HRCA December 2022 Newsletter

HRCA HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS

HRCA has events, classes, and activities to keep your family entertained throughout the season.

Santa is busy making his list of good girls and boys! If your child can't meet with the Jolly Old Elf in person this year, be sure to drop off his or her Christmas wish list from now until December 16 at Eastridge Recreation Center. Include your address, and all letters received by that date will get a response from the North Pole!

Kick-off the season with the annual Hometown Holiday on December 2, at Town Center South. This free, family, fun-filled evening includes caroling, crafts, a Winter Market, Santa's reindeer, and even pictures with Santa–all free of charge!

For many, a favorite holiday tradition is viewing homes decorated in festive lights. Submit your house to our Holiday House Decorating map. Entries should include a photo and can be submitted online at HRCAonline.org/HolidayHouse. The addresses and photos will be posted at www.HRCAonline.org/Happenings with a map showing the locations on December 9, then you can take a drive and look at the lights.

Activities and Classes - Stay inside and create memories by making holiday-themed art, crafts, and treats. Adults will enjoy art and pottery projects. Little ones will learn to make Christmas and winter crafts, snacks, and more with Holiday Art, Crafts, and Cooking Classes

Holiday Break Camps - Help your kids stay active over the Winter Break at our Backcountry, Art, STEM, Sports, and even a Special Needs Winter Break Sports Camp Find a complete list of camps at HRCAonline.org/Camps. Visit HRCAonline.org/Happenings for details on these activities and more!

SUPPORT THE ARTS IN OUR COMMUNITY - COLORADO GIVES DAY

Colorado's largest day of giving, Colorado Gives Day, is on Tuesday, December 6. When you make your donations this year, please support the Highlands Ranch Cultural Affairs Association (CAA).

The CAA produces and presents nearly 40 cultural, historic, and educational programs and events annually, including Highlands Ranch Pioneer Days, Oktoberfest, the Summer Concert Series, Culture on the Green, and many other concerts and events. The CAA also funds the annual Art Encounters outdoor sculpture program in Highlands Ranch.

If you support the arts and live music and theatre in Highlands Ranch, please donate to the CAA, go to www.ColoradoGives.org/CAA. You can also go online to schedule your donation in advance.

Budget Update:

The 2023 HRCA Budget was unanimously approved by the Delegates and Board on October 17. You can find all the details of the budget on our website. HRCAonline.org/Budget.

Assessment Update:

Beginning January 1, 2023 association dues will increase in total from $155.72 to $165.00, quarterly for all Highlands Ranch residents. Administrative Assessments will remain the same, but Recreation assessments will increase by $9.28 per quarter or $37.12 annually.

If you have signed up for auto payments, you will need to adjust the payment to account for the increase. You can do this directly through your Zego account or your personal bank account. Please find more information on our assessment pages on HRCAonline.org/assessments.

“There’s no place like home for the holidays!” This is especially true in Highlands Ranch.

HRCA | EVENT/WEATHER LINE 303-471-8888

BOARD OF DIRECTORS 303-471-8958

Dan DeBacco, Jim Allen, Brock Norris, Melissa Park, Monica Wasden

ADMINISTRATIVE

OFFICES

AT EASTRIDGE 303-471-8958

9568 S.University Blvd.

M-F: 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

RECREATION CENTERS 303-791-2500

RECREATION CENTER

AT NORTHRIDGE

8800 Broadway

M-F: 5:00 a.m - 9:00 p.m.

SATURDAY: 7:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

SUNDAY: 7:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

RECREATION CENTER AT EASTRIDGE

9568 University Blvd.

M-F: 5:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.

SATURDAY: 7:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.

SUNDAY: 7:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

RECREATION CENTER AT WESTRIDGE

9650 Foothills Canyon Blvd.

M-F: 5:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.

SATURDAY: 7:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.

SUNDAY: 7:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

RECREATION CENTER AT SOUTHRIDGE

4800 McArthur Ranch Rd.

M-F: 5:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.

SATURDAY: 7:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.

SUNDAY: 7:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

is published monthly by the Highlands Ranch Community Association, Inc.

Copyright ©2022 Highlands Ranch Community Association, Inc. All rights reserved. Permission is required to redistribute, reproduce, modify or republish information from Highlands Ranch Community Association, Inc., in print or electronically.

MIKE BAILEY

Dear HRCA Community,

For more than 40 years, The Highlands Ranch Community Association (HRCA) has been enhancing property values and creating a fantastic quality of life for over 105,00 community members. The HRCA is a nationally award-winning 501(c)4 organization that provides community leadership, community events, recreation facilities and programming, architectural control, and covenant enforcement in Highlands Ranch. Members of the HRCA have access to four state-of-the-art recreation centers, with over 329,000 square feet of workout facilities, meeting rooms, events, classroom space, running tracks, basketball/sports courts, use of archery ranges, and over 25 miles of singletrack trails in the Backcountry Wilderness Area.

