Turning off the lights when leaving a room is common practice at home, but it isn’t always practiced at the office. The same goes for powering down or unplugging electronic devices that aren’t in use.

Last year, the Town began challenging staff members to treat their workplaces more like home and turn off lights and electronics when not in use through a campaign called “Turn it OFF, Add it up!” Also as part of the campaign, thermostats in Town buildings were raised a couple degrees in warm weather and lowered some in cool weather to save on heating and cooling system use.

The hope was the effort – part of the Town’s Project Green environmental initiative – would save both energy and money.

Those goals were met. By the end of 2009, the campaign had resulted in an electricity use savings of 7 percent over 2008 and a cost savings of 12 percent, or $62,000, during the same period. Natural gas use stayed about the same, but the cost decreased by nearly $4,000 from 2008 to 2009.

“The entire Town staff has done a great job supporting this important effort by turning off computers, lights and other appliances when they are not in use,” said Buddy Gregory, the Town’s facilities and risk manager. “These cost savings benefit every department budget.”

The cost savings was the greatest at the Castle Rock Recreation Center, where it neared $30,000. The variation in energy savings seen in different Town buildings was not a reflection of conservation efforts but an indication of where more work can be done to save energy, Gregory said.

“(The) Facilities (Division) will explore ways to make certain buildings more energy efficient, to increase energy and cost savings going forward,” he said.

Overall, the Town used 416,025 fewer kilowatt hours of energy in 2009 than in 2008. According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, that is equivalent to the CO2 emissions from the electricity use of 39 homes for one year or to the greenhouse gas emissions avoided by recycling 101 tons of waste instead of sending it to the landfill.

To learn more

The U.S. Census Bureau has begun mailing letters to Castle Rock addresses, notifying households that 2010 Census forms will be arriving March 15-17.

The one-page letter urges residents to complete the 10-question Census form when it arrives and to return it in the accompanying prepaid envelope as soon as possible.

“The advance letter helps people know that their 2010 Census form will be arriving soon,” said Census Bureau Director Robert M. Groves. “It's an important reminder about the impact the Census has on our communities, that the Census is important and that everyone needs to participate.”

Census Bureau research shows that reaching out to respondents with an advance letter and reminder postcard, if necessary, can boost Census mail-back rates and save money. For every 1 percent increase in households that respond by mail, taxpayers save about $85 million in operational costs associated with Census takers going door-to-door to follow up with households that did not mail back the form.

The 2010 Census is a count of everyone living in the United States and is mandated by the U.S. Constitution. Census data are used to apportion congressional seats to states, to distribute more than $400 billion in federal funds to tribal, state and local governments each year and to make decisions about what community services to provide.

The 2010 Census form will be one of the shortest in U.S. history, consisting of 10 questions, taking about 10 minutes to complete. Strict confidentiality laws protect the respondents and the information they provide.

Go to 2010census.gov for help completing your 2010 Census form when it arrives. The form cannot be filled out online.

Responses are requested by Census Day, April 1.

The Town of Castle Rock asks for your participation.

Town of Castle Rock and Douglas County are proposing to amend a 2004 intergovernmental land use agreement and are seeking public input regarding the potential changes. A public open house has been scheduled for March 31 at 6:30 p.m. at the Douglas County Events Center, 500 Fairgrounds Drive, Castle Rock.

The IGA established land-use goals and policies, which are tied to planning areas within the boundary of the Town and surrounding land areas within County jurisdiction. The amendments are based on direction from Town Council and County Commissioners regarding language and map revisions and requested property owners’ inclusions. These include:

Map revisions to reflect the new corporate limits of Castle Pines North.

Potential inclusions into the Urban Service Area: Five lots in Twin Oaks, adjacent to the Southwest Quadrant Planning Area, and two lots adjacent to Waverton Ranch, the Plum Creek Wastewater Plant and U.S. Highway 85.

Potential revision to Region A to change the designation of LaGae South from nonurban to urban.

Language revisions to protect unique natural features, including skyline / ridgeline protections, address the urban-nonurban interface areas and clarify notification and referral procedures.

Following the public meeting, the proposed amendments will be presented to the Town and County planning commissions, likely in May 2010, and Town Council and the Board of County Commissioners in June 2010.

Castle Rock residents and the business community are encouraged to attend. Additional information, including maps, can be found at CRgov.com/iga.

