WEEK OF MAY 1, 2025
VOLUME 24 | ISSUE 9
FREE
DCSD board votes to close 3 schools Some families say decision felt inevitable, with little time to respond after recommendations BY SUZIE GLASSMAN SGLASSMAN@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
ing and causes the death of another is a Class 1 misdemeanor traffic offense with 12 license suspension points. An amendment to the bill adds a new eight-point deduction for careless driving resulting in serious bodily injury. “The number of people that get held accountable for the behavior is miniscule, perhaps even non-existent,” said Colorado State Patrol Chief Col. Matthew Packard. “It is a choice to drive carelessly and this state should hold people accountable for making that choice.” The original proposed bill would have brought the penalty up to a Class 6 felony, following
The Douglas County Board of Education voted on April 22 to approve a reorganization that will close three elementary schools in Highlands Ranch and transition sixth graders to middle school, starting in the 2026-27 school year. The decision followed a multiyear planning process and culminated in a final presentation that included updates to district plans, such as enhanced busing support, a commitment to future use of buildings for district programs and expanded outreach for students with disabilities. “This is one of the toughest decisions I’ve ever had to be part of, and I don’t take it lightly,” said Board Member Tim Moore. “I know there are families who will feel they got the raw end of the deal, and that’s never our intent. We’re trying to do what’s right for the right reasons — for the students, the families and the community.” Moore acknowledged the pain and frustration that many families have expressed, but emphasized his trust in the staff and the process. “I hope we receive forgiveness and grace from the people who aren’t going to be happy, because we really are trying to do the right thing,” Moore said. The approved resolution adopts Superintendent Erin Kane’s recommendation to close Saddle Ranch, Heritage and Acres Green elementary schools, effective July 1, 2026. Saddle Ranch’s attendance area will pair with Eldorado Elementary, Heritage with Summit View Elementary and Acres Green with Fox Creek Elementary. Beginning that same school year, all sixth graders in the Highlands Ranch, Mountain Vista and ThunderRidge high school feeder
SEE DRIVING BILL, P6
SEE SCHOOLS, P4
From left, Jill White, Victoria Cegielski, Teri Vogel and Josh Stewart, stand side-by-side in a press room at the Colorado State Capitol, holding onto photos PHOTO BY HALEY LENA of their loved ones that have been killed as they listen to Sens. John Carson and Marc Snyder speak about proposed Senate Bill 25-281.
Panel clears bill that targets careless driving Amendment disappoints some families of victims BY HALEY LENA HLENA@COLORADOCOMMUNITY
In an effort to hold negligent drivers accountable, more than 25 advocates and families of crash victims from across the state testified mid-April at the Colorado state Capitol in support of Senate Bill 25-281 to increase the penalty for careless driving resulting in death. “Somehow society has normalized that vulnerable road user deaths are accidents,” said
Teri Vogel, a Parker resident. “The majority of these deaths are in fact preventable … so the penalties that define and make the distinctions to support the differences in crimes is imperative.” However, an amendment made to the bill and passed on April 21 by the Colorado Senate Judiciary Committee — which considers matters regarding civil and criminal proceedings, civil liberties, courts, judges, the state constitution and statutes, the state’s correctional system and prison facilities, homeland security and juvenile justice — disappointed the families of victims. “It loses the spirit of what it’s supposed to be,” said Josh
VOICES: 12 | LIFE: 16 | PUZZLES: 23 | CLASSIFIEDS: 24
Stewart, whose son was killed in 2023 in Littleton. “It’s not representative of what we were trying to accomplish,” Vogel added. The proposed bill was brought forth by Sen. John Carson, a Republican from Highlands Ranch, and Sen. Marc Snyder, a Democrat from Manitou Springs. “If we increase public perception and awareness, it will have a deterrent effect,” said Carson. “If people know they can face the penalty, go to jail for careless driving resulting in death of another person, then they may very well be more careful on the roads.” The current penalty for a person who commits careless driv-
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