The Highlands Ranch Community Association is one of the largest and most affordable HOAs in Colorado. HRCA helps keep Highlands Ranch among the top places to live in the United States. Similarly structured HOAs throughout Colorado offer fewer amenities and service a lower number of homes and community members.

Each owner of a privately owned property within the Community Association is a member of the HRCA and contributes a quarterly assessment payment broken down into the Administrative Fee and Recreational Fee. Beginning January 1, 2023, association dues will increase from $155.72 to $165.00, quarterly for all Highlands Ranch residents. This is the only price increase members have experienced since January 2019. The benefits of both fees are as follows:

• Administrative Functions: Architectural control and covenant enforcement, billing & collections, accounting, and finance.

• Recreational Functions: Membership to all four state-of-the-art recreation centers, operating and maintaining HRCA recreation facilities, bond expenses, capital improvements, and other related debt services.

Whether you are new to Highlands Ranch or have been a long-time resident, we welcome you. As you begin planning for 2023, we hope you will try a new fitness class, attend the next community event, or even hit the trails in our Backcountry Wilderness Area. Thank you for helping make our community great!

For more information, please visit HRCAonline.org or call 303-471-8958.

Happy Holidays, Mike Bailey

HRCA NEWS

GENERAL MANAGER

RANCH UPDATES NEWS

DECORATING FOR THE HOLIDAYS

It seems that the holidays come earlier and earlier every year. Many residents are opting for assistance in putting up holiday lighting from decorating services. Due to their tight schedules, lights/decorations are going up before the recommended 30 days prior to a holiday. The HRCA understands this and requests that if your decorations are up, please refrain from ‘lighting’ them in accordance with the recommended 30-day rule. All decorations/ lights and light clips must be down 30 days following the holiday. We appreciate your compliance and want all residents to enjoy each holiday to its fullest before moving onto the next one.

TRASH COMPLIANCE

In the aftermath of the holidays, many residents will have an overabundance of trash to be picked up. Trash should not be out on the street before 7:00 p.m. the night before pick-up and empty receptacles should be removed no later than 7:00 p.m. on day of pick-up. Trash/ recycling containers shall be secured with a tightly closed lid and trash bags shall be closed and tied. Loose items must be placed in a container with a lid or in a closed bag to prevent debris and trash from being blown throughout the neighborhood. Proper storage of all receptacles is either in the garage or behind the fence, so they are out of view. Trash providers may alter from their normal schedules due to the holidays, please contact them directly for more information on any changes to your scheduled pick-up days.

SNOW REMOVAL

Highlands Ranch has already seen some snowfall this year. Streets and sidewalks along major roadways will be cleared by Douglas County. Greenbelts are cleared by the Highlands Ranch Metro District. Homeowners are responsible for clearing driveways and residential sidewalks within 24 hours after the snowfall stops.

This includes sidewalks in front and sides of a home, adjacent mailboxes, and fire hydrants where present. This is extremely important for those areas where children use the sidewalk and pathways on their way to school. Please be courteous of your neighbors and clear the snow! Any questions, please call Community Improvement Services at 303.471.8821.

As you begin to plan for your 2023 outside home improvements please remember to check the Residential Improvement Guidelines (RIG's) to make sure you are aware of any logistics or permits you might be required to submit. The purpose of the RIG's are to:

• Outline what exterior home improvements are allowable by the HRCA.

• Show what covenants are in effect.

• Review what exterior home improvements must be reviewed by the Architectural Committee prior to beginning work.

The updated RIG's can be found on our website at HRCAonline.org/RIG's

HOMETOWN HOLIDAY & WINTER MARKET

HRCA invites you to celebrate Hometown Holiday, a tradition full of fun, family, treats, and community!

Join us for our winter wonderland of merry festivities, including strolling carolers, snacks, reindeer, hayrides, mini-train rides, Santa, and more!

Santa Claus will light the Town Center Christmas Tree Forest at 5:00 p.m., so be sure to be there to get your family photo.

The Hometown Holiday Festival will include a Winter Market. A wide variety of unusual gifts will be available, as well as handcrafted items for meals and gifts for the holidays. Make sure you visit the stalls of Colorado farmers and crafts people for standout gifts.

You can get your free picture taken with Santa and Mrs. Claus too, but they must leave by 7:30 p.m. SHARP to catch the sleigh back to the North Pole!

Experience a joyful holiday celebration in our community that has been a tradition for over 20 years, and discover why it's so special to be home for the holidays in the Ranch. It's sure to be a family favorite!

• Friday, December 2

• 4:30 - 7:30 p.m.