Questions? Contact Heather Vidlock, hvidlock@CRgov.com or 720-733-2203.

Town Council voted 6 - 0 Tuesday to allow sandwich board signage within all areas of Town. Council also amended the ordinance to allow one sign per business.

In other words, in buildings or areas where there is more than one business, more than one sandwich board sign can be displayed. Several business owners spoke before Council, touting the many benefits of sandwich board signage to their businesses, including the freestanding signs help to bring their businesses into the line of site of those passing by.

A closer look at the ordinance:

Permits sandwich board signs on the sidewalk or public right of way only in positions that directly adjoin the business to which it relates.
Deals only with sandwich board signs located on public right of way areas. Sandwich board signs may be permitted subject to the maintenance of a minimum 4-foot sidewalk clearance.
Allows a maximum size of the sandwich board sign of 8 square feet and a maximum height of 4 feet.
Because the ordinance was approved on emergency adoption, the sign code changes are immediately in effect.

Questions? Contact Development Services Director Bill Detweiler, bdetweiler@CRgov.com or 720-733-3557.

Castle Rock Police Department became aware of a marijuana grow-house operation in the northeast portion of the Town. After questioning the suspect about a previous warrant, officers were able to search the residence where they found an excessive amount of marijuana plants.

The suspect has a medical marijuana license and the number of plants grown in his home far exceeds what he is legally entitled to.

While investigating, officers found that the suspect’s five-year-old daughter lived with him and had access and exposure to live marijuana plants, dried marijuana, chemicals and other accessories. Previously, officers had removed a 40-caliber handgun from the home where the suspect admitted he had been self-medicating.

The suspect was arrested Feb. 25th and transported to the Douglas County Jail. In addition to the active warrant for “contempt of court,” he’s charged with:

Cultivation of Marijuana (felony)
Child Abuse (misdemeanor)
Prohibited use of Weapons (misdemeanor)

The case remains under investigation by Castle Rock Police and South Metro Drug Task Force and is part of a continuing investigation into local grow-houses.

Watching bluebirds can be fascinating and rewarding.

Find out first-hand how awesome the experience can be by becoming a volunteer for the Colorado Bluebird Project via the Town’s POST Partners program.

A training presentation for those interested in volunteering will be held from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 30, at the Philip S. Miller Library.

The Colorado Bluebird Project operates under POST Partners and the Audubon Society of Greater Denver. Now in its fourth year in Castle Rock, the program improves the vitality of native bluebird populations throughout Colorado, with the goal of informing and educating the public about bluebirds.

Thirty-five bluebird nest boxes have been installed on Castle Rock’s parks, open space and trails, and another 28 are set to be added this year.

Volunteers are needed to monitor bluebird nesting and breeding activities weekly between April and mid-August. The data is provided to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology as part of a nationwide monitoring project to track the birds’ behavior.

The presentation will provide an overview of the program and monitors’ responsibilities. Training also will be provided for those who decide to become volunteers.

Those who enjoy the outdoors and are looking for a rewarding, fun and educational way to interact with local wildlife are encouraged to attend. All ages are welcome – monitoring is a great family activity.

“The bluebird monitoring allowed our family to do a volunteer activity together,” said Matt Hayes, who monitored bluebirds last year along with wife, Roxann, and daughters Breanna, 6, and Bonnie, 4. “It was also a way for our family to enjoy some of the Town’s trails and open space.”

For more information, contact Barbara Spagnuolo, 720-733-2294 or bspagnuolo@CRgov.com.

Sweet savings already can be seen at the Castle Rock Recreation Center on Sundays, when four household members can buy a family admission for only $14.

During March, the deal is being extended to Thursdays as well. It represents a 30 percent savings for Castle Rock residents, who normally would pay $20 for two youth admissions and two adult admissions.

Nonresidents save, too. Admission for four nonresidents normally would cost $23.50 and on Sundays and Thursdays in March will cost $17.

“We have noticed that our Family Day participation numbers are up dramatically since the first of the year,” Recreation Facility Manager Mike Kilman said. “We would like to try out a Family Thursday during the month of March.”

If more than four household members want to join in the fun, they are welcome to. Admission for additional resident family members is $4.50 for youth and $5.50 for adults; for nonmembers, it’s $5.25 and $6.50.

