WEEK OF OCTOBER 3, 2024
VOLUME 23 | ISSUE 31
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Douglas County School District is asking for a $490M bond BY MCKENNA HARFORD MHARFORD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
the focus areas of the Maternal and Child Health program,” said Jean Newell, outgoing Maternal Child Health Coordinator. “(They) enhance the goal of supporting connections to community and partners to ensure that all children, youth and families in Douglas County have the resources and support they need, so they are valued, healthy and thriving.” The funds were donated to the Backcountry Wilderness Area Fund, a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving wildlife habitat while igniting a love and inspiration for the outdoors among the next generation. Throughout the summer, the Back-
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 improvements, transportation needs — like buses — and expanding career and technical education. The district has a growing backlog of around $300 million in building maintenance and hasn’t built a new school since 2010. Students in growing neighborhoods without schools are currently being bussed to overflow schools. Douglas County Superintendent Erin Kane said the bond is crucial
SEE WILDERNESS, P10
SEE BOND, P12
A group of kids and their camp leaders hide in the backcountry during a game of “pred-prey” as part of one of their summer camp activities. Within 15 years, the growing staff at Backcountry Wilderness has helped create an area of conservation, recreation and PHOTO BY HALEY LENA education.
Growing nature’s stewards Douglas County Health Department donates $5,000 to Backcountry Wilderness Area BY HALEY LENA HLENA@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
One goal for the team that oversees Highlands Ranch’s Backcountry Wilderness Area is to offer programs for youth to have the opportunity to learn about the environment and wilderness in the comfort of their own backyard. These opportunities can now expand with the help of a $5,000 do-
nation from the Douglas County Health Department sponsorship. “Each dollar from this generous partnership equals more naturefilled opportunities for the young people in our community,” said Lindsey McKissick, principal officer of the Backcountry Wilderness Fund. The health department was formed shortly after the county left the Tri-County Health Department in late 2021 to provide a wide range of resources more specific to Douglas County residents. The Douglas County Maternal and Child Health program utilizes Title V grant dollars to enhance work around social and emotional wellbeing to families. “The programs align very well with
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