• Free

• Town Center South - 9315 Dorchester St.

UPCOMING EVENTS

HOLIDAY HOUSE DECORATING

Do your Christmas decorations put Clark Griswold to shame? Well, show everyone in Highlands Ranch by adding your home to HRCA’s Holiday House Decorating Map!

Take a photo of your Highlands Ranch home at night while lit and decorated, and submit it through the online form by 5:00 p.m. on December 8; go to HRCAonline.org/HolidayHouse. Your address will be added to the online map. Beginning December 9, everyone is invited to use the map to view the festive sights and lights!

YOUR HEALTH WITH UCHEALTH - ALZHEIMER’S AWARENESS

Join Doctor Marc Wasserman from UCHealth Highlands Ranch Hospital for our Virtual Health Series. Discussion will include symptoms, diagnosis, stages, treatment, care and support resources. You will have the opportunity to ask your questions and get answers.

• Wednesday, December 7 • 6:00-7:00 p.m. • Free • Zoom

COOKIES WITH A COP

Get in the spirit of the holiday season decorating cookies with the Douglas County Sheriff's Office! This event is free and open to all ages. For more information visit HRCAonline.org/Events or contact Erin Prueter at erin.prueter@hrcaonline.org.

• Wednesday, December 14 • 3:00-5:00 p.m. • Free

• Eastridge Recreation Center - 9568 University Blvd.

BLOOD DRIVE

The HRCA and Vitalant are coming together in this time of need! The time between December 16 and January 8 - the week before Christmas through the first week of January - is a particularly challenging time to safeguard the blood supply for patients. We call this the 13th month because of its unique challenges in collecting blood. Your donation is especially critical during this time of year. Call Vitalant at 303-363-2300 or sign-up online at www.donors.vitalant.org by using code 10002 or searching 80126. Appointments are requested, but walk-ins are also welcome. Space is limited.

• Thursday, January 5 • 9:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. • Free

• Northridge - 8800 S. Broadway

BLOOD DRIVE

a.m.

CHINESE NEW YEAR CELEBRATION

The Highlands Ranch Cultural Affairs Association is partnering with Great Wall Chinese Academy to celebrate the Chinese New Year. It ushers in the Year of the Rabbit in 2023. Come and enjoy traditional music, exciting Chinese Dragon and Lion dances, beautiful folk dances, and amazing Chinese martial arts-Kung Fu demonstrations. Performers are a mix of talented school-age individuals and professionals. Join us for the free Cultural Fair all throughout Southridge.

• Saturday, January 21 • Free Cultural Fair 12:00-4:00 p.m. Performance is 2:00-3:00 p.m. • $10

• Southridge - 4800 McArthur Ranch Rd.

FAMILY MAGIC SHOW

Join us for a fun interactive magic show for the whole family. The show features a mix of mystery, illusion, and family-friendly comedy. With our magician keeping you on your toes, you never know what you're going to see during this event. Be sure to get your tickets before they sell out!

• Friday, January 27 • 6:30-7:30 p.m. • $10 for Child, $15 for Adult • Southridge Wildcat Auditorium - 4800 McArthur Ranch Rd.

COMING SOON! - 2023 WINTER CULTURAL SERIES

The Highlands Ranch Cultural Affairs Association is excited to announce the 2023 Winter Cultural Series! Treat yourself to a series of evenings of culture close to home. We kick off the series on Thursday, February 2, from 6:30 p.m. –8:00 p.m. at the Cherry Hills Community Church Chapel, 3900 Grace Blvd. Tickets are $10 per person.

Join us for the entire series:

Thursday, February 2 TBD (Check the web site for more information)

Thursday, February 16 Denver Pops Orchestra

Thursday, March 2 TBD (Check the web site for more information)

Thursday, March 16 Heritage Irish Stepdancers

Tickets available for community events at HRCAonline.org/Tickets

New Activity Guide

Watch your mailbox this month for the new January - April 2023 Activity Guide. For classes and registration, go to the web site at HRCAonline.org/Register.

HRCAonline.org/jobs

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WILDLIFE WINTERING CLOSURE

STARTS JANUARY 1

The annual closure of the Wildcat Mountain Trail System starts on January 1, and runs through March 31, to allow wildlife a place to rest and reserve calories without being disrupted by recreation. Thank you for your cooperation!

CLASSES, CAMPS & ACTIVITIES

SOCCER SHOTS

Soccer Shots is an engaging children’s soccer program with a focus on character development. Our caring team positively impacts children’s lives on and off the field through best-in-class coaching, curriculum, and communication. Our coaches are the best-trained in the business. Our expert-approved curriculum is age-appropriate and aligns with childhood education standards. In addition, we provide an exceptional customer experience and ongoing communication with parents. For more information, please contact Patrick Gojan at patrick.gojan@hrcaonline.org or 303-471-8869.