Admission gives users access to 84,000-square-foot facility – the lap and leisure pools, steam and sauna rooms, gymnasium, weight and cardiovascular equipment, indoor track and drop-in fitness classes including BODYPUMP, BODYCOMBAT and Zumba.

The Recreation Center is open 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. Thursdays and 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sundays. It’s located at 2301 N. Woodlands Blvd.

Questions can be directed to Kilman, 303-814-7448 or mkilman@CRgov.com.

The slate of candidates for April’s Town Council election has been set.

The candidates whose names will be on the ballot will be:

District 1
Joe Voeglie
Paul Donahue

District 2
Brian Logan

District 4
Chip Wilson

District 6
Clark Hammelman

Friday marked the deadline for prospective candidates to turn in the necessary paperwork.

Councilmembers serve two-year terms and are paid a monthly stipend of $650.

The 2010 election will occur by mail. Ballots will go out to registered voters in mid-March.

All voters, regardless of whether their Council district is up for election, will receive ballots this year due to two Townwide charter amendment proposals. Voters who do not receive a ballot or who need their ballot mailed to an address other than the one at which they are registered should call the Town Clerk’s Office, 303-660-1367.

Important election-related dates

March 8 – Last day to register to vote in the April election

Mid-March – Ballots will be mailed to registered voters

April 6, Election Day – All ballots must be submitted by 7 p.m.

Mid-March will bring more changes to the Town’s transit system, which has seen several reductions this year as a result of declining Town revenues.

The coming round of changes will affect service to The Meadows and Founders Village neighborhoods. The reductions are part of a package to reduce the Town’s 2010 transit budget by about $200,000 from last year.

Town staff studied more than two dozen potential new routes and schedules before settling on the reduced routes, which in most ways will mirror the existing system.

A presentation regarding the changes will be given at Tuesday’s Town Council meeting. Public comment will be taken.

In the morning and evening peak hours, a two-bus service will operate between The Meadows and Founders Village and along Front Street through downtown. This will be known as the Crosstown Route and, for the most part, will follow the existing Green and Blue lines.

During midday, there will be no service to the two neighborhoods, and a single bus will operate between the Outlets at Castle Rock and Castle Creek Commons on Oman Road, in the southeast part of Town. This route also will serve the Recreation Center.

During the morning and afternoon peak-hour service, the route will use the newly completed section of Plum Creek Parkway between Gilbert Street and Ridge Road. The route no longer will pass by the King Soopers on Ridge Road, but it will continue to stop in the Safeway shopping center.

The second route will be known as the Midtown Route and will operate the entire day between the Pines at Castle Rock on Castlegate Drive and the Red Hawk subdivision. The route will follow the current Red Line, except it no longer will serve the Justice Center nor the Trail Boss Road/Metzler Ranch Community Park area.

By eliminating some of the less productive stops and route segments, the buses will have a few more minutes of time built into each run, helping them keep more to their schedules, according to a memo from Transportation Planning Manager Bob Watts to Town Council.

These changes come along with those already implemented: the elimination of Saturday and holiday service, the reduction of service by two hours per day and the collection of a $1-per-ride fare, which will begin March 1. This will bring the 2010 cost for the service down to about $422,000. About $120,000 of that cost will be paid from Federal Transit Administration grants.

Sales tax revenue currently is used to fund the remainder of the service. A decline in those revenues during the recent recession has necessitated prioritization for our full-service municipality.

Town Council recently refined the Town’s mission as ensuring public health and safety and, thus, has begun shifting general tax dollars away from auxiliary services including transit and recreation. As a result, a question could be placed on the ballot for an upcoming election so voters can decide whether to establish a new tax to fund a Town transit service.

The route changes are tentatively scheduled to take effect March 15. A new route map and schedule will be posted at CRgov.com/transit by the end of February. Printed copies will be available on the buses and at Town Hall sometime in early March.

Questions? Contact Watts, 303-814-6415 or bwatts@CRgov.com.

Preserving Castle Rock’s community character is an important goal for the Town.

It’s with that goal in mind that the Town recently created a program to honor outstanding building and site design that is consistent with the Town’s character.

Town Council on Tuesday, along with Town Planning Commission leaders and the Development Services director, recognized the inaugural recipients of the Town Design Awards program.

The eight projects honored represent outstanding examples of design, from which Town residents and visitors alike benefit, Development Services Director Bill Detweiler said.

