUNTY, COLORADO
A publication of
LoneTreeVoice.net
INSIDE: VOICES: PAGE 12 | LIFE: PAGE 14 | CALENDAR: PAGE 17 | SPORTS: PAGE 24
VOLUME 21 | ISSUE 40
Bicycle Colorado launches Greenhouse Gas Exchange tours Highlights transit-oriented development BY TAYLER SHAW TSHAW@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
For years, city officials and staff have been working to make traveling without a car easier in Lone
Tree — a strategy used to attract residents and jobs, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The success it’s seen so far led to Bicycle Colorado, a nonprofit advocating for bicyclists, launching its series of “Greenhouse Gas Exchange Tours” in Lone Tree, highlighting the city’s transit-oriented developments. Colorado has a statewide goal to
reduce 2050 greenhouse gas emissions by at least 90% of the levels of emissions that existed in 2005, per House Bill 1261. Transportation is the largest contributor to the state’s greenhouse gas emissions, according to the Colorado Energy Office. Opting to use public transit, biking and/or walking instead of driving will help reduce transportation emissions,
the office reported. “We’re really looking at our transportation holistically and trying to figure out: How do we build a transportation system that works for everyone, that’s really leading with multimodal solutions?” said Rachel Hultin, Bicycle Colorado’s director of sustainable transportation. SEE TOURS, P6
School district plans for universal preschool Early childhood programs to remain BY MCKENNA HARFORD MHARFORD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
ARPA funds will be distributed into seven areas.
DOUGLAS COUNTY GRAPHIC
Commissioners highlight ARPA designations State of the County event held in Lone Tree BY HALEY LENA HLENA@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
In honor of the multi-generational impacts of public services to Douglas County, the annual State of the County address focused on the 20 years of partnership and the commissioners distribution of federal funds. Douglas County Commissioners George Teal, Abe Laydon and Lora Thomas came together to speak about the intentions of the county’s $68.2 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds, or ARPA, during the Nov. 16 event.
Teal said the ARPA funding decisions were based on five investment principles focused on ensuring a legacy benefit, responding to immediate needs, being forwardlooking, integrating board core priorities, avoiding duplication and leverage partnerships. “These investment areas were informed by consultations with stakeholders, citizen in business community engagement, including live town meetings,” said Thomas. Based on the investment principles, Douglas County has seven priority investment areas where ARPA funds will be distributed. The largest investment is in water and wastewater with $35.7 million in allocated funds. As wildfires are one of the biggest threats in Douglas County,
public safety was the first priority listed by the three commissioners who took turns speaking at the event held at the Denver Marriot in Lone Tree. SEE COUNTY, P8
Check out
Hometown Holidays In this week’s paper!
Ahead of the launch of statefunded universal pre-kindergarten in 2023-24, the Douglas County School District is working out its role in the new program. During the Nov. 15 board meeting, the district staff gave a presentation covering some details of the universal pre-kindergarten program. Through its charters and early childhood programs, the district will be one of several pre-kindergarten providers participating. “We are able to absolutely accommodate the 10 hours of free preschool for our 4-year-olds at, SEE SCHOOLS, P2
Also in this week’s paper! 2022 DOUGLAS COUNTY
NONPROFIT GIVING GUIDE