THERAPEUTIC RECREATION WINTER BREAK SPORTS CAMP

Learn the skills necessary for a variety of sports in a fun and recreation-based environment. Learn the rules of the games focusing on teamwork and good sportsmanship. Each includes three unique sports. We meet December 27, and December 29th from 9:00 a.m. - noon at the Southridge gym. Register at www.HRCAonline.org/tr Ages 8 and up. Visit HRCAonline.org/TR for more information.

2023 RACE SERIES 5K SPECIAL

Join the HRCA Race Series for all four of our signature 5KsSt. Patrick's Day 5K (Saturday, March 18), Mother's Day 5K (Saturday, May 13), Independence Day 5K (Tuesday, July 4), and Oktoberfest 5K (Saturday, September 16)! Registration open through Saturday, March 18. 25% off the purchase of all four races. More info at HRRaceSeries.org.

2023 TENNIS REGISTRATION STARTING SOON!

TENNIS SENIOR DROP-IN DRILL

Come meet your friends on court for this 55 & Over Drop-in Drill. The fun happens every Thursday at Northridge Tennis Pavilion from 2:30 – 4:00 p.m. for only $8/member and $10/guest pricing.

Call the Tennis Monitor Desk at 303-471-8996 for more information.

Don't miss the date! Beginning January 8 at 6:00 a.m., tennis programming will open for the first three sessions of youth and adult classes. The first six-week session of programs runs from January 23 through March 5. The next two sessions run from March 6 through May 28. HRCA's adult lessons, drills, socials, and all youth programming are taught by the finest certified teaching pros in the business. Class registrations are kept to a maximum number of students, ensuring all participants enjoy an optimal learning experience. Classes fill quickly, so be sure to mark Sunday, January 8 on your calendar now!

CLASSES, CAMPS & ACTIVITIES

HOLIDAY TIME!

Now that it is time to Deck the Halls, we want to be sure you consider all of the fun things to do at HRCA this month! Enroll your child in one of our Creative Kids classes at Westridge that are sure to have your kids ready for the holidays! Try enrolling them in Snowy, A Stepping Stones class for ages 2 ½-3 ½, Candy Canes, a Toddler and Me class for ages 18 mos-4 years or try a one-day class so you can finish up some shopping! Classes are on different days of the week and at different times, so you can find a class that meets your family’s schedule. We will be doing fun crafts, projects and activities related to our themes: Magic is in the Air, Snowboarding, Snowmen and more! Find these classes on page 29 of the current Activity Guide or for more information, please call 303-471-8818.

LET IT SNOW, LET IT SNOW, LET IT SNOW!

December is a wonderful month to get your kids involved in something new and festive! Try our Drawing and Painting class for children ages 6-11 or our Teen Drawing class both on Monday evenings in December. Our Cooking class Young Chefs- Holiday Sweets for ages 7-9 years old and Creative Cooks for ages 9-12 years old are on Wednesday evenings in December. We will also be offering our popular STEM camps that include: Snapology – Scientists, and Snapology – Exploring Arendelle, among others. Get your kids involved in fun holiday projects and activities that inspire and engage them! For more information, please call 303-471-8853.

LOW IMPACT- HIGH RESULTS WITH AQUA FITNESS!

Looking for a low-impact workout that is easy on the joints, but still effective for the cardiovascular system? Come try out our Aqua Fitness classes. We offer multiple Aqua Fitness classes throughout the week at three facilities. Aqua Fitness uses the resistance of the water and the challenge of the current to improve participants' strength, mobility, flexibility, and endurance all while minimizing the impact on the body. These classes will help you reach your fitness goals by performing fun and energizing low-impact water exercises designed to improve strength, flexibility, range of motion, and endurance. All levels and ages are welcome.

You can register for classes at HRCAonline.org/aquafit

CREATIVE CHEER FOR ADULTS!

This month we are featuring our adult art program. We are offering Zen Doodle, Watercolor, Creating Collages, Knitting, Beginning Painting and Beginning Drawing. We are also featuring Hand Building and Wheel Pottery classes. These are wonderful opportunities to spark a creative and cheerful side to your holiday activities! Join us! For more information, please call 303-471-8853.

2023 CAMP BACKCOUNTRY REGISTRATION OPENS JANUARY 16

Tis' the season to find the perfect summer camp! If a summer full of adventure, exploring, and fresh air is on your kid's wishlist, look no further. Early bird registration for summer at Camp Backcountry opens on January 16—and runs through January 31—for Mini, Nature, Horse, and Art camps. Visit www.campbackcountry.org for session information and registration details.

FACILITY CLOSURES

December

COMMUNITY PARTNERS

DECEMBER EVENTS

December

December