The 2009 honorees:

Historic Preservation – Sears House, 213 Cantril St. Owners Steve and Bev Williams were recognized for their project, which represents “preservation of historic architectural details to portray the history and heritage of Castle Rock.”

Environmental Project – Joyce Homes’ Feathergrass Development in The Meadows. The nominating team found this project “provides a great example of how sustainability techniques and use of modern building materials can be incorporated into a tract home development.”

Residential Remodel – Mikelson Home, 695 N. Lewis St. Owners Randy and Carrie Mikelson were recognized for their project, which “represents an excellent use of old and new construction techniques while respecting the heritage and history of the property.”

Community Center – The Grange, 3692 Meadows Blvd. The Meadows homeowners association owns this building, which was recognized for its incorporation of modern construction techniques while using a barn-style building “to enhance the heritage of ranching previously conducted on the property.”

Business Building – Spiral Pointe, 103 Fourth St. Local firm Spiral Corp. was recognized for this project, which “respects the history and heritage of Castle Rock’s Council-approved design guidelines while incorporating modern construction materials and innovative design elements.”

Commercial/Industrial Site Development – Sunset Stone, 702 Prairie Hawk Drive. The nominating team found this project “represents a unique and inspiring solution to a metal industrial building and site expansion.”

Public Facility – Philip S. Miller Library, 100 S. Wilcox St. The library was recognized for its “reuse and upgrade of an abandoned structure in the downtown core,” which was “critical to restoring the health and vitality of our community character and heritage.”

Community Project – Skate Park at Metzler Ranch Community Park, 4175 Trail Boss Road. The Town Parks and Recreation Department was recognized for its cooperation with the community’s youth “to promote social interaction and provide users with a safe and fun environment to exercise and enjoy outdoor activities.”

This year’s nominating committee consisted of Planning Commission members and Town staff. Staff intends to expand the nomination team to include representatives from the Historic Preservation Board, Downtown Development Authority, Castle Rock Economic Development Council and, possibly, the Parks and Recreation and Public Works commissions.

This year’s awards marked the first step toward a comprehensive and communitywide involvement program over the next several years, Detweiler said in a memo to Council.

A series of smash and grabs at the Castle Rock Recreation Center hopefully has been halted after police Tuesday arrested two suspects in the latest case.

Police had been on the lookout for the perpetrators for months. In each case, the victim’s purse was stolen from a vehicle parked at the Recreation Center after a window was broken. Credit cards from within the purses then immediately were used to buy items at several local businesses.

Police obtained surveillance videos from the businesses of two suspects – a man and a woman. Signs with their images had been posted at the Recreation Center in hopes that awareness would help nab the duo.

In the end, it was good, old-fashioned police work that reined the pair in.

Officers were dispatched to the Recreation Center, 2301 N. Woodlands Blvd., about 5 p.m. Tuesday in response to a vehicle break-in and purse theft. While one officer went to that scene, another headed to the shopping area near Metzler Ranch, surveillance photos in hand. The suspects had made purchases at stores in that area after past thefts.

Tuesday’s victim worked with police to cancel her credit cards and learned they had just been used at the Target store on Founders Parkway. The officer who was in the shopping area spotted a suspicious vehicle pulling into the Office Max on Allen Way. The license plates on the car belonged to a different vehicle, the pair in the car looked like the man and woman from the surveillance photos, and there was a big-screen television in the back seat.

The officer called for backup, and two other officers arrived to assist. The trio worked as a team to arrest the pair – a 29-year-old man and a 25-year-old woman, both transients. Evidence was recovered that linked the pair to Tuesday’s break-in.

Both were booked into the Douglas County Correctional Facility on suspicion of first-degree criminal trespass, criminal mischief, theft, identity theft, unauthorized use of a financial transaction device and conspiracy.

Castle Rock police now are checking with other local law enforcement agencies to see if any other similar cases can be cleared by the pair’s arrest.

Castle Rock Police worked with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and other local law enforcement agencies to arrest a multi-convicted felon as he attempted to buy a gun.

Steven Allen Ford, 29, who goes by the alias Cherrio, was arrested on suspicion of possession of a firearm during an undercover conducted by members of the ATF’s Project Safe Neighborhoods Violent Crime Task Force.

Ford, of Castle Rock, was arrested about 6:50 p.m. Monday outside the Busty Bullfrog Lounge, 971 Park St., after purchasing two handguns – a .45-caliber pistol and a 9mm pistol – from an undercover agent.

