Week of March 9, 2023
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DOUGLAS COUNTY, COLORADO
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INSIDE: VOICES: PAGE 12 | LIFE: PAGE 14 | CALENDAR: PAGE 17 | SPORTS: PAGE 22
VOLUME 22 | ISSUE 3
SUMMER CAMP LISTINGS In this week’s paper!
Mayor shares Lone Tree’s secret to success in State of City BY TAYLER SHAW TSHAW@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
For the 2023 Lone Tree State of the City, which brought together community members and elected officials from across the south Denver metro area, Mayor Jackie Millet shared the recipe to the city’s success.
“Our secret sauce is actually very, very simple,” Millet said to the crowd gathered in the Lone Tree Arts Center auditorium. “It’s people, passion and partnerships. And each of you here, today, plays a special role in that recipe.” Lone Tree has more jobs than it does residents, with a population of 15,000 and an estimated 20,000 jobs, she
said. The city’s 2023 budget predicts an income of roughly $66 million, with the tax revenue accounting for about 70.7% of the income. The city has $68 million in budgeted expenses for 2023, with 76% of expenditures dedicated to public safety and infrastructure investments, Millet said. “I previously mentioned our low
(sales) tax rate. Well, great news — it’s getting even lower,” Millet said. In December of this year, the city will have paid off its arts center and recreation bonds, so the city’s sales tax will drop from the current 2.8125% to 2.5%. SEE SPEECH, P2
Bill to expand commission to 5 fails quickly Marshall stands by proposal BY ELLIS ARNOLD EARNOLD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
and retain staff in recent years. During the Feb. 28 meeting, the Board of Education unanimously approved a proposed 3.5% base increase for all licensed staff, such as teachers, as well as a 2-2.5% step increase, a 6% increase for classified
A proposal to put a larger number of elected leaders at the helm of large counties in Colorado — and to require at least some of those leaders to represent specific areas of their counties — met defeat in the State Legislature. Supported by state Rep. Bob Marshall, a Highlands Ranch Democrat, the bill sought to expand the number of members on a county’s board of commissioners to five. The bill would have affected several Front Range counties with large enough populations, including Douglas County, where the board has become known for its bitter conflicts and 2-1 votes. “All I know is we’ve got two people running the whole county,” Marshall said. In his view, contentious 2-1 splits
SEE TEACHERS, P5
SEE COMMISSION, P7
Cherokee Trail Elementary School teacher Leighanne Brown uses new literacy curriculum to teach her students the science of reading. The Douglas County School District is in the process of implementing three science-based reading programs at all elCOURTESY OF DOUGLAS COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT ementary schools this year.
Hansen calls boost in teacher pay a ‘Band-Aid’ More funding needed BY MCKENNA HARFORD MHARFORD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
In the hopes of gaining a slight advantage this hiring season, the Douglas County School District
board approved salary increases for staff earlier than in the past, bumping starting pay from $43,680 to $45,209. Currently, Douglas County School District has one of the lowest starting pays in the Denver metro area and Superintendent Erin Kane said the district has struggled to attract
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