WEEK OF DECEMBER 26, 2024
VOLUME 23 | ISSUE 43
George Brauchler, incoming DA, says ‘expectation should be incarceration’
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A look back at 2024: In photos
Upcoming first-ever district attorney of new judicial district addresses the public
BY ELLIS ARNOLD EARNOLD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
The man who will be the first-ever district attorney of Colorado’s first new judicial district in decades — George Brauchler, a Republican and former DA — stood in Douglas County and delivered what he called a “public service announcement.” “If you want to come down here and make your home here, you want to come down and get an education for your kids, start a business, you want to shop here, you want to be entertained here, we welcome you, and we promise you that we will keep you safe while you’re down here,” Brauchler said on Dec. 18 at the county headquarters in Castle Rock. “But if you come down here with the intent to victimize us or to steal from us, your expectation should be incarceration,” Brauchler said. “And that is the approach that this district attorney’s office is going to take to crime.” Brauchler, the former 18th Judicial District attorney, won election by a large margin for the new 23rd Judicial District in November. The race encompassed a set of counties that made for a deep-red electorate. Colorado’s court system is made up of 22 judicial districts, and a new district is on the way. Currently, the 18th district includes Douglas, Arapahoe, Elbert and Lincoln counties. But the state legislature — at least partly driven by a political split in the 18th district — decided to break it up, moving Douglas, Elbert and Lincoln counties into the new 23rd district. The 23rd district is set to launch in January. The 18th district will then only include Arapahoe County. Residents of Arapahoe County voted in a separate race to select a new district attorney in the November election as well. A district attorney serves as the head prosecutor for a region of Colorado’s courts, also leading the prosecutors who work in that SEE BRAUCHLER, P5
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In March, Alexander Mackiewicz, 13, was hit and killed by a vehicle while crossing Highlands Ranch Parkway. Two weeks later, his mother, Victoria Cegielski, and stepfather, Owen Cegielski, were joined by Douglas County Sheriff Darren Weekly at the Highlands Ranch substation to talk about Alex’s character. In addition to establishing a permanent memorial at the intersection where Alex was killed, the family and Weekly called for PHOTO BY HALEY LENA tougher traffic safety laws. BY COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA’S DOUGLAS AND ELBERT COUNTY REPORTERS
From cheering on a local Olympian to approving a school-construction bond in Douglas County and hearing Elbert County’s first-ever official song, the news from 2024 is something to remember. With new elected officials taking office and new land developments getting underway, here is a look back at some of Douglas and Elbert counties’ most memorable stories. Highlands Ranch mom and sheriff call for stricter laws, more traffic safety after funeral for Alex Mackiewicz
VOICES: 10 | LIFE: 14 | CALENDAR: 17 | PUZZLES: 19
In March, Alexander Mackiewicz,13, was hit and killed by a vehicle while crossing Highlands Ranch Parkway. Two weeks later, his mother Victoria Cegielski and stepfather, Owen Cegielski, were joined by Douglas County Sheriff ’ Darren Weekly at the Highlands Ranch substation to talk about Alex’s character. In addition to establishing a permanent memorial at the intersection where Alex was killed, the family and Weekly called for tougher traffic safety laws. Photo by Haley Lena In Lone Tree, mayor’s race sparks excitement for first time in a generation
For the first time in 16 years, the City
of Lone Tree had a contested mayoral race between two experienced city council members, Wynne Shaw and Marissa Harmon. With their campaigns revealing similar values, the candidates received varying levels of support from residents and other elected officials, which led to an overwhelming number of letters to the editor sent to the Lone Tree Voice. Photo courtesy of the City of Lone Tree Merchants throughout downtown Parker see benefits to Wine Walk
About a year after Parker’s Wine Walks SEE LOOK BACK, P8
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