Ford’s arrest was a cooperative effort among the Castle Rock, Aurora and Lakewood police departments and the ATF after information was obtained that Ford was actively attempting to purchase firearms and narcotics.

“The members of this joint ATF task force quickly acted on developed information and prevented a criminal from obtaining weapons that quite possibly could have been utilized in violent criminal acts,” Castle Rock Police Chief Tony Lane said.

Acting Special Agent in Charge of the ATF’s Denver Field Division, Melvin King, added, “This joint investigation illustrates the strong partnerships we in Colorado are blessed to have with law enforcement agencies at the federal, state, county, and local levels.”

Gun cases are investigated and prosecuted as a part of Colorado Project Safe Neighborhoods, a initiative targeting gun and gang violence in Colorado communities.

The initiative includes federal, state and local law enforcement officers and prosecutors and has been active in Colorado for about 10 years.

Anyone with information regarding violent crime in Castle Rock area is encouraged to call Denver Metro Crime Stoppers, 720-913-7867, or the ATF Denver Field Office, 303- 844-7540. Callers can remain anonymous.

The sparkle in the crown jewel of the Town’s trails system now is a bit brighter.

A 1-mile southward extension of the East Plum Creek Trail recently was completed.

The new stretch extends south from near the Downtown parking garage on Third Street and parallels the East Plum Creek Trail until its end near the Safeway on South Perry Street.

The new segment is easily reachable from Downtown’s Festival Park and also has access points on Fair and Wilcox streets. It provides users a close-up look at the unique creek-side habitat within Downtown Castle Rock.

With the segment’s completion, the East Plum Creek Trail spans nearly 6 miles between Castle Rock Middle School and South Perry Street.

All of the Town’s major trails eventually will connect to the East Plum Creek Trail – part of the Colorado Front Range Trail, which eventually will connect to all other Front Range communities.

The trail connects to the 8-foot-wide multiuse path along the east end of Plum Creek Parkway and also will connect to the path on the west end of the parkway when it is completed next spring, offering cross-Town connectivity for recreational trail users and commuters.

Plans call for the trail to be extended even further south in the future.

Temperatures are expected to warm up through the end of the week, making the next couple days an optimal time to get out and enjoy the new trail extension.

Questions? Contact Town Trails Planner Rich Havel, 720-733-4482 or rhavel@CRgov.com.

The alternative for the North Meadows Extension that would have required the relocation of about 1 mile of Union Pacific railroad tracks no longer will be considered, Town Council decided Tuesday.

The North Meadows Extension is being planned to provide a second access between The Meadows and U.S. Highway 85 and Interstate 25, relieving congestion on Meadows Parkway and improving traffic flow on I-25.

The Town worked with the railroad for more than a year in an attempt to secure permission for the relocation but was unable to reach an agreement. Therefore, the at-grade Atrium alternative no longer is viable.

The ongoing Environmental Assessment of the impacts the project could have on the surrounding area, therefore, will be completed with evaluation of the two remaining alternatives: an interchange at U.S. 85 and Atrium Drive and an interchange at U.S. 85 and Castlegate Drive. Both alternatives would connect to I-25 at the same point, about 1 mile north of the Founders/Meadows Parkway interchange. The at-grade alternative would not have required an interchange, saving about $10 million in initial construction costs.

Town staff this week is working with the Colorado Department of Transportation to finalize the schedule for the Environmental Assessment. That schedule is set to be presented at the Feb. 16 Town Council meeting.

The Environmental Assessment is expected to be released to the public in mid-March, and a public hearing on the assessment held by March’s end. Also in March, Council is expected to recommend an alternative between the Castlegate and Atrium options – though, CDOT and the Federal Highway Administration will have the final say on which alternative is selected.

If the project proceeds as planned, the Environmental Assessment would be completed in May.

Notice of upcoming public meetings will be posted to the Town Web site, CRgov.com. Additional background on this project is available at CRgov.com/tap.

Questions? Contact Assistant Public Works Director Maria D’Andrea, 720-733-2472 or mdandrea@CRgov.com.

Rides on the Town bus service will cost $1 each beginning March 1, Town Council decided Tuesday.

The economic downturn has necessitated fares for the service, which has been free since its 1994 inception.

Riders can pay for single rides as they board using exact change only. Or, they can purchase multiride ticket books from bus drivers using exact change only. (Drivers will carry no cash.) Eleven-ride books will be sold for $10, and 23-ride books for $20.

Ticket books also will be sold at Town Hall, 100 N. Wilcox St., the Castle Rock Recreation Center, 2301 N. Woodlands Blvd., and the Town Service Center, 4175 N. Castleton Court. Cash or check can be used for payment at those locations.

The ticket books will be available for purchase by mid-February. Call 720-733-2483 for updates.

No discounted fares will be given based on age or disability. The only exception is children under 2 who could sit in an adult’s lap; they can ride free.

Drivers will issue free transfers, which must be used on the date of issue.

The Town is not responsible for lost or stolen tickets or transfers.

Even with the fare, public revenues still will be needed to supplement the service – as is always the case with public transit services. The Town has budgeted just over $450,000 to run the service this year. It expects to collect just under $40,000 in fares.

Sales tax revenue currently is used to fund the service. Town Council has decided that practice should be phased out and that an election should be held as soon as November 2010 so voters can decide whether to establish a new tax to fund a Town transit service.

The fare is just one of the bus service reductions implemented for 2010. The Town also reduced service by two hours per day and eliminated service on Saturdays and Town holidays. In mid-March, service to Founders Village and The Meadows will be reduced to four hours daily. Check CRgov.com by mid-February for an updated route map and schedule.

Innovation and cooperation are among the attributes the Town’s Public Works staff was recognized as having during a ceremony this week where staffers accepted two awards.

The Colorado Chapter of the American Public Works Association presented the awards in recognition of the Town’s fleet management/operations and of its street and traffic engineering/operations/maintenance.

The fleet award went to Fleet Services Superintendent Todd Richardson for his management and operation of the Town’s Fleet Division.

“Todd has successfully implemented a fleet services program that uses customer service feedback and performance measures to provide outstanding service to the Town,” according to the January 2010 Colorado Public Works Journal.

The Fleet Division provides vehicle and equipment maintenance, repair and asset management for 267 light-duty units and 63 heavy-duty units.

Richardson’s innovation in the development of the Town’s Green Fleet policy and cooperation with Douglas County for heavy-duty vehicle washes both were mentioned in the article.
A group of Public Works employees – Public Works Director Bob Goebel, Assistant Director Maria D’Andrea, Engineering Manager Chuck Childs, Project Manager Tom Bendel and Senior Construction Inspector Aaron Monks – accepted the street engineering award for their work on the Southeast Arterial Connection Road project.

The project, completed last fall, improved transportation and connectivity in Town. It “advances the vision for the Town by improving access between neighborhoods, available commercial and industrial development areas and the historic downtown to regional transportation and the rest of the community,” the issue of the Public Works Journal said.

The project, which included 1 mile of new road, was lauded for being completed under budget and ahead of schedule. Innovative measures included community outreach regarding roundabouts (the project included two roundabouts), and cooperation with area landowners and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service was involved.

“Although originally submitted for its environmental sensitivity, this project was awarded by the judges for its engineering and design as a whole,” Goebel said.

Work is under way atop Castle Rock to install a new flagpole for our local landmark.

The current 38-foot steel flagpole was installed in the 1930s. The metal is worn and is cracked at the base, making it too dangerous to continue using that pole. Not to mention the light beneath the pole that has illuminated the flag at night since 1991 – a requirement of the United States Flag Code – has been a target of vandals.

The Town’s Parks Maintenance Division began work earlier this month to replace the flagpole. The division is responsible for maintaining the pole and the flag – including half-staff displays and replacements.

There are two stories regarding why the flag was put up in the first place, said Town Park Operations and Planning Manager Curt Williams. The first is that it was added at the same time as the star to make people feel good. The other is that there simply was leftover metal from the star’s construction, so it was used to make the flagpole.

The pole actually sat empty for nearly 20 years – from sometime in the ‘70s until 1991 – because the maintenance became too costly, and nobody wanted to take on the burden. The Town resurrected the flag in 1991 as a show of patriotism during the Gulf War. A flag has flown above the Rock continuously ever since.

The new pole is expected to be in use within a couple weeks, weather permitting. It will stand 40 feet tall, is made of aluminum and can withstand sustained winds of up to 80 mph and gusts of up to 100 mph. The new pole will hold a 6-foot-by-10-foot flag, and an 8-foot-by-12-foot flag can be used on special occasions; the current pole accommodates a 5-foot-by-8-foot flag.

The ropes used to raise and lower the flag will be encased in aluminum, and the fixture that lights the flag will be mounted atop the pole, which will reduce maintenance needs caused by weather and vandalism. The light bulb will have a life span of 100,000 hours. Thanks to the Intermountain Rural Electric Association for donating the power for the flag display.

About 2,000 Castle Rock voters have new election districts as a result of a recent redistricting process by the Town Election Commission.

The commission reevaluates the Town’s election districts every three years. Per Town charter, the group aims to ensure the district with the lowest number of residents has at least 85 percent as many residents as the district with the highest number of residents.

Because some areas of Town had grown more than others since the last redistricting, some adjustments to the election districts were necessary this year:

• Registered voters within a portion of Filing 16, located in the southwest corner of The Meadows, were moved from District 3 to District 1. The 182 voters impacted by this change now will vote for a Council representative in April; they would not have done so as members of District 3.
  
• Registered voters within sections of The Woodlands and Escavera and in Castle Oaks and Liberty Village were moved from District 2 to District 5. These 1,045 voters will not vote for a Council representative in April as they would have as part of District 2.
  
• Registered voters within portions of the Red Hawk subdivision were moved from District 3 to District 4. These 694 voters now will vote for a Council representative in April.
  
• Registered voters within certain apartment complexes along South Gilbert Street and Oman Road were moved from District 5 to District 6. These 196 voters now will vote
  for a Council representative in April.

Castle Rock had 29,390 registered voters as of Jan. 4, meaning the changes will impact 7.2 percent – or 2,117 – of the Town’s voters. District 7 is the only district unaffected.

District 3 now has the fewest voters, with 4,085. District 4 has the most, 4,323, making the lowest-to-highest ratio 93.9 percent.

At the time of the last redistricting in 2007, the Town had 23,759 registered voters. If redistricting hadn’t occurred, District 5 – which had the least voters – would have had only 64.5 percent the amount of registered voters as the district with the most voters, District 2.

The new district map is available at CRgov.com/votemap. Voters also may verify their districts, via the Colorado Secretary of State Registered Voter Search, http://tinyurl.com/votecheck.

Questions? Contact Town Clerk Sally Misare, 303-660-1367 or smisare@CRgov.com. New district map

Recently, an Arapahoe County judge found that the City of Centennial could not rely on the application of federal law to prohibit a medical marijuana dispensary from operating within that city.

That finding led to two developments in Castle Rock this week regarding medical marijuana dispensaries:

1) Town Council on Tuesday adopted an ordinance to temporarily prohibit any additional medical marijuana dispensaries in Town for 180 days to allow time to develop a proposed regulatory structure.

2) Town Clerk Sally Misare on Wednesday amended her Dec. 19 order to reverse the limitations placed on the business and tax license for Plants 4 Life LLC, effective immediately.

The temporary suspension went immediately into effect Tuesday. It means “all departments and officers of the Town of Castle Rock are prohibited from conducting pre-application conferences, accepting, processing and/or otherwise approving or acting upon any … Town approval, license or permit currently required for or applicable to medical marijuana commerce under current Code provisions and Town regulations.”

Douglas County and several other area municipalities, including Lone Tree and Parker, have similar suspensions in effect.

Locally, the suspension will give Town staff sufficient time to complete an assessment and recommendation on appropriate and necessary medical marijuana commerce regulations.

No additional medical marijuana commerce will be established in Town until Council can consider and enact regulations. However, the suspension will not apply to or affect medical marijuana commerce that has all required Town approvals, permits and licenses.

The Plants 4 Life license to operate a medical marijuana dispensary was reinstated as a result of last week’s ruling in the Arapahoe County District Court, Frasher, et al. v. City of Centennial – apparently the first finding by a court of any level in Colorado deciding local governments do not have the authority to prohibit medical marijuana dispensaries on the basis that the activities conducted by the businesses violate federal law.

Various other legal proceedings could play out in the coming months, and the State Legislature is expected to further engage related issues, which continue to emerge.

Colorado voters in 2000 approved Amendment 20 to the Colorado Constitution, which allows caregivers to provide medical marijuana to patients suffering from “debilitating medical conditions” who have state-issued registry cards. However, the dispensaries did not become common throughout the state until this year, when the federal government ended its enforcement of dispensaries in states where medical marijuana